An African Adventure
Who: My friend Sarah (Biology Teacher at TAS) and me
What: An African Adventure
When: June 2-22, 2012
Where: Tanzania: Climb Kilimanjaro; Safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti; Zanzibar
Why: I'm not sure how I got it in my head that I wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, but I did. Then my friend Virginia suggested Zanzibar, and then we decided while we're there we might as well go on safari. Virginia ended up adopting a baby instead, but I stayed focused on the adventure and recruited Sarah, who was more than up for the challenge.
How: With advice and informtation from friends, we booked our hike through Marangu Hotel, our safari through Safari Makers, and we booked Zanzibar on our own. I would very highly recommend Marangu to anyone going to Kilimanjaro, even if you're not going to hike it. I also recommend Safari Makers. We were very happy with our choices.
We flew Thai Airways to Bangkok, Kenya Airways to Nairobi, and Precision Air to Kilimanjaro. If I had my choice, I wouldn't fly any of those airlines again, but if I had to fly them to get to Africa, I most certainly would. I'd fly anything to Africa. I do think, however, I will avoid Thai Airways in the future. After flying them 6 times this year, I dislike them almost as much as China Airlines. Anyways, back to the flights. We had several short flights in tiny prop planes in Tanzania, and we flew Precision Air for those as well. Unfortunately, we had a 15 hour delay in Bangkok on our way over and several long layovers on the way home, but Sarah and I weathered them all quite well.
Highlight: The week in Kilimanjaro was by far my favorite part. The Marangu Hotel was simply charming, the service was perfect, and I loved being there. The owners - British brothers Seamus and Desmond - briefed us extensively about our climb, giving us advice and telling us what to expect. They were spot on about everything. Our team of nine provided excellent guidance, service, and food, and by the end of our 6 day journey, we were in love with them all. Hiking Kili was one of the most breathtaking experiences I've ever had - both because I was walking up hill and because the beauty of my surroundings took my breath away. Upon our return, Marangu Hotel was our haven for two more nights, and I was very sad when I had to leave.
Lowlight: I am sad to report that I did not like our 6 day safari. While I saw some of the most majestic landscapes in the world (which was my favorite part of the safari) and I loved our guide Ayubu, I did not like sitting in a car, riding around looking for animals for 6 days straight. It's not that I wouldn't do a safari again; it's just that I wouldn't do it the same way. I'd love to do a 3-4 day walking safari, or a 3-4 day trip where you stay in one place and go on short 3 hour excursions. Driving 8 hours a day going from park to park was not enjoyable for me. Still, I saw some really amazing sights...like this one:
Overall Impression: Africa and its people are amazing, and I would go back in a heartbeat. My next stop in Africa will mostly likely be Uganda, where I'll go to see the gorillas in the mist with my friend Janna, who's moving to Kampala this August. I'll probably go sometime in the 2013-2014 school year. I'd also like to go to the Mediterranean coast of Africa (Tunisia, Algiers, and Morocco).
Score on the Adventure Rubric: 20 out of 20...sweet!
What: An African Adventure
When: June 2-22, 2012
Where: Tanzania: Climb Kilimanjaro; Safari to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti; Zanzibar
Why: I'm not sure how I got it in my head that I wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, but I did. Then my friend Virginia suggested Zanzibar, and then we decided while we're there we might as well go on safari. Virginia ended up adopting a baby instead, but I stayed focused on the adventure and recruited Sarah, who was more than up for the challenge.
How: With advice and informtation from friends, we booked our hike through Marangu Hotel, our safari through Safari Makers, and we booked Zanzibar on our own. I would very highly recommend Marangu to anyone going to Kilimanjaro, even if you're not going to hike it. I also recommend Safari Makers. We were very happy with our choices.
We flew Thai Airways to Bangkok, Kenya Airways to Nairobi, and Precision Air to Kilimanjaro. If I had my choice, I wouldn't fly any of those airlines again, but if I had to fly them to get to Africa, I most certainly would. I'd fly anything to Africa. I do think, however, I will avoid Thai Airways in the future. After flying them 6 times this year, I dislike them almost as much as China Airlines. Anyways, back to the flights. We had several short flights in tiny prop planes in Tanzania, and we flew Precision Air for those as well. Unfortunately, we had a 15 hour delay in Bangkok on our way over and several long layovers on the way home, but Sarah and I weathered them all quite well.
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| I was so proud of myself for packing everything I needed to climb Kili in below 0 temps to clothes for a safari to beachwear in these two backpacks. Then I saw Sarah's stuff: Her backpack was about 3/4 the size of mine, and she didn't have the extra little backpack I had. I guess I still have a lot to learn about packing effectively. |
Highlight: The week in Kilimanjaro was by far my favorite part. The Marangu Hotel was simply charming, the service was perfect, and I loved being there. The owners - British brothers Seamus and Desmond - briefed us extensively about our climb, giving us advice and telling us what to expect. They were spot on about everything. Our team of nine provided excellent guidance, service, and food, and by the end of our 6 day journey, we were in love with them all. Hiking Kili was one of the most breathtaking experiences I've ever had - both because I was walking up hill and because the beauty of my surroundings took my breath away. Upon our return, Marangu Hotel was our haven for two more nights, and I was very sad when I had to leave.
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| My bedroom windows at Marangu |
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| The steps up to our cabin at Marangu |
Lowlight: I am sad to report that I did not like our 6 day safari. While I saw some of the most majestic landscapes in the world (which was my favorite part of the safari) and I loved our guide Ayubu, I did not like sitting in a car, riding around looking for animals for 6 days straight. It's not that I wouldn't do a safari again; it's just that I wouldn't do it the same way. I'd love to do a 3-4 day walking safari, or a 3-4 day trip where you stay in one place and go on short 3 hour excursions. Driving 8 hours a day going from park to park was not enjoyable for me. Still, I saw some really amazing sights...like this one:
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| Simba!! |
Overall Impression: Africa and its people are amazing, and I would go back in a heartbeat. My next stop in Africa will mostly likely be Uganda, where I'll go to see the gorillas in the mist with my friend Janna, who's moving to Kampala this August. I'll probably go sometime in the 2013-2014 school year. I'd also like to go to the Mediterranean coast of Africa (Tunisia, Algiers, and Morocco).
Score on the Adventure Rubric: 20 out of 20...sweet!
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