Tanzania and Kenya - January 22 - February 6, 2026

 January 23, 2026

 

 

Leaving Washington, Dulles airport at 10:00AM January 22nd I arrived at Kilimanjaro, Airport in Tanzania, January 23rd to embark on an amazing journey!! 

Since I arrived at 10AM and a day early I was able to enjoy a wonderful spa treatment  at Gran Melia Arusha Hotel.  This is hotel with their own coffee groves and beautiful, lush gardens was a perfect start to a trip of a life time.  

 

 

Coffee Groves at Gran Melia

The coffee they served was from the beans they grew there and it was some of the best coffee I have ever tasted!
 

Above is Mt. Meru as seen from the top of the Gran Melia.  Mt. Meru is the 8th highest mountain in Africa.

Unfortunately Mt. Kilimanjaro was not out when I arrived or while I was in Arusha.   

 

  January 24, 2026

 

Carolyn, Jim Langon and myself had one of our guides take us to the Arusha Giraffe Center.  This is Tanzania's first regeneration giraffe centers.  The Center is dedicated to raising awareness of the Silent Extinction of giraffes and restoring the land they call home.  

With a guide and a Maasai Warrior we were able to walk among these gentle giants.  There are currently 4 giraffes at the center and they roam around the large, lush grounds of the center as in the wild.  

 

Edward is the male giraffe at the center.

 

 

 

Carolyn, Jim and Jenny with "Edward"

The other giraffes that are currently at the center are Valerie, Eliana and Lottie!!

 

Below are pictures from the villages and markets we passed on the way to and from the Giraffe Center

There were a lot of motor bikes!!
 

 

 

 Maasai males tend to the cows, sheep and goats.   These animals roam all over and have a herder with them.

 

It is a law that all children attend school.  These two adorable boys were walking home from school together.  Children's joy is universal! 

 

January 25, 2026

 

 

We departed Arusha and started our journey on our first game drive in Lake Manyara National Park.  Established as a National Park in 1960, it is 330 sq. kilometers (approximately 127 sq. miles).

Lake Manyara National Park is located between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley in the Arusha and Manyara Regions.  The majority of the land area of the park is a narrow strip running between the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara, an alkaline lake, to the east.

African Elephants have huge ears and both the males and females have tusks.

There were so many baboons in this Park!

 

 

 

 Southern Ground Hornbill Bird

 These birds are endemic to Africa and they are the largest of the "Hornbills".  The Southern Ground Hornbill is one of the "Big 6 bird species".  

                                                                               

We saw so many huge termite mounds.  The structure of the mounds can be very complicated. Inside the mound is an extensive system of tunnels and conduits that serves as a ventilation system for the underground nest. In order to get good ventilation, the termites will construct several shafts leading down to the cellar located beneath the nest. The mound is built above the subterranean nest. The nest itself is a spheroidal structure consisting of numerous gallery chambers.  We were told the under ground part of these termite nests are at least twice the size as the part above the ground.   Also, the exterior is like extremely hard

                                                                      Below is a waterbuck! 

Below the male Impala's graceful lyre-shaped horns are about 40 to 90 centimeters long.  Female impalas do not have horns.

                                                  

 

We had lunch at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge.  The lodge looks over Lake Manyara National Park. 

Onward to Ngorongoro Melia Lodge for two nights. This lodge is located in Ngorongoro Conservation Center.  

                                                      
                                              We were greeted by Maasai Warriors with song and dance.

                                                          

      The Ngorongoro Conservation Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera within the area.   My room overlooked the Ngorongoro Crater.  It was an incredible view and totally open to animals of all kinds.  

 

                                                                                      

That night we were treated to a greeting of song and dance by Maasai Warriors.  The dance includes them jumping high directly from a standing position.  They also demonstrated starting a fire with elephant dung and sticks.  I was a model, along with Leigh Courtney, for the Maasai to show how to wear the Shuka.  Shuka is the primary garment worn by Maasai men and women.  We all got a gift of a Shuka!

                                                                   

                                               Below is our Tauck group with the Maasai Warriors.
                                        What a great group of people to share this adventure with !!!                                                                                             Me in middle with green top and green / white pants.

                                                                                  

                                                              Sunset overlooking the crater
                                                                                    

                                                     

                                           

January 26, 2026

 

What an exciting day driving down into the Crater.  The  Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera.  The crater, which formed when a large volcano erupted and collapsed on itself two to three million years ago, is 610 metres (2,000 feet) deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometres (100 square miles).  Estimates of the height of the original volcano range from 4,500 to 5,800 metres (2.8 to 3.6 miles) high. The crater was voted by Seven Natural Wonders as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 1973.   

Driving down into the crater we met Maasai children walking to school.  They have about a 2 to 4 mile walk to school.

 

Views of a Maasai Village

 

Beautiful views driving down into the crater!
 

 Approximately 25,000 large animals, mostly large hoofed animals, live in the crater!! 

We saw so many animals in the crater!!

Female Lion
 

                                                                                     

                                                                             Cape Buffalo

 The Cape buffalo is not very tall—it stands only 130–150 cm (51–59 inches) tall and has relatively short legs—but it is massive, weighing 425–870 kg (935–1,910 pounds). Bulls are about 100 kg (220 pounds) heavier than cows, and their horns are thicker and usually wider, up to 100 cm (40 inches) across, with a broad shield (only fully developed at seven years) covering the forehead. The coat is thin and black, except in young calves, whose coats may be either black or brown.

This female lion was scoping out the Cape Buffalo but it would not be possible for her to take one down by herself.  

                                                  

                       The buffalo were aware of her and stared her down.  She ended up retreating.
                                                                                   

                                                                                        

                                                                Baby Cape Buffalo nursing!

                                                                                 Warthog

                                            

   Thomson's gazelles can be found in numbers exceeding 200,000 in Africa and are recognized as the most common type of gazelle in East Africa. A small fast antelope, the Thomson's gazelle is said to have top speeds up to 80–90 km/h (50–55 mph). It is the fourth-fastest land animal, after the cheetah (its main predator), pronghorn, and springbok.                                                      
                                                                              

                                                                               

Zebras with Thomson's gazelle

Cute Baby 

                                                          Scratching each other's back

                                                                                     

                                                                 Wildebeest with baby

                                                                               

Wildebeest are also known as Gnu.  Wildebeest often graze in mixed herds with zebras, which gives heightened awareness of potential predators. They are also alert to the warning signals emitted by other animals such as baboons.  

                                                                           

Eland are the largest antelope in southern Africa. Eland are unusual antelope in the bushveld in that they are nomadic and as such do not defend territories.  

                                           Our first sighting of a Black Rhino in the distance!  

                                                              

                                                              Hippos with Pink Flamingos 

                                            
 

                                                                                  

The peak flamingo season in Tanzania is from November to May. During this time of the year, you can witness enormous flocks of Tanzania’s pink flamingos. Outside of the peak season flamingos are fewer and tend to move to the center of lake. But given that flamingos are migratory birds, they move to and from the various soda (alkaline) lakes in Tanzania during this period. 

 

 

Grey Crowned Crane 

 

 The grey crowned crane is a large crane species that is native to Sub-Saharan Africa.   It occurs mainly in dry savanna, although it nests in somewhat wetter habitats, and can also be found in marshes, cultivated lands and grassy flatlands near rivers and lakes. Its body plumage is mainly grey and it has white cheeks, a red throat patch, and a stiff golden crown. It is omnivorous, consuming a wide variety of animal and plant matter, including plants, seeds, grain, insects, frogs,worms, snakes, small fish and the eggs of aquatic animals. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

 Traveling with Tauck we were treated to so many wonderful "surprises".  Today our fabulous tour director, Chris Mancini, had a delicious picnic lunch set up in the crater.

                                                                   

                                                                                     

                                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                                                    

There I am in the melon color shirt with a green gator (center left side).   One of the highlights of this trip for me was just as we had  finished our lunch the skies opened up with dark clouds and it started to rain.  Everyone ran for the safari vehicles but I just wanted to dance in the rain - and I did for a bit but was summoned to the vehicle.  But, I did get to "Bless the Rains down in Africa!!"  

 The rain did not last long and we continued the afternoon with exploring more of the crater and enjoying all the wonderful animals there.

                                                                                 

"In the  jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps......."  Adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane that which extends from the head to the shoulders and chest. 

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                     Female Lion

                                                                                      

Helmeted guinea fowl are ground birds found across most of Sub-Sahara Africa. They are a large bird, 53 to 58 cm (21 to 23 in), with a round body and small head. They weigh about 1.3 kg (2.9 lb)

                                                                             

Zebras are primarily grazers and can subsist on lower-quality vegetation. They are preyed on mainly by lions, and typically flee when threatened but also bite and kick.  A group of zebras are a "dazzle".  

                                                                      

 January 27, 2026

    From Ngorongoro we took a flight from Lake Manyara to Seronera Airstrip in Central Serengeti.

 

Above are our Tauck duffel bags that held what we needed for the next 3 days.  I worried a bit about this limitation on luggage but it was quite easy since everywhere we stayed had laundry service.

                                                                               

                                                Jim and Carolyn Langon ready to board our plane.
                                                                                   

We took 2 of these small planes since both only held about 12 people.  It was a tight squeeze walking the small aisle for seats - loading from the back of the plane.  But it was a super smooth ride.

                                                                                   

Approximately 1 hour later we arrived at Serengeti Airstrip.  Above is Carolyn disembarking. 

                                                                                      

The Serengeti National Park was established as a National Park in 1951.  It is 14,763 sq kilometers (approximately 5,700 sq. miles).  The Maasai called this place Siringet, "the endless plain".   Though a fenceless border distinguishes this oldest National Park, it is its' connection to the greater eco-system that truly makes the Serengeti special.  Central to one of the most spectacular migrations on the planet, thousand of animals crisscross the Serengeti each year in search of food and water.  

On the drive to the Four Season Safari Lodge we encountered so many beautiful animals roaming the park.

     Maasai giraffes are found in central and southern Kenya and in Tanzania.  Its coat patterns are highly diverse, with spots ranging from mostly rounded and smooth-edged to oval-shaped and incised or loped-edged.   The horn-like structures on a giraffe’s head are not true horns or antlers; instead, they are called "ossicones".  The females ossicones have tufts of hair while the males usually do not because they use these ossicones when fighting for dominance. Scientists speculate that ossicones also play a role in thermoregulation, speculating that the network of blood vessels within them helps dissipate heat, allowing giraffes to regulate their body temperature in the scorching savannah. 
  

                                                                                     

A group of Impalas are called a "herd".  They are referred to as a "drove" when on the move.

                                                                             

Topi are highly social and fast type of antelope found in the savannas, sub-deserts, and floodplains of sub-Saharan Africa.  Our guides said they have "blue jeans with yellow socks" on.

                                              

                                                                               

Arriving at our next luxurious hotel, The Four Seasons Safari Lounge, we had lunch and a relaxing afternoon until our 4:30 PM Game Drive.

                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                        My incredibly beautiful lodging.

                     

                                          My private balcony overlooked the open Serengeti! 

                                         Bathing while watching for animals roaming the Serengeti plains.
                                                                                   

                                                                                   

                                                                                      

                                                              My closet and dressing room!

                                                   
 There was a watering hole on the property and the TV in the rooms had live viewing of the watering hole.  I kept my TV tuned to the watering hole but unfortunately since it was not the dry season no animals came to it while I was viewing.  

                                                                             

 

The bush hyrax is a small herbivorous mammal native to Africa’s rocky and arid landscapes. Despite its rodent-like appearance, it belongs to the Procaviidae family. It is closely related to elephants and manatees. Bush hyraxes are highly adapted to rugged terrains, using their specialized feet with rubbery pads to grip rocky surfaces. They are social animals, living in colonies that provide protection against predators and help in thermoregulation.  These little critters were all over the place here!!

                                                     One was even hanging around my balcony!

                                                         

                                    And always on the walk way from my cottage to the main hotel area!

                               The Swimming Pool area  had a infinity edge overlooking the watering hole!
                                                                              

                                            Our afternoon game drive did not disappoint!!!

Klipspringers is a small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa.  It reaches 43–60 centimeters (17–23+1⁄2 inches) at the shoulder and weighs from 8 to 18 kilograms (18 to 40 pounds).  Unlike most other antelopes, the klipspringer has a thick and coarse coat with hollow, brittle hairs. The horns, short and spiky, typically measure 7.5–9 cm (3–3+1⁄2 in). 

 

                                                                         

                                       It was very exciting to come upon a large pride of lions.  
                                                                                

                                                                                     

                                                                                     

Cute little nursing cub! But Mommy had enough and got up and walked away as the cub tried in vain to stay attached!                                                             

                                                                   Male Lion kept guard!

                                                                                      
                                                                                    

                                                                                

                                                  Check out lions lounging in the background

The Eland is the largest antelope in the region.  The common eland, also known as the southern eland or eland antelope, is a large savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa. An adult male is around 1.6 m (5.2 ft) tall at the shoulder and can weigh up to 942 kg (2,077 lb) with a typical range of 500–600 kg (1,100–1,300 lb). Females are around 1.4 m (4.6 ft) tall and weigh 340–445 kg (750–981 lb).

                                                

                                                                                  Impalas 

                                                                       Cape buffalo 

     

                                                    Sun setting and time to head back for dinner.                                                                                   

                                                            
                                                                                   

                                                                     January 28, 2026

 
                                                   A fabulous day exploring the Serengeti!!!
                             

                                                                                

                                                                                     

We saw so many babies on our game drives!!  And it was so fun watching them nurse!!!!  Female zebras can give birth to a foal every 12 months, the size of a social group can double in just a couple of years if the offspring are predominantly female.  

The gestation period for zebra reproduction takes around 12 to 13 months. Similar to horses, the foal will be able to stand up and walk just a few minutes after it is born. In fact, after only 15 minutes, the foal can walk and after one hour, it will be able to run.

In general, females give birth to only one foal, but on rare occasions they can have twins. They will suckle up to 16 months but the nursing will continue even after that period. Only their mothers will protect them since most zebra social groups contain just one male.

That morning we were so fortunate to see a Leopard!!!  The final one for seeing the "Big Five"!!  We got to observe it walking around and climbing into a tree!                                                 

These cats have a pale yellowish to dark golden fur with dark spots grouped in rosettes. Its body is slender and muscular, reaching a length of 92–183 cm (36–72 in) with a 66–102 cm (26–40 in) long tail and a shoulder height of 60–70 cm (24–28 in). Males typically weigh 30.9–72 kg (68–159 lb), and females 20.5–43 kg (45–95 lb).

  Crossing a bridge we encountered a stinky "bloat" of Hippos.  They use their tails to swish away their poop so you see the tails swish brown water constantly in this group!!  STINKY!!

                                                                                   

                               

                                        A herd of elephants with babies were very entertaining!!!

                                                                                  

Baby elephants might grow to be one of the largest land animals in the world, but they are only around 200 to 300 pounds when they are born.  Baby elephants are called "calves" and they nurse until they no longer fit underneath their mother, about 2 years old.

A baby elephant doesn’t instinctively know how to use its trunk. When they are born, they lack muscle tone in their trunks, which makes them difficult to control, so elephants must get plenty of practice in to build strength and dexterity in their trunks. Baby elephants strengthen and learn how to use their trunks by playing in water and swinging it back and forth. 

                                                                                                                                                  

                                                            Female Impalas

                                                

                                                                 Topi             

                                                    

                                                                     Maasai Giraffe

  

Maasai giraffes, and sometimes called the Kilimanjaro giraffe, and is currently the national animal of Tanzania.

 

 Back at our hotel for lunch I explored the museum they have there.

Giraffe vertebrae!

A giraffe’s neck can weigh up to 600 pounds and grow 6 feet long. This is an incredible feat considering that giraffes and humans have the same number of cervical vertebrae: seven.

The difference is that each vertebra in a giraffe's neck is elongated, measuring up to 25 centimeters long. The elongated bones are connected by ball-and-socket joints, making it easy for a giraffe to maintain its 360-degree range of motion. 

It was very interesting to learn that giraffe necks have valves that help control blood flow when they raise and lower their heads.  These valves will shut off  the blood rushing to the brain when they bend to drink and also open systematically open when they raise their heads.

 

Back out at 4:00 PM for a late afternoon game drive.
 

                                                                    Umbrella Acacia!  

                                                        And exciting......Another Leopard!!!
                                                                                   

                                This guy walked under a drainage bridge right under our vehicles!!

                                                  

                                                                                    

Vervet Monkeys are native to Southeastern Africa.  They have very long tails and are fairly small, active and agile and have black faces, with grey body hair. 

                                          

      The beautiful "Lilac Breasted Roller" bird below has seven colors that can be seen when it flies.  We did see it fly but was unable to get pictures in air.                          

                                      Below is a Pternistis which is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa                                                                                       

                                                                  Black-back Jackal!

                                                  

                                                                January 29, 2026

                                      Morning game drive to continue exploring the Serengeti!

                                          

                                                                                  

The different topography throughout varied from dry dusty to lush landscape as shown above.  What does this rock look like to you?

                                       

Above is a "tower" of giraffes.  When they are on the move they are called a "journey".  When the males fight for dominance and mating two different terms were told to us by our guides:  the first was a "kaleidoscope"; the second guide told us it was a "necking"("necking" is the term I am finding when doing more research).   

Our safari vehicle got to see the "necking" in action as two males fought for the rights to mate with a female giraffe in their "tower".  It was incredible to watch and the thump when one male hit the other's neck was so incredibly loud.  The losing male went down and I was quite frightened that it had been killed, but luckily it got up after a bit (even though the dominant male stepped on him to keep him down).  I got  a video of the entire thing but have not figured out how to add video to my blog.

                                                   

 We were called by one of the other guides to a "cackle" of spotted hyenas that were feasting on a kill.  There is a hierarchy as to who gets to eat first.  The babies are the last to get to feed on whatever was caught.  Directly below the alpha is walking away with the kill and they others are left to wait.

                                                 

 

                                                                                               

                                                

                                                     Hey little guy, did you get any of it???

                                                                                     

Quick stop for a pee break and snacks.  We certainly did not go hungry during this trip!!!  I am in middle (appropriate for the "middle child") in orange top and white floppy hat.

                                                                                 

Above is a male Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama.  The male's head, neck, and shoulders are bright red or violet, while the body is dark blue. The female is mostly brown and is difficult to distinguish from female agamas of other species.  Below is a female.                                

                                                                                  

 The Coke's hartebeest has a long and narrow face with pointed ears. It has long legs, a sloping back, and ridged horns that are found in both males and females. It has short reddish-brown fur, a white rump, and a short tail with a blackish tuft at the end. Calves have a paler appearance. 

                                                                               

Ostrich are the worlds largest and heaviest bird.  They are flightless but can run as fast as 70 km/h (about 43 mph) making them the fastest two legged animal in the world.  They are native to the savanna and desert regions of Africa. 

                                         

                                                     Then we came upon these cute little cubs.
  

                                                                             and Mommy          

The one club climbed this tree while the other wanted to get  up in the tree also but to no avail.

                                                    

                                            ....and so little cub just gave up and relaxed in the shade!
                                                                                 

                                                                    

Tawny Eagle

                                                                               

                                                 

These vibrant yellow weaver birds build the most intricate nests.  I got to see one at work but unfortunately did not have my phone with me to take a picture.   I came back and got a picture of the nest.                                                 

That night we had dinner in the Boma.  Bomas are circular in shape and this practical design represents the continuous cycle of life and symbolizes unity as well as community.  

                                         

                                           
                                                                    

                                                           January 30, 2026

Leaving the Serengeti we got a flight back to Arusha and got to do some shopping and have lunch at the Cultural Heritage Center in Arusha.  

The Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre in Arusha, Tanzania is a place where art and artifacts from the past and present of Tanzania and other East African countries can be viewed in a single compound. The center boasts various carvings, gemstones (Tanzanite!!!), artifacts, clothing and books.  I could have used more shopping time!!!:}

We had to say goodbye to our incredible Tanzania guides as we would be continuing the day into Kenya.

                                                                              

Traveling by bus to the Kenya border was about a 2 hour drive.  After clearing customs we drove about 2 more hours to Amboseli, Kenya.  As all the drives in Africa, there was so much to see on the way.

                                                                                 

                                                                                     

Above are Gerenuk antelope.  The Gerenuk, also known as Waller’s gazelle, is a medium-sized antelope native to East Africa. Its most recognizable feature is its disproportionately long, slender neck, which gives it its name; “gerenuk” is derived from the Somali language meaning “giraffe-necked.”

                                                                                

                            This marshy lake area we passed had so many different types of birds!

                                                                                 

                                                                                      

                                                                     African Jacana

                                                                                 

                                                                                      

                                                                          Glossy Ibis

                                                                          Bohor Reedbuck

A herbivore, the Bohor reedbuck prefers grasses and tender reed shoots with high protein and low fiber content. This reedbuck is dependent on water, though green pastures can fulfill its water requirement.  

 

                                                                     Olive Baboons!  

The olive baboon is named for its coat, which, at a distance, is a shade of green-grey.  At closer range, its coat is multicolored, due to rings of yellow-brown and black on the hairs. The hair on the baboon's face is coarser and ranges from dark grey to black.  This coloration is shared by both sexes, although males have a mane of longer hair that tapers down to ordinary length along the back.

 

 Vervet Monkey with twins!!

 Arriving at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge these baboons and monkeys were all over the place !

 Vervet monkeys liked to hang out on my back porch!!..."do do do looking out my back door"

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is a luxury eco-friendly lodge located deep inside

 Amboseli National Park.  

 

                                                                                   

                                            The paintings on the walls in my cottage were adorable!

Outside my cottage....I thought this broom was cool and the kind gentleman loved getting his picture taken and posing!!

Sun down....another incredible day!

sve  

 January 31, 2026

 

Exploring Amboseli National Park

 

Amboseli means "salty dust" in the Maa language and was originally part of the Southern Maasai Reserve where many Maasai clans lived.  

 

....and dusty drives they were - thank goodness for gators!!  Not very glamorous but quite functional!!!

Left to right:  Susan O'neal, me and Carolyn Langon
 

Overgrazing led to the creation of a "game only" protected area in 1970 upsetting many of the local Maasai.  By the late "70's part of this land was returned to the Maasai and the park was established.   

 Kilimanjaro is visible from Amboseli National Park and I finally got to see this 19,340 ft. mountain out of the clouds.   Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the largest freestanding mountain in the world!

 

We headed out in the morning to go to visit a Maasai Village but had to stop along the way for the following exciting sightings!!! 

 

 LUCKY morning....we got to see a Cheetah close up!!

The cheetah is the fastest land animal capable of running at 93 to 104 km/h (58 to 65 mph); it has evolved for speed, having powerful hind limb muscles, long limbs and a flexible spine. The cheetah has a tawny to creamy white or pale buff fur that is marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. The head is small and rounded, with a short  snout and black tear-like facial streaks. It reaches 67–94 cm (2.20–3.08 ft) at the shoulder, and the head-and-body length is between 1.1 and 1.5 m (3 ft 7 in and 4 ft 11 in). Adults weigh between 21 and 65 kg (46 and 143 lb).   The cheetah's tail has a black tip while the leopard has a white tipped tail.

Totally unperturbed by our presence this cheetah just walked down and between our vehicles.  

 

Next up on our morning drive to the Maasai Village - elephants with baby!!

 

Zebras with Mt. Kilimanjaro in background!

  

Finally arrived at the Maasai Village where we were greeted by the Chief and warriors.

 

 Maasai  are an Eastern Nilotic ethnic group native to northern, central and southern regions of Kenya  including northern Tanzania, near the African Great Lakes region. Their native language is the Maasai language, a Nilotic language related to, Dinka, Kalenjin and Nuer.  Except for some elders living in rural areas, most Maasai people speak the official languages of Kenya and Tanzania, Swahili and English.                                  

                                                                    Me with the "warriors".

                                                                 .....and with the women
                                                                                  

Maasai houses are called "Manyattas" and are typically constructed by Maasai women, who possess the knowledge and skills passed down through generations. The construction process begins with gathering materials from the surrounding environment. Wooden poles are used to create the framework of the hut, while smaller branches and twigs form the walls. The framework is then covered with a mixture of mud and cow dung, which hardens to create a sturdy and weather-resistant exterior. This natural plaster also has insulating properties, keeping the interior cool during hot days and warm during cold nights.

The roofs of manyattas are thatched with grass or leaves, providing protection from the elements. The design of the huts is typically round or oval, optimizing the use of space and enhancing the structural integrity. The interior of a manyatta is divided into sections for sleeping, cooking, and storage, reflecting the practical needs of Maasai families.

                            We got to go inside one of the houses which was the "children's house".   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

Above picture you can see the beginning of a new house being constructed for a 2nd wife.  The wives have their own homes and the woman build the houses. The wives (supposedly) have to approve of an additional wife as does the Head Elders.

                    After the Maasai Village we continued on with a morning game drive.

                                                                  Great White Pelicans

                                                                                   

 

Hippos usually spend daytime hours in the water because of their sensitive skin so we were lucky to see them out of the water!

Water Buck 

 

 The waterbuck's coat color vary between brown to grey.   The long, spiral horns, present only on males, curve backward, then forward, and are 55–99 cm (22–39 in) long.  

The scientific name is Kobus  ellipsiprymnus.  The "ellipisiprymnus"refers to the white, elliptical ring on the rump.  The animal acquired the vernacular name "waterbuck" due to its heavy dependence on water as compared to other antelopes and its ability to enter into water for defense.

Coming back to the lodge for lunch and afternoon break we were greeted with more "monkey business"!

 

  The early morning game drives and then again the drives in the late afternoon never disappointed and this afternoon was no exception!

This was a large herd of elephants on the move.  They moved with a purpose and in harmony!!

                      This big guy below has unusually long tusks!!! Even our guides were impressed!!
                                                                                   

African elephant tusks are sexually dimorphic, being on average larger in males than in females.  Elephants with large tusks each at least 45 kilograms (99 lb) in weight are known as "tuskers", sometimes also called "big tuskers" or "great tuskers". While tuskers are rare today, it is thought that they were more common in the past, prior to human impact on elephant populations. 

                                                                                   

                                                                   Grey Crowned Crane

                                              Giraffes with Kilimanjaro in the background!

                                                                                    

                            Another incredible day comes to an end in Amboseli with the "Full Snow Moon"

February 1, 2026

 

  Today we leave Amboseli and head to Mt. Kenya

 

 Heading out to the drive to the airstrip we get to see Mt. Kilimanjaro one last time.

 

All the airstrips while traveling around Tanzania and Kenya are dirt runways, sometimes with only a windsock to identify it as a place for planes to land and takeoff.

Arriving in Komok/Mt. Kenya we headed right out on an game drive through Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which boasts East Africa's largest resident black rhino population and other of the big five.

left to right:  Jenny, Carolyn Langon, Laura Anderson, David Anderson
 

Here we got to see Reticulated Giraffes for the first time on our trip.  Up until this we only saw Maasai Giraffes.  The reticulated giraffe is native to northeastern Kenya, southern Ethiopia, and Somalia.  Its distinctive coat pattern consists of sharp-edged, reddish-brown polygonal patches surrounded by thin white lines. Spots may or may not extend under the hocks, and a median lump is present in males.

                                                                                     

                                                                                       

                                                                    Great White Heron 

                  We saw so many rhinoceros here.  Below a mommy and baby white rhino.   
                                                                                      

   A white rhino will usually have a longer front horn and a much shorter second horn. On the other hand, black rhinos have shorter front horns than white rhinos, but the second horn is only slightly shorter than the front one. The two horns of black rhinos are therefore more similar in length.     
                     
                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                             Above are white rhinos and below is a black rhino!
                                                                                    

                                            Warthogs!  A group of warthogs are called a "sounder"

                                                                                     

 

                                           Black-back jackal crossing in front of a black rhino!

                                                                               

                                                                        Jackson's harbeests!  

 We came upon a large herd of cape buffalo crossing the road in front of us.  We could have been there for hours with how large the herd was, so after viewing for a bit our driver just slowly moved ahead and the buffalo herd paused for us to pass.                     

                                                           
                                                           and the animals just kept appearing......

            

                                                                                         

                                                                                             

                                            

                                                               Cape buffalo at a watering hole
                                                                                               

  

                                                                                       

                                                                                    

                                                             Hartebeest with black rhinos

                                                  
          Arriving at "Sweetwaters Serena Camp" for lunch we were welcomed by these stately giraffes.
                                                                                   

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

Our lunch tables in the "Rhino Room" at Sweetwaters overlooked a watering hole on the property.  We were entertained by a giraffe coming to drink at the watering hole. 

                                                                                     

After lunch we journeyed on to our next 2 night stay in the FABULOUS Mt. Kenya Safari Club! 

                                                                    

 In 1959, American star actor William Holden alongside his friends, Ray Ryan and Swiss financier Carl Hirschmann, founded the beloved Nanyuki resort, Mount Kenya Safari Club.  They used this Safari Club for the rich and famous as a hunting lodge.  William Holden and Stephanie Powers spent a lot of time here.  Stephanie Powers still has a home by the property.  In fact one of our drivers got "a talking to" by Stephanie because he drove "too fast and produced too much dust"!!

                                                                                

                                                                 View from my balcony!
                                                                                  

                                                                  My magnificent room!

The property consists of 100 acres of beautiful gardens and forest with a view of Mt. Kenya

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

                                                        Note the big maze in the background!

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                      

Mt. Kenya is the second-highest peak in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. Located about 150 km (90 mi) north-northeast of the capital Nairobi and just 16.5 kilometres (10.3 miles) south of the equator.
                                                                                  

                                                                                      

                                 The property had peacocks that were a loud wake up call!!:}

 

This male right below my balcony was trying hard to entice the female peacock in the bushes!!

 

The property also had a lot of "Mantled Guereza"!

Mantled guereza is a black and white colobus, a type of Old World monkey.   It is native to much of west central and east Africa.  

                                                                                      

                                 And they were a good reason to keep our doors on the balcony shut!!
                                                                                 

                                         Another resident of the property were Marabou Storks.  
                                                                                   

The marabou stork is a large wading bird in the stork family native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It breeds in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation. It is sometimes called the "undertaker bird" due to its shape from behind: cloak-like wings and back, skinny white legs, and sometimes a large white mass of "hair"^.  It has often been credited with the largest wingspan of any land bird, with an average of 2.6 metres (8.5 ft) and some recorded examples of up to 3.2 metres (10 ft).

                                                                                

                                        And I cannot forget about the Llama roaming around......
                                                                                    

                                          

Elephant tusks from back in the day when this was a "hunting" club.  So sad to think of the elephants these beautiful tusks belong to.                     

                                                              Our group on the equator                                                                                                                                                    

                                           That is me in the blue shirt and big white floppy hat!!

Then I moved to the right side since I was blocking Mary above.  Person taking the picture said "do a silly pose" but it looks like I was the only crazy one! 

           Night time I called to have a fire in my fireplace!!!  Life is so so Soooooooo GOOD!!!

                                                                      February 2, 2026

Chris Goss and I went horseback riding in the Wildlife Conservancy on the property in the morning.  What an unforgettable experience!!

                                                        My white horse was "Mac the Knife"                           

                                                                                  

It was so amazing while riding in the Conservancy to see "Golden Zebras". A golden zebra is an extremely rare genetic variant of the common Plains Zebra. These animals are not a separate species or subspecies but are instead a color morph that occasionally appears within typical zebra populations across Africa. Their unique coloration results from a specific genetic mutation that alters pigment production, creating a striking appearance that diverges significantly from the classic black-and-white pattern.  
                                                                                 

                                                                                     

 

 

Regular plains zebra can birth a golden zebra if it carries the gene for the golden color.

                                                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                                    

                                            
                                                                                

                                              "Hey, look...... what are those tall things behind us!!"
                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                     

On the ride we also saw a black rhino in the distance, impalas, and a herd of common elands.

                                                                                  

                                                                                     

                                                   Mt. Kenya peak behind myself and Chris

                                                  
                                                                                

          After riding I checked out the Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on the property.

                                                                               

                                                                                 

                                                                                   

                                               In the afternoon we visited a school in Nanyuki. 
                                                                                  

The children sang songs and then had our group sing with them.  The children were adorable and very excited to see us.                                                     

                                                                                  

From the school we visited Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers.  The Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers project trains women in the craft of spinning, knitting, and weaving wool, with the goal of becoming self-reliant.
                                                                                 

                                                                            

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

That evening we were treated to a "Bush Dinner".  It was set up with a round "open outdoor kitchen" that we could walk through and watch the cooking process.

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

We were entertained by the dance and music of the Kikuyu Tribe.  Kikuyu are Bantu-speaking people who live in the highland area of south-central Kenya near Mount Kenya.  In the late 20th century the Kikuyu numbered more than 4,400,000 and formed the largest ethnic group in Kenya, approximately 20 percent of the total population. The Kikuyu were central to the Mau Mau movement, advocating for land rights and self-governance.  The struggle culminated in Kenya's independence in 1963, with Jomo Kenyatta, a Kikuyu leader, becoming the first president.

                                                                               

                                                                                   

The end of the evening in this magical environment included "African S'mores"!

Another fire in my fireplace for a cozy bedtime!

                                                                       February 3, 2026

Time to leave Mt. Kenya to Masai Mara.  There was an airstrip right by Mt. Kenya Safari Club so it was a short drive.

                                                                Masai Mara Air Strip!
                                                                                

                                                                                     

Our safari vehicles were waiting for us, but first there were snacks and drinks ready for us when we landed!

Chris, our director above organizing as he was so amazing at doing.  He was truly a fabulous director for our adventures!!!                                                            

 

                                                                  Our chariots await!!

These were different from our other safari vehicles in that the sides were all opened.  I found it easier to see out of these from any seat.  The others vehicles before we had to stand and look out the top. 

Masai Mara, Kenya was established as a Game Reserve in 1961.  It borders Tanzania's Serengeti and is part of the Greater Serengeti ecosystem that covers roughly 25,000 sq. kilometers (approx. 9,653 sq. miles).

It is endless plains and the setting of breathtaking Balanite trees.  The rich volcanic grasses feed passing herds and is Kenya's largest population of lions.  So not too surprising to come across this pride early on the game drive from the air strip.

                                                Male on the above right with a beautiful mane!

 

  

 

Game drives were always full of amazing creatures just roaming the plains!!  How luck we were this entire trip!!!...and the drive from the airstrip to Masai Mara Camp was no exception!!

 

 

                                                    

                                                          

Herders on the way to the camp

          Driving through a small village, we got to see school children leaving school for lunchtime!

Arriving at Masai Mara Camp (JW Marriott Masai Mara) we were greeted by Maasai welcoming us complete with a "Kudu Horn", a traditional musical instrument of the Maasai!!

                 And talk about LUXURY Glamping.....This was way over the top fabulous!!  
                                              Below is the common area looking over a river.

                                                  Below is my "tent".....nothing tent about this!!  

Huge indoor rain shower that looked out onto my private balcony where there was also an outdoor rain shower!

And below is my private back balcony (with a Jacuzzi) that looks across a river where baboons were playing in the trees!

We met in the late afternoon to go on a Game Drive.  Below is the cool suspended bridge we had to cross to get to our safari vehicles.  

The resort had a watering hole on the other side of the bridge and we got to see a Nile Crocodile and some hippos.

The Nile Crocodile is a large crocodilian native to freshwater habitats in Africa.  It is the largest predator in Africa, and may be considered the second-largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile.

Cape Buffalo 

Cavendish’s Dik-Dik (above) is a type of small antelope found primarily in the dry savannas and scrub forests of eastern and southern Africa. Standing at a mere 12 to 16 inches high at the shoulder and weighing around 10 to 12 pounds, these creatures are among the smallest members of the antelope family. Its fascinating size combined with its adorable features and unique behaviors makes the Cavendish’s Dik-Dik a true marvel of the African wilderness.

 

We were surprised with another wonderful treat:  Chairs, blankets, a fire were set up for us to view a sunset out in the wilds.  There were drinks, snacks and a Maasai warrior sharing stories.  

It was a beautiful setting  with a magnificent ski and clouds!!  What a special treat this evening was!!

                                                        The magic of Africa was never ending!! 

                                                                        February 4, 2026 

Up at 4 AM to head out at 5:00 for the adventure of a lifetime!....Balloon ride over the Masai Mara's awakening plains!

 

          Our group had 2 balloons and ours was the first to take off.  Below is the 2nd one launching.

The thrill of watching the  sun rise over the plains from floating high in a balloon is indescribable!

 

And the world below wakes up

Herd of elephants and one trumpets loudly at us!!

Large herd of buffalo below

                                                         Elephants and our balloon shadow

        Left to right:  Grigg Mullen, Cindy Mullen, Bill Courtney, Leigh Courtney and me

                                              Journey of giraffes running towards our shadow!

                                                      The other group flying with the moon!

A very gentle landing by our great pilot!!

And now for the champagne breakfast in the wilds of Kenya!!  Pinch me....is this all really real!!!!

After this wonderful champagne breakfast we took off on the last game drive of this unbelievable trip.

Although covered in bristly hairs, a warthog's body and head appear largely bare, from a distance, with only a crest of hair along the back and the tufts on the face and tail being obvious. 
 

This "bloat" of hippos we came across were in and out of the water.  It is unusual for them to be out of water during the day since their skin is so sensitive to the sun.

 And on the same riverbed were a "bask" of Nile crocodiles.  Nile crocodiles are opportunistic apex predators; a very aggressive crocodile.  The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous species of crocodile and is responsible for hundreds of human deaths every year.  

          This "superb starling" was right behind us while we were watching the crocs and hippos!

 

 Birds were beautiful during our African excursions.   Above is a white throated bee-eater. These birds are social , often nesting in colonies in sandy banks.

                       

 

Moving on we saw this female lion.  She crossed the road in front of us and settled high on a rock surveying the area.

  

                                                          Me with the lion in the background

 Adding to the days excitement, we got called to help one of our fellow travelers who's vehicle got stuck! 

                                        Onward......male sleeping lion.  Check out his great mane!!!

                                                                    Warthog crossing!

                                                                        Herd of Topi

                                            Perfect end to the last game drive with an elephant!!!

Back on my porch watching the baboons playing in the tress across the water.  What a perfect day!!!!!

  

That evening we had our Farewell Dinner!  It was a wonderful fun group to spend this adventure with!

Girls on the trip:  L to R:  Laura Anderson (Frisco, TX), Me, Mary Casey (Mill Valley, CA), Chris Goss (West Berlin, NJ), Susan O'neal (Chapel Hill, NC), Susan Tenford (Durham, NC), Susan Allardice (Sewickley, PA), Cindy Mullen (Rockbridge Baths, VA), Shirley Anderson (Frisco, TX), Ann Schomberg (Grand Rapids, MI), Leigh Courtney (Southport, NC), Carolyn Langon (Orwigsburg, PA)

The Boys:  L to R:  Chris Mancini (our fabulous director); Bill Courtney (Southport, NC), Phil Goss (West Berlin, NJ), Grigg Mullen (Rockbridge Baths, VA), Andy Tedford (Durham, NC), David O'neal (Chapel Hill, NC), Lee Schomberg (Grand Rapids, MI), David Anderson (Frisco, TX), Jim Langon (Orwigsburg, PA), Ray Conaway (Sewickley, PA)

                                                                      February 5, 2026

                                                                               Nairobi

Flight to Nairobi and the end to a wonderful trip.  Tauck supplied a day hotel for all of  us in Nairobi since all our flights were at the end of the day or the  early morning of February 6.  My flight was at midnight on Lufthansa to Frankfort to DC Dulles where my car was completely encased in snow and ice.  It was 6:00 PM EST and luckily there was a kind man in the parking lot with a shovel who I paid to help me get out...then 4 1/2 hour ride home. Exhausted, but happy to be in my own bed. 

This trip was incredible - the first trip I have taken with Tauck, but it certainly will not be my last.  It was so organized and so over the top with accommodation and food and the entire adventure.   

Also, I must give a BIG SHOUT OUT to my amazing travel agent, who has become a dear friend, who makes all my travel dreams come true in ways I have never imagined!!  Thank you Carolyn Langon, Carolyn.Langon@AvoyaNetwork.com!