- Baboons (Nyani) and Monkeys (Tumbili) at Lake Manyara NP
Our first day of actual safari took place at Lake Manyara National Park. This is by far the smallest of the three national parks that we visited which made it a good first stop on the safari circuit. Upon entrance into the park we were immediately greeted by a huge tree full of about 30-40 monkeys (tumbili) –maybe more than that. Little did we know that it would be the first of hundreds of times we would ask Philipo (our safari guide) to stop the truck so we could watch and take pictures. Looking back on that day were all impressed with how he was able to bite his tongue when we wanted to stop, yet again, to see one giraffe, or a few warthogs far in the distance, when unbeknownst to us, we would see hundreds of them in the days to come.
- left: our safari van and my hubby, right: me with a termite hill
One of the scenes that sticks out most in my mind from the entire safari came late in this day when we rounded a corner; here was the scene: two elephants walking toward us, several giraffes flanking them and many species of antelope munching by the road. Further back and then all around monkeys and baboons played while down the road warthogs appeared. We would see many more, often at closer distances in the days to come, but I suppose there is always something extra special about first glances. The elephant (tembo) pictures below are some of my favorites from the entire trip. We rounded out the day with a visit to the hippo pool (also the first of many) and a drive back out of the park to our first safari bush camp.
left: one of many streams that feed Lake Manyara, right: Elephants get up close and personal
Next installment: The incomparable Serengeti.
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