The catalog was photographed at Ndarakwai Ranch, one of our favorite places to stay in Tanzania. In fact, for close to a decade, trekkers on our unique Western Approach Route and recently pioneered Grand Traverse have been raving about their stay at Ndarakwai; they agree it is the perfect place to relax, regroup and acclimatize before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Ndarakwai was not always camera-ready, however. Nearly 20 years ago – before conservator and Ndarakwai owner, Peter Jones established the property – the land was nearly decimated due to rampant poaching and unregulated tree cutting. Peter Jones’ conservation efforts to restore the ranch’s health have been profound; today, the ranch supports a variety of species such as elephant, zebra, eland, giraffe, wildebeest, gerenuk, lesser kudu, cheetah and lion.

See more photos! Browse J.Crew’s June 2013 Style Guide.

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In addition to the eco-friendly accommodations, absolutely stunning views, and the opportunity for wildlife viewing, our guests love getting their hiking boots primed on guided nature walks through this exclusive property. Western Approach trekkers, Dave and Amy said:

“What they’ve done and are currently doing at Ndarakwai Ranch is awesome. We were especially impressed with our walking guide who wouldn’t give up until we had seen some elephants up close.”

J.Crew shot their men’s catalog on-location in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Another great destination! Stone Town offers a unique perspective of Tanzania and an opportunity to soak in local culture – as well as some sunshine – after a safari or Kilimanjaro trek.

I love animals. It was apparent as early as pre-school when my class awarded me with the “animal lover” award. Other awards given out that day included “best sharer” and “most creative,” but I knew I got the best one. It was a dream of mine to become a veterinarian some day and be the person they called in for a lion’s broken tooth at the San Diego Zoo, despite my extreme cat allergy. Lions have different dander, right?

In any case, fast forward 20-something years and I’m still passionate about animals (don’t tell the other staffers, but the office dogs like me the best)! ; -) When I began working at Thomson Safaris, I realized my dream of traveling to Africa and seeing all the animals I had grown up fawning over was coming closer to fruition.

I joined a Tanzania Family Safari and traveled with a family from San Francisco; a couple and their eight-year-old daughter. The four of us had a huge Land Rover and Arthur, our stellar guide, all to ourselves. Arthur was amazing: with over 10 years of guiding experience behind him, this man could spot a leopard in a tree from seemingly impossible distances. He was also a wealth of knowledge about Tanzania’s wildlife, history, politics, healthcare system, educational system, and tribes. He kept everyone engaged, including our youngest traveler, and always had a fun and interesting tidbit to add to any conversation.

I should also note Arthur (more than) accommodated my request to see an elephant! I told him it was an animal I have always dreamed of seeing in person; in fact, I sometimes watch the live feed from San Diego Zoo just to catch glimpses of the population they have in captivity. When we found our first elephant, it was less than 10 feet from me…it was magical! I never realized it before, but elephants are surprisingly quiet. It took all my self-restraint to not reach out and touch them.

The endpoint of our hike through Arusha National Park was this waterfall – it seemed to come up out of nowhere! It was great to cool off in the mist and have a quick rest in this gorgeous little alcove.

Charge! In Tarangire National Park, this lone, male elephant was in charge of the road. He made us stop and go around while he maintained his slow, steady trek. He was absolutely MASSIVE.

Breathtaking. I could have sat in this spot for hours, watching this lone elephant make his way down the riverbed. The landscape and sky made for a dramatic background to this majestic creature’s journey.

“WOW” is all can say about my hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. Getting up before sunrise was well worth it for this amazing experience. We saw hyenas, zebras, and even a cheetah before our Serengeti bush breakfast.

This baby hyena was exploring on his own while his parents looked on from a good distance away. He was very curious about our vehicle and stopped to let me catch a few good photos.

I decided pretty early on in my safari that warthogs are among my favorite animals – they are so ugly they’re cute! I totally lucked out with this guy! He stopped and posed before bounding off into the bushes.

I wish I could have stayed at Gibb’s Farm forever! This view was stunning. There’s certainly something to be said for sipping a glass of wine overlooking acres upon acres of coffee plants in the most lush and verdant setting imaginable.

These young elephants were very interested in us. They kept raising their noses in the air to check us out, almost as if they were asking “Hey! What’cha doing here?” I had no idea an elephant could be so tiny!

Our nature walk at Thomson Safaris’ Private Nature Refuge was a great way to spend the afternoon. Our Maasai guide led us across amazing landscapes where we learned a great deal about the flora and fauna in the area.

This little jackal was catching a late afternoon drink in the Serengeti.

My Nyumba: my home away from home at Thomson Safaris’ Private Nature Refuge. I truly loved this area and everything about it. My tent was more luxurious than some hotels I’ve stayed in and the staff was INCREDIBLE.

There were so many giraffes at Thomson Safaris’ Private Nature Refuge during our morning hike; what you don’t see in the photo is another 30 or so giraffes grazing around me. While on this hike, we also passed by wildebeest, zebras, and dik-diks.

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I was very excited to join a family safari and have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the dynamics behind a family trip versus one of our scheduled adult itineraries. Oftentimes people call in and ask if family trips are “too kiddie” for teenagers and adults: the answer is “no way!” Everyone had an amazing time on this trip. For our young traveler, there was always an option for familiar/kid-friendly meal in the event she wasn’t up for trying a new dish. The camp staff went above and beyond to play games with her and keep her involved, but we all ended up joining in to play Frisbee and board games until the sun set.

One of the most common questions I get from guests is “When is the best time to be on safari?” and now I truly understand why everyone thinks that their safari was the best safari! I was there in March, at the end of the green season. The landscape was stunning. There were baby animals EVERYWHERE. There were a couple of hotter days (I love the heat, so I was happy), but driving around with the roof popped up was ideal. The nights were perfect and by the third night I was used to the sounds of hyenas calling to each other across the plains and got some of the best sleep I’ve had in ages. You truly are sleeping out in the middle of the bush!

Tanzania is an amazing country and I cannot wait to go back. The people, the wildlife, and the sheer awesomeness of the landscape will leave you with a desperate need to return. Two weeks wasn’t enough… and I didn’t even get to southern Tanzania yet!

Feel free to add your comments section below, and make sure to share these tips with fellow travelers on Facebook and Twitter!

Ally, Eliza, Michael, Nicole, Hashim and Albert at welcome dinner

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This year, we welcomed Hashim, Ally and Albert to Boston:

As Workshop Manager, Hashim manages our fleet of vehicles, which is about 50 strong. Maintaining the fleet is a big job: it includes the Thomson Safaris’ Land Rover Defenders for wildlife viewing, trucks to haul mobile camp supplies and camp resupply vehicles.

Ally began working with Thomson Safaris in 2006 as a Camp Manager and has since been promoted to Manager of Camps. His tasks include overseeing staff and ensuring quality control of our Nyumba camps. During this visit, our past guests graciously invited Ally to California where they hosted his stay in San Francisco for four days.

As Assistant Equipment Manager, Albert ensures our camps’ equipment is in good working order and oversees logistics of camp resupplies for guests and staff. You can’t miss Albert’s bright, friendly smile. He is, however, a force to be reckoned with on the football field, where he has brought Thomson some big sporting victories as the team’s goalkeeper.

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Hashim, Ally and Albert’s enthusiasm seemed palpable from the moment their plane touched the tarmac at Logan. From the get-go, our friends were eager to learn and absorb as much as they could about American culture. During their trip, their schedules were packed with activities and sightseeing excursions.

Hashim, especially, seemed to embrace the experience by taking photos every step of the way…we’re talking every step of the way! Rick commented that whenever they were in the car, Hashim had his head out the window, snapping one photo after the next! It is apparent from his final collection of images – which consist of snapshots varying from the Boston skyline to the aisles of Home Depot during an errand – that he was particularly moved by each experience. Michael, in our marketing department, said, “They were so excited about things we may take for granted. It really made me think differently and feel grateful for everything we have!”

View from the observatory

Hashim surprised us all with excellent bowling skills!

Bowling night

Reunion at the office

Welcome dinner

Welcome dinner

Boston Duck Tour

Jurassic Park in 3D at the IMAX theater

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During one of their first evenings in town, we gathered for a welcome dinner at Rick and Judi’s. The men enjoyed mingling, learning more about our lives and telling us about the sights they had seen thus far. That night, we also learned they had never tried shrimp or wadudu wa bahari (direct Swahili translation: bugs of the sea). Eliza, who recently returned from an extended stay in Tanzania and was eager to introduce them to a new experience, said, “When I was in Tanzania, everyone wanted to take me out to very Tanzanian places, to try new food, and to speak Swahili. It was really fun to be on the other side and to be a host.” Although wadudu wa bahari probably wasn’t at the top of their list of American cuisine to try; they did and they loved it! When asked if they would try lobster in the future, however, they responded with a resounding absolutely not!

The men enjoyed more American experiences during an evening of bowling with the staff. Even though Hashim had never bowled before, he was a natural! We all wondered if there was a bowling alley in Arusha we didn’t know about! We’re not sure how he did it, but he beat all of us!

In addition to exposing our friends to American culture, we also spent time learning more about their specialized day-to-day activities and challenges in the field. Special Interest Safari Consultant, Evan, said, “I loved hearing them speak about the work they do in Tanzania and how our jobs, here in Watertown, relate and coordinate with their jobs; it brought things full circle.” The men agreed with this sentiment and especially appreciated learning about the recent efforts of Focus on Tanzanian Communities.

Megan, in Guest Relations, summed it up by saying, “We learned about their families, education, which cultural tribe they come from and a bit about how they try to balance their work and family life. They experience the same work/family life balance issues that we all do – their jobs include time spent away from home to be in the bush for weeks at a time! It’s evident that despite our cultural and geographical differences, we all tend to face similar challenges.”

While on safari three years ago, I delivered a young Maasai woman’s infant in the back of a Land Rover. Obviously, this wasn’t a planned event on my safari itinerary! I just happened to be in the area and was the only medical professional able to handle what had become a complicated delivery. This was my introduction to medicine in Tanzania – it was an eye-opening experience and alerted me to need for better access to quality medical care in Tanzania.

The emergency delivery was the impetus to volunteer my time as an RN at FAME. I spent almost a month at the clinic, which was founded by American physician Dr. Frank and his wife Susan in 2002. In order to maintain a sustainable operation, volunteers are not used to staff the clinic; they are used to educate the staff. My role as an RN at FAME included educating the nurses in both the clinic and inpatient ward and kick-starting their pharmacy program.

Pharmacy
One of the issues facing the clinic is maintaining an ample supply of medications. So I took inventory of every pill, vial and ampule in both the clinic and inpatient ward and entered the data into their computer system. I have to admit, it was an overwhelming task but a very important one as the results directly affect patient care. I sat with the staff to make sure that they understood how to use the system.

Inpatient Ward
I also spent time on the inpatient ward, a 12-bed unit that opened approximately four months prior to my arrival. I helped educate the nurses staffing this new facility on basic tasks such as drip rates for IV fluids, correctly taking vital signs, reading MD orders, and sterile techniques for wound care/changing dressings. The nurses had differing degrees of skill; the clinic aims to elevate their skill sets to facilitate future plans of opening an obstetrics unit for delivery and care of mothers and their newborns as well as opening up an emergency room, which I spent some time helping to set up.

Renata
Eleven-year old Renata’s first visit to the clinic was in 2008 in congestive heart failure. She was found to have rheumatic heart disease, which was treated with medications until it became progressively worse. In 2010 she was sent to Germany to have an aortic valve replacement. (A physician who spent some time at FAME and met Renata donated the trip and surgery).

When I arrived at FAME, Renata had been in the clinic for a little over a month. She had returned with complaints of nausea, vomiting and weight loss and was diagnosed with an infection of her heart and likely her new valve. She is a wonderful, young girl – along with her caring mom, who remained at her side from the instant she was admitted – she won me over. The FAME staff was won over too!

To treat Renata, I was tasked with developing a drinkable shake to help increase her weight. This is easier said then done; we had to find ingredients available locally as well things she would like – her favorite flavors included Orange Fanta and Pringles! I was able to come up with something she would tolerate and would hopefully help her to put some weight back on. I look forward to hearing updates on her condition from my contacts at the clinic.

Thoughts on Volunteering in Tanzania
The time that I spent at FAME went by very quickly and I wondered if my stay had any impact. In retrospect, I know I left my mark. No matter how small, everyone who volunteers time at FAME makes a lasting impact. Perhaps mine will be made when Dr. Frank says one day, “we haven’t run out of any medication in months since Kathy straightened out the pharmacy program!”

I ended my stay in Tanzania by joining a group at Gibb’s Farm that just climbed Kilimanjaro and was on a 4-day safari with Thomson. How could I go all the way to Tanzania and not go on my 9th safari?! It was a pleasant surprise to meet up with Kileo, a wonderful guide I have met on some of my previous safaris.

I was also very grateful to the Thomson guides who stopped by to say hello while I was at FAME. These included Kaoneka, Kumbi and Leonard. It was nice to see familiar, friendly faces so far from home. They have become friends to me.

My nursing career has been enriched by my time spent at FAME. I feel it was an experience that was meant to be and I feel strongly that I have more to contribute to FAME in the near future. I will return to the clinic again.

The migration is driven by rainfall patterns and the subsequent grazing potential on the nutrient-rich green grasses it produces. Each month of this circuit offers visitors a look at one of the unique and dynamic facets of the migration, whether it is calving season, the rut, or river crossings – there is always something interesting to see!

Read on as our safari consultants, Bryan, Emily and Andrew reveal their perspectives on the migration and share their experiences, photos and favorite times of the year to witness what has been called Nature’s Greatest Show on Earth.

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Bryan Rotundo
Favorite time to see the migration: January-March

Although the dry season river crossings have been well documented on many nature films and are touted as being the highlight of the migration, I much prefer seeing the herds together in the largest groups during the calving season from January through March. During this time, the wildebeest are clearly in a “safety in numbers” mode as they birth their babies and graze on the grasses of the southern Serengeti. As they follow the light rains, about 2 million wildebeest move together in herds with almost 200,000 zebras mixed in.  The first time I witnessed this, it was like the animals had melted together in a sea of brown – it took a minute for my brain to fully process the amount of animals I was actually looking at!  The most amazing part is that they can sense where the rains are falling and seem to move in a hypnotic trance in that direction. This is an ideal time for predators too and the potential for action is high. Spring in the Serengeti was a definite highlight for me and, I think, a great time for safari travelers to visit Tanzania.

Click to enlarge Bryan’s photos

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Emily Martin
Favorite time to see the migration: May-June

I find it extremely difficult to pick a favorite time of year to see the migration, but I do love visiting the Serengeti in May and June as the migration makes its way to the western corridor through the central Serengeti and collides with the big cat populations that reside in this region year round. The opportunity for a big cat kill is at its peak during this time. The best part is that our central Serengeti camp is right in the heart of this area. During my Signature Safari in May, I had the opportunity to stay in this camp; the proximity to the wildlife and the Great Migration was incredible. We would drive a mere mile away from camp and the wildebeest and zebras were everywhere!

May and June is also a time of year known as the rut when the wildebeest mate. To add to the drama of this period, males try to attract the attention of the females with various displays of aggressive behavior. Guests often capture incredible photos of male wildebeest sparing and fighting to win the affection of the nearby females. Some of my best photos of the migration were a result of the many drawn out fights that took place.

I wouldn’t hesitate to travel back to Tanzania in May again to experience the rut, the mega-herds, and of course, all of the amazing permanent wildlife that resides in the Serengeti year round!

Click to enlarge Emily’s photos

Andrew Doherty
Favorite time to see the migration: November

I was on my most recent safari back in November and had an unbelievable time with my guide Casmir. Many folks will read that November is a month when the “short rains” return to Tanzania and so they will opt not to visit at this time. Well, they are missing out!   November is an absolutely gorgeous time to be on safari. If anything, the little bit of rain I encountered added to the experience. After all, water is life in the Serengeti!

November is one of the only months on the calendar when travelers can enjoy both dry season and green season wildlife viewing on the same trip. The predators are active, the herds are vast and you (and the wildebeest) will also enjoy the first green grasses and wildflowers of the season. I was lucky to catch the migration in both the northern and central Serengeti at this time of year. So, if you are considering a safari to Tanzania and you are available to make the trip in November, go for it. You’ll enjoy unbelievable scenery and wildlife viewing and you’ll have most of the bush all to yourself. (Flight prices are also at their lowest in November!!)

I always say that anytime is the best time when you travel with a company like Thomson Safaris who makes it a priority to always use seasonal camps. Whether you go in the summer or fall when we bring guests to our camp in the northern Serengeti to catch the migration during the peak of the dry season, or the winter and spring when our guests have the opportunity to see the migration in the Southern plains, our guests will have the opportunity to see all of the great facets of the migration because we make sure they have the best access to it all.

Click to enlarge Andrew’s photos

]]> http://blog.thomsonsafaris.com/safari/when-best-time-see-great-wildebeest-migration/feed/ 1 http://blog.thomsonsafaris.com/safari/new-thomson-safaris-website http://blog.thomsonsafaris.com/safari/new-thomson-safaris-website#comments Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:41:44 +0000 Thomson Safaris http://blog.thomsonsafaris.com/?p=5956

We are excited to share the launch of our new website with you – that’s right, Thomson Safaris has a new look! Visit our site and escape to Tanzania via beautiful photographs and videos from our safari and Kilimanjaro guests. We hope you enjoy the site’s new features including Kilimanjaro trekking maps, a photos & videos section and testimonials from Thomson Safaris’ travelers.

Use our new website to book your next safari or Kilimanjaro trek or request a catalog to start planning your adventure to Tanzania!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Judi Wineland, Director of Thomson Safaris and FoTZC Board Member, attended the celebration at Nainokanoka and said, “The ceremony was magnificent. The teachers’ house, which will house 2-3 teachers, is perched above the Nainokanoka valley, furnished by the village, and with teachers ready to move in. The village hosted an incredible celebration with village elders, the District Commissioner, the District Executive Director, and performances by Maasai students, Maasai warriors, and Maasai mamas. It was an honor to be part of this great day and to be thanked wholeheartedly by the entire village.”

The desire to educate children is strong throughout Tanzania – a country where the government mandates all children attend school – however many challenges still remain. Attracting teachers to remote locations where housing does not exist is the most serious challenge. Teachers’ housing has proven to be an integral component to the sustainability of education in Tanzania; if housing is made available, teachers will come to stay and educate the children.

The efficacy of teachers’ housing can be seen in the successes at the primary school in the remote, Maasai village of Sukenya, where FoTZC built housing for four teachers. In 2010, the school ranked 51 out of 59 schools in the district; following completion of teachers’ housing, and the arrival of a new headmaster and teachers, Sukenya Primary School’s ranking skyrocketed to 9 out of 59 within the year. We are also happy to report that more and more Maasai families in the Sukenya area send their children to school, including Maasai girls.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Learn more about the teachers’ housing and other initiatives throughout northern Tanzania at Focus on Tanzanian Communities.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This musical experiment is impromptu, but it blends basic beatbox techniques with elements of Maasai traditional dance. Creating it with this amazing group of people was a wonderful experience.

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How long have you been beatboxing? Do you beatbox professionally?

I’ve been beatboxing my entire life, or at least as long as I’ve been actively listening to music. My earliest memories of it come from watching cartoons around age seven or eight. I would listen to the theme songs of shows on TV, then repeat the drum and melody lines back to myself, often simultaneously. I can only imagine what my parents thought at the time.

I became a professional beatboxer when I returned to the US from Japan in August 2012. I’ve been performing since late high school, but I got my first paying gigs last fall at clubs in my native Boston. I also developed a curriculum reinforced with beatboxing for an education management startup called Degrees2Dreams in Boston, and am still in the process of refining that program.

How would you describe beatboxing to someone who has never heard it before?

Simply put, beatboxing interprets and reinvents traditional musical sounds through the creativity of the human voice. To say it’s “a person imitating drums” or a DJ might make more sense, but I think that’s too simplistic. I’ve heard beatboxers imitate a huge range of instruments—brass, synth, guitar, etc.—very well, as well as produce musical sounds unique to the human voice. It’s music with your mouth, and it’s a growing genre in Hip Hop and international music.

How did you explain beatboxing to the Maasai?

These Maasai had already shown me incredible kindness by giving a riveting dance performance, and subsequently by teaching me how to dance with them. I explained through a translator that I wanted to express my gratitude by sharing an authentically American musical tradition with them. As the video shows, I began with some very basic beatbox sounds (bass drum, high hat, snare) and asked them to mimic them. Mimicry is a touchstone in my own experience becoming a beatboxer, and I think it’s a natural starting point for anyone interested in trying to learn.

How did the Maasai receive beatboxing?

This I think it is clear in the video…the Maasai loved it! Beatboxing has its roots in New York City, but recently it has become a worldwide phenomenon. This was the first time any of these warriors or women, or the Tanzanians nearby, had heard beatboxing, and I hope a few of them might carry the music with them and help it reach new parts of the world.

What were your impressions of Maasai music?

From what I know about Maasai culture (and I hope to expand that knowledge base), it seems natural that their vocal music tradition should be incredibly robust. In the absence of instruments, which may be too expensive or cumbersome to carry around, they sing with a lot of percussive as well as melodic sounds, from rhythmic bass lines to hisses and loud yelps. It’s completely a product of their environment, and that’s what I love most about it.

How did this experience inspire you creatively and do you think it will inspire your music in the future?

The best thing about beatboxing in my opinion is its universality.  It draws on the inherent creative potential of an instrument—the voice—that people use to speak thousands of unique languages across the world, let alone make music. This experience in Tanzania has really got me thinking about ways to explore beatboxing’s potential as a cross-cultural force, with applications both within and beyond music.

Do you have any additional thoughts about the experience?

It isn’t the last…

I want to extend a final thank you to Thomson Safaris! It’s fantastic that you are so engaged in helping local communities in Tanzania, and as someone who balks at being a tourist wherever and whenever possible, I am grateful for the chance to have done something similar. This wonderful experience couldn’t have happened without everyone involved in your program.

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To learn more about Ben Mirin and his beatboxing, visit his website.

	Camera You wouldn’t dream of going to Tanzania without a camera! Be sure to make yourself familiar with all of its features well before your departure. Stay tuned to our blog for safari-specific camera recommendations – coming soon!			Binoculars Binoculars are a must for safari travelers. We like this pair by Bushnell, Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, for its image clarity, color fidelity and light weight. It also features a rain proof coating for inclement weather.

	Preload a Kindle with Travel Books The Kindle offers a great way for readers to travel with multiple titles and minimal weight. Gift a Kindle to your favorite traveler; while you’re at it, load it with great books that inspire or educate them about their upcoming travels. Check our reading list to find trekking or safari-specific book suggestions like the National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to African Wildlife and Peter Matthiessen‘s The Tree where Man was Born.

	Inreach Smartphone and GPS Stay in touch with friends and family in remote places! This handy device transforms your smartphone or tablet into a GPS tracking system that not only locates your position but automatically keeps your friends and family up to date on your whereabouts. Learn more!			Altimeter While an altimeter is not necessary for trekking Kilimanjaro, it sure is nice to watch the reading increase as you gain altitude and strive to reach 19,341′. A great gift for the Kilimanjaro trekker in your life!

Click here to view the embedded video.
	Songs of the Maasai Steppe by Loruvani Put a soundtrack to the memories of your travels to Tanzania and watch/listen to the video above featuring spiritual and uplifting Maasai and Swahili gospel songs. Proceeds of the sale of this music go directly to the villages of the Maasai singers. Preview and purchase a CD or MP3s here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/loruvani

	Andy Biggs Photography Iconic photography from Africa makes for a very special gift. You can purchase imagery from professional African wildlife photographer and Thomson trip leader, Andy Biggs. His photos are signed and printed on acid-free fine art papers. Visit Andy’s photo gallery.			Modern Travel Posters Designed by JHill Designs, these graphic prints will make a statement in any travel or art-enthusiast’s home. There are many destinations and styles to choose from including Mt. Kilimanjaro (pictured above).

	Map Travel Journal These handcrafted journals by Kristin Crane can be customized with any map of your choosing. Beautifully assembled, these little pieces of art are sure to be a treat for the traveler on your gift list.			Crank Flashlight Tried and true, this crank flashlight will always provide illumination without having to worry about batteries. Great for travelers headed to remote destinations.

—–Be sure to check our Dear Santa board on Pinterest for more ideas.

So just how can this big cat accelerate faster than a Ferrari? On the exterior, the cheetah is the most slender of the big cats; its lightweight body (weighing about 80-140 lbs.), small head and long legs are designed for aerodynamics. Structurally, the cheetah has a unique, flexible spine, which allows for extreme flexion and extension while running at top speeds. In spine flexion, when the cat’s legs are directly underneath its body, the scapula and hip are able to rotate to such an extreme angle that the cheetah’s front and hind legs overlap. To reach extension, the spine recoils like a spring propelling the cheetah’s legs out; it is this portion of the gait where the cheetah is able to reach strides up to 25 feet. Lastly, the cheetah is equipped with blunt, semi-retractable claws, which function similarly to soccer cleats. Since its claws never fully retract, like other big cats, they are always at-the-ready to provide powerful traction to the ground.

Watch this new National Geographic video for the pure, stunning beauty of a cheetah running at top speed.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Being built for speed comes at a price in the bush. Their lightweight bodies and blunt claws are no match for the strength and aggression of others predators such as lions or leopards. If faced to defend itself or its kill, a cheetah would utilize the flight defense instead of fighting. This is one of the many factors challenging female cheetahs, who raise their cubs on their own. Only 10% of cheetah cubs raised in the Serengeti survive to maturity due to the dense population of predators.

Like other wildlife, cheetahs are facing obstacles such as habitat loss and human conflict. Conservation efforts like the Big Cat Initiative and National Geographic launched the Cause an Uproar campaign to help big cats around the world. Tune in to Nat Geo Wild to catch the beginning of Big Cat Week on Sunday, December 9.

Distinguished Harvard professor, loving husband and father, inspiring teacher, generous friend, renowned researcher and champion of science, Dr. Farish Jenkins was all of these things and more. His passing is a great loss to the many people he touched and inspired over the course of his lifetime.

We came to know Farish through his life-long interest in Tanzania; we were honored to plan nine of his adventures to Tanzania, trips he so ably led for Harvard Museum of Natural History. His 10th Thomson trip had been planned for this coming January.

For those of us who had the privilege to befriend him, work with him or simply observe in awe as he effortlessly held a room enthralled with his incomparable intellect and consummate charm, he will be greatly missed. For his many contributions to science, he will be acknowledged and praised by generations to come. For his inspiration to countless students, fellow scientists, and friends he will be remembered as a masterful and generous mentor. For his charm, grace, kindness and elegance, he set a new standard for the word gentleman.

While we are saddened by this loss, we are also grateful to have known such a brilliant man. And what discussion of Farish Jenkins would be complete without mentioning the hat? No one, but no one, wore a hat like Farish. Here’s to you, Farish! We tip our hats to you!

Our most heartfelt sympathies go out to his beloved wife and family and all those who were privileged to know this truly remarkable man.

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Read Farish Jenkin’s obituary in The Boston Globe

Lori’s desire to visit Africa was realized when she was a young girl; over the years, her connection and passion for Africa’s wildlife and people grew more intense. “I’ve been listening to Lori talk about Africa for all 20 years of our marriage,” joked her husband, Mark. So for their 20th wedding anniversary, Mark surprised Lori with a Tanzanian safari, which they would enjoy the following year. For Lori, the surprises didn’t stop there!

Over the course of the next year, Mark secretly made detailed plans with our staff and the local Maasai community for a very special event on the eve of their 21st anniversary – a wedding vow renewal ceremony, Maasai-style. Mark was very diligent to make the ceremony as authentic as possible. “We are in their home, we are their guests and I wanted the ceremony to be authentic and true to their culture,” he said. The events of the ceremony and the traditional garments they were to wear were crafted well ahead of their visit to Tanzania.

On the day of the ceremony, the Thomson staff told all of the guests at the Nyumba camp they were invited to a local wedding. “I thought we hit the jackpot,” said Lori. “How lucky are we to experience something unplanned like this? So few people get this kind opportunity!” Lori immediately, and very excitedly, told Mark that she wanted to get to the ceremony site early to sit in the front row. Mark, who was instructed to keep Lori in their tent until preparations were finalized, searched for excuses to stall her. “Maybe you want to freshen up first…? Why do you want to sit in the front row, we don’t even know these people…? I don’t want to be the first ones there…” Mark kept struggling with reasons to keep Lori from leaving the tent.

Fortunately Mark was able to divert Lori’s frustration with his unsubstantiated excuses when he heard Maasai chanting in the distance; this was his signal the ceremony was beginning. He was finally able to reveal his plans to his very shocked wife, “The wedding that we are going to…it is not for a local member of the Maasai village, it is for us. We are getting re-married in a traditional Maasai wedding ceremony.” Lori was overwhelmed with emotion. “I had no idea what was going to happen next and I wanted to be present in the moment and take it all in,” she said.

A group of chanting Maasai warriors approached their tent and collected Mark and Lori to prepare them for the ceremony. Lori was escorted to a group of eight women who dressed her in the wedding garments they made for her, which included a dress and a beaded headpiece. “The garments and the jewelry were elaborate and so beautiful, we were touched by the amount of time and work they must have put into making them for us. It really meant a lot to us.”

There was a flurry of activity encircling Lori; Mark could barely make out what was happening through the blur of the women’s hands as they prepared her for the ceremony. He was able to see a special moment as young girls smiled proudly as they adorned Lori’s ears with beautiful beaded earrings they had made for her. He will never forget Lori’s face, in the midst of the excitement, beaming with pure emotion.

Maasai women dressing Lori in traditional wedding garments they made for the ceremony.

Johnson translated the ceremony from Maa to English.

Mark and Lori with their guide, Robert, their son, Adam and Ellie, Mark`s mom. The ceremony was a surprise to the whole family!

The ceremony included blessings from Maasai elders and a heartfelt exchange of vows between the couple.

The couple described it as a true cultural exchange with the Maasai. “We learned about their culture but they also learned about our culture."

The ceremony began when a group of chanting Maasai came to collect Mark and Lori to prepare them for the event.

The ceremony was held around the fire at the camp and began with four elders giving their blessings. Mark presented a photo from their wedding day, which was almost exactly 21 years prior, and began reciting his renewal vows. As Mark’s vows were being translated into Maa, he watched the translator’s eyes widen — this was a bit of culture shock! “In the Maasai culture, the bride and groom don’t really speak to one another during the ceremony,” Mark explained, “so for Maasai guests to hear us sharing emotional and heartfelt words and deep expressions of love for one another was completely foreign to them.”

This was one of the many moments the couple describes as a true cultural exchange with the Maasai. “We learned about their culture but they also learned about our culture. The last thing we wanted was this to feel like a show they put on for their American guests. The Maasai were so warm and welcoming and they really seemed to embrace and genuinely engage in the whole experience.”

The Maasai were as moved by the experience as Mark and Lori. “We are honored to bless this wedding and host you people from America,” said one traditional elder and spiritual leader. “Any of your family or friends or anyone is welcome to have a beautiful celebration like this one with the Maasai of our village.”

Since they’ve returned home, Lori and Mark are still relishing in the experience. “It was the convergence of a meaningful and spiritual place with a deeply emotional moment,” said Lori, “It was the perfect combination to make this experience a once in a lifetime event for which I will forever be grateful. I was so blown away with my husband conceiving of this idea and planning every last detail, and pulling it off without a hitch. Honestly, I have no idea how he did it. I am also so appreciative of the Thomson staff and their willingness to help plan this event and create such a unique memory for us. They were amazing. Asante Sana!”

The circuit follows a general pattern each year, however given the nature of nature, there are always variations making the exact location of the herds unpredictable from year to year. For instance, this autumn, the migration crossed the Mara River almost a month earlier than prior years due to an unusual and ample amount of rainfall during the dry season in the northern Serengeti.

The sheer numbers of the Great Migration make it a sight to see however there are a few events throughout the year that safari enthusiasts with good timing are lucky to witness such as newly-born wildebeest calves in March and the annual wildebeest rut in May. The suspenseful and dynamic Mara River crossings in July and October often get top billing and have been dubbed “nature’s greatest show on earth.”

Many of our guests are returning from Tanzania now after witnessing this year’s early river crossing. North & South Safari guests, Paul & Kirsten Kesicki, said, “We had an incredible time in Tanzania. We were very fortunate to see a couple of hundred thousand wildebeest cross the Mara River on our first day in the Northern Serengeti! That is something we will never forget. We were very pleased with the itinerary and the whole Thomson experience.”

Vance Miller, who recently returned from a custom, private safari, commented, “The wildebeest migration was in full swing. We were able to witness three Mara river crossings in a single day.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

The video above was shot by Thomson Safaris’ guest, Keeley Keenahan, and shows the organized chaos of a river crossing where thousands of wildebeests struggle to fight the strong currents, avoid crocodiles and hope to make it to the green grasses on the other side.

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Have questions about the migration? Learn more here!

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If you are lucky to witness a river crossing, you will expect to see usual players: wildebeests, zebras and crocodiles. What about another resident of the river, the hippo? Although they don’t have top billing in the grand river crossing production, don’t discount these giant vegetarians; they are considered one of the most deadly animals in Africa and could prove to be a formidable opponent of the crocodile. If they wanted to make a splash, they certainly could!

Hippos are known as one of the most aggressive mammals. You wouldn’t expect these massive creatures, with their razor sharp tusks, to perform random acts of kindness but in a few, rare documented occasions; hippos have acted as river crossing guards during the Great Migration. One hippo was sighted nudging a zebra foal across the strong currents to the safety of the river bank, another tried to revive a young impala after being attacked by a crocodile, and one of our guests, Keeley Kennahan, witnessed a hippo make several attempts to interfere with a crocodile who had a wildebeest in its jaws.

No one is certain as to why hippos have these benevolent tendencies but when they do, they certainly take steal the show!

Our guests tell us Tanzania is like no other place they’ve visited, and we couldn’t agree more! Here in the Boston office, we consider ourselves very lucky to be able to go to Tanzania from time to time…and, no – it never gets old. In fact, we find ourselves longing to return between visits.

“I miss the sweet Jambo, Jambo in the morning. I miss the soups made by scratch by our amazing camp chefs! I miss the quiet moments in the Land Rovers listening and watching as hundreds of elephants pass by just yards away,” shared Thomson Staffer, Evan.

We fell in love with the following video, which captures a little bit of the magic of waking up in the Tanzanian wilderness. Listen carefully as the bird calls increase, and let yourself imagine the other natural wonders that are in store! It was filmed in the Serengeti at dawn by our friend and seventeen-time past guest, Michael Ellis.  Of course nothing compares with being there, but we thought you might enjoy it!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sometimes it’s these quiet moments that stay with you for a lifetime.

Our camp chefs are superb and can prepare cuisine that some guests admit is better than meals they’ve had in restaurants in the US. If you’re headed out on safari, ask for a peek behind the scenes and tour a bush kitchen – our staff is happy to show you. You’ll be amazed at the skill and ingenuity of our chefs who make use of limited provisions in bush kitchens.

The soups in our camps are always a big hit – we frequently get asked, What’s the secret ingredient in the soups? Can I get the recipe? Soups like carrot and butternut squash soup, sweet potato cream soup, carrot and ginger soup and even peas and peanut butter soup have not only warmed the bellies of our guests but have also remained in their memories.

During his visit, Herriel—whose culinary prowess always receives great feedback—shared his carrot and ginger soup recipe and prepared it in the Thomson Safaris “test kitchen.” Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions or download the recipe here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You’ll find this recipe is not only easy to make but also quite crowd-pleasing. The ingredients aren’t unusual or secretive – sometimes the ingredients don’t define the magic of a meal, sometimes it is defined by who has prepared it. Perhaps the secret ingredient is Tanzanian karibu spirit.

Boston staff and Tanzanian guests gather for a logistics meeting in our conference room

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During their stay in Boston, we talked shop, explored major attractions like the New England Aquarium, went bowling and had a taste of a variety of cuisines from both local restaurants and Rick & Judi’s backyard grill.

Then, they were off! Past Thomson guests from all over the country heard about the annual staff visit and extended all-expenses-paid invitations for the staff to visit places like Arizona, New York, California, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Colorado. Old friendships were rekindled and new ones were made. Needless to say, everyone had a great time exploring America!

Karibu, friends!

International Women’s Day celebrates the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present and future. The events, which are held annually across the world, range from seminars, conferences, and to political rallies and networking events. Women from all over Tanzania gathered for this multi-day conference under the theme of “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.”

Over the course of a few days, the Maasai women attended seminars on topics such as domestic violence, entrepreneurship, human rights, HIV/AIDS and Female Genital Cutting (FGC). The seminars not only increased their awareness about these issues relevant to their daily lives, but also supplied the women with strategies and knowledge to work on these issues and to improve their quality of life.

Maasai women rally at International Women`s Day

Selling Maasai beadwork

Selling Maasai beadwork

Maasai women attending International Women`s Day seminars

Crafting beadwork

The Loliondo women not only enjoyed learning the valuable information covered at the Women’s Day events but also found modern life in Arusha to be a learning experience in itself. Most of these women have never left their remote villages, which made Arusha’s busy streets and crowds, along with things we take for granted, like electricity, an eye-opening experience.

The women intend to share their newly-gained knowledge about women’s rights, violence prevention, and the importance of better access to education for girls with their communities.

Lisa, who is the Senior Supervising Producer of The Martha Stewart Show, appeared alongside Martha Stewart in a “how-to” segment where they created a collage of Lisa’s safari photographs. The segment (below) shows viewers a creative way to get their vacation images off their cameras’ memory cards and on display in their homes.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Clip provided courtesy of The Martha Stewart Show

Lisa traveled with her entire family – all 3 generations – on a private safari with us over the December holidays. She and her family spent over two weeks visiting must-see locations like the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. “It was my parents’ idea…and it was the best trip I’ve ever taken,” said Lisa.

Like many of our safari guests, Lisa had a big job of editing and sorting through over a thousand photographs when she returned home from Tanzania. She selected several of her favorites for The Martha Stewart Show segment including the picturesque Tanzanian sunset, lions lounging on a kopje, and members of a Maasai tribe they visited – which she says, was a highlight of their trip – as well as a snapshot of herself with her sons by their Nyumba at the Thomson camps.

For more instructions and tips, visit Martha Stewart’s site.

Elbow-deep in engine grease, head buried beneath the hood of a Land Rover Defender, Hellen Lovukenya fiddles with the wiring of a voltage regulator. She’s determined to get the Thomson Safaris vehicle back up and running.

As Thomson’s ace auto-electrician, Lovukenya has zeroed in on the glitch and fixed it. Ten minutes later, the Rover starts up with a roar — alternator and battery fully charged and in solid condition.

Another safari vehicle repaired. Another half dozen sit in the open-air garage under the toil of Thomson’s skilled team of mechanics. Lovukenya wipes the sweat from her brow and takes a swig from a bottle of water before moving on to another job.

“I love this work,” Lovukenya exclaims. “Since I was a little girl, I always enjoyed problem solving and getting my hands dirty.”

As a Maasai woman and mother of two, Lovukenya leads a life that is very different from those of her relatives and ancestors. She excels in a field dominated by men, and her story serves as an inspiration to thousands of young Tanzanian women struggling to do the same.

“When I was growing up, it was rare for Maasai girls to even go to school,” she says. “But now more and more girls are being educated. I believe in the workforce things can change, too.”

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Becoming a mechanic
By the time she turned 17, Hellen Lovukenya had already overcome extraordinary obstacles in pursuing her education. She was fortunate that her father, a Maasai from northern Tanzania, completely supported her desire to attend school despite opposition from his extended family. Highly educated himself, he worked as an engineer for the national electric company. However, the nature of his job kept the family on the move as he was regularly transferred from one end of the country to the other.

“I can’t even count how many schools I attended,” Lovukenya says, noting that she has lived in more than seven regions. “Even then, I had an interest in fixing cars. I used to watch my dad fixing things all the time at home. But I still knew my parents would not be supportive of my dream to become a mechanic.”

Later, while attending Arusha Secondary School, Lovukenya began to sneak away when she did not have classes, as she had convinced the owner of a nearby garage to teach her the basics of auto repair in exchange for doing odd jobs. Surprised at how fast the young student picked up the basics, the owner told Lovukenya she could easily get work as a mechanic if she pursued vocational studies.

Once she graduated from school and shared her dream with her parents, however, Lovukenya felt like she had crashed head first into a brick wall. “No way!” summed up their response. Since their daughter had passed her exams and qualified to attend teachers’ college, Lovukenya’s parents said she was destined to become a teacher, which they believed to be more suitable for a woman.

“I am very stubborn and hard-headed,” Lovukenya says with a smile. “When my parents would not let me study mechanics, I told them I was going to join the army and be a soldier. When they struggled with me over that, I decided to just stay home and help them to farm and look after the cows.”

Yet again, Lovukenya remained determined, surreptitiously studying auto-mechanics via correspondence courses and eventually passing several exams to obtain certificates and diplomas. Soon enough, she found work in a local garage.

“My parents and relatives were still completely against it at first,” she recalls. “It took a long time for people to get used to me being a mechanic. Some of my uncles confronted my father and told him he had failed to guide me properly, and I was a lost cause. But I begged my father just to give me freedom and the opportunity.”

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From fixing Land Rovers to Strengthening Communities
Joining Thomson Safaris in 2001, Lovukenya exhibited not only skilled hands and a quick mind, but also one of the company’s more vibrant personalities. Those who first meet Hellen might mistake her for being soft spoken. However, they soon learn that Lovukenya speaks her mind, and she speaks it well. With broad shoulders and a piercing gaze, the Maasai mechanic has the calm, patient demeanor of someone wise before her years.

She says that her relatives eventually accepted her career wholeheartedly, especially after she was able to help support many of them. “Now even my brothers and relatives are starting to send their daughters to school. They have seen that if I can do it, so can any girl,” she says. “This makes me happy more than anything.”

Lovukenya balances her career by looking after her family, including an 11-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. In her scarce personal time, she says she enjoys reading novels, such as the classic African works of Chinua Achebe and Ngugi wa Thiongo.

Most recently, Lovukenya expanded her career by assuming additional responsibilities as Thomson Safaris’ volunteer coordinator. The position requires her to work with a vast number of Tanzanian communities and different cultures in setting up volunteer programs for Thomson travelers. From prestigious universities to groups of families, she sets up volunteer teaching, construction, and cultural exchange programs and serves as a liaison between communities and volunteers.

“The community work is actually more challenging than repairing vehicles,” she says. “Automotive mechanics are rather simple once you learn. But people are much more difficult to understand. When I started doing this work, though, I truly began to feel like a dream that I had been dreaming for a long time had started to come true.”

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Inspiring Women to Empower Themselves
It’s near quitting time at the Thomson Safaris auto garage and headquarters in Arusha. After thoroughly scrubbing her face, hands, and arms, Lovukenya changes from her navy blue mechanic’s jumpsuit to a comfortable pair of jeans. Other staff members have already begun to board the large bus that takes them back to town.

“Overall, women need more self-confidence in Tanzania,” says Lovukenya. “Too many women have the capability but they lack the confidence. I would love to tell girls that they have the capability. They can succeed. You just have to be determined. It’s the same for the Maasai. The strength is with the women who will make changes and make sure their children go to school. They are the future.”

And what about her own daughter, Jennifer? Will she follow in mama’s footsteps over some grease-slicked garage floor?

“No. She wants to be a doctor,” says Lovukenya. “She can be whatever she wants to be.”

Trek through Maasailand on the Explorer’s Safari
Climb to the glaciers at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on the Grand Traverse Route
Photos courtesy of Chuck Rubin and Joe Crump
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“We are honored and thrilled to be recognized by Outside,” says Judi Wineland, Thomson Safaris’ co-founder and co-director. “Travelers first started going on adventures with us in Tanzania more than 30 years ago. Today you will find the beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti to be as breathtaking and boundless as ever.”

The April issue of Outside Magazine, America’s leading active-lifestyle and adventure-travel magazine, is available on newsstands this week.

Thomson Safaris’ staffer, Bryan Rotundo, traveled to southern Tanzania during his most recent safari to East Africa. Find out what makes Ruaha National Park a special destination for him.

Ruaha National Park is unlike any place I’ve ever visited. If asked to describe it, I would say it is remote, wild and natural…but that barely scratches the surface. The truth is, Ruaha is a really difficult place to describe. I can tell you the wildlife is unbelievable but how do you describe landscapes so untouched that make you feel you discovered the place? How do you accurately convey true adventure and the feeling that you and your guide are the only people for miles on end? My recent visit to this intriguing national park proved that Ruaha is a place beyond words, it is an experience.

On paper, Ruaha is pretty amazing: Located off the beaten track in southern Tanzania, it is the largest national park in the country; it is also home to about 10,000 elephants who are able to sense and excavate water beneath the surface of Ruaha’s sand rivers; and rare species such as wild dog, sable, and roan antelope can be found here.

While this was a new and exciting destination for me, I still appreciate visiting parks of northern Tanzania, like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. These are some of the world’s most ecologically important regions and the fact they are teeming with wildlife makes them a must-see destination. But for a true wildlife enthusiast who enjoys the art of the search, tracking wildlife and has an understanding of wildlife behaviors, Ruaha is a dream.

The only way to explain the wonders of this inexplicable place is by recounting my first morning game drive from Mwagusi Safari Camp. We barely had to drive at all, just 50 yards from camp, we spotted a mother cheetah teaching her cubs how to hunt. With the sun barely above the horizon, the light showered this feline life-lesson in golden tones as we settled-in to observe this spectacular sight for the next 2 hours. We watched as the mother taught her cubs how to run, chase down prey – she even picked up a fox in her jaws just to show them how to do it. Phenomenal stuff. Comparatively, if we were wildlife viewing in the Serengeti, in 2 hours, we would have covered more ground and would have probably seen elephant, lion, wildebeest, and more. But taking our time and watching this single, natural event unfold was a totally fulfilling experience for me.

Leopard in Ruaha National Park

Clearing elephants from the airstrip to prepare for the next flight

My tent at Mwagusi Safari Camp

Cheetahs enjoying an afternoon repose

Mama cheetah teaching her cubs how to hunt

Elephants excavating for water in Ruaha`s sand rivers

The trip was enhanced by Mwagusi Safari Camp. The guides and staff at Mwagusi are passionate about the camp, the park and its wildlife. As for the accommodations, I’d call this lodge beyond eco-friendly – it is infused right into the ecosystem. Set on the Mwagusi River, each banda is made out of natural materials and has modern comforts. On nice evenings, guests enjoy dinner served under the stars on the banks of the river.

For any major wildlife enthusiast or experienced safari traveler, you really have to take a chance on a place that is hard to describe and experience the wilds of Ruaha National Park.

Want to experience Ruaha National Park for yourself? Check out our North & South Safari, which includes a visit to Ruaha. We can also help you plan a private/custom safari incorporating Ruaha into your itinerary. Call us for details.

Variables such as ever-changing wind patterns dictate each balloon flight: Passengers may soar high above the park, viewing grand perspectives of the plains; they may fly very low to the ground for an intimate view of the flora and fauna; the wildlife may remain hidden from view or may be visible in great abundance. All of these elements combine to make each flight a unique experience.

One of the consistent features of the Serengeti hot-air balloon flight is the Champagne toast upon landing. This decadent tradition is said to date back to the late 1700’s following one of the first hot-air balloon flights, when a pilot offered a bottle of Champagne – initially meant for him and his passengers – as a gesture of goodwill to the owners of the farm where the balloon touched down. Since then, every hot-air balloon flight concludes with a Champagne toast.

Our guest, Casey Kenaston, shared a video montage with us documenting his entire balloon ride over the Serengeti, beginning with balloon inflation and take-off and concluding with the champagne toast and the “out of Africa” breakfast. He told us the highlight of his experience was following the curves of the hippo-inhabited river from above. Be sure to watch his video here.
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Casey adds, “My safari with Thomson Safaris was a great experience and one that I will remember all of my life. One of the highlights of the trip was a balloon ride over the savanna. We got up early in the morning, while it was still dark, and traveled to the sight where the balloon was being inflated. We ascended shortly before sunrise. There were thirteen of us in the party and we all stood in the large balloon basket during the ride.  We traveled at various altitudes from 100 to 1000 feet to provide an optimum view of the animals and scenery.  It was a beautiful site and we saw a variety of African game. I had the opportunity to get excellent photos and video of the trip. When we landed, we had a nice breakfast awaiting us.”

Meet Thomson Safaris staffer, Andrew Doherty, as he recounts his recent safari in East Africa.

From a young age, I was obsessed with wildlife and the natural world. I’d spend hours poring over the cards in my Wildlife Treasury Collectors’ Box, imagining what it might be like to see a Mustached Monkey or a Komodo Dragon in real life. Or better yet…what would it be like to have one for a pet? Throughout my childhood, my parents would let us keep all sorts of animals as pets – at one point we must have had over 60 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish in the house!

Since then, my passion for wildlife has only flourished and has influenced many travels around the world in search of unique encounters with nature. I still thank my folks for nurturing my curiosity; had they not been so open-minded, I probably wouldn’t be here, organizing wildlife adventures for Thomson Safaris.

Last month, I went back to northern Tanzania to revisit Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti for another trip of a lifetime. This time around, I witnessed the tail-end of the migratory wildebeest herds crossing the Mara River, multiple lion hunts, several leopards, huge herds of elephant  (one herd was around 300 individuals!) and even rare species like Lesser Kudu. The second half of my safari brought me to neighboring Rwanda for a different kind of wildlife viewing experience – hiking through the bamboo forests of the Virunga Volcanoes to observe Mountain Gorillas. This was uncharted territory for me and I was beyond excited to finally see these endangered primates in their natural habitat.

On the morning of my gorilla trek, I woke up to stunning views from Virunga Lodge of the surrounding alkaline lakes and the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Massif, which set the tone for this unforgettable day.

Once we arrived at Volcanoes National Park, the head ranger debriefed me and my trekking group on gorilla behavior and the gorilla group we would be visiting, the Agashya family. This particular group is made up of 26 gorillas including a 450lb Silverback, ten mating females and fifteen adolescents and babies; since most groups are comprised of 10 apes, with a maximum of 30, I was thrilled to be tracking such a large family with a stable social structure.

After a 30-minute hike through mountain-side farmlands that typify much of Rwanda, we arrived at the entrance of the national park’s dense and serene bamboo forest. The ascent was slightly difficult due to mud and loose terrain, but the pitch was very mild, so we were able to move quickly through the forest. Forty-five minutes later, the rangers stopped to inform us we were very close to the Agashya family and if we listened carefully, we could hear them waking up to start their day.  It was true; we could hear twigs snapping as they moved through the brush, munching sounds as they started eating their breakfast and even conversations (a series of low-pitched, soft grunts)…our collective adrenaline began pumping.

As we rounded a thicket and entered an opening of the forest canopy, we made our first contact with the gorillas!  We saw several females of varying sizes and ages lounging in their nests on the forest floor and even above us in the branches, their babies came out to greet us – sometimes walking within a few inches of our feet! And then at last, we all met Agashya, the massive Silverback for which the family is named (Agashya means “special thing” in Kinyarwandan).

The View from Virunga Lodge

Entrance to Volcanoes National Park with guide, Moses, and the gorilla trekking rangers

The first part of the trek took us through lush green farmlands, typical of Rwanda’s countryside

Gorillas nest on the forest floor and in the canopy above

Gorilla babies eat, sleep and play all day

This mating female sat silently observing her young

Meet Agaysha, the group’s lone Silverback male

Visiting with students of Mwiko Primary School, an excursion from Virunga Lodge

Traditional Intore dancers celebrating fertility and the new harvest

Even though I have seen Silverbacks on TV and in captivity, there is nothing like experiencing this magnificent creature on his own turf; suddenly his sheer size was unfathomable – an astounding fact to me, considering he will spend most of his existence feeding primarily on bamboo and other available leaves, stems and shoots.

Over the next hour, we observed countless examples of gorilla behavior. As they ate, the whole experience reminded me of a holiday meal with my own family; the young gorillas were almost always looking for trouble as they climbed all over one another and made a lot of noise, their mothers were working overtime to constantly set them straight long enough so they might sit down to eat, and all the while, the great Silverback, Agashya, looked on with seeming disinterest as he devoured his own meal of bamboo.  I was totally enthralled as I got to take all of it in at very close range.

My gorilla trek has made a lasting impression on me. If you’re like me and have always dreamed of going on safari, my advice is, don’t wait. The world is changing and you never know what lies beyond the bend.

Recently our Arusha staff gathered for a second celebration in Tanzania. It was a day filled with dancing, sport tournaments, food and merriment. Head guide, Hashim, took control of the PA to entertain the guests, trophies (topped with mini Land Rovers) were awarded to the soccer and volleyball tournament winners and special recognition was paid to employees who have gone above and beyond this year.  See the video below for a quick montage of the day’s festivities.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Tanzanians are proudly celebrating 50 years of independence today.

After several decades, Tanganyika gained its independence from Britain to become The United Republic of Tanzania. Julius Nyerere, known as Baba wa Taifa (Father of the Nation), was influential in uniting much of the country by advocating for peaceful change, social equality and racial harmony. With the help of his efforts, Tanganyika became a republic on December 9, 1961.  In 1964, Zanzibar followed and the two nations unified to form the United Republic of Tanzania with Nyerere as its first president.

A host of independence day celebrations are planned throughout the country including a weekend-long festival and a grand celebration at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Another celebration, The Kilimanjaro Uhuru Climb, kicked off several days ago when 200 climbers, dispersed across four different routes on Kilimanjaro, began their ascent carrying the Uhuru Torch. The climbers converge at the summit today where they will reenact a  symbolic torch lighting from 50 years ago.

Focus on Tanzanian Communities (FoTZC), our non-profit arm specializing in community-based projects, recently completed the construction of a kitchen with high-efficiency stoves at Robanda Primary School, which is located just outside Serengeti National Park.

Prior to the stove installation, the kitchen staff had to rely on the inefficiency of cooking on an open fire as well as depending on the students to supply bundles of firewood each week.

Yohana Makongo, headmaster at Robanda Primary, told our staff that "thanks to Focus on Tanzanian Communities, the kitchen has been completed and it is wonderful. Our students, teachers, and staff are very excited about using this facility as it will help us very much. Giving students nutritious meals is so critical for learning."

The benefits of the new kitchen and the stoves are three-fold: food preparation is more efficient, the children can focus on their studies instead of gathering wood and the amount of wood culled from the surrounding area is decreased.

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Read about this and more in The Focus, the annual FoTZC newsletter, due to arrive in supporter’s mailboxes this week. Find out how you can become of FoTZC supporter or donate online.

Livestock is a sacred and valuable commodity to the Maasai but an easy meal for lions.  The loss of a cow has an immediate impact on the personal wealth and prestige of a herdsman. With so much at stake, the Maasai often engage in retaliatory killings of nearby lions.

Dr. Lichtenfeld believes this activity has contributed greatly to the overall decline in lion populations.

Watch the video below to learn about Living Walls, the innovative fencing enclosure developed by Dr. Lichtenfeld. Her on-ground, non-profit organization works with the Maasai to build these enclosures and educate and empower their communities. Dr. Lichtenfeld says this combination of elements has “transformed warriors fighting wildlife into warriors for wildlife.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As you can see, once a leopard has made a successful kill, they must act quickly to protect it from thieving predators. The scent of this impala has likely already caught the attention of nearby predators such as lions, which are significantly larger than leopards, or a clan of hyenas, which would outnumber and overtake this solitary cat. In order to protect their meal, leopards will drag their kill high into tree branches – an amazing feat of strength and coordination when you consider a full grown impala can weigh over 150 lbs.

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In honor of Freddie Mercury’s 65^th birthday, today’s Google doodle (pictured above) has pulled out all the stops with an animated tribute to the late rock legend (play the animation below). What does this have to do with Tanzania? He was born Faroukh Bulsara on Tanzania’s picturesque archipelago, Zanzibar.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Professional photographer and trip leader, Randy Hanna, witnessed a great showing of the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River yesterday. While camped at Kogakuria, our northern Serengeti camp, he reported:

“Thousands of wildebeests decided to cross in a manner that could best be described as wild chaos and we were expertly positioned to capture it all…It was like having our own private movie preview.”

Visit Randy’s blog for more details on this river crossing and daily reports from the bush

Emily Martin, Thomson Safaris staffer, recounts a powerful moment during her safari last month.

Like many first time travelers, I was initially drawn to Tanzania because of its phenomenal wildlife populations. You often hear stories of lion kills, cheetahs running, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra, leopard sightings, and the possibility of checking the Big 5 off your safari checklist. With these images ingrained in my mind, I left for Tanzania in 2006 with dreams of seeing it all. While I came away with more than my share of stories, it was not the animals that touched me the most. It was the people.

When I found out that I was going to join the Signature Thomson Safari in May, I was most looking forward to the Maasai visit portion of the trip. Although I have spent a considerable amount of time in Tanzania, I hadn’t yet traveled with Thomson and had the opportunity to meet the Maasai in their local setting. The Maasai I had met had either left their bomas long ago to live in the cities or were part of a scheduled visit along well-traveled paths teeming with tourists, which I’ve found can feel a bit contrived and inauthentic.

One day during the Signature Thomson Safari last May, my eight safari companions and I got into our Land Rovers and took off for what we were told was an unscheduled, spontaneous village visit. As we approached the village, dozens of kids ran as fast as they could beside our vehicle smiling, laughing and waving at us. As we got out of the vehicle, we saw a group of Maasai boys, about 30-40 strong, gathering on the outskirts of the boma.

Maasai woman and son in front of the boma she is building to honor her son`s achievement.

Maasai women singing and chanting during the ceremony. The festivities warranted full regalia, jewelry and face paint for these proud mothers.

Warrior marching in for the start of the ceremony.

Warriors watching the jumping circle, admiring and laughing at the various attempts by their peers to jump the highest.

Young warrior smiling

Maasai woman singing with young son on her back.

Young Maasai warriors marching in to join their mothers in song and celebration.

Warrior preparing to show off his jumping skills in the circle.

Maasai women chanting before being joined by the young warriors.

Maasai women singing to their sons in honor of their impending inititations.

As we walked into the main area of the boma, a group of 20 women started singing, jumping and laughing as if on cue. We naively assumed they were singing a welcome song for us. After several minutes, the group of boys began dancing slowly towards the women to the deep, rumbling beat of a make-shift horn crafted from a plastic pipe. The women began to move towards them and the two groups combined creating one harmonious chant. Everyone in the village was looking on, clapping and singing – very few of the Maasai paid any attention to us standing there watching. At this point, we were in complete awe, and passed a look around to one another that said “this was definitely not planned for us”.

Our Thomson guide, James (who is Maasai), explained that we had stumbled upon a rite of passage ceremony for the communities’ young generation of warriors. We quickly came to realize the women were not singing for our benefit; the women were singing to the warriors, their sons, in honor of their impending initiations. The warriors were showing off their skills by forming a circle and jumping, and they were celebrating their long journey to this point.

James further explained that this ceremony marked the boys’ transition into adulthood as well as a transition to move into a new manyatta (group of huts) specially built by their mothers. In the near future, once warrior training was complete, another ceremony was to take place where the mothers shave their sons’ long, braided hair to officially mark the warriors’ transition into the category of elders.

We couldn’t believe we had the opportunity to experience this rare, intimate moment. The raw emotion that the mothers and warriors displayed – love, devotion, pride and happiness – moved each of us. Though we could not communicate directly or speak Maa, we had been present for something more powerful than words can describe. What surprised me the most was that we were not looked at as unwelcome visitors, instead we were welcomed into the ceremony as part of the community. This is the “karibu spirit” that Tanzanians embody, regardless of tribe. This is the reason I love returning to Tanzania year after year.

We love the entire guiding team at Thomson, but you don’t have to take our word for it.  Our guests consistently rave about them, and we are always updating The Buzz on this blog to share those glowing reviews with you.

Meet just a few of our head guides in the videos below – Leonard, Abu, Phanuel and Robert.  (And meet them in real life when you come to Tanzania!)

Press play to watch all four videos OR
Click the word “playlist” above to select a specific clip OR
Visit our YouTube Channel.

Click here to read The Buzz for feedback about our guides.
Select the radial button for “Safari Only” and the check box for “Guides”.

Mountain gorillas inhabit two regions in the world about 30 miles apart: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and the Virungas region, which includes Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hundreds of tourists trek through the mountains of these national parks each year to observe mountain gorillas, which live in groups of about 11 members. Each group consists of a silverback dominant male(s), named for the thick, silver hair found on their backs upon maturation; younger black-back males; females and their offspring.

While it is true that dominant males – who weigh in at 350 lbs. and can stand at an intimidating 6 feet tall – will fight one another to the death in order to protect their groups, mountain gorillas are actually shy and docile animals. Observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat has proven to be a very special encounter for those lucky enough to experience it.

3-day old gorilla twins, photographed by Thomson Safaris guests,
Deborah, Stephen and Rebekah.


Our guests were some of the lucky few to do so. Following their Thomson Safari through northern Tanzania, Deborah, Stephen and Rebekah Yurco continued on a Thomson gorilla trekking extension to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. During their trek, they were very fortunate to find Ruvumu, who had delivered her twins just 3 days earlier. Deborah shares the details of her memorable sighting:

“We learned upon our arrival in Rwanda that twin baby gorillas had just arrived for the impressive band known as the Susa Group. With three silverbacks and 6 yr old twins already a part of this family, we didn’t care how far nor how hard we had to climb; we only knew that we had to get there to see these unique creatures for ourselves. Two and half hours and 3000 feet later, we received our reward. Close up and personal views of these precious babies!”

Want to experience mountain gorilla trekking for yourself? Call us!
Read more about mountain gorillas and gorilla conservation

Watch the video below for his tips, camera recommendations and a slideshow of some of our favorite Andy Biggs’ images shot in Tanzania (on a Thomson Safari, of course!).



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Rick and Judi opened the lecture portion of the night by sharing their 30 year journey as one of the first operators in Tanzania’s fledgling tourism industry. Photos from their personal archives not only gave guests an occasional chuckle but also gave them a glimpse of how much Tanzania and its tourism industry has grown.

Guests were also treated to a lecture from Dr. Farish Jenkins, Harvard professor of zoology and longtime Thomson Safaris trip leader, who spoke about the future of African wildlife in an ever-changing world. He was joined by Emmanuel Kileo, a Thomson Safaris’ head guide, who added his first-hand field accounts to support Dr. Jenkins’ data.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Next on the agenda was a Focus on Tanzanian Communities (FoTZC) board member who spoke about women’s empowerment and community development in her native country of Tanzania. She provided examples of several projects completed by FoTZC and Thomson Safaris in the past year to benefit communities around the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Finally a key manager from Thomson’s Arusha office, spoke about the importance of Tanzanians supporting their own people and determining their own destinies. She also spoke movingly about working for a company that shares her ethics and her love for Tanzania.

Judi topped it all off with a champagne toast to Tanzania and a nod to the next 30 years!

Since the evening was sponsored by Thomson, all the proceeds from the silent auction went straight to FoTZC and a Maasai women’s collaborative, whose crafts were showcased along with generous donations from our favorite wildlife photographers Andy Biggs and Randy Hanna, and paintings by Tanzanian artists Peter Ray, Robert Aswani, Riziki Kateya and Louise Hill.  In total, $10,000 was raised!

Thank you to all who attended for making it an unforgettable night…Thanks to those who would have loved to attend, but lent their support from afar…and thanks to Tanzania for three decades of friendship, collaboration and adventure.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Today, head guide, Emmanuel Kileo, who is mid-way through his two-week adventure in the US, is on his way to Texas via New York City with our photography trip leader, Andy Biggs.

Andy reported, “NYC is blowing his mind! We are having a blast together.  I took him to Tribeca and SoHo last night. Rockefeller Plaza and Times Square today. Ran into Kathie Lee on the street and said I will see her on the show in 2 weeks. And right now we are in the 7th row at The Lion King. Smiles on his face!!!!”

Watch Andy on NBC's TODAY Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda on May 24th!

Click here to view the embedded video.

During the film’s opening week, Disneynature will donate $.20/ticket to African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) to save the savanna. Get tickets and see show times for your area here.

Michael and his hoop have been spotted all over the world, from 282′ below sea level in Death Valley to the heights of 19,340′ atop Kilimanjaro. He has shared his hula hooping enthusiasm and brought smiles to Kilimanjaro porters, the Batwa people of Uganda and even Buddhist monks.

The video below features his latest traveling hula hoop adventure at a primary school in Arusha, Tanzania. Be sure to watch the impressive hula hooping techniques of the school children!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Andy sent us an update on where he found the migration and where they might be heading. See below.

On Feb 24, we saw a nice congregation of wildebeest and zebra in and around the Gol Kopjes on the southeastern short grass plains, and when I returned to the area on March 5 the migration had moved mostly into the areas south of Ndutu. The game around Ndutu, especially in the swamps to the west, was full of migratory animals, as well as all three big cat species.

We did search for larger herds to the north, and finally found a large pocket west of Makoma Hill. When we moved camp to the central Serengeti, an extremely large chunk of the herds were definitely there. We saw them pouring into Seronera from the west, and we spent the last few days (March 9 – 13) only photographing the big herds in and around Seronera. We even witnessed a pride of lions with 4 successful wildebeest hunts in a 24 hour period. 3 of the hunts were within a 20 minute period at a single water source. It was absolutely amazing, and my travelers were excited to witness such unique sightings.

I believe the migration is split between the southern short grass plains and the central Seronera valley, and if it rains heavily in the next week we may see the migration congregate again down in the south.

Willie began his employment at Thomson Safaris as a mechanic, and with a thirst for knowledge, he quickly found himself in new roles leading up to the position of head guide. His background in mechanics proved to be a great pairing to his guiding skills; our guests often commented about his driving expertise and the care and pride he took in his Land Rover. More than that, Willie’s enthusiasm for his country and its wildlife is infectious, which is an invaluable asset to any safari experience.

Kumbi Salim, a fellow head guide and long-time friend of Willie’s, said “When I joined Thomson Safaris in 1987, Kissanga became like a teacher for me and so many others. He is a wonderful person, very friendly, and peaceful. He also happens to be an amazing mechanic and guide and he became a great mentor for us all.”

Willie’s dedication and longevity with Thomson Safaris was celebrated at a recent retirement party at our headquarters in Arusha.

We thank you for your dedication and wish you well, Willie!

Last week, Judi attended the annual Educational Travel Conference (ETC) where she was chairing the Responsible Tourism Committee. She was excited to tell us about meeting one of our heroes, author Peter Matthiessen.

Matthiessen is a two-time National Book Award-winning novelist, explorer and environmental activist who has written some of our favorite books: The Tree Where Man Was Born, The Snow Leopard and Sand Rivers. Matthiessen has traveled extensively to some of the most remote places on earth, and he told Judi, “Tanzania is the best country in Africa.”  Thanks, Peter – we couldn’t agree more!

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Bryan, from our U.S. sales team, just returned from Tanzania with lots of great stories, gorgeous photos and some really impressive sightings under his belt.

At first, we thought he was just trying to make us jealous because two years ago, he spotted a different pack in Tarangire National Park.  These sightings are so rare and so special that we’ve been calling Bryan the Wild Dog Whisperer.

Of his latest trip, he said, “By day two of the safari the group had already seen wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, even a serval cat – but spotting a pack of 20 wild dogs was a total highlight. The dogs were relaxed, and even had pups with them . . . an amazing sight, and also encouraging to see a large group of such a rare species.”

Wild dogs are not domestic dogs that have simply “gone wild”; they are carnivores indigenous to Africa. As you can see by the photo above, wild dogs have large ears and a slender frame, weighing between 50-70lbs. Known for their efficiency in hunting, wild dogs travel in closely-bonded packs of anywhere between 2-60 members.

While wild dogs used to be found in nearly all areas in Africa, today they are close to extinction due to human encroachment and disease. They survive with depleted numbers in only a few African countries; in Tanzania they are more typically seen in the south, for example in Ruaha National Park.

Given the slim odds of seeing wild dogs in northern Tanzania, we wonder, is Bryan really that lucky or is he traveling with a daypack full of Scooby snacks?

Check out Bryan's collection of wild dog photos below.

Click thumbnails for larger image

Watch the video below to find out what happened during a special “blue flag ceremony” when Jane tells the children she will be traveling to Tanzania with Thomson Safaris.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch their talk below entitled, Life Lessons from Big Cats, to see footage and photographs they captured by “going where no sane person should go,” including lion hunts, cute cubs (everyone’s favorite), and a few surprises. Even for these seasoned safari veterans, nature still proves to be unpredictable.

We are excited to partner with a like-minded organization, the Green Living Project (GLP), which documents and promotes global sustainability initiatives – like eco-lodging, voluntourism and responsible travel – around the globe.

GLP is hosting a local event on Thursday night, featuring their premiere of their film documenting new sustainability-related projects across Central America and Maine – and we will be there! You can find us raffling off Thomson goodies, enjoying the live music and complementary refreshments, and maybe even shopping for gear at EMS with the discount offered that night only. Stop by and see us!

Location: Eastern Mountain Sports, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Date: Thursday, January 27^th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Get more information about Thursday’s event here

For instance, elephants are the only species other than humans who mourn their dead. When encountering the remains of an elephant, the herd forms a circle around it and falls silent while they investigate and touch every aspect of the bones with their trunks and their highly sensitized hind feet. They perform this ritual regardless of how much time has passed since the death of the elephant. No other species – not even chimpanzees who share over 98% of our DNA – have displayed this level of emotion and are as deeply affected by death.

Renowned photographers, documentarians and activists, Cyril Christo and Marie Wilkinson have observed elephants and their behaviors for many years. Their latest documentary, The Last Stand of the African Elephant, examines the human/elephant bond and makes a call to action to stop the ivory trade. View the trailer, narrated by Ali MacGraw, below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

When asked why this has become their life’s work, Christo states, “Humans may have followed elephants along ancient migration paths out of Africa. Like us, elephants recognize who they are…They have influenced us biologically, culturally, and mythically for hundreds of thousands of years. When we stare into their eyes, we stare into the eyes of origin. Without the elephants, we lose our ballast. We have this decade to stop the slaughter of the innocents. Their future is our fate.”

Thomson guides and mentors attended a leadership seminar last week at our Arusha headquarters. Attending frequent seminars, like this one, is one of the many ways our guides are able to stay on top of their game.

Emmanual Kileo, who has been guiding for nearly 30 years adds, “Learning never stops! In guiding and in nature, there is more to learn than you could ever imagine, and things are always changing. You can always get better.”

Be sure to visit Randy’s website and blog to read how he captured this dynamic moment on safari and to see more impressive imagery from his travels.

Don’t let the name fool you, rhinos are grey in color, not black or white as their names suggest. Both species are found in sub-Saharan Africa and look similar to one another, but the major difference is the shape of their mouths.

Black rhinos developed a pointed lip which they use to pick fruit from branches and select leaves from twigs; white rhinos have a flat, wide lip to graze on grasses. So why call them white or black?  In Afrikaans and in English – “weid” or “wide” lipped rhino was mistakenly understood to be white rhino.

Although they are nearing extinction, our safari guests often spot black rhinos in Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti.

Rhinos have been making the headlines recently. The sad fact is that these endangered mammals are still being poached for their horns – as recently as this week, the bodies of 18 rhinos were found in South Africa and Mozambique. Efforts to save the rhinos from extinction still forge on however.

Last summer, in a massive conservation effort, five black rhinos were flown in to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Before they were released into the wild, Thomson Safaris by way of a very special invitation, had the honor to visit – and even feed – these rhinos! Be sure to read about it in our recent newsletter, Notes from the Field.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Be sure to check National Geographic Channel for your local listings and see more incredible wildlife footage.

Cheetahs usually get all the glory when it comes to speed – after all, they are the fastest land animals, with top speeds of about 70 mph – but cheetahs would never win a marathon. Cheetahs are unbeatable in the 100 yard dash but distances beyond 100 yards cause these cats to overheat. Ostriches on the other hand, are not only fast but are also one of the most efficient runners. These humongous birds use half of the energy humans do at their top speed, which allows them to run longer distances.

The secret to the ostrich’s efficiency lies in the “spring” in their step. According to a recent study, “Ostriches generate over twice as much power from recoil of elastic energy stored in tendons than humans, which means they need less muscle power to run at the same speed.”

Read more about a recent study featured on BBC Earth News drawing comparisons between the ostrich and the human gait.

Source: BBC Earth News

This was a fitting tribute in so many ways.  Michela had an ebullient spirit and a love for Tanzania, which actually began on a Thomson Safari. By working with FoTZC, Rick and Kristen were not only honoring Michela’s memory but helping fulfill her dream of one day assisting Tanzanian women.

The result of this collaboration was the completion of Phase I of Michela's Room, a massive dining and community hall at Ganako Secondary School in Karatu. The celebration and dedication was held in the newly completed hall in August – with Michela’s family, community leaders and over 400 Tanzanians in attendance.

Rick Harriman, who has plans for additional phases of Michela’s Room added, “It really was a celebration about community and the future.”

Click image to enlarge

In the meantime, click on the image above to have a closer look at some of the projects FoTZC has completed over the years.

In a correspondence to Adrienne and Sarah, Judi wrote:
“I believe very strongly that as a group of people who care to share their resources, we need to be careful how we do it.  I hope to challenge each of you so that you can determine the best avenue for your future ‘giving.’  This is about a life-long learning experience and will make you more responsible travelers and able to provide sustainable resources to anyone for the future.”

After a year of assignments evaluating sustainability, the mentorship led to a Thomson Safari where Adrienne and Sarah visited schools, development projects, an orphanage and a health clinic to gain further understanding of sustainability and on-site processes.

Following the trip Adrienne explained, “To create and establish a project you have to be able to understand the needs of communities. You want to make a difference, but you don’t want to impede upon the culture. You have to ask the right questions. It is not always what you think it is as an outsider.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Diaz family just returned from a private Thomson Safari where they shot an impressive series of photographs. They were in the right place at the right time to witness a lion stalking and capturing a young Thomson’s gazelle in the Serengeti. Be sure to click on the thumbnails below to see how the hunt unfolded right in front of their Land Rover.
Click thumbnails for larger image

Want to sing along?
Here are the lyrics:
Jambo, Jambo Bwana, Habari gani, Mzuri sana.
Wageni, mwakaribishwa, Tanzania yetu, Hakuna Matata
Tanzania nchi nzuri, Hakuna Matata.
Nchi yenye amani, Hakuna Matata.
Watu wote, Hakuna Matata, Wakaribishwa, Hakuna Matata.
Hakuna Matata, Hakuna Matata.

Translation:
Hello, hello, how are you, very fine.
Guests, you’re welcome, in our Tanzania, it’s no problem.
Tanzania is a beautiful country, it’s no problem.
A wonderful country, it’s no problem.
A peaceful country, it’s no problem.
All are welcome, it’s no problem.

(note: the original song was released in the 1980′s  in Kenya, since then many versions of the song have emerged, which insert various East African locations into the lyrics, including Tanzania, the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, etc.)

Capturing a great wildlife photograph can be a challenge. Here are some simple tips that will improve your wildlife photography without costing you a cent.

Simplify – Avoid the tendency to include too much in your image. Thousands of wildebeest migrate across the Serengeti plains but capturing this grand spectacle with your lens is almost impossible. The solution is to simplify the image. Ask yourself what the subject of the image is and then eliminate everything else. Simplification will make the message of your image clearer.

Watch for behaviors – Zebras, and other animals on the plains, spend a lot of time eating, which is beautiful while you are there but doesn’t always make for the most compelling photo. Instead, take a few minutes to watch and wait for their behaviors like nuzzling their young, fighting, and running to get a more interesting and dynamic image. (hint: behaviors often repeat)

Wait for the peak moment – All movement involves a beginning, a peak, and an ending. The best photographs usually happen at the peak. When a lion yawns, the best image is going to be when the mouth is fully extended (look at those teeth!). By timing your shots to coincide with peak moments, you capture the drama of the action.

By applying these three tips, your images will start to reflect the vision of your mind’s eye.

Chris Gamel is a professional photographer who leads trips in Tanzania. Visit his website and blog for more photography tips.

During his visit, the Ambassador officially opened construction of teacher’s housing in Sukenya Village, a project being supported by Focus on Tanzanian Communities and Thomson Safaris. In a speech to the students of Sukenya Primary School, he said,

“The school...and this wonderful structure that Thomson Safaris has made available will provide the opportunity for these youngsters to learn what is right about the world and how that knowledge can preserve the Maasai.  So sitting in this group are future doctors, scientists, engineers, any number of specialties and professions that will help the Maasai people."

Ambassador Lenhardt also visited with the Enyuata Women's Collaborative, a group of Maasai women who have progressively established several small businesses. Their initiatives have been supported by Thomson Safaris and Focus on Tanzanian Communities.

During the remainder of his visit in the Serengeti, Lenhardt gathered information on the proposed road to be built through the northern Serengeti and, on invitation by the Frankfurt Zoological Society, visited the newly repatriated rhinos from South Africa.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dr. Jane Goodall’s Thoughts on Gombe 50 from The Jane Goodall Institute on Vimeo.

When you think of the Great Migration, dramatic images of wildebeest avoiding hungry crocs as they make their way across the river may come to mind. However, these antelopes partake in another exciting annual event, which is happening right now in the Serengeti. From around mid-June to early July, about 250,000 males compete for 750,000 females in the annual wildebeest mating ritual called the rut.

Dr. Richard Estes, one of the world’s authorities on wildebeest in East Africa, told Thomson Safaris, “the noise made by the bulls is probably the most amazing thing,” Estes said of the rut. “You don’t actually see them mating all that often, but the bulls are running around, butting their heads together and expending enormous amounts of energy to round up females and keep them together. I’ve seen bulls so intent on rounding up and defending a herd that they completely overlook the presence of estrus females. That defeats the whole point of the exercise.” *

Eight months after the rut, between January and March, the females will calve. The three-week calving season, during which ninety percent of wildebeest babies are born, creates an unforgettable spectacle on the Serengeti plains.

* Excerpt of interview with Dr. Richard Estes from a 2002 issue of the Thomson Safaris Newsletter.

In an effort to save the rhinos from extinction, seven Eastern Black Rhino were transported from East Africa in 1961 to a private reserve in South Africa. The rhinos thrived in this protected area with their numbers quadrupling during their long-term visit.

In an extraordinary conservation effort, 32 rhino – descendants of the seven transplants – will be reintroduced to the Serengeti over the next two years. Last month, the first five were flown into the Seronera area and received a warm Tanzanian welcome.

In order to protect the newly introduced rhinos, radio-transmitters will be implanted in their horns and they will be guarded around the clock by specially-trained rangers, the Serengeti Rhino Protection Unit (SRPU).

Photo taken near the Moru Kopjes in Serengeti National Park in March 2010
by Thomson Safaris guest, Joseph V. Smith

Governor Deval Patrick declared June 9 Family Business Day in Massachusetts, and in a ceremony to mark the occasion, awards were presented to honor Excellence in Family Business.

We thank the governor and The Northeastern University Center for Family Business for recognizing Thomson Safaris again!

She’s on the tail end of her third Thomson Safari, this time with her parents and three siblings in tow!

Eliza is one of our predeparture experts, so she spends 5-days-a-week helping guests from all over North America prepare for their adventures. She loved this brand new experience of sharing all that passion for Tanzania with her family.

After some terrific wildlife viewing, the whole family took three days to volunteer their time (and more than a little elbow grease) at Ganako Secondary School in Karatu. They rolled up their sleeves, picked up some shovels, and worked side by side with members of the community on building a new kitchen and dining area for the school. Many wheelbarrows and shovelfuls of gravel later, they had a solid foundation laid.

Here’s a photo of Eliza and the entire crew at Ganako. We’ll keep you posted on the finished project, but in the meantime, everyone here wants to congratulate Eliza and her family on a job well done!

For more educational podcasts, visit Radiolab.

When we heard the following account about a humpback whale and the people who helped free her from a potentially deadly tangle of crab traps, we knew we had to share it.  Is it possible that this sea-dwelling giant showed signs of gratitude? Can non-human species possess such a human emotion?

Fellow wildlife enthusiasts will love this fascinating debate about inter-species communication. Brought to you by Radiolab.

Throughout her 50-year career, world-renowned primatologist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace, Dr. Goodall, has embodied the statement above through her ground-breaking and influential work to make our planet a better place.

The draw to Africa developed early-on for the young Brit who found inspiration from books such as Tarzan and Dr. Doolittle. It was Goodall’s supportive and forward-thinking mother who laid the foundation for Jane’s inner strength telling her, “You can do whatever you put your mind to.”

Fifty years ago, 25-year old Goodall bravely traveled to Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park where she pioneered her famous chimpanzee behavioral research. Her findings have provided a wealth of scientific discovery including topics such as societal patterns, tool-making, and the complex emotional behaviors of chimpanzees.

Today, Jane’s focus has broadened to a global mission to empower people, especially youth, through her Roots & Shoots program and the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which stresses the importance of conservation, community, wildlife and the environment.

Dr. Goodall will be speaking at Harvard University next Monday, May 3 about the 50^th anniversary of her research at Gombe Stream National Park. All of us here in the Thomson Safaris office are excited to hear her speak; maybe she will grace us with a few of her signature chimp calls? Regardless, we are eager to be inspired by the words and experiences of this extraordinary woman. Join us! Tickets are still available here: Harvard’s Sanders Theatre box office.

Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, sends her congratulations to the people of Tanzania as they celebrate their forty-sixth anniversary of the union.

click to enlarge map

Those honored included thirty senior staffers who have been with the company for 15, 20 or 25+ years, and are now affectionately referred to as the “Wazee Club.”  Wazee, is a swahili term of honor that refers to respected elders, and is used here with a wink by the rest of the staff for their “old” colleagues.

Safari guides, camp managers, fundis (craftsmen), drivers, office staff, and groundskeepers were among those honored with a special gold, silver or copper badge, representing the 3 tiers of dedicated service.

See photos from the ceremony below including some snapshots of our guides receiving name tags indicating their years of service (15, 20 and 25+ years) from company owners Rick and Judi.

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Thomson Safaris guides are some of the most experienced in Tanzania, in fact, our guests always return raving about their guides! Photographer, Randy Hanna, repeatedly travels with Thomson Safaris due to our guides’ longevity and experience in the bush, see how guides with experience can really make a difference.

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One of our favorite feathered friends is the Masked Weaver. Theses songbirds measure about 5” in length and have a black face (or a mask). Their bright yellow body contrasts vividly against the green of the woodlands where they make their home.

Weavers have a fascinating mating ritual; in fact the female weavers exhibit what we might call diva behavior! As part of the ritual, male weavers construct (or weave) an elaborate nest made from grasses and twigs suspended from tree branches. The nests include a single entrance towards the bottom of the structure to limit predator’s access to the interior.

Once they are completed, the nests are presented to the females, who thoroughly inspect the craftsmanship to determine its durability and security. The females are a difficult lot to impress – often times, they reject the nest, which forces the males to abandon their work and start a new structure.

Once a nest is approved, the female lines the inside the interior with feathers and lays her eggs. The male weaver goes on to build more nests to attract his next mate.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Masked weaver builds his nest. Thanks to Thomson Safaris guests for providing this footage.
Videographer: Linda Fosseen / Editor: John Fosseen

Arranging Tanzanian pen-pals for children on our family safaris has proved to be a rich cultural learning experience for all involved. See Megan Donahue’s experience in the trailer for My Pen Pal: An African Adventure below.

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“My Pen Pal: An African Adventure” trailer from Shaun Donahue Productions, Inc. on Vimeo.

Below is a clip of a fun you-sing-we-sing cultural music exchange between our travelers and a group of Maasai women.

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Do you have any videos or photos you would like to share? Contact us

Andy shared his photography tips on ABC’s morning show, View From the Bay, where he shared travel photography tips including natural lighting, equipment and packing efficiently for excursions. Speaking of packing, did you know Andy designed a camera bag inspired by his travels to Africa? You can check it out here.

Kissanga brought our guests to see the migration in the Ndutu marsh area last Thursday. He predicts that by next week the herds will leave the marshes in search of greener grasses.

Our favorite non-profit organization, Friends of Tanzanian Schools, has recently broadened its scope to provide critical resources for local Tanzanian communities. Focus on Tanzanian Communities (FoTZC) supports many projects including women’s empowerment, clean water, and healthcare initiatives while continuing to focus on education projects.  www.fotzc.org

Hello safari enthusiasts and Happy New Year! We are excited to launch our blog so that we can share some great safari and trekking stories from our guests and guides. Stay tuned for stories, photos and updates from Tanzania. As always, safari njema!