Into the wild in Tanzania

My previous adventures in Sub-Saharan Africa made me fell in love with this part of the world but to be honest, I had no clue what to expect from Tanzania. I had heard stories of beautiful landscapes and safaris but that was about it. I have now traveled in this beautiful country for a little over a week but I am already hooked!

We started our trip with a safari adventure in Ruaha National Park at the Mwagusi Safari Camp and even getting there was already an experience I will never forget. Driving local buses for two days from Dar Es Salaam to Iringa to Tungamalenga. Both drives take you through beautiful landscapes and traveling the local transport is definitely an experience on its own. A bus that is filled up to the limit where people are hanging over each other and having lively conversations and the ticket guy climbing over chairs barefoot (due to the lack of space) to collect the ticket fares. The last part, from the entrance of the park to the camp, we hitched a ride with a hay truck from the camp. The thing that struck me the most is the kindness and humbleness of the local people we met. All very welcoming and willing to show you the beauty of their country. And that they are proud of Tanzania is not so hard to understand when you look around..!

During our four day stay at Mwagusi Safari Camp and Ruaha National Park we found ourselves in wildlife heaven. Driving around with our guide Godfrey we saw many wild animals from up close and learned a lot of new things. The evenings were filled with camp fire sessions and dinners under a sky full of stars. The Mwagusi Safari Camp is located on a seasonal river which is now dried up, so just sitting in front of your “Banda”, the wildlife is passing by in front of you which is an incredible feeling. I could continue writing but I guess it’s best to just show you the photos because they speak for themselves. Enjoy!

 

Flying over Doha, Qatar on our way to Tanzania

Enjoying the view with a kid on the local bus from Dar Es Salaam to Iringa

Making friends on the bus from Iringa to Tungamalenga

The airstrip in Ruaha National Park

The bar is open!

Into the wild with Godfrey, our guide

Meeting friendly giants

And loosing a staring competition from a very fierce cat..

A Dik Dik in its full grown size (Yes really!)

Breakfast in the bush

Breakfast is served!

Meeting very small and cute giants

Some curious giraffes roaming the savannah

Sunset!

Telling some camp fire stories at the Mwagusi Safari Camp

Dinner in the wild

Early mornings in the jeep

Following a male lion looking for his brothers

Another stare off competition, this time with a giraffe!

Beautiful male Impala

I will never get tired of these African landscapes..

Back on the road again!

Lonely Zebra

Close encounter with a very big cat

A herd of Zebras

Breakfast on the river bank

Looking out over these guys..

Adventure’s calling..

Buffalo

The absolute kings and queens of the Bush

Godfrey scanning the bush for some action

And having a stand off with this protective mother!

Yes, she sees us!

On the road again!

Sometimes you just need to stop for a bit to enjoy the stunning views

Godfrey, our Tanzanian guide and friend

And the driver!

Enjoying some drinks during our last sunset in the bush!

And what a sunset it was!

Making some more friends on our way back to Tungamalenga and Iringa

Many new friends!

And some guys selling anything every time the bus slowed down!

 

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