Friday, October 26, 2012

Following the Footsteps of the Maasai trek, Tanzania with Tanzania Travel Company.

Hapo chini utakutana na mpango mzima wa safari ya kutembea kwa Miguu iliyochukua siku 6 huko mkoani arusha katika wilaya ya Longido na Loliondo. Ipitie upate kuona tamu na chungu yake na kuweza kufahamu ni vitu gani unakumbana navyo ukiwa njiani. Ni njio moja nzuri sana ya kuweza kuifahamu Tanzania vyema kwani unakuwa karibu na mazingira na pia unapata fursa ya kukutana na wana vijiji na kuweza kuzungumza nao na kuweza kujifnunza mengi mengineyo. Kampuni ya Tanzania Travel Company ni moja ya kampuni ya utalii yenye uzoefu wa safari kama hizi kwa ukanda wa kaskazini.




Day 1.  Arrival in Tanzania.  
We met the group on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and proceed to our first overnight camp at the big rock camp via Longido town
10 Kms before the camp we left the vehicles and start our trek to the camp.
We arrived at our camp for a late lunch as they had already had something in arusha town where they also had opportunity to change their foreign currency to have our Tanzania shillings. The welcome at the camp was the best as we met a famous camp waiter in Tanzania Mzee Eliakim who met us with a cold towel (you need to be aware that the temperature in this Masai land varies from 28 to 40 this time of the year)
After lunch clients were introduced to the Tanzania travel company crew and got to know who was doing what in the camp. Then we had a briefing from our Tour leader Mr. Sam Diah who gave us a summary of the daily plan, what to do and how to behave during the challenge. Later on we were lead to our tents. Before it got dark we were offered a bucket of warm water for shower in the magical African shower tent. This was followed with popcorn with tea and a cold drink   around the camp fire. This was followed by supper then off to bed at the big Rock (Muriatata hill camp).

Day 2: Trek to Big rock to Kitumbeine village - 21 Kms trek.
Early start with breakfast at the camp.
Vehicle uplift from the camp   to the trekking starting point aim to walk to Kitumbeine Masai village camp. This was a first day serious trek as it took us 8 hours to trek in different vegetation and geography from sand to rocky terrain. On the way we saw lots of wildlife. And this is one of the highlights about this trekking to enjoy game viewing while trekking on foot.
Picnic bush lunch en route. After lunch we continue to Kitumbeine where we were lucky to find it was a market day so had a good encounter with the Maasai community men and women hundreds on them buying and selling. Continued to our camp for shower, dinner and overnight. The camp today is located at the foot of mount Kitumbeine.

Day 3.        
Trek Across dust Plains of Nagarirat to Gelai.
Breakfast at the camp.
Trek across the plains of Nagarirat to Gelai
Today we trekked on the volcanic rocks terrain with dust. Our trek got us through different Maasai bomas, schools and met local Maasai coming from Gelai and other neighbouring villages. The highlights this day was birdlife, zebra and gerenuk (only seen in the Maasai land).
Bush Picnic Lunch en route.
After lunch we ascend towards the foot of Kitumbeine mountain on the eastern corridor to locate our camp. Nagarirat Swamp. Highlight for the day was a African sunset.
Dinner and overnight at Gelai Camp.

Day 4: Trek to Gelai Village:
After breakfast  we started early our trek as  the sun and heat started to rise early in the morning. This was again a long day towards the volcanic mountain Ol doinyo Lengai.  Passed through an authentic Maasai Boma then continue with our Trek. Highlights on this day was giraffe and zebra  and witnessing the authentic Masai life. This is the day we started to experience the heat in the rift valley . Getting to the camp you could see  few  struggling. At the camp located at the foot of  Gelai mountain very rich mountain in Forest, we had fantastic view of Mountain Kilimanjaro. Before it got dark we had a Maasai women singing group  came to sing for  us  this relieved  everyone from 22 Kms trek we had today.
We had our dinner and overnight at the Gelai camp.

Day 5: Trek Gelai to Sunken Crater & the Lava Plains 22 Kms.
Early breakfast at the camp.
This is one of the tough days with Long walk to Sunken Crater and the lava plains.it was in deed tough day and everyone looked tired as there were very limited trees for shade and even the boots became so hot. You could see wildlife which are usually very strong in such weather became so weak with no water and shade.
Picnic cold lunch was served en route. This was so nice as no one could take anything hot hear.
After lunch we continue to discover the Sunken Crater area. After 3 hours of final trek we got to the famous sunken crater. This was a moment of tears of joy in remembrance of all those hard days we have had from Longido, people at home and family and all who sponsored them to do this trek. saw lots of zebra, wildebeests, and giraffe.
After group photo we had a tour of the sunken crater with briefing from Sam and william the massai local guide. Thereafter proceeded the last 2 kms to our camp which we could spot on the other side of the crater.
Dinner and overnight at Sunken Crater Windy Camp.

Day 6: Drive to Ngorongoro crater via  Engaruka ruins village
Early Break fast at the camp.
Start the day towards the Engaruka ruins  Village . we continue driving through  Selela village then into Mto wa Mbu where we stopped for  a ripe banana shopping and continue to the Loduare gate Ngorongoro via  Karatu town. after gate formalities  we  drove into the Ngorongoro crater where  we saw god’s wonder’s  in his creativity. Through our Tanzania travel company guide Hassan and sam we saw all what we wanted  to see. Our highlight was  lion family killing a Buffalo. Late evening returned  to Karatu town to  our first night lodge Endoro lodge where we had fabulous accommodation and a proper shower  after 5 days in the wilderness camping life.
 
Day 7: Time to go home via  Arusha
After breakfast, drive to Kilimanjaro International airport via  Mto wa Mbu and  other  few stops  for last minute shopping  lunch stop in arusha  late evening we  drove to Kilimanjaro International airport for our flights back  home. Our three friends had an extension beach holiday  to Zanzibar.

No comments:

Post a Comment