Diary of a Safari – Day 9 The Final Chapter.

We could write a hundred posts and show a thousand photos of our time in Tanzania but can never truly convey the intense emotional experience of being at one with some of the most powerful and beautiful wild animals in the world. Perhaps the majestic lions were our favourites...

And this cute creature is a bat-eared fox...

However, not all safaris are created equally. While we had a spacious land cruise and guide to ourselves, and dictated our own schedule and lodgings, most group tours had already left the lodges by the time we were enjoying a leisurely breakfast and arrived too late to enjoy the beautiful swimming pools in the afternoon sun. This is the pool at the Sopa Lodge overlooking the Great Rift Valley and Manyara Lake...

Although 2,000 feet above the valley, the water of the infinity pool seemingly flows into the lake below.

We had arranged all of our stays in lodges within the national parks, but our Serengeti choice was swarmed by a group of 100 Americans and we were bumped. We were not happy campers especially when they said we had been upgraded ... to a tent. Roughing it just isn't our thing and the idea of sleeping under flimsy canvas in the midst of lions was not appealing. To make matters worse, we arrived at the campsite in semi-darkness during a tropical downpour and the generator wasn't working. There was nothing to do - the nearest hotel was several hours away and was probably full. However, this was no backpackers campsite and this was no hiker's tent..

It was fully furnished with two four-poster queen beds, an ensuite bathroom complete with his and hers sinks, and even a valet to turn down our beds and escort us to the sumptuous dining tent. And when the lights came on our tent turned into a palace.

Not all the animals in this Garden of Eden are wild. Outside of the national parks the Maasai herders drive their cattle and goats across the arid pastures in search of grazing. While the native Maasai espouse their desire to adhere to their traditional way of life, many of them spend their days dressing up and performing for tourists. We prefer to see them with their herds – though preferably not blocking the road...

Now it is time to leave this wondrous place. It has truly been a trip of a lifetime and we have to thank Anne at Amazing Memories Safaris of Nairobi and especially our fantastic and knowledgeable driver and guide, Charles Edward, for creating this most memorable experience...

We are going to take a breather for a few days, but will be back soon with pictures and stories from the tropical spice island of Zanzibar. In the meantime, this is our farewell look at the incredible Ngorongoro Crater as we say goodbye to all the wondrous creatures and the many lovely people we have met here...

Every day here has been filled with incredible sights and sounds, every meal has been excellent and every bed has been luxurious. But all good things must come to an end and so we leave you with this picture of the sunset over the Serengeti...

Kwaheri – Goodbye for now from Northern Tanzania – the birthplace of our civilization.