Safari & Jen's birthday

15th February, 2008



This weekend was all a big surprise for Jenny – Joey had organised it as it was her birthday. We set off in a hired car (a 4 x 4 big one! – Joey loved driving it) and headed towards The Serengeti (about 2 hours away from Mwanza) – we were heading to a luxury lodge which they hadn’t stayed at before, but on our way we did a bit of game spotting – and – before we even knew it we saw lions! Usually the BIG one is left till the last by the tour guides, but Jen spotted them right next to the road just sat. We stopped and watched them for ages – usually there are loads of other vehicles around lions, but we were on our own. There were 2 females really close, one a bit further away and a big daddy with another female sat under a tree not too far away, and then another male turned up behind us and flopped under the next tree. We were sooooo close to them it was wonderful – in fact one of them gave Jen a telling off growl when she hung out of the roof to take another photo – Ok we said and left. A bit scary but amazing to be so close to them.

Saw lots of other game on the way to the lodge, which was beautiful – it was placed high on a hill and the view from the restaurant/bar area was just stunning – hopefully photo’s will give a bit of a feel of it. Our rooms were a bit of a walk from the main part of the lodge and when it was dark we had to be escorted by Masai to our rooms – as we were still in the park. But they had great internet facilities, so caught up with some emails and updated the Blog – crazy isn’t it – in the middle of the Serengeti Park the internet facilities are better than in Mwanza, which is a City by the way.

16th Feb – Jens birthday

We were woken at 4.30 and escorted to our car (still dark!) and we followed a guide who drove us to the Hot Air Balloon launch site – Jen was thrilled and really excited when she got there. It was a huge balloon – held 12 of us in the basket and we had a really wonderful hours flight.

We flew just skimming the trees following the river – spotting crocs and hippo’s and looking down on vultures nests, it was awesome! We then went higher and it felt as if we could see the whole of the Serengeti – such space.

After a very smooth landing we were met by the balloon ground crew with bottles of champagne and then taken on a 5 minute drive to a safari breakfast – a beautifully laid out table, under the shade of a tree – breakfast was cooking and there was a loo with a view there too. Magic – so Happy Birthday Jen! I remember how I spent my 30th (having Dan) so think she will remember hers too.

We had to leave the park by 1 so headed towards the gate – game spotting as we went, and arrived at Speke Bay Lodge, which is lovely place just at the edge of the park by the gate on the edge of the lake. We have stayed there before (and hopefully will again) and it was really great. Sat looking at the lake – which could be mistaken for a sea (it is 250 miles long!!) But unfortunately not swimable in –however the lap of the waves and the breeze were lovely to sit by and have a sun downer!

On Sunday we woke to rain, which was a shame as we had planned to breakfast on the terrace, just had to shift the table into the room, still had a lake view. We then went to visit one of the projects which SAIDIA is working on before – think Donald has mentioned that so I will leave that to him.
Now back “home” – and it feels good. Got Neil Diamond playing and a glass by my side (water!!!) and we plan to watch a DVD tonight. Dress fittings tomorrow lunch time. Tomorrow we start our volunteering. Joey is coming around to start our SAIDIA programme with a weeks induction, language and cultural sessions. Think we start with our placements on the following Monday – so watch this space.