Julie Barry and the Migration Sensation

At school today, my kids asked me what my father’s name was, and the rest is history. I am no longer Julie Wahl, but am Julie Barry, as it is the custom to essentially take on your father’s name in place of a surname…

Day 6 back in Moshi post safari, and I am now appreciating the cold temperatures of the Ngorongoro Crater at nighttime.

Saturday morning, I set out on a four day safari with my friend Maura, three Canadians, our cook, Omari, and our driver/guide, Simbo. We drove about 3 hours to Lake Manyara where we set up tents, ate lunch, and then headed to the lake for our first game drive. At the time, it seemed like there was no way it could be the least impressive of the three locations, what with the elephants, giraffes, flamingos, baboons, antelope, hippos and monkeys almost all within arms reach, but I later learned that no comparison can be made between Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.

One gamedrive down and after a three course dinner, we hit the hay to get some sleep for our next stop: The Serengeti. 24 hours in the Serengeti made for a gorgeous time, and then we headed to the crater for our final night. Even when driving was not technically a “game drive,” it was in fact, a game drive. The Serengeti and crater seem to run together with wildlife and truly the best scenery I have ever experienced.

It is late at night in Moshi, and the only thing I can do to eliminate 47 years of writing is to compile a list of facts for you.

Fact: When going on Safari with 3 Canadians during a Vancouver Olympics, expect much talk of rivalry and championship hockey.
Fact: Also expect them spend the night in the Serengeti getting text messages of score updates every 10 minutes.
Fact: You will find yourself rooting for their team instead of yours, to ensure an enjoyable time for all post hockey game.
Fact: Baboons are much like squirrels. . . a novelty at first, then you realize they are actually everywhere.
Fact: Lions can be heard in your campsite while sleeping in the Serengeti.
Fact: So can hyenas.
Suggestion: Visit the hole in the ground prior to bedtime to avoid meetings with such animals.
Fact: When traveling with African Scenic Safaris Company, expect a three course meal three times a day.
Fact: This is done sans electricity.
Fact: There really is a Pride Rock in the Serengeti.
Fact: Your guide actually will play the Circle of Life upon arrival.
Fact: It is amazing: even for grown men.
Fact: About 30 leopards can be found in the Serengeti.
Fact: When you hear your guide say “Oh my gosssshhh….” You know it has to be a leopard.
Fact: Hippos are living the life.
Fact: The beginning of the Serengeti has a lookout point, and on this point you can see a million wildebeests in the distance.
Fact: Literally, at least a million.
Fact: Drive thirty minutes and thousands of them will stampede by your car.
Fact: This makes for proper migration sensation.
Fact: There is actually nothing better.
Fact: When camping on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, place all edible items inside your safari jeep…including toothpaste.
Fact: This will not keep the wild boars from sniffing your tent all night, but it will keep them from coming inside.
Fact: Even when you get used to the sound of the boars and feel comfortable opening your tent for a peek at the Pumbas…beware.
Fact: You will come face to face with an enormous buffalo 7 feet away.
Fact: You will dive back into your tent, laugh hysterically, kind of want your mom, then hear it come and breathe fire onto your tent.
Fact: Never in your life will you want sunrise breakfast to arrive so quickly.
Fact: The Ngorongoro Crater is unfathomable.
Fact: Everything can be seen when at the bottom..elephants, lions, cheetahs, hippos, flamingos, antelope, crocs, rhinos, you name it.
Fact: When tracking a lion in the crater it is easy for your guide to overlook the rhino straight ahead.
Fact: When you slap him on the head with excitement he will indeed notice the rhino.
Fact: Safari is definitely all it is cracked up to be.

Kwaheri!