Safari

We just got back from our safari and are now settled into L'Oasis Lodge for our last night in Arusha and Tanzania. The past four days were amazing. We saw all of the 'Big Five' animals, even if the rhino and leopard were from a bit of a distance. We saw plenty of lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, wildebeasts, buffalo, baboons, monkeys, and various types of gazelles. We also had the chance to stay in some nice safari lodges while enjoying the time together as a full group. If that were all there was to our safari, it still would have been a great success. However, we had the incredible good fortune to be in the right place at the right time on the morning of Day 3 to witness something that most people can only hope to see on a National Geographic video.

When we arrived on the scene of this epic event in the Serengeti, we saw a group of four lionesses slowly approaching a herd of buffalo. They were still about 200 metres away from the herd when we got there, and they spent the next 20-30 minutes gradually inching closer and closer from downwind of the buffalo. This was all happening about 300 metres away from our trucks. When one of the lionesses was within range, she pounced on the herd and scared them into running in the direction of her three fellow hunters. The entire herd ran toward the road and crossed between trucks only a couple vehicles behind us. The lionesses gave chase, and they managed to separate one of the buffalos from the herd just after they crossed the road. The solitary buffalo then veered back toward the trucks and crossed the road again right between two of our vehicles. The lionesses were right on his tail and tackled him only metres away from our trucks. One of the other buffalos followed into the melee and attacked the lionesses from behind, giving the downed buffalo a moment of reprieve to get back on his feet. However, the good samaritan buffalo was quickly faught off and the lionesses returned their full attention to the intended prey. We watched for about 15 minutes as one lioness hung from the buffalo's neck tearing at its face, another jumped onto its back trying to bite at the base of its neck to crack its spinal cord, the third attacked its legs, and the fourth lioness ripped at its stomach. The buffalo put up a valiant fight for life, but eventually it went down. While three of the lionesses feasted, a fourth went to gather several cubs that were waiting nearby. Again, all of this was happening little more than about 20 metres away from our trucks. It was undoubtedly one of the most exciting, intense, and unforgettable things any of us have ever seen.

After a fantastic three-week adventure, all of us are now looking forward to getting home. Our flight departs Tanzania tomorrow night and we return to Canada on Tuesday. We'll see everyone then.

Group 2 - Kilimanjaro Trek

Group 2 - Kilimanjaro Climb

After a hard week of community service and a couple days of relaxing at the Oasis Lodge our group of 22 people boarded the bus for the hour ride to the base of Kilimanjaro. After hearing from the other group what a daunting task the climb was, we were focused on the task at hand. What lay ahead was both difficult and completely rewarding.

Day 1

We left Macheme gate and made the trek through the rain forest at the base of the mountain. Unfortunately for us the worst possible thing happened and it began to rain, by the time we reached camp for the night at 3000 metres, we were cold, wet and definitely off to an auspicious start.

Day 2

We awoke to sunshine on day two, and a climb above the clouds. This climb included a lot of bouldering and some spectacular views of the land below. We arrived in camp in the early afternoon with plenty of  time to dry wet gear and recharge our batteries for a challenging day three. The view of the sky at dark from camp was amazing as many had never seen that many stars in the sky at one time.

Day 3

This was an important day in our attempt the summit of Kilimanjaro. In an attempt to get accustomed to the elevation, we ascended to 4650 metres to get our bodies ready for the couple days ahead. The day involved some steady slow climbs until we got to Lava Tower and our highest elevation of the day. The day ended with a slow descent to Barraca Camp and gave our group an impressive view of the next days task.

Day 4

We awoke on day 4 faced with a 500 metre walk of rock to tackle to begin the day. After tackling the rock wall we were given an outstanding view of the ultimate prize (group picture below). We made great time in getting to base camp and our prep for the last stage our trek and the summit. We arrived at base camp in early afternoon and got some rest before we got ready for the "midnight assault" that evening.

Day 4/5

We awoke at 11pm for tea and readied for the last stretch of our adventure upward. We ascended into the darkness as a group at 1130pm with headlamps lit and warm clothes on to tackle the most difficult mental and physical task we had faced in our lives. The six hour hike upward was almost an unthinkable feat but our group responded with fire, desire, perseverance to finish the task. As we trudged through the darkness we helped each other get over the enormity of what lay in front of us. As we one by one stepped over the edge at Stella Point and the first step of the summit we relished in each others victory. The 45 minute walk from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (for many in the dark) added the last bit of adversity to this amazing day. Like a clan of Andrean Zombies, we each made our way to the official top of Africa and posed for the obligatory photo. Many broke into tears at the emotion of the moment and most definitely created a memory of a lifetime. What followed unfortunately was the trek downward which was the most difficult part of journey. The two hour trip down was difficult, taxing and overall an awful way to end an otherwise rewarding day. Following a few hours rest we walked 4 more hours downward to our last camp in the rain forest.

Day 6

We awoke on day 6 with two hours left to go and our exit of Kilimanjaro National Park. Before departing the day the entire staff of our trekking company serenaded our boys in a traditional manner. We response with a spirited version of the Gangwa to the delight of our hosts. We descended the last few metres of our climb to the shared welcome our group members. We arrived dirty, smelly, and beaten, but not broken. We challenged ourselves and responded with the most resounding effort many had ever mustered. As a group we bonded, picked each other up when we struggled and relished in each other's success. We certainly lived our motto, "quit ye like men be strong"

Group 2: community service

Group 2 - Week 1 (Community Service)

After a couple nights rest in the Oasis Lodge we made the trek to a Maasai Village 45 minutes west of Arusha. After a warm welcome from the students on their last day of school, we set the to the task of setting up camp. We also had some time to explore the village and meet some of children of the local area.

The next day we set to work on a couple projects at the Matim School, one was painting a Classroom and the other was creating concrete walkways for the classroom buildings. The boys took the challenge of finishing job before our time was up. In between the hard work by all involved painting, digging, and and hauling buckets of sand or dirt, we had a chance to experience the local community by visiting the Maasai market place, hiking some of the local sites, and getting to know the locals.

One of the major highlights was witnessing a Maasai coming of age ceremony. The ceremony which is taken on by the young males who so choose, was an eye opener for all of us. The chanting and face painting of those involved was a site to see, and we definitely felt welcome from the hosts of the local get together.

On the last day we finished our work and made our final gesture by officially giving our hosts the gifts we all brought with us for the community and school. All involved were appreciative of our kindness, and we were definitely appreciative of their hospitality. We left the village tired, but energized by what lay ahead!