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February 28, 2016

Private Safari to Tanzania and Rwanda

Africa Safaris Traveler Stories Wildlife & Natural History

Our family adventure to Tanzania and Rwanda was such an extraordinary trip. We are all still on Cloud 9–not sure if I’ll ever come down! Here are our favorite pictures from our trip.

Several people, including children and adults, gather around and touch a large inflatable globe outdoors, exploring its surface with wonder.
We arrived in Tanzania and met the son of the Maasai chieftain the next morning. On this globe, we showed the children where they are, then Seattle and Nashville, where we’d just flown from.
Four people in traditional Maasai attire stand smiling together outside near a thatched-roof structure, embodying the rich culture of East Africa.
All dressed up.
A group of people, some wearing traditional Maasai attire, observe a man in mid-air jumping under a tree in a village setting, capturing the vibrant essence of East Africa.
Bill joined in on the traditional dance!
A group of Maasai women in traditional attire, including colorful shukas and beadwork, walk on a dirt path in an East African village with thatched-roof huts and greenery in the background, offering a vivid glimpse into exploring the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
As we left, the Maasai sang goodbye to us.

Tarangire National Park

Three men walking on a dirt path in a grassy field, perhaps exploring East Africa. One wears a red plaid garment and holds a spear, another is in khaki clothing and hat, and the third is in a green uniform.
Noellie led the bush walk and Kimani and Maulidi brought up the rear. We felt safe!
A lone tree stands against a vibrant sunset with hues of orange and pink, casting shadows on lush green grass. As if exploring East Africa, the darkening sky melds with distant hills on the horizon, creating a breathtaking scene.
Sunrise outside our tent the first morning.
A curious mongoose, exploring its surroundings, peeks over a red rock with green grass in the background. This scene captures a glimpse of East Africa's vibrant wildlife.
Mongoose peeking over an ant hill.
A giraffe stands in a grassy landscape, its head and neck visible against a backdrop of trees and sky while exploring the vast savannah of East Africa.
Our first giraffe in Tarangire.
Two young elephants walking in tall green grass alongside an adult elephant near a body of water—a perfect snapshot for those who travel to explore the wild beauty of East Africa.
Oh, those orange, mud-caked beauties!
Close-up of an elephant with large ears and tusks standing in a grassy area, holding vegetation in its trunk. Another elephant and trees are visible in the background, capturing the essence of exploring East Africa's rich wildlife.
Thrilling!
A group of ostriches, some standing and some sitting, occupies a dirt path surrounded by lush greenery and trees, as if exploring the serene landscapes of East Africa.
Our resident ostriches. We always passed them on our way back to camp.
Two tents are set up in a grassy area surrounded by tall trees at dawn with a pink and orange sky in the background, perfect for those exploring the beauty of East Africa.
Sunrise at fly-camp.
Two individuals stand outdoors smiling; one person holds a green mug, the other wears a red shawl. The background is a grassy landscape in East Africa, extending to the horizon under a cloudy sky.
Bill and Kimani comparing knives. They were best friends by the end of the three days. Kimani nicknamed Bill “mbogo,” which means “buffalo.”
A lioness rests on a horizontal tree branch in a green field, looking into the distance, capturing the serene beauty of East Africa.
We had a great surprise when we rounded the bend! He was checking out the possibilities.
Two people on a safari jeep in East Africa, one wearing a hat and sunglasses, smiling at the camera, and the other exploring the horizon through binoculars with a tissue.
You could not wipe the smile off of my face the entire trip.

Ngorongoro Crater

Exploring East Africa, a vast green landscape stretches to the horizon under a hazy sky, with scattered trees in the foreground and a distant flat area.
Our first look at Ngorongoro Crater on a hazy day. Be still my heart!
A group of zebras stands close together in a grassy field of East Africa, with one zebra looking directly at the camera while the others face different directions. Exploring this scene offers a captivating glimpse into the wild beauty you encounter when you travel to this remarkable region.
Oh, how I loved the “striped donkeys”! Couldn’t get enough of those stripes!
Two people in a safari vehicle are exploring East Africa, looking through binoculars and a camera at wildlife. The woman stands for a better view, holding a telephoto camera, while the man uses binoculars.
Using Bill for a tripod.
A lone vulture standing on the grassy terrain of East Africa, with its wings partially folded and neck extended, facing the camera. This captivating moment captures the essence of exploring one of nature's rawest landscapes.
There must be something nearby.
A hippopotamus with its mouth open, partially submerged in the water, seems to be exploring its surroundings in East Africa.
A hippo!
Rhino and wildebeest grazing in the distance on a grassy plain with birds foraging in the foreground, capturing the essence of exploring East Africa.
We saw an endangered black rhino…very far away, but glorious all the same.
A group of people in red clothing scattered across a lush green field with a dirt trail running through it, exploring the hilly landscape that evokes the vibrant scenery of East Africa.
Maasai, vibrant in their red shukas, on the green crater rim.
A wildebeest with curved horns lies on the grass in a field, an iconic sight when exploring East Africa.
Why the long face?
A young zebra stands on green grass, with an adult zebra partially visible behind it. The background includes tall grass or reeds, capturing the essence of exploring East Africa's wild landscapes.
Who doesn’t love a baby?

Serengeti

Amidst the tall green grass and foliage of East Africa, lions rest peacefully, with a few cubs lying close to the adults—an enchanting sight for those exploring this majestic region.
Peek-a-boo!
A lion sits on the grass with its mouth wide open, displaying its teeth and tongue, as if exploring the vast plains of East Africa.
Naiman said, “get him yawning, he is missing a canine tooth.” How could he see that? Naiman had Superman powers of vision.
A black-backed jackal stands amidst green vegetation, exploring East Africa, looking towards the camera with its mouth slightly open.
The only jackal we saw.
Two giraffes stand amid green bushes, peering above the foliage with clear skies as the backdrop, exploring the wilds of East Africa.
A two-headed giraffe?
A honey badger with bared teeth is exploring the grassy ground with some shrubs in East Africa.
Spotted this honey badger and gave chase. He then turned and charged us! Honey badger don’t care!
Two elephants with long tusks walk through a misty, green East African landscape, exploring the verdant terrain with trees in the background.
On this morning, we started out early, 5am wake-up, and it was FOGGY. Then we turned a bend and saw these beauties. How spectacular!
A group of people, one in traditional attire, stand together outdoors, smiling and taking a selfie near a table with various bottles. The background shows a natural, grassy East Africa landscape during dusk.
I loved the staff so much in both camps.
A person wearing a cap smiles while holding a glass outdoors among greenery and trees, embodying the spirit of travel and exploring the scenic landscapes of East Africa.
Our Trip Leader, Naiman, was family after 9 days. We love him!
Four people in outdoor gear stand smiling beside a vehicle featuring the Wilderness Travel logo, with spare tire covers depicting a bird. Trees and rocky terrain form the backdrop, capturing the spirit of exploring East Africa.
We saw a pride of 18 lions and shortly after our jeep bottomed out in a muddy creek (it was a serious bottoming out, but Naiman prevailed as usual), then we arrived here at a kopje. Naiman took this picture and then got his machete out “for safety’s sake.” Tilghman was a little worried, after all we had just seen 18 lions and some cheetahs.
Three people walk on large rocks with a makeshift bar setup on one of the rock surfaces, featuring several bottles and glasses, highlighting their adventurous spirit while exploring East Africa.
With Naiman’s safety precaution in mind, we approached the rocks cautiously and heard lion grunting, but then these three heads popped up! Surprise sundowners set up by the crew!
Silhouette of a person exploring a hilltop against a cloudy sky during sunset in East Africa.
Kapush in silhouette.

Rwanda

A group of people, including two tourists, are playing large traditional drums outdoors. Amidst the lush greenery, a crowd observes in the background, exploring East Africa's rich cultural heritage.
We arrived in Rwanda and took part in some drumming before we headed into the brush to meet the mountain gorillas.
A man wearing a blue shirt and baseball cap smiles at the camera while a gorilla sits behind him, eating vegetation in an East African jungle, embodying the spirit of exploration and travel.
This black-back nearly knocked Will off of his feet while cruising through the brush, but then he was nice enough to stop and pose for a picture. Couldn’t wipe the smile off Will’s face for days.
A baby gorilla clings to the back of an adult gorilla as they explore the lush green foliage of East Africa.
This momma and baby came out of nowhere. Momma whacked my leg and baby slapped my arm, “get outta the way!” I was in heaven!
Close-up of a dark-furred animal's foot with nails, resting on a bed of green leaves and dry twigs, capturing a moment in the wilds of East Africa.
This gorilla’s nails looked better than mine ever do!
Four images of gorillas in a leafy environment. The gorillas are in various poses: two sitting, one feeding, and one looking directly at the camera. Exploring East Africa offers these captivating encounters with nature's giants.
Wow. More wow! They were all so different and beautiful. Glorious.
A person in a blue shirt is exploring dense, green foliage in an East African forest.
We hiked in some serious jungle.
A group of people, including several in blue uniforms and others in casual outdoor clothing, pose together outside in a rural area famous for its tourism, with trees and mountains in the background.
We loved our crew. Theo knew exactly when to hold my hand!
A group of children in colorful clothing run and smile outdoors on a grassy field with trees in the background, exploring the beauty of East Africa.
As we walked by, these children were dancing. They all waved and yelled, “hello, hello, hello.” It was one of my favorite parts of the trek.

I have about 1,000 more pictures. I look at them every day. I can’t wait to take another trip with you!

-Photos by WT Adventurers, the Carroll family, text by Lean Carroll, Tanzania Private Journey with Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Extension

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