Leaders of Tomorrow Children's first
safari adventure! 

It was both educational and fun!

Who knows...because of this first adventure some of these children might become biologists or zoologists or environmentalists!

Learning respect for nature and the environment...the practical way!

Start here to follow the children's safari....

The adventure begins!

First stop...Meserani Snake Park!

Babu leads the way!

The watoto were fascinated by all the snakes on display!

Wow! first hand look at a poisonous viper!

Jacki was the first to bravely hold a snake!

The pride shining all on Elia's face says it all!!!

I DID IT!!! he says.

Mister Joshua wasn't going to be outdone!

After learning more about various snakes, and lizards and crocs' at Meserani Snake Park it was time to continue the journey to the final destination...
Lake Manyara National Park

The excitement mounted as they got on the road again!

They passed by the bustling Maasai Market...
 

...and started working up some appetites!

Finally! Arrival to Lake Manyara!!!

Everybody chills while the entry registration finishes up...

...and then they walk deep into the quiet of the forest with Babu and UAACC Family!

The children had their first encounter with real live baboons...

...the watoto checked out the baboons and the baboons enjoyed checking out the watoto!!

Everybody helps to unload the vehicles...
 

...while the camp is being set up the children load up again...

...and the game drive begins!!

A Few Facts about Lake Manyara...

Lake Manyara is a shallow freshwater lake and the park is home to a diverse set of landscapes and wildlife.  The name "Manyara" comes from the Maasai word emanyara which is a euphorbia species of plant that is grown into a hedge around a family homestead.  Lake Manyara National Park covers 127 square miles and is one of Tanzania's most famous wildlife nature reserves.  Besides abundant bird species and huge troops of baboons, the lake and its environs is also home to hippos, impalas, elephants wildebeest, buffalo, warthogs and giraffes.  There are also leopards and tree climbing lions.

The watoto were excited to get started and see some of the wildlife that they had only seen on documentaries!!! 

There were herds of water buffalo to numerous to count...

...an absolute abundance of the food stealing baboons that Lake Manyara is known for...

...and the beautiful stripped zebras!

There were so many hippos to be seen...

...huge rock hard termite mounds to explore...

...and big herds of tembo to marvel at!

It had been a full day of hours spent looking at animals and enjoying the natural setting!

...and even finding a huge, heavy skull or two...

...the watoto were worn out! It was time to head back to camp and enjoy tales from Babu, round the campfire.
 

Mzee Pete, aka 'Babu' (grandfather) to the children recalls...

"I must admit to teasing the kids while we were out in the bush.  They are always trying to portray themselves as being tough and ready for anything.  I smiled to watch them stand awe struck as herds of elephants slowly trod around the boundaries of our campsite and troops of thieving baboons darted in and out of the camp trying to steal any unguarded foodstuff.  As night fell we sat around the campfire and I was telling them stories of lions and how they hunt at night...(I swear the devil made me do it!!)...and I watched their eyes get bigger and bigger!

I then asked how many wanted to hike with me through the pitch black night to search for a lion. They all puffed out their chests and agreed to follow me.  We picked up sticks and stones as weapons and slowly made our way about 20 feet from our campsite. 

I would stop every 5 feet and whisper "...what was that noise?!!!"  I then felt about 10 little hands grasping my shirt tails! We went about 10 feet further and I suddenly turned off the flashlight and yelped (in my less than perfect Kiswahili)
"EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF!!"
If you can imagine a rolling ball of kids clawing their way back to the campsite, you'll understand why I spent the next hour laughing 'til I cried!!

Not to be out done, the kids spent the night talking from tent to tent about how they were not scared and it was Babu (grandfather) who panicked and ran!! For those of you who have camped in the Tanzanian national parks, you will know that you are perfectly safe around your campsite...however...there ARE lions in Lake Manyara National Park!!

Afterwards...

I'm happy to report that Babu's Fearless Crew
have regained their courage after their adventure in the bush, and are ready to deal with anything once more!