Mikumi Safari

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We survived the Safari, as I know that many of you were probably wondering what the two of us were thinking being that we don’t care to be around other animals (dogs, cats, etc). =) I am so glad we did go and didn’t let that stop us-it was an experience I will definitely never forget.
We left early in the morning for the drive (about 4 hours). As we were nearing Mikumi National Park there was wildlife along the road: zebras, giraffes, impalas, baboons, and elephants. We then checked into the hotel and headed out for the safari. There was so much land and so many animals! We ate lunch near the hippo pool-they are loud animals. This hippo pool has crocodiles which our driver said keeps the other wildlife away. We spotted a crocodile that was on the opposite bank and headed over for some photos. Hope you enjoy those =) The afternoon continued seeing more of those animals as well as warthogs and buffalo. After a few more hours of driving around we took a break at their lodge (outdoors) and had a cup of tea. We had one more drive ahead of us before it would be dark. As we started out there were 3 other land cruisers driving so we joined the caravan. As luck would have it they were heading out to see a lion (simba). It is hard to describe in words-it was so close to the road. I have many pictures. We saw the lion laying down and up walking. This was enough for Abu so we called it a day. =)
We began the second day early in an attempt to see the lions more active. In the early morning they are often up hunting for food. We headed back to the area we started at yesterday and saw a large herd of buffalo drinking water. They were starting to move but one of the babies was stuck in the mud. It was trying to free itself but was not having success and this didn’t seem to be a good situation. We continued on hoping that in another area we would find the lions. We went deep in the park but didn’t see too much. There were a few elephants, giraffes and birds. Unfortunately there were also these flys-saxoflys. Some of them were huge and they bite. Our driver was bit on the head and needed to head back to wash it and put salt on it (apparently the cure). On our drive back, another car stopped and the couple told us they just saw three lionesses. They were on the way so we stopped to see them. They had caught the little buffalo and were eating.
So that was the conclusion of the safari-what a trip. While at the lodge the driver was talking to another driver and told him about the lionesses. They decided to head back-one quick loop and then we needed to drive back. The lionesses were finished and moving toward the water as well as watching a group of zebra nearby. They seemed to be planning their next attack. The road we were on is a dead end so we must turn around. Abu and the driver both heard the noise and I was oblivious to what was going on until the driver is having Abu stick his head/upper body out the window. I couldn’t figure out what was prompting Abu to do this with the lioness so close until he mentioned that that tire was flat! Great-in the wild, flat tire and hungry lionesses within a few hundred feet! We managed to make it out of the loop and down the road but not very far. It needed to be changed. I figured we would have to head back with someone else and then it would get fixed later-nope. The driver and Abu were out in the middle of the national park changing the tire. I did what I could from inside-using the binoculars to watch for any possible animals. A nice gentleman from another group stopped and helped them which speed up the process. It was able to be completed safely and we then made it out of the park.
Hopefully all of you are doing well! I look forward to sharing pictures-other than those you have already seen online. Love you =)

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