After a wonderful breakfast at The African Tulip, we headed out to our first lodge – Burunge Tented Lodge for three nights – and visited a local Maasai village and viewed wildlife along the way in Tarangire National Park. It was a long day but worth it. A short video of the Maasai visit is posted on YouTube (I never really figured out how to move the necklaces.)
Downtown Arusha. We were sitting ducks for peddlers - they recognize the safari vehicles. Best to keep the windows rolled up and don't make eye contact.
Typical street scene in Arusha and neighboring cities. People and motorcycles winding their way through traffic. Looked like chaos to me.
Bird feeders at a picnic site. This is a Yellow-collard Lovebird.
The first of many Baobob trees
Hollowed out Baobob tree. Michael said poachers hid in these.
The first of many Magpie Shrikes.
Northern white-crowned shrike. These were common in the picnic areas.
Another northern white-crowned shrike.
Southern Ground-Hornbill. These were usually found in small groups.
Lousy photo but this was the first goshawk we saw. Probably a Dark Chanting Goshawk, but not certain.
Black-headed Heron. There are quite a few species and we saw most of them.
Banded Mongoose. There was a large family of them living behind our lodge.
Banded Mongoose.
White-browed Robin Chat - maybe. Still working on this ID.
Unknown bird. Very short tail and rusty belly.
Same unknown bird.
Spotted Morning-Thrush (I think). ID yet to be confirmed.
This is a Kirk's Dik-Dik - a cute little antelope. We saw many of these, usually in pairs as they mate for life.
Vervet Monkey, with baby. There was a large community of these in the area behind our lodge. They are ubiquitous and curious. They will try to steal from the safari vehicles and have been known to leave a present (poop) on the seat if they can't find anything they like. Roof closed, windows up!
Little Bee-Eater. Cute little birds that pose along the roads.
The Maasai tribe danced for us. As you will see, it was a participation event.
All decked out and advertisement for Michael's company, Tanzania Safari Bug.
Our Maasai friends.
They were very friendly - especially after we bought some of their trinkets.
Inside a Maasai house.
Inside the hut you can see years of soot from the fire.
Our fearless guide Michael. The lodges have a lovely tradition of meeting you at reception with a warm wet towel and juice.
Panoramic view from our deck at the Burunge Tented Lodge, Tanzania, 2021
The view from the deck of our lodge.
This lodge is considered mid-range in terms of luxury. A few things didn't work (hair dryer, water cooler), but it was lovely and comfortable.
View from the main lodge deck area. That is Lake Burunge in the distance.
The restaurant was outside.
Our first dinner. I don't know how they kept the bugs off the deck, but we were not bothered by them.