safari...wow

I don't really know what to say other than that...wow.  We were fifteen days into our lives here in Tanzania and we had the opportunity to go on an actual real-life safari this past weekend.  Like, in a bumpy jeep.  Down rocky gravel roads on a warm and sunshiny day.  In Africa.  I guess I figured that we'd eventually get the chance to do something like this, but I sure didn't expect it to be so soon.  Or so amazing.

Some of our fellow Kiswahili students suggested that we get a group together for a safari, and after a couple of days of indecision, we decided that this weekend would be a good a time as any to go for it.  So we gathered with a few friends early Saturday morning, loaded up the kids (yes, Jacob too, and yes, he seemed to enjoy the ride and was a total trooper the entire day), plenty of water, snacks, and a picnic lunch, as well as lots of free space on our cameras, and we were off to the Tarangire National Park.  I'm told that this park is about 90 km from our language school here, which translates to about 55 miles...which on these particular north Tanzanian roads translated to an almost three hour ride.  

But it was absolutely, positively worth it.  

I'm just going to stop talking so much now and show you some pictures.  Because, just wow.

(if you click on any picture, you can view them all in a larger size)

We loved seeing such amazing creatures in their natural, beautiful habitat.

The zebras were playful and moved so easily together as a group and as individuals. 

The antelope were as graceful and as shy as you would expect them to be, and the males, with their huge, curving horns, had a majesty about them that was hard to miss.

The lions (who, we are told, are tough to catch a glimpse of some days) were so peaceful as they rested near the water, seemingly oblivious to our jeeps and cameras and curiosities nearby.  

The baboons didn't miss a beat in their mass migration across the shallow river...even as our jeep pulled right into the middle of said river and parked there for several minutes.

 And as for these guys...well, they deserve a blog post all their own, because they are my very, very, very favorite of all.

After an almost twelve hour day on the road, we returned, exhausted, grimy, and oh-so-happy.

Going on this safari was an extraordinary and moving experience--truly, such a privilege.  Being in this gorgeous land, living among incredibly kind and loving people, and now getting the chance to see such spectacular animals...I don't know what to say.  We are richly blessed.  

There were moments that I had to actually remind myself that this was real life and that we are really, finally here.  I am grateful for the adventure that every day brings.  It is all a gift, and we are so thankful.