Mambo, friends and family! On day 5, we experienced a full day of truck travel to reach the Maasai Steppe, stopping for many species of birds and animals on the way such as the wildebeests and zebras. On day 6, we woke up early and climbed Oldonyo Sambu (Striped Mountain), a challenging vertical hike lead by a Maasai Warrior. Afterwards, we watched a Maasai Goat ceremony and enjoyed the goat for dinner that evening. We then visited a Maasai Boma, where we learned more about their pastoral lifestyle and were invited into a traditional Maasai dung hut. On day 7, we traveled to our first lodge, located in Tarangire National Park! On the way there, we witnessed hundreds of elephants pass right in front of our truck. We also spotted lions and a leopard. It was very refreshing to shower and sleep in a comfortable bed. On day 8, we went on both a morning and evening safari, with an afternoon break at the lodge in the middle. We witnessed elephants bathing in a watering hole and even saw a lion try to attack one of the babies, who was then protected by the entire herd.
Photo 2: UD students hike up Oldonyo Sambu with a Maasai Warrior and point out birds along the way. From left to right: Guide Maggie Duncan Simbeye, Guide Kisana Lonin’go, Professor Jon Cox, and Student Amelia. Photo By: Miranda Reinson
UD students Carly Costello (on left) and Kristy Chong (on right) help the Maasai Warriors perform the Goat Ceremony. Photo By: Emilia Ruyle.
In the Maasai Boma, Claire Lieber shows the Maasai children their photo for the first time. Photo By: Rebecca LaPlaca.
In the Tarangire National Park, UD students observe two lionesses sitting under a baobab close to elephants as they bathe in a water hole. Photo By: Rebecca LaPlaca
