The first 7 days..... It's all been beyond words!

Hujambo! I'm not sure where to even begin. To try and capture the last 9 days seems an impossible task. Kathy and I are nearly speechless at what we've experienced. We've run through the gamut of emotions and all that's left is a spirit of "Thankfulness" and "awe" for every moment with our sponsored kids, breathtaking landscape, animal sighting, new African friends and every African meal we've shared

Coastal Aviation flight from Nairobi to
Musoma and the guys that helped us get
through immigration with all our bags 

Musoma Airport

Today I'd like to share with you a brief glimpse of our special time in Musoma, Tanzania meeting Athuman for the first time after 10 years and Mariam in Shirate, Tanzania after 7 years. Then, strap on your Safari gear and join us for our first 3 days of Safari in the Northern Serengeti with our home base at Chaka camp.

Musoma, Tanzania and Athuman

Our pilot Warren from South Africa

First, our trip to see our sponsored kids could not have worked without our host and translator, Nyala, from Compassion in Mwanza, Tanzania. He spent 3 days with us and what a great guy he is. Our precious time with our African kids was so bittersweet - filled with happiness and sadness in the same day. After so many years of waiting to see them, the 7 hours we shared with each of them went way to fast. For those of you praying for our visits and all the logistics surrounding them, please know your prayers were answered and then some.

Wow - we finally meet Athuman

Buying groceries for  the
family at the local market

   

Athuman showing Dave around the
Student Center in Musoma

Athuman's family in his home after our gift exchange.

Beautiful family photo

Yes we're swinging while waiting for our lunch at a nice
Victoria lakeside restaurant

Neighborhood kids wanting to be in
the picture. :-)

         

Shirate, Tanzania and Mariam

   

Family photo with Mariam, her family and Student Center staff

Another family photo with Mariam

Saying good-bye after lunch with Mariam and staff

Safari day 1 - Serengeti Kogatendi region

We met our guide Maningo bright an early, Thursday morning, Sep 27, 2018. What a great guy and he would be the one to guide us along our first Safari in one of the world's most famous regions - The Serengeti!

Here we are ... finally entering the famous Serengeti ("endless plain") to begin the animal sightings. Wow - pinch me - I just can't believe it. Access2Tanzania is our company and they have been fantastic from the inception of our planning to this moment. Enjoy the pictures. We were blown away with day #1. 

Safari day 2 - Serengeti Kogatendi region

Good Morning Tanzania! Yes, we have Safari gear and there is rhyme and reason to it all....Tse Tse flies love blacks and blues, so those colors are a no no unless you like getting bitten.

We have taken many cool videos and we'd love to share them with you but it won't be on this blog during our safari. Time is at a premium and wifi is good believe it or not for the middle of the Serengeti but the videos need editing so look for those after we get back. Enjoy the photos!

Weldebeest in dead run - great shot Kathy!

The great Wildebeest migration across the Mara River - yes Zebras too

Cruisin and looking in our Land Cruiser with the top up.

The famous wildebeest migration - crossing the MARA river - Spectacular - look for video to come

Great shot Kathy!

Kathy is the photographer and gets full credit for all these fantastic photos. I'm so proud of you babe on your first Safari!!! Way to go!

One of the most illusive and hard to spot. This is one of the ku-de-ta moments. The mighty leopard.

Safari day 3 - Serengeti Kogatendi region

Don't let it fool you - it's about 28 feet long and 5-6 ft wide - CROC

Illusive Leopard #2.... oh ya!! It's a good day on Safari

KING of the Jungle - any questions?

Can you say ELEPHANT! Wow!

Yes... these 2 are mating and let me tell you... they go at it!!!

Practicing with my Masai spear - just in case. :-)