July 9, 2023 - Africa Wrap up

Our trip to Kenya and Tanzania was amazing! It's hard to believe it has come to an end. We traveled with Jenman African Safaris and covered 1580KM - 981 miles plus the game drives.

We enjoyed our guides and the people in both countries. All of the staff at the hotel in Nairobi as well as the camps and lodges in both countries were amazing and helpful.

The exchange rates were approximately 140 Kenyan shillings to 1 USD and 2400 Tanzanian shillings per 1 USD. In Kenya we used our credit card for most purchases because they preferred shillings and we hadn't exchanged money. In Tanzania, US dollars were widely accepted.

We tried to learn a few words in Swahili and tried to use them correctly!
Jambo - hello
Asante - thank you - the response is Karibu
Asante sana - thank you very much
Karibu Sana – “You're Very Welcome”
twende - let's go

It was interesting to see the women carrying huge loads on their heads as they walked down the roads (for miles!) and the men (and some women) transporting mattresses and live animals on their motorcyles. They work hard! The markets along the roads were busy almost every day. 

I'm sure most of you know that a group of lions is called a pride, but did you know the others?
bloat of hippos
dazzle of zebras
leap of leopards
float of crocodiles
troop of babboons
committee of vultures - should be easy to remember - just think of politicians!
crash of rhinos
wake of buzzards
cartload of monkeys

A few other words in Swahili:
simba - lion

duma - cheetah

swala - gazelle

tembo - elephant

twiga - giraffe

crocodile- - mamba

boma - community

Everyday loading the vehicle with seven suitcases was a challenge, espcially since the camp staff wanted to help. After the second day, WE knew what order they needed to be loaded in order for everything to fit! Arriving back in Nairobi this would be the last time we unloaded all the bags.



The following are some of the other videos from the trip.

June 25 - Nairobi Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage (three videos)
Baby elephants coming in to be fed https://youtu.be/EK4LtKDnqYM
Elephants playing https://youtu.be/jce7CrlbFEE
Baby hippo getting "dusted"   https://youtu.be/St_5RJp74kw

June 26 - Giraffes walking along https://youtu.be/swDhwQlC-O0
Gazelles butting heads https://youtu.be/8PzD56VBBds
Elephants in the swamp - Amboseli National Park https://youtu.be/WhKBZlmzc4Y

June 30 - One of the bumpy roads https://youtu.be/QRm-kaEYa1A
Jimmy the warthog https://youtu.be/bPbUOTx4QjY

July 1 - Hippos https://youtu.be/uDvoj7NCLws
Hyenas - https://youtu.be/J47UrWmoxDA

July 2 Leopard video https://youtu.be/L6wpcCIicQw
Wildebeest running https://youtu.be/9C3YYE0qrMA

July 5 - Lake Victoria - Masai canoe boat welcome song https://youtu.be/g-Ad1Em4uZM

We hope you enjoyed the trip with us so until next time "Kwa heri!" (goodbye)