Check out my safari look. You see, it’s a little dusty viewing wild game so I wore this bandana as a way of not breathing in half the Tarangire. I’m also ready if I decide to hold up the souvenir stand.
Our last night in Africa was spent at the Kikoti Safari Camp (click) which is literally out in the middle of nowhere; something like 100 miles from Arusha. We arrived around 6:00 PM after spending the day viewing game in Tarangire National Park (click). Tarangire was the last of 3 major wildlife areas that we had a chance to see over a 3 day period. Each one was unique and amazing in it’s own way.
In Africa, remote lodges are usually surrounded by a fence to keep out unwanted visitors (both animals and people). The Kikoti, however, has no fence and since it is located in a major migratory route for plains animals you are actually escorted to your room by a Maasai warrior carrying a loaded rifle or bow and arrow. I thought this was some sort of tourist thing but they actually take guest safety very seriously. The guns are loaded and they know how to use the bow and arrow. It would be very ugly PR to have a guest actually eaten by one of the local attractions so they take precautions. The rooms by the way are large A frames that have the feel of a tree house. I can actually say that I’ve never spent a night anywhere quite like it and, since we were a long way from any city lights, the stars were incredible. It was a great night to have a few Kilimanjaro beers and experience the African night sky.
Friday morning, we went back through the Tarangire and caught the main highway back through Arusha to The Dik Dik. We had a chance to shower, pack for our trip home and grab one more great meal before catching our plane to Amsterdam at 10:35 PM. After something like 18 hours in the air, I’m back home, readjusting to West Coast time and thinking about everything that’s happened over the last 2 weeks.
This was a great experience to say the least. RMI and our guide, Mark Tucker were terrific and I was lucky to be joined on the trip by 9 other people who really got along. We spent 2 weeks together in very close quarters, in all sorts of situations and we didn’t end up wanting to kill each other. They were a great group and I miss them already.
This will be the last entry of the Kili blog. Thanks for joining me on the trip. I hope it gave you a taste of a very unique place and that you’ll be able to experience Aficas for yourself someday.
As the Maasai say, "Kiduwe ade" (see you later)
Our last night in Africa was spent at the Kikoti Safari Camp (click) which is literally out in the middle of nowhere; something like 100 miles from Arusha. We arrived around 6:00 PM after spending the day viewing game in Tarangire National Park (click). Tarangire was the last of 3 major wildlife areas that we had a chance to see over a 3 day period. Each one was unique and amazing in it’s own way.
In Africa, remote lodges are usually surrounded by a fence to keep out unwanted visitors (both animals and people). The Kikoti, however, has no fence and since it is located in a major migratory route for plains animals you are actually escorted to your room by a Maasai warrior carrying a loaded rifle or bow and arrow. I thought this was some sort of tourist thing but they actually take guest safety very seriously. The guns are loaded and they know how to use the bow and arrow. It would be very ugly PR to have a guest actually eaten by one of the local attractions so they take precautions. The rooms by the way are large A frames that have the feel of a tree house. I can actually say that I’ve never spent a night anywhere quite like it and, since we were a long way from any city lights, the stars were incredible. It was a great night to have a few Kilimanjaro beers and experience the African night sky.
Friday morning, we went back through the Tarangire and caught the main highway back through Arusha to The Dik Dik. We had a chance to shower, pack for our trip home and grab one more great meal before catching our plane to Amsterdam at 10:35 PM. After something like 18 hours in the air, I’m back home, readjusting to West Coast time and thinking about everything that’s happened over the last 2 weeks.
This was a great experience to say the least. RMI and our guide, Mark Tucker were terrific and I was lucky to be joined on the trip by 9 other people who really got along. We spent 2 weeks together in very close quarters, in all sorts of situations and we didn’t end up wanting to kill each other. They were a great group and I miss them already.
This will be the last entry of the Kili blog. Thanks for joining me on the trip. I hope it gave you a taste of a very unique place and that you’ll be able to experience Aficas for yourself someday.
As the Maasai say, "Kiduwe ade" (see you later)
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