Tanzania Under Canvas

Flying over the northern highlands of Tanzania, looking down at the small black dots, it is clear that the rains have blessed this landscape with
greenery reminiscent of the emerald isle - an undulating sea of beauty. As the aircraft begins its descent, the hills are no more - we are over the short grass plains flying towards a lake surrounded by a mass of trees. The black dots increase in number and grey dots are added to the mosaic. Most passengers are unaware of the dots - they have just begun their safari and their eyes are as yet untrained to identify the scene below. Their gripping knuckles become white as the pilot sweeps over the airstrip at full speed to encourage the dots to give the aircraft some space to land on this patch of Eden. The forest surrounds us we are flying so low. Suddenly the aircraft is on the ground - mud splatters up from the rain sodden ground. We have landed at Lake Ndutu.

The familiar green vehicle with the equally familiar smiling khaki clad ranger hails us as we eagerly alight from the 'plane - 'Karibu! Welcome to paradise. Chai? Kahawa?' Tea for me please! The other guests appreciate the strong Ngorongoro coffee to calm their nerves. Biscuits, a cigarette. All is calm now; the pilot and his screaming leviathon have left us to collect stranded passengers on the banks of the Grumeti River. We all enjoy the silence. Ivan the ranger introduces himself and there is a perceptible air of assurance that our daily worries are left behind. Ivan will take care of us. As we drive off, the inevitable question is asked.. 'Ivan, where is the migration?' Before Ivan answers, there is a blinding realization... the black dots - wildebeest... the grey dots - zebra!

Imagine 20 large football stadiums full of people, but swap the people for Gnu, Zebra, Eland and Gazelles. Imagine all those dots on a very, very large field of green.

Ivan informs us that tomorrow we will be out all day joining the dots.

I can't wait for tomorrow!

Bruce Hatton
General Manager
Tanzania Under Canvas

Posted: Serengeti Under Canvas by Bruce Hatton, Date: 5 March 2007