March 2, 2018

That’s a Wrap!

We just heard from Tye that the team is resting comfortably at The Farm House, our luxury safari lodge just outside Ngorongoro Crater. They had a fantastic last day on safari. Woke up at Ndutu Safari Lodge and hit the road towards the Crater, with a quick stop at Oldupai Gorge. Oldupai is where some of the oldest human remains have been found. It’s really neat to learn about the history of this region and our mutual ancestors! A couple more hours brought the team to one of the highlights of the safari, if not the entire trip. Ngorongoro Crater is home to a massive concentration of all types of wildlife. It’s always a tough place to leave as it’s so full of animals. Finally they made their way up out of the Crater and over to some very comfortable accommodations for their last night. The team was getting ready for their final meal together. I know they’ll have some amazing stories to swap. Tomorrow they will make their way back to Arusha – no doubt stopping for some souvenir shopping along the way – and on to the airport for their flights home. I can’t think of a more successful and fun trip. They had 100% of the team summit Kili together and they saw incredible wildlife on the Serengeti. Can’t really top that.

Congrats again to the team on an amazing summit of Kilimanjaro. As the long rainy season starts to set in over in East Africa we take a break from Kili climbs until summer. We have a full load of summer and fall Kilimanjaro trips lined up starting in June. Some with a few spots left, so don’t wait to sign up!  And check out Tye’s portfolio of animal photos he forwarded.

Dustin Balderach

March 1, 2018

BIG elephant in the Crater (Phil Ershler)

Tye called early this morning.  Wanted to let us know that Day 2 on safari wasn’t bad, either.  They worked their way across the Serengeti to the south, ultimately ending up just outside the Park at Ndutu.  He said the highlight of the day was a couple of lions feasting on a zebra who had just lost a foot race.  I always like Ndutu this time of year.  Lots of wildebeest and zebra.

Tomorrow will be super full.  Up early, driving further south and ending up at the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.  Perhaps a stop at one of the Masaii villages and at Oldupai Gorge on the way.

From the rim of the Crater, they drop down the main “in” road to the Crater floor.  They’ve already seen the ‘Big Four’ but a sighting of the black rhino would get them to ‘Five’.  Hope it happens for them.

Phil Ershler

February 28th, 2018

Busy over in Tanzania but, as Tye relayed, ‘solid’ first day on safari.  Up early, finish packing, drive to Arusha, lunch, flight to the Serengeti, rendezvous with safari vehicles and drivers and then start seeing all East Africa has to offer when it comes to game viewing.  Text from Tye said…..lions, zebra, wildebeest, elephant, giraffe, warthog, topi, leopard, and more.  A thunderstorm ended their day with a BUNCH of rain in a couple of hours.  He ended the text saying thunderstorm was already ending and clearing up.  Nice thing is that it will cut down the dust for Day 2 of their game viewing.

Check out the photos from their first day!

Phil Ershler

February 27th, 2018

View of Kilimanjaro from our hotel in Moshi (Dustin Balderach)

The team’s down and relaxing at the hotel. A quick 3 hour hike brought them to the Mweka Gate where private transportation was waiting. Once at the hotel they were able to shower, eat, pack, and soon were heading to their celebratory dinner. And they do have something to celebrate! 100% of the team stood together on the summit and they had some amazing weather too. Can’t beat that. The celebratory dinner is always a fun time as the local guides join us and the conversation is usually a split between stories from the climb and anticipation of the upcoming safari. Tomorrow some of the team members will be flying home and the rest of the team will be flying out to the Serengeti to begin their safari. We look forward to hearing about what the team sees. Congrats again to entire team! Now go enjoy that safari!

Dustin Balderach