Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Taragire Treetops

I'm chronologically skipping to our check in at Tarangire Treetops because it was so magical, I can't wait to write about it!

We drove from Arusha to Tarangire, which wasn't too bad - about 2-3 hours. After an afternoon game drive we headed to our next lodging. I wish we had thought to take a video of the ride from the park to the Treetops because it is the BUMPIEST 45 minutes you can imagine. Literally tossed around like a sack of potatoes through what is known as the wildlife management area. The wildlife management areas are a way for locals to profit from conservation.

Upon our arrival it seemed like the entire staff was standing in the driveway waiting for us. We were greeted by Steve, one of the property managers, as well as Lillian who had our hot towels and a crew of Maasai to carry all our baggage. The main lodge is just stunning. It's built around a large baobab tree. As we stepped into the lodge another staff member waited with a drink of baobab juice. It was a pale green, and tasted a little sweet, but unlike any thing else I've ever had. We thought it was delicious!

Chris in the main lodge
Steve sat us down for our safety briefing. After dark we would have to be escorted to and from the treehouse due to the animals wandering around the camp. Around sundown, the colony of bats that lived in the tree would start coming out, so we shouldn't be alarmed (It was pretty cool). We'd also need to be escorted down to the viewing area if we wanted to get closer to the animals.

On our arrival there weren't any animals at the watering hole, so we weren't sure what to expect and were a little dubious when he said around this time the elephants came. (Really. Elephants? Right there? We'd believe it when we saw it). Steve introduced us to Lillian who would be our butler for our stay (Butleress? We debated the whole time what to call her...) and then we sat and finished our baobab juice.

After drinking down the juice, we were off to the treehouse. We were led down a dirt path that sloped downward until we turned off to our own pathway. We rounded the corner and were greeted by THIS:


Holy. Moly.

We stood and watched until Lillian beckoned us forward. On the porch, a Maasai warrior took each of us and wrapped a cloth around our head and shoulders. Blindfolded we were led into the room and sat on the bed while they continued to sing. Then they pulled down the fabric and explained that it was a Maasai greeting for newlyweds.



Chris and I were grinning from ear to ear. Never in a million years did we think we'd have special touches like this on our trip. We'll never forget it.

Us with the Maasai warriors

After everyone left, we were still in complete awe. When we finally had calmed down some, we realized that our treehouse was pretty darn cool in and of itself! 

View from the sitting area

Our bathroom - two sinks, a shower, a flush toilet, robes and slippers!

Dual showerheads and ostrich egg holders with shampoo, conditioner and body wash!
Chris loves Africa :)
We decided to head up to the main lodge to relax. As we walked up we realized...there were animals at the watering hole!!!


Of course, I went down to get a closer look!

Me and my new friends

Two male elephants and a waterbuck
Main lodge from the viewing area
Waterbuck

I was impressed this elephant walked along this ledge
The waterbuck had been standing on the fringe, but decided to try to get a little closer. The one elephant immediately noticed...

"Oh where do you think YOU'RE going Mr. Waterbuck?"
The elephant turned around and started flaring its ears while walking towards the waterbuck. Unnerved, the waterbuck scampered away. However, it seemed that the elephant needed to get out some of that aggression...next thing I know, the two male elephants were tangled up, trunk to trunk!

Squaring up 
Trunk Wrestling

I have a video as well...but I have to figure out how to post it without sound since there's a running commentary from Chris about the elephants' endowments... *sigh* boys.

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