Day 2 - Safari (Sunday June 23rd)

A Sunny Safari in the Splendid Savannah

Today, with the first glimmerings of sunlight painting the endless African sky iridescent, the mesmerizing call to prayer stirred us from our slumber. Today was our safari. We ate and dressed quickly, meeting the Form 2 students in their eye-catching vermillion sweaters, their warm smiles accentuated by their equally warm red ties. We piled into the Safaris-R-Us (“Double the Experience!”) vans and began our journey to the Tarangire National Park, over 200,000 square km packed with flora and fauna native to the savannah biome. Our safari vans were supplied with pristine Kilimanjaro bottled water, succulent fruit-flavored toffees, aloe-scented baby wipes, and a thorough field guide to the birds of East Africa. All of these amenities were rivaled only by our skilled, witty driver and guide aptly named Dennis “The Menace.”

As we drove past the construction of the new highway, Dennis used Formula-1 level capabilities to navigate the Toyota Land Cruiser’s off-road power through the hairpin turns and potholes. Arriving at the gates of Tarangire, the first animal we spotted was the mischievous and agile baboon. Then, we spotted the animal that bolsters the soul of our school from September to June – the Zebra. Along with the zebras, we were soon introduced to the graceful impala, the towering giraffe protecting its young, and the ostrich, the only bird with marrow encapsulated within its bones.  We then saw the familiar Timon and Pumbaa from Lion Kings 1, 2, and 1.5. Throughout the entire journey, starlings and lilac-breasted rollers fluttered and flitted about. Then, we were graced to see herds of tembo, or elephants. Spent after our first half-day of safari, we traveled to the picnic site for a hearty meal while still watchfully scanning the horizon. Lo! “The Menace” spottedthree simbas (lions) prowling around for lunch, just like us.

When we gathered together at the picnic site overlooking the river dotted with mammals, we were delighted to find thoughtful gifts left in our lunch packs. Each student received a pair of earrings and a beaded keychain: memorabilia for this idyllic day. We were gazing over the railing at the elephants, when a stealthy baboon crept up to Olivia’s ankles and snatched away her ripe yellow banana! Although Olivia was looking forward to a fruity snack on the ride back, she was duly impressed by the baboon’s wit and agility.

All in all, it was a day to remember.

Disclaimer: We apologize for the excessive use of adjectives, adverbs, and other descriptors. We were in the mood for a little “poetic prose.”

-- Olivia and Layla