Monday 11th December

We drove to Snake Park in Arusha, crossing into Tanzania today. While waiting for dinner in the bar we played the giraffe game where you have to pick up a shot in a small glass on the floor without using your hands. It'll all become clear when you see the photo's! I was never any good at the splits!

We walked around the enclosures they have with the crocodiles, snakes and tortoises in them. I've never seen so many different types of snakes and most of them poisonous and indigenous. Eeeek.

Tuesday 12th December

We walked around a Massai village this morning. It was quite shocking to learn they still perform both male and female circumcision. It's done at around age 14. The men in the village danced for us which was amazing.

Wednesday 13th December

We drove to the Ngorogoro crater today and the view was just gorgeous. The crater is 265km around, 600metres from top to bottom and 16-19km across so you can get an idea of the scale of this thing.

We saw some of the wildebeest migrating to the Serengeti which was spectacular. We also watched a male ostrich dancing for the ladies which was very funny - unfortunately for him they weren't interested today.

We saw our first lions too - they are such magnificent creatures and although they are endangered, the government won't classify them as such because they make too much money from foreign tourists willing to pay to shoot a lion. I'm astounded that this still goes on but it does.

Some other animals we saw included a cheetah, vultures, Massai giraffe, and heartebeest.

Thursday 14th December

We drove into the Serengeti today - it means "endless plain". Not surprising since it's the size of Northern Ireland at 14,763km2 and has been a protected area since 1921. The massai were forced to move out when it became a national park and they get 30% of the revenue from the Massai Mara National Park but none of the revenue from the Serengeti.

Friday 15th December - Mum's Birthday

We went into Arusha town today. It was pouring with rain - as it has been for a lot of the trip. The craft market was amazing with over 200 stalls. We met a lovely lady who gave us "good price" on wood carvings, bowls, candlesticks and various other bits and bobs. Ah shopping - loving the retail therapy.