"The end of the journey"

After some wonderful last sightings in the Serengeti, our drive back begins. We drive via Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara to Mto wa Mbu.

Along the way we stop at a Heritage Information Point, one of the open-access information points that combines paleoanthropological history with a concise overview of Tanzania's history, intended to make visitors aware of the unique significance of the area between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.

Tanzania is proud of its role in human evolutionary history, national identity, independence and cultural richness. It emphasizes the country's role as "The Cradle of Mankind."

On display outside are sculpted skulls of Paranthropus boisei and Homo habilis, two extinct humanoids that play an important role in the story of human evolution. They were both found in the Olduvai Gorge area of Tanzania, one of the world's most iconic archaeological sites.

Paranthropus boisei is more widely known as "Nutcracker Man." He lived off plants, his skull built for strength. A side branch of the evolutionary tree, extinct, but significant. Homo habilis was smaller, slimmer, holding stone tools - and is considered an early ancestor of modern man.

But.

That modern man also had to use debit cards. Jabiri advanced some fees because debit cards were not available everywhere and there is a daily limit. So we try to withdraw money with two cards every day.

At a bank near our lodge I withdraw the maximum amount - and decide to just try again with the same card. Surprisingly, it works. Problem solved.

Since €100 equals 299,787 TZS, we temporarily feel like millionaires for a while.

Arrival at the lodge

We drive through a small village and come to a barrier where Jabiri pays some kind of local tax. A little later we arrive at our lodge, where we will spend the last two days. We decided to end the trip here in peace, rather than fly to Zanzibar or Mafia Island.

It immediately looks beautiful. A lighted path leads through the reception area and terrace to an infinity pool overlooking Lake Manyara. We are welcomed with a glass of bubbly and given a brief briefing.

In the evening we are only allowed to go to our lodge under escort. We bring our things to the room and agree to have dinner later.

Arrow and Bow

Our lodge, number 10, is the last one on the property. It is actually a small villa with spacious bedroom, coffee corner, large bathroom, outdoor shower, terrace AND its own plunge pool overlooking the lake.

After a short break we call for a pick-up. A security guard with a bow and arrow picks us up. That surprises us a bit. Against a hippo, such a weapon would not do much, we think.

Later we hear that it is meant for possible hippos from the lake. Although it later turns out that this situation has never occurred. Of course we understand the need for guidance, especially after stories about hippos at tent camps, but here it also seems partly for show.

The security guards all carry a uniform, two knives and a bow and arrow. Anyway, we survived.

Manyara Secret

Manyara Secret is known for its breathtaking views and focus on ecological and social responsibility. There are brochures in the villa about their sustainable approach, which is also evident in the furnishings.

In the evening, we enjoy a four-course dinner. Everything is fresh and full of flavor. We don't want to offend any Italians, but the spaghetti we ate here was perhaps one of the tastiest we've ever had.

We finish eating last and crawl into our bed satisfied. We decide to have breakfast a little later the next morning. Now that we are staying in luxury and only have to relax, we can sleep in.

Day full of relaxation

Still, we wake up early. We drink coffee on the terrace, write some more on the blog, select photos and read. The weather is perfect: blue sky, gentle breeze. My main task today: choose which massage I want. Difficult life.

After breakfast, I book the massage and we spend the day in and around the pool. In the water, book in hand, we enjoy the "nothing must, everything goes" feeling. Time fades away.

With Jabiri, I secretly arrange a cake for Jeroen. He's not celebrating his birthday, but I'm sure a piece of cake will do. I also invite Jabiri for lunch. Not much later, our table is set for three. After dessert, the entire staff appears singing and dancing, with full birthday cake and personal inscription.

We are the only guests during the day, so we decide to share the cake with all the staff present. It is a beautiful, warm experience.

Massage & campfire

After lunch I have to move quickly: my massage was supposed to be at 1:30 p.m., but by now it's already 2:15 p.m. Fortunately no problem according to the staff. The massage takes place on our own terrace at the villa and is great. Then we quietly work on the blog again, select photos, read and enjoy another fantastic dinner. We end the evening at the campfire with a drink.

Last day & departure

We have breakfast later than usual, get to check out a little later and have lunch at the lodge before departure. Then ... a push notification from Schiphol Airport: flight canceled. Panic! But fortunately it turns out to be the flight from the day before. Relief follows.

After a final shower, we install ourselves on the terrace until Jabiri picks us up. The drive to the airport takes about 3 to 4 hours. Since we don't fly until 9 p.m., we end up in the evening rush hour. Jabiri warns that it is a big airport. Oops - maybe we should have taken a little more leeway.

We say goodbye to Jabiri, thank him again for his care, enthusiasm and knowledge, pack our bags and walk into the airport. Big for Tanzania, but within 20 minutes we are at the gate. Not so bad.

Asante Sana

What a journey. Intense, but amazing. The kindness of the people, the delicious food, the impressive animals and the beautiful landscapes - Tanzania stole our hearts.

Thank you to Tamara and Osman of Gama Tours & Safari for putting together this trip perfectly that fit us seamlessly.

Special thanks to Jabiri for his fantastic guidance, knowledge and genuine kindness.

Thanks also to everyone who followed our journey through this blog or our instagram accounts.

We hope that in this way we have fulfilled the wish that Jabiri expressed at the very beginning of the vacation. And that is that we would tell home how beautiful Tanzania is and that it is safe to travel there. We can both agree.

And now?

This "new" blog will be quiet for a while. After all, money has to be earned first in order to start the next adventure. Where that will be, we don't know yet. We certainly have ideas and plans. But as with so much in life, everything still has to fall into place. Pole pole, and Hakuna Matata.

Jeroen has more than enough photos to keep posting on his instagram account and his website in the coming period, and a video of the whole trip will also be released on his Youtube channel (and here) as usual by now. That will take some more time....

For now, we say thanks for reading and until the next adventure, far or closer to home.

Jeroen & Evita

Mwisho wa safari