Sutterlin “Spinal Health International – Klimb 4 Kidz” Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari Dispatch
September 3, 2013 – Greetings from the Ngorongoro Crater
The Sutterlin’s excited and ready to start their Wildlife Safari Adventure!
Hello this is Chet Sutterlin sending the dispatch for the Spinal Health Internationals “Kilmb 4 Kidz and Safari Adventure” in Africa. Greetings to family and friends from the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. After 5 days on Kilimanjaro the Sutterlin’s: Autumn, Landon, Colleen and Chet were eager to begin our Safari.
On Sunday September 1st we said goodbye to our fearless leader Wally Berg and ventured into the deepest darkest Africa with our competent guide David. Our first destination was Tarangire National Park where we observed numerous elephants, zebras, wildebeests and giraffes. We also viewed the cheetah and the elusive leopard.
On Monday September 2nd we travelled to Tarangire on route to Ngorongoro Crater where the absolute highlight was a visit to a Maasai Boma, a Maasai village where we were welcomed with open arms. We danced, sang and played with Maasai children and Mganga Chet’s infected thumb was treated by the village medical herbalist.
Listen to Dr. Chet's call, part I
The highlight of the Safari adventure so far was visiting a Maasai Boma where we danced, sang and played with the children. What a beautiful village and wonderful people!
We descended into the Ngorongoro Crater on Tuesday September 3rd where we saw wildebeest, zebra and buffalo. The true epitome was the observation of lion behavior. In the early morning three young adult males were actively tracking an elderly adult lion to unseat him from his throne as head of the pride. He retreated in search of support from his own brothers but he was obviously outnumbered. Late morning we studied a plethora of hippos while eating our breakfast. Later a large male lion quietly observed as his mistress lioness patiently stalked wildebeests and zebras at the fresh water creek which drained Mongoose Swamp into Lake Magadi; truly incredible!
Tomorrow David will take us to Olduvai Gorge where early hominids were discovered by Mary Leakey and then onwards to the Serengeti. Thank you to Berg Adventures for the GREAT experience!
Listen to Dr. Chet's call, , part II
Observing the lion’s behavior as they stalk their prey
Wildebeests and zebras grazing side by side
A giraffe resting in the grass
Zebras stopping for a drink in the lake