A magical place...

After the drama of the Internet Library dedication, the mind-blowing experience of seeing the magnificent Image school, and let's face it, a sudden urge for a bit of respite, Barbara, Stan, Mama Zenda and I hit the road Tuesday for our safari in Ruaha National Park. Stan has talked up the Mwagusi Camp like you wouldn't believe and it did not disappoint.

After a three-hour car ride through remote mud-hut villages we arrived at Ruaha's entrance and were transported to yet ANOTHER Africa. Dry, dusty plains dotted with massively regal baobab trees, elegantly filled in with spots of bright green shrubs, all against a seemingly-endless blue sky that ended at grounding mountain ranges. Stunning. Sightings of baboons, giraffes and gazelle rounded out the experience completely.

Mwagusi is a "luxurious roughing it" camp. We were welcomed by the charming Charlotte (the only woman in the camp among 38 employees) and treated to a delicious lunch of gingered beef, fresh salads and homemade bread. After lunch, Barbara and I enjoyed a brief rest in our "tent"--a canvas and stone structure larger than all of my apartments in New York City with elegant furniture, rugs, and a SHOWER. At 4:00 we climbed into a canopy-topped Land Rover (with VERY cushy seats) for a two-hour game drive. Needless to say, it did not disappoint, as we took in sightings of lions (a pride of 25) giraffes, hippos, birds and elephants. And one SPECIAL elephant, a bull who came within three feet of the vehicle. What a charmer.

Back to camp for a quick hot shower, then the group was led to dinner in the dry riverbed. An absolutely beautiful sight with lanterns placed into the bed's walls, fully set table with candles in the middle, and a ring of chairs around a fire which was the perfect place to reflect on the day with a few laughs. THIS I could get used to. Afterwards our guides led us to our rooms and we tucked ourselves in for a cozy night's sleep listening to the leaves rustling and the faint roar of lions in the distance.

Upon setting off for a morning game drive the next day we were told we'd be a bit delayed. Seems as if our elephant friend from yesterday had wandered into camp. We spent the next hour giggling and taking photos as we watched our little friend wander around the dining area, but we were assured by the staff that he wouldn't come in. He was massive and so much fun to watch as he ate all of the bushes by the doors...no need for a gardener here! After another exciting game drive, another fabulous lunch and a snooze in the hammock it was once again time for dinner in the river bed. We told stories and laughed like you wouldn't believe. What a welcome diversion from all of our hard work.

It was hard to leave the beauty of the camp, not just because of its awesome environment, but because leaving Mwagusi was the signal that I would soon be leaving Tanzania. These two days gave me a lot of time to absorb and reflect all that I had seen and experienced over the last two weeks. The ride back was quiet as I looked at a place that has come to mean so much to me in such a short time. The adventure continues in Iringa, so stay tuned!

Here's a video of our elephant friend having a little snack al fresco...