Pamoja, or How to Live Together

by hopesfrenzy

For our second weekend in Tanzania, our adventurous group embarked on a safari to Tarangire National Park, on the other side of Lake Manyara and a bit farther south. The skies were grey as we pulled up to the gates after passing a series of Maasai bomas, or villages. At the gate, we climbed up a baobab tree that had a wooden platform around it. It brought us to the top of the trees — where we found yellow-collared lovebirds flitting about.

In the park, we found a central watering hole where we sat and watched as a small herd of zebras and wildebeest ventured in to drink. It was stunning. The sheer number of large animals living in such a small space amazes me. We stumbled upon so many giraffes, elephants, zebras, impalas and more throughout our afternoon. Some were far off, others close by, but each time we stopped and admired them, just living their lives.

Zebras intertwined their necks or rested their heads on another’s back, just letting each other know that they are there. A baby elephant followed mom up and down the river bank. Impalas and baboons rested under the same acacia tree, even though they bothered each other from time to time.

We were wide-eyed with cameras flashing the entire afternoon, passing my binoculars back and forth to get closer looks.

What was I doing in Tanzania? This was my Social Sabbatical with my company, SAP Concur. Read my stories here.


Safari with my colleagues
Location: Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

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