Safari! Mikumi National Park And God’s Majesty On Display: #CRSMedia #Tanzania Mission

When we awoke on Thursday morning in Njombe after having spent the prior day with the soybean farmers of Chengena, I felt–for a moment–like I was back in Fresno. Making my way to our hotel’s restaurant for breakfast, I marveled at the dense layer of fog hanging around me. The air had a brisk feel that was completely incongruent with the humid heat we’ve been experiencing all week long.

As I sipped my delicious Tanzanian coffee, I pondered for a few moments the conversation we’d enjoyed the prior evening with our dinner guests. Father Nestor Mtweve, the Director of Caritas for the Njombe Development Office and Neema Luta (not to be confused with Neema Mrema, our CRS Program Manager) had offered us a fascinating overview of work being done in that diocese. Somehow, the discussion turned to the prevalence of polygamy in Tanzania. Prior to Father’s comments, I had not understood the number of Tanzanians living in this situation, including Catholics. I hope to do some additional research into this and report back in future weeks.

The Road to Mikumi

After breakfast, it was time to hop back into our vehicles and head to Mikumi. We’re actually very blessed that one of Tanzania’s largest national parks falls along the path we needed to drive to head back to Dar es Salaam. As we drove, the variety of Tanzania’s topography again struck us. The elevation, over 7,000 feet in that area, meant that instead of coconut trees and more deciduous plants, the hilly highway was covered with pines. At a certain point, we pulled over and marveled at miles and miles of a single cop: TEA! It was like a vast green ocean, rolled out like a carpet before us.

The drive to Mikumi took approximately five hours. As frequent readers know, I actually LOVE road trips and find car time one of the best ways to see a new place. My car-mates for the day were Drew Mariani and Dr. Matthew Bunson. At a certain point in the morning, we enjoyed reading the day’s Mass readings together and praying a Rosary for your intentions, for the work of CRS in Tanzania and for our families.

The drive was quite long, but again we saw so many of Tanzania’s small villages and her families. The country is involved in a massive road reconstruction plan. So along the highway, you see many simple clay brick houses with red and green spray painted “x”s. A green “x” means that the family will receive compensation when their house is removed to expand the national highway.

I spent much of our car time simply “people watching”. Tanzania’s families are of the Christian, Muslim or traditional Tanzanian faiths. Each village offers a peek into the various ways life is lived here. The typical village has a cluster of small houses. Men, women and children talk, play or work. Goats and cows wander free alongside the roads. Somehow, both the animals and the children instinctively know not to walk into traffic!

Safari Sights

Finally, around mid-afternoon, we arrived at “Tan Swiss”, our hotel in Mikumi. It honestly felt like paradise! A hot shower was a welcome luxury after a few cold “sink baths” in the days prior.

From the hotel, we headed to the Mikumi National Park where we spent three amazing hours on safari. A dirt road winds through the park, affording sweeping views of both the savannah and the many varieties of native Tanzanian animals. We were up close and personal with baboons, zebras, impalas, hippos, giraffes and elephants. To see these gorgeous creatures in their native habitat is simply beyond description. I’ll be sharing a quick video and photos of this once in a lifetime opportunity soon.

At the entrance to Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

After safari and our hot showers, we gathered for dinner and our evening “war room” hours of sharing the day’s events by social media. Our crew here is sharing the trip via a variety of media platforms. Somehow, “working” under a Tanzanian sky with a Kilimanjaro beer in hand feels nothing like work!

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of Tanzania, pray for us!