TZ Winter Amp Day 9
Day 9: January 12, 2025
Safari Day 2: Iringa transit, head Back to Mbeya, and a self-contemplation
By Fahmi Dwilaksono
Mambo (Swahili: hello)!
Our Ruaha National Park adventure continued with unforgettable moments and breathtaking sights. The day started early at 5:30 AM when Gerry woke me up due to a lack of light. I stepped outside into the darkness, and suddenly, a shadowy figure darted into the bushes. From its size, it might’ve been a hyena. Intrigued but cautious, I headed back to my room.
We officially kicked off the day at 6:30 am by a morning safari. We still went in the same car with Mr. Ex as the driver and Innocent (it’s a person’s name, fyi) as our safari guide. This morning's view was incredibly beautiful! Golden sunrise, nice breeze, and magnificent sky. And not too far from our accommodation, a giraffe greeted us with its cute and innocent look!
As we ventured deeper into the park, the wildlife sightings became even more enchanting. Herds of impalas, elephants, zebras, baboons, and giraffes surrounded us. We got closer to them than the previous day, thanks to Mr. Ex turning off the car engine to let us soak in the moments. Among the highlights were six female elephants — three mothers and their adorable calves — peacefully grazing by the roadside.
A particularly amusing encounter involved a zebra who seemed to be the group’s leader. He kept shifting his stance and glaring at us as if saying, “I don’t trust you, humans.” It was hilarious and endearing at the same time. Innocent enriched the experience by sharing fascinating facts: zebras’ stripes are unique, much like human fingerprints, and serve as identifiers within their groups. Did you know zebras can live up to 25 years, while elephants can live to 60?
We also spotted baboons, many with babies clinging to them, a crocodile (which slipped into the water before I could snap a photo), and two giant hippos lounging peacefully in a river. Innocent explained that during the severe drought of 2018, many hippos perished due to extreme heat and lack of water, while the survivors sought shade to protect their delicate skin.
Our journey continued with sightings of vibrant bee-eater birds and mongoose scurrying about. As we made our way back, we saw giraffes and zebras grazing together, a picture-perfect scene. Among all the wildlife, giraffes and zebras captured my heart. Their curious eyes and gentle demeanor make them utterly irresistible.
The safari wrapped up around 9 AM. Back at our room, we packed, enjoyed breakfast, and took some farewell photos. The entire experience filled me with gratitude. Witnessing such diverse and beautiful wildlife in their natural habitat was awe-inspiring. Sharing these moments with accommodation staff, Dr. Mwakalapa and Dr. Amina from MUST, and definitely my STEWARDS fellows, Riana, and Fid made it even more special. Ruaha National Park has left a lasting impression, and I hope to return one day. Tuionaga pambele (“see you later” in Kihehe language)!
Our journey then took us to Iringa for a brief transit before heading back to Mbeya. On the way, we encountered a roadside situation where a gentleman asked us to take six children home. They spoke English well, and we enjoyed their company during the ride. After dropping them off, we returned to our hostel to transfer belongings and bid farewell to Mr. Ex, Innocent, and the other guides who had taken such good care of us.
We spent the afternoon exploring the Iringa Maasai Market. Before that, I found time to pray at a mosque across from our hostel. Praying in a Tanzanian mosque was a profound experience, giving me insight into the local Muslim community and its history. The architecture and atmosphere told stories of Islam’s growth in the region.
By evening, we were back in Mbeya, arriving around 8:45 PM. Despite being tired, I embraced the lively atmosphere at the City Pub Mbeya. It was packed with football fans cheering for a Tanzanian team in the African club championship. The energy was infectious, even if it was a Sunday night.
On a more reflective note, I learned about Lalu Manambai Abdul Kadir, a fellow Sumbawanese who served as Indonesia’s ambassador to Tanzania and neighboring countries from 1974 to 1978. His contributions to strengthening ties between Indonesia and Tanzania inspire me deeply. Knowing that someone from my hometown once walked the same ground adds a personal connection to my journey. I hope to honor his legacy by contributing to our society in meaningful ways.
With these thoughts, we finally checked into our hotel around 10:30 PM, ending a long but fulfilling day. Thank you for joining me on this adventure. Asante sana na lala salama (“thank you very much and good night”)!