Surprise Evening with the Maasai

Drinks overlooking the crater

  Everywhere we had gone on this trip we were intrigued by the people. We danced with Samburu people in northern Kenya, shared baby pictures and family stories with our guides, and were hosted like royalty by the different camp staffs. They would always find some way to surprise us, but this next surprise blew everyone away.

  About an hour before sunset our group met Irene, the camp manager of the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. She told us to dress warm but that was about it. She took us on a walk through the lodge grounds, into the bush, and out in a beautiful clearing which overlooked the entire Ngorongoro Crater floor. Blankets and cushions wrapped in the traditional Maasai colors were set up and drinks and food were being prepared on site. It was the perfect setting for our private happy hour in the bush...but then it got even better.

The entrance of the Maasai

Close up of Maasai warriors

  Just like last night, the first thing we heard was chanting. A line of torch bearing Maasai warriors and a group of singing ladies filed in to our clearing. The drinks and food continued to flow as the performance started.

Maasai girls singing

   It was surreal watching the warriors effortlessly leap high up in the air with such an incredible backdrop behind them. Everyone watched, almost stunned in realization that this was all just for us. The knowledge that a wayward buffalo could wonder out of the bush at any moment only added to the fact that this is the Africa I had hoped the Dillon's would experience.

He's got ups

Taking it all in

  Everyone kept glancing at each other and smiling as the warriors leapt higher and higher. After their incredible show of endurance the warriors filed out, leaving the group of girls behind to finish the evening with a song of their own. As darkness settled we all followed Irene back to where our dinner was waiting.

Another casual dinner at the Crater Lodge

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