This is the fifth of twelve posts on our safari in Tanzania. Check out our other posts here:

• One Week of Glorious Safari-ing in Tanzania
• 15 Tips for Better Safari-ing in Tanzania
• Moving in to the Maramboi Tented Camp
• The Elephants at Tarangire National Park
• The Start of the Great Migration: Lake Manyara
• 2 Nights at the Kitela Lodge
• A Close Encounter with a Lion at the Ngorongoro Crater
• Safari-ing in the Ngorongo Park: Day 1
• Glamping at Ndutu Under Canvas in the Serengeti
• Simba and the Rest of the Pride in the Serengeti
• Giraffe for Breakfast? Day 2 at the Ngorongo Park
• Hippo Serenade: Sleeping at the Lake Masek Tented Camp

After our exciting encounters with elephants in the Tarangire National Park, Mrs. Selfish and I packed our bags and headed for our next location, the Lake Manyara National Park.

Just 1.5 hours away from the Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park is located on the banks of Lake Manyara, and was said by Ernest Hemmingway to be the “loveliest lake in Africa.”

While the lake itself is quite pretty, I was more impressed by the area surrounding the lake, which was absolutely beautiful.

Simply stunning

Our guide, Francis, took us the scenic route which gave us an awesome tour of the countryside and took us through many small towns.

It was pretty amazing to see people living out here. Most lived in small houses with thatched roofs, which others were building houses and shops out of clay bricks. After passing by village after village, we eventually arrived at the gates of the Lake Manyara National Park.

Security ain’t f***ing around. That dude has a semi-automatic gun!

After quickly checking in we were through the gates. Within a short time we came across signs of the great migration: dozens of zebras and wildebeests.

It was at this point that we encountered a rather heart-wrenching scene. A mother wildebeest and baby trapped in the mud.

Apparently the soil around the mud area was thinner than they were expecting, so they fell in. We watched them try to get out for a good 10 minutes, but neither mother nor baby made any progress. Though we wanted to help, our guide reminded us that this was part of the “circle of life,” and that they’d make a nice meal for the hyenas.

Harsh, but true. Surprisingly all other wildebeests in the area walked by impassively despite their cries for help.

Unsurprisingly, wildebeests are NOT pack animals.

Further along we encountered other animals on the lake. Like massive flocks of flamingos!

Just like Florida! Except not plastic.

And buffalo!

Buffalo are actually one of the more dangerous animals in Tanzania.

Eventually, we re-entered the forest only to spot some blue monkeys and a huge flock of hornbills.

Where the monkeys just seemed content to chill, the hornbills kept jumping out of the trees to lie on the ground.

At first we thought they were simply basking in the sun, but our guide told us that the male hornbills were actively courting the females. Apparently they do this by lying on the ground and spreading their wings to show the females how large they are.

Hey laaaadddiiiiieesss!

Lastly, we encountered a large troop of red-ass baboons. Not only dide we come upon them suddenly, but I ended up spooking the troop when I popped out of the top of our Landrover and started snapping pictures.

Join us tomorrow, when I’ll talk about our stay at my favorite accommodation of the trip, the magnificent Kitela Lodge.