When it comes to safaris, we go wild

While on safari in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve as a part of Kilimanjaro Safaris, most guests are looking to the horizon for the breathtaking views while craning their necks to see what will be the next magnificent creature to share the road with the attraction’s jeeps. Me, I look down for rocks.

The Harambe Wildlife Reserve is a living, breathing part of our world and it is treated as such. Roads crisscross over one another, there are sunken in tire tracks, and evidence of elephant herds and indigenous people. An element of Kilimanjaro Safaris that is often overlooked by guests are the giant rocks that have been implanted into the ground at crossroads as directional markers. They can guide you to new natural features, such as lakes or maras (spotted savannas) or towards places to bed down for the night. Swahili is the most commonly utilized language in the reserve, so here are a few of my favorite stone signs and what they mean.

Kujikwaa Tembo Lodge - Stumbling Elephant Lodge

Tumbili Tented Camp – Tented Monkey Camp

Lake Nusuru – Lake Help

Ng’ombe Mara Camp – Cattle Mara Camp

I left the word ‘Mara’ untranslated as it comes from the Maa word for spotted, which is the word they use to describe the sparsely vegetated plains. And, let’s be honest, Cattle Plain Spotted With Brush and Trees Camp just doesn’t have the same ring to it!

These aren’t the only stone markers along the road of Kilimanjaro Safaris, so the next time you are on safari, keep a watchful eye out for animals and other hints of the world your jeep has rolled into!