After our Kilimanjaro climb, we spent a few days on safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. All three were unique in their own ways, but hands down the most amazing and plentiful animals were in the Serengeti. Admittedly, it started with a little trepidation. Not because of animals, but because of the plane. Kim knew that we were flying from Arusha to the Serengeti, but we all assumed it would be a small, not tiny, plane. Not the case. When our plane came in, it was a 12-passenger plane. There wasn’t even enough room to stand up straight. We could have tapped our pilot on the shoulder (we didn’t of course). Not only was it a very small plane, but we landed on a little dirt strip in the middle of the Serengeti. Even though it was a small plane, it was a nice smooth flight, and we were grateful that it took us to the second part of our African adventure.

On safari, we saw so many amazing animals. Thousands and thousands of zebras. So many that they started to just seem like cattle grazing the plains. We saw giraffes, elephants, antelopes, ostrich, cape buffalo, hippos, and a rhinoceros. Cool animals that you don’t see in North America. We saw a bunch of big cats as well. A lioness just sleeping away on some rocks, two cheetahs trying to figure out where their next meal was going to come from, and a leopard resting in a tree. 

But our coolest sighting by far came when we found a group of male lions that were really close to the road. So close that we were able to be within about ten feet of them. They were just lazing away in the shade during the hot part of the day. It was so cool to just watch them. And then something startled one of them, and he got up. And that’s when it happened. Our entire safari vehicle was permeated with the putrid aroma of lion flatulence. That’s what had startled him awake. It was both gross and hilarious. He looked around at his brother lions trying to figure out who had made the noise, and then he laid back down and got comfortable. Meanwhile we were plugging our noses and laughing hysterically. I don’t think there are many people that can say that they have encountered the fragrance of feline flatulence, but I’m proud to say I’m on that list.

It feels a world away from the plains of Africa, but as we dig into the spring season here in Florida I know you are wondering what hardy plants you can plant in your yards. After the coldest Christmas in 30 years, you may have some things that need replacing and just some general sprucing up to do with your landscape. We are here to help! This Saturday at 10 a.m., I’m going to teach you all about Cold Hardy Landscaping. We’ll focus on basic landscape design principles that you can apply to any area of your yard, and then I’ll show you my top picks for hardy color. You’ll have a gorgeous garden all year, and if it gets cold next winter, you’ll be sipping hot cocoa warm and cozy in your house, not running around the yard covering up sensitive plants.