Despite not being a camping or hiking family, we were all excited to embark on this adventure in Tanzania. As we arrived in the wilderness, it was a culture shock for the children, who were used to their comfortable home life. They had to learn how to fetch water while being watched over by our bush guide, and at times had to dodge wild animals, including a juvenile crocodile.

At first, the children struggled to adjust to their new surroundings and the primitive living conditions. However, as the days went on, they began to adapt and even enjoy their mini hunts for food, although it was suspicious that docile guinea fowls and wild rabbits seemed to appear in the hunting area at just the right times. Fortunately, we always had emergency rations on hand as a backup. The children also found humor in using the bush toilet facilities.

One of the highlights of the trip was the campfire sessions, where we roasted catfish caught from the local river and sweet potatoes the size of tree trunks. We also had the opportunity to try our hand at cooking fried chicken on an open fire, even though it came out black as coal. By the end of our vacation, we had all mastered the art of cooking on an open campfire.

As the trip came to a close, we were all amazed by the growth and development we saw in the children. Their confidence had grown significantly, and their priorities had been realigned as they learned to appreciate the simple things in life. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that we would not trade for anything.