Riley Schleicher ‘26 is all about adventure and conservation! In August 2024, he had the incredible opportunity to visit Arusha, Gorge, Manyara, Masai Village, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Taragire in Africa, and he’s excited to share his unforgettable journey with us!
What sparked your interest in visiting Africa?
From a young age, I’ve been passionate about animals, visiting zoos like Reid Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the San Diego Zoo. My trip to Africa was a dream come true, allowing me to see wildlife in their natural habitat and advocate for conservation. This adventure was made possible through my volunteer work at Reid Park Zoo, where my Uncle Jed, a zoo employee, helped me become the first minor on these outreach trips. I prepared by learning about the local culture and Kiswahili, and meeting my travel group before the journey.
Can you share some of your itinerary with us?
On August 12, 2024, we arrived in Arusha, Tanzania, and were greeted by our safari guides, who would host us throughout the trip. The next day, we were joined by Vervet monkeys who stole our food during breakfast. We then ventured into Arusha National Park, spotting giraffes, zebras, and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Later, we explored local markets. On August 14, we drove southwest and arrived at Tarangire National Park for an afternoon safari, where we saw baobab trees and abundant wildlife, including elephants, big cats, and diverse bird species. We even spotted tree-dwelling rock pythons.
On August 17, we traveled across the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara National Park for lunch and flamingo viewing, then continued to Ngorongoro Crater, where we stayed for a few nights with excursions to the Crater floor, where we were able to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo.) We then visited a Masai village, joining their traditional dance where the higher you jump, the more respect they have for you. August 19 took us through the Central Serengeti to the Northern Serengeti, where we witnessed the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. We had remarkable game drives, spotting elephants, lions, leopards, and more, and experienced an unforgettable hot air balloon ride across the Serengeti.
On August 23, we had one final safari before taking a small bush plane back to Kilimanjaro Airport for our departure.
Favorite animals you saw?
We started our first safari and saw blue monkeys, baboons, and giraffes, just to list some. Then we went on some bigger safaris, seeing lions, leopards, rhinos, and any African animal you can think of (besides wild dogs, which the group was looking forward to).
What did you learn on this trip?
The trip was eye-opening, teaching me how much we take water, food, and land for granted. Seeing the Maasai rely on tourism for essentials like fresh water was a powerful lesson. While I’m not sure where this journey will lead, it has inspired me to be a lifelong wildlife advocate. Immersing myself in a new culture and ecosystem was unforgettable and impactful—far more than any book or video could teach. Now, I’m passionate about traveling and exploring beyond my hometown of Tucson. As I grow, I’m determined to visit places like Botswana, Ireland, Spain and Australia, and continue learning from the world around me.
What was your favorite part of this trip?
Besides having an elephant walking down the path right outside of our cot, my favorite part was the Maasai Tribe.They welcomed us into their village to embark on a tribal dance and to see the way that they live. The trip was life-changing. I now see how other people and animals live on the earth created by our Father. We traveled over 100 hours and thousands of miles in jeeps. It was nothing like I imagined and something I will never forget.