Serengeti Safari

 

We left Friday morning early for our trek to the Serengeti especially to see the wildebeest migration.

The Safari truck picked us up at 7:30 for our big adventure.  Luckily the girls had done my hair!

Of course there was a police stop on the way, but Lisa and Matt speaking Swahili seemed to placate them, so no money changed hands.

At first on paved roads, then on nicely packed dirt we went to the Ngorogoro Crater.  We had to pass through roads here to get to the Serengeti.

As we approached the number of wildebeests (and zebras) was mind boggling.  Really, beyond my ability to describe.  Miles and miles as far as you could see and it continued.

The camp where we stayed (NAABI HILL) was a movable camp because you cannot predict in advance where the migration will be.  There had been much rain, so the grass was ample and lush.  The wildebeest were directly outside our tents.  Behind in the hills was where the hyenas stayed and you sure could hear many of their calls.

Once inside the Serengeti and the National Park we saw soo many different animals and birds.  I will post a link to all the pictures for those of you who want to see them.  We saw:

Cheetah (7)
Leopard
Lion (20)

Warthog
Zebra
Wildebeest
Hyena
Banded  mongoose
Elephant
Giraffe
Ostrich
Thomson's gazelle
Grants gazelle
Impala
Golden jackal
Black back jackal
Buffalo
Camel
Topi
Hartebeest
Eland
Field mouse
Hippo
Dung beetle
Baboon
Vervet monkey
Blue monkey

So very many animals- many many big cats.  The kids are amazing at spotting and identifying them.  Here are a few pictures of them to whet your appetite.

  

On Sunday we had a “leisurely” drive home (meaning it took 11 hours).  We took a different route back.  This route was really only tire ruts that somehow our guide was able to follow.  We only got stuck a few times.

 

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This way put us in proximity to many Maasai children tending the goats.  Some were afraid of us and ran away but  many were tempted by the candy our kids gave out.

 

What a wonderful experience!