On the way into Serengeti National Park, we had to drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area along the rim of the Crater that we would come back to in 2 days time. It was an interesting drive because the conservation area aims to achieve a balance between the local Masai people and the wild animals. It was so strange seeing a herd of sheep in the foreground and then giraffes feeding on the trees behind them.
It poured rain the night before and the morning that we drove into the Serengeti, but by the afternoon things seemed to be clearing up. Or rather they were gearing up for another go that night. Lucky for us, our balloon safari was set to sail the next morning. Something that we'd booked 13 months ago and have been anticipating ever since. That night we got very little sleep as it was raining very hard. The rain stopped momentarily and we heard a lion chewing on something and then purring with satisfaction. Cute, but scary when it sounds like it's right outside your tent. We then got up at 4:30 AM and were picked up to go to the balloon launch site. By then,
the rain had stopped and the skies looked to be clearing, but the pilot wanted to delay the launch just to be sure of the conditions. In the end, the balloon was cancelled (for the 3rd time in the last 4 days, so we were told). It was extremely disappointing, but we still have a chance when we return to the Serengeti in August (drier season). Others are not so lucky to be returning and missed their only chance.
So, we met up with the rest of the group on the morning game drive and saw mostly trees and long grass. Definately the wrong season to be looking for cats. We did actually see a surprising variety of wildlife for this time of year even though most of it was a long way from the road. The Serengeti (which literally means 'large open plains') is 14,763 square km. It's so immense and the vechicles are required to stick to the limited roads that have been put in. At this time of year, a person could drive for 5 days and not see a cat.
Wildebeest migrationThey migrate in the thousands between Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Masai Mara throughout the year.
CrocodileAt the Snake park in Arusha where we camped before going into the Serengeti.
BirdHopelessly trying to eat a frog too big for its mouth.
Wildebeest crossingNot really a dangerous river crossing. This was just standing water from the rain.
RainRain, rain, go away!
Tanzania's Flag
Map of Tanzania