Blogs from Serengeti National Park, North, Tanzania, Africa - page 5

Having spent two lazy days on the northern beaches on Zanzibar, we ferried back to Dar on a very rough fast ferry, where we were serenaded by numerous passengers making deposits on their travelsick bags... Luckily we managed to hold onto our lunches - just!! Sadly we discovered upon our return to camp that our tour driver had been mugged earlier that day - he wasn't injured but his girlfriend had her bag cut off her with a machete! Certainly not ideal, but everyone managed to walk away. The next morning we were off early (at least we would have been if our battery was alive). After about an hour and a half of mechanical interference we were on our way. We drove for an eternity to finally arrive in Arusha 14 hours later!!! From what ... read more

Up at 6 am, breakfast at 6:30, game drive at 7 am, leaving a bit later than most groups in camp. Saw lots of beautiful birds - lilac breasted rollers, secretary birds, vultures, tawny eagle. The list goes on and on. Beautiful light for photography for the first few hours. On the game drive, we found two cheetah brothers resting under a tree, not doing a whole lot. Up for a stretch, then lie down again. We were amazed by the full panarama of the savana sprinkled with acacia trees and dry golden grass to the horizon. Great photography everywhere we turned. The roof on our Land Rover raises up so we can stand up on the seats for a better view. Lovely blue sky day, with a few clouds rolling in as the morning progressed.  ... read more

Up at 6:30, game drive at 7:00. Highlight: large herd of elephants and magnificent pair of male lions with female. And the sun came out just as we spotted the lions, so incredible photography. Out of Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Conservation area. Traveled through beautiful country on some very wet roads. It had rained in this area, although it never really rained on us. One vehicle from another group we were traveling with broke down completely on the road, with a broken rear differential, so we loaded the passengers and gear into our remaining five vehicles, and left the driver with some water to wait for help, parts and mechanics from Arusha. They intended to repair the vehicle on the spot. No tow trucks available around here. Armed guard at crater overlook. Armed guard at tourist shop. ... read more

Over the weekend we took a fieldtrip. Thank the lord I got my amoeba medication and got them out of my system, because nothing could have prepared me for the physically challenging weekend I just had. The managers of the program had heard about this active volcano, called Oldoinyo Lengai, that was very popular as a night tour. You start the climb in the dark, the hikers wearing head lamps, and you reach the apex as the sun is rising. Apparently it has a gorgeous view and is a pretty hike to the top with lots of greenery. We were all for it. On our way to this volcano we passed by the Ngorogoro crater. The Masai tribe believe this hole in the earth to be where God took his first step in the creation of ... read more

Hi Everyone Went on the hot air balloon ride early tuesday morning. had two balloons because of so many people. seen different types of animals. highest we went was 1000 ft. it was amazing. had a beautiful champagne breakfast in the open bush. landed on the border of kenya and tanzania. went for an afternoon game drive, saw elephants, buffalo, lions, and tons of others. we have now seen 3 out of the big five. still missing leopards and rhinos. Had a long day yesterday. it took us 11 hours to drive from kenya to tanzania to the serengeti national park. the bridge was out so our time was doubled from the original time. went through the border. no problems. arrived at the tents. so amazing. we were escorted to the rooms. everyone was wondering why ... read more

Jambo from Tanzania, famous for the wildlife of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and beautiful beaches on the exotic island Zanzibar. The Serengeti plains were dry and went for as long as the eye could see. Giraffes lumbered slowly across the savannah while the male ostriches danced around the females as part of their mating ritual fanning their white plumage, buffaloes caked in dried mud chewed grasses along the side of the road and secretary birds hid amongst the tussock. After the luck we had with our game viewing in the Masai Mara we expected something great from the Serengeti, there were plenty of animals around but we did not get as close - its all luck of the draw. We saw plenty of prides of lions, resting under the trees out of the sun, another ... read more

I always wondered why the road crossing for people where called as 'Zebra crossings'. Then someone told me that it is because the black and white strips on the road looks like Zebra's stripes. May be thats the correct explanation but it is a far cry from the real Zebra stripes indeed. Real Zebra stripes are never straight but slightly curved and sinuous in patern. That patern creates a mesmorising and rather confussing effect when you stare at them. That very effect serves to save the Zebras when Lions try to chase them. They tend to get confffused by this sinuous and wavy patterns on the Zebras that they simply give up the chase most of the time. Well anyway, When I was in Serengeti I thought why not capture all the animals crossing the roads. ... read more