The three of us did just that, over four
nights and five days, starting with a flight to Arusha---Maasai territory--- in
central Tanzania. Our driver/guide, Damian, met us with his Land Rover, which he
took care of like a proud father---not an easy thing to do on the rough park
roads. He was extremely helpful and informative. Without offering an endless list of animals we saw, I will say that we did see two rare black rhinos and our guide spotted two well-camouflaged leopards in trees. The only animal we did not
manage to see was a cheetah. Zebras, lions, elephants, cape buffalo, gazelles, wildebeest were...everywhere!
We witnessed an exciting episode where, at the side of road
in the Ngorongoro Crater, a lioness with two cubs was guarding her dinner: a carcass
of a zebra she had recently killed. We---and she--- watched the cubs go over
and eat as more and more hyenas circled her. It was quite nerve-racking for the
spectators: a TV documentary, live! When a couple of hyenas came close, she ran
at them; they would back off a short distance. Eventually, after the cubs and the
ever-watchful mom had had their fill, they moved away, exhausted and thirsty,
and watched from the tall grass across the road as the hyenas moved in and
stripped the carcass clean. Her hopes of saving the leftovers were lost.
A photo taken in the Serengeti is included,showing masses of hippos submerged in any deep water they could find. The upcoming rainy season was badly needed. The photo
should be especially appreciated in light of the accompanying smell from large numbers of hippos pooping in small pools of water!
I still can't believe how much we saw on our trip! Live documentary is right. Great photos Mom... especially that last one!
ReplyDeleteKenya was my "home away from home" for 3 consecutive summers. This brief blog brought back all the amazing memories of my time spent in the Mara. I actually walked to the river where the hippos were (stupid, I know) and stood within feet of them. Those three summers changed who I am-for the better. There's something to be said for living in a mud/dung hut with dirt floors, and making sure there are no elephants nearby before you walk to the spring to get water for cooking........
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these moments with us!!
Deb
Kenya was my home for 3 years and the memories are also flooding back. Isn't Africa stunning? In many ways :). If it makes you feel any better, we only saw one cheetah running at full tilt after a gazelle. It's a blur. Thanks so much for blogging your experiences for those of us in the 9-5 rut. Will be joining you soon!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous blog post, Mom -- that safari looked amazing! Can't wait to make it out there... to Zanzibar AND the Serengeti, that is. Love you!
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow!! These photos are unreal, I am having trouble believing that they are actually yours, and that this is what you three saw with your own eyes. Incredible! It must have been awe-inspiring, to be surrounded by such wildlife. I'm blown away :)
ReplyDelete