Last Day

Our last day here. After a morning game drive and lunch we start walking to our hut. The camp manager stops us and tells us there is an aggressive elephant on the path and we must wait. This has happened before. Those pesky elephants.

When we are finally escorted to our room we find they have left us a bottle of champagne, filled our claw-foot tub with a bubble bath and lit candles in the room. We could get used to this.

Monkeying Around

We are now at Lake Manyara. Our room/hut has an outdoor shower. It sounds primitive, but it is actually very nice. Apparently, the monkeys like the shower as well. During the middLe of the night the monkeys turned our shower on. Tom had to go out and shut it off.

Two elephants strolled into camp during breakfast. I don't think even Starbucks can compare to having breakfast with elephants.

Leaving Ngorongoro Crater, Onward to Lake Manyara Tree Camp

We leave this morning for two days at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, where all the rooms are up in the trees.  This area is also known for it's tree-climbing lions, although, we have already found that lions and leopards can often be found in the tree branches.  More later...

Jailbreak!

Guess I should have cleaned off my camera lens!  Actually, these guys were stampeding across the ground in front of us and threw up all this dust.  Seems that Zebra are as afraid of Jeeps as they are of lions.  Actually, they are part of the great migration, joining that million or so wildebeest ("gnu" to you old-timers) on the way to Kenya.

So, I have taken temporary control of the blog.  Being a Henry - for those of you who wouldn't know - this could take a while.

Random thoughts from a fellow safarian.  Khaki is the new black.  Jeeps should test their shocks and springs on game drive vehicles.  Bucket showers will never replace hot and cold running water.  It's not exactly a Geisha situation when you know the shower is ready when some guy knocks on the wall and says "It's ready". 

Interesting that in the Ngorongoro crater, where we are now, the lions have learned to let the hyenas do the hunting, and then they steal the "kill".  (It's usually the hyenas that do the clean up work.)  We have gone from the lap of roughing it (if you call having hot water bottles in your beds and antiques and linens all around roughing it) to the lap of, well what can I say, crazy luxury.  We don't even have to go on a game drive, we just walk out the door and the "resident" zebras will pose with you.

The shame here at the crater is that it has been so dry that the salt water pond is all but dried up, and the tens of thousands of flamingos are down to the tens of flamingos - literally.

Yesterday we caught a pride of lions and two of the females took off after a warthog.  To tell you the truth, I couldn't hold my "king of the jungle" head up if a WARTHOG could escape me - especially me and my sister!  Well - he did.  You could tell the cubs were thinking - "Mom, a warthog?  You've got to be kidding."  Then we watched four hyenas chase around a small herd of cape buffalo, only to also come up empty handed.  We also saw the "rare" black rhino - Mom and kiddo - if you call seeing two blacks spots at half a mile away as "seeing" something.

Final thought for the day.  What do you think (without using Google) is the meaning of the oft-heard phrase (this is spelled phonetically):  "Poa, ka-cheezey common deezie."

(OK, I'll give you the answer.  It means:  "Cool as a banana.")

Not a good day to be a Thomson Gazelle

On a night drive, we came across a leopard with a gazelle in a tree.  He was really enjoying his dinner.  We watched until well past dark and finally moved on to scout other animals.  On the way back to camp we decided to go by the tree again to see what was happening.  By that time, the leopard had pulled the rest of the gazelle higher in the branches to hide his meal while he was sleeping.  The next morning we went on a early drive and went straight back to the tree to check on the status.  The leopard was no where in sight and all that remained of the gazelle was one hoof still hidden in the branches.

Masai Women

Two Masai women from the village were selling trinkets.  We bought some souvenirs and they let us take their picture.  

Lion in a Tree

We watched as two female lions stalked a warthog (...they must like bacon).  The warthog started running and the first lion chased after it, leaving the second lion behind.  After a while, the second lion climbed a tree as if to search for her sister.  She must have been comfortable because she soon fell asleep. 

Tented Camp

This is our tent in the first 'tented' camp we stayed at.  It had all the conveniences of home with electricity and an en suite bathroom and shower.  Not exactly roughing it!  This is a view from the back.  We could unzip the screen and watch zebras, elephants and giraffes on the plains just below us.  We were enclosed by an electric fence, but that didn't seem to keep the warthogs and baboons from running around all over the place. 

Giraffes

Sundowner

In the evenings we take a ride through the bush searching for animals.  We stop to watch the sunset.  Then we get serious and search for a kill with a spotter on the front of the jeep.

Cheetahs!

We came across two cheetahs in the bush.  They were stalking a warthog for lunch. 

To Jackie

Jambo....knowing your fondness for flyswatters we have found the perfect souvenir for you...an authentic Masai flyswatter.  This place is crawling with tse-tse flies, so the flyswatters are very common.  Love (and peace)

To Cousin Gerry

Gerry...Good to hear from you.  Glad you are following the blog.  This place isn't conducive to uploading pix, so you might have to wait until we get home to see them.  We should be in town early August, so we'll try to get to Mom and Dad's while you are up there.  See you soon.  Sandy

Happy Birthday, Zach. Here's that lion you wanted....

Day 2 in Klein's Kamp

This is our second day here at Klein's Kamp.  This is by far the most scenic area yet.  We have our own Masai-type hut on a hill overlooking the valley.  We have a beautiful porch where we can sit and watch the elephants and zebras below.  The first night we went on a night drive to an outdoor dinner with a vist from the Masai warriors. 

Yesterday we took an all-day drive to see part of the Great Migration.  We saw thousands of wildebeest making their way to the Mara River.  We drove to the river hoping to see them cross, but they aren't crossing yet.   On the way we came across another pride of lions.  This one contained 2 females, 1 male and about a dozen lion clubs.  We also ran across three cheetahs trying to keep cool under a tree.  We drove up so close....right next to them.  They look at us when we first arrive and then quickly become bored with us and go back to sleep. 

Tonight we go on a night safari.  Tomorrow we fly to the Ngoro Ngoro Crater for two nights there.  I'm hoping the internet is a little more reliable so I can upload photos.  We have thousands of great photos, but it's difficult to upload from here.  I guess you don't come to the Serengeti for the internet. 

We come home next Saturday.  I've already decided that I will be 'post-blogging' so I can share some of our pictures. 

Our First Lion Sighting

Day 7 - Back to Civilization

Jambo (Swahili for hello)

We spent the last three nights in a tented camp.  No internet access. They brought buckets of hot water for our shower.  We saw several prides of lions.  From the airport (really...just a grassy strip) to the camp we stopped and watched a pride of lions with three males and 10 females.  Yesterday we took an all day drive to central Serengetti and saw the migration.  

Tom is quite good at spotting ALT's (animals looking things).  Actually, yesterday he spotted a cheetah with 2 cubs. 

Now we are at Klein's Camp.  There are ten huts atop a hill overlooking the valley.  It's very beautiful.  

Leaving for Kilimanjaro

We leave this morning and will fly to Kilimanjaro airport.  Looking forward to seeing Mt. Kilimanjaro. 

We hope the next camp is just as nice.  Even though this is a 'tent'...it is very luxurious.  We sleep in a king-size four poster bed.  We have a bathroom suite in our room just as in any nice hotel.  The shower could fit 4 people easily.  They serve us 3 and 4 course meals three times a day.  I brought granola bars and almonds thinking we may be hungry.  Not a chance. 

We are free to walk wherever we want during the day.   As I walk to the lounge/gift shop area to get on the internet, I have to shoo away the warthogs and baboons from the path.  They are all over the place.  At night it is a different story....we have to be escorted everywhere with a guard who carries a long rifle.  We're not certain what he is protecting us from...and haven't asked either.  I'm convinced it's all for show and he doesn't have any bullets.

Day 4 - Last Night in Masai Mara

Well, last night was memorable.  We left late afternoon for another game drive.  Even before our driver came, Tom spotted off in the distance a leopard in a tree from the balcony of our camp's lobby.  Of course, our guide already knew about it, so we headed off in that direction.   On the way out of the camp, we stop to pick up a Masai warrior.  He rides in the front seat with our driver.  He is dressed in full gear with a red wrap, beads, spear et al.  I guess even if you live here, a leopard spotting is still exciting.

On the way to see the leopard we run across a lion lying in the grass. We stop for just a few minutes and then continue.  When we reach the tree we find a leopard has killed and taken a Thompson gazelle up into the branches.   We stay and watch for quite a while. 

It is dark by this time, but we have a spotlight.  We finally leave in search of another leopard.  We drive by the Mara River.   We come across an area with lights and small fires.  Our driver pulls in and asks us if we want to have dinner.  The camp has set up an outdoor dinner party in a beautiful remote area next to the river.  Everyone from camp has been transported out there.  As we get out the jeep they offer us a drink called 'dawa', which is Swahili for medicine.  We have dinner by lantern light.   The stars are out and we see the Southern Cross. 

Driving on the way back, the Masai warrior scans the grass as we search for hippos.  We see several of them.  Usually during the day they are in the water and we only see their heads.  Now they are on land and can move fairly fast.  When they see us they put their heads in the bush.  I guess they aren't very smart.   Their heads are hidden but we can still see them.

Day 3 - The Great Migration (and Happy 4th of July)

Well, we didn't make it on a safari last night.  It starting storming and rained most of the night.  So, we get breakfast to go this morning, hop in the jeep and head to the Serengeti to see the Great Migration.  On the way there we make a brief stop and see two lion cubs on a mound in the grass.  After a while we see the mother lion up on the ledge watching over her cubs.

It was a long jeep ride, but worth it.  There were thousands and thousands of wildebeest.  And plenty of zebras as well.  We follow along the ridge and see hundreds of thousands of wildebeest lining up and traveling across the land.  At one point our driver drives the jeep down into the middle of all the animals, so we are right in the middle of the migration.  (our driver drives like Zach...)

Stopped in a remote area for a picnic lunch and then headed back to camp.  We are going on an early-evening safari before dinner.  Still searching for a leopard and the rhino...though the lions are enough for us. 

Tomorrow morning we take a small plane (puddle jumper) to a different camp in the Serengeti, closer to the migration.   We will be there for a few days.  This is a semi-permanent camp that moves with the migration so we should be in the thick of things.  We read that they have 'bucket' showers.....not so sure about that.  

Zach and Tiff thanks for the post.  Glad you two are having fun.  Love you both!!

More to come

Day 2

Ate a quick breakfast and went on an early morning game drive.  Today was incredible.  First we saw two cheetahs lying in the grass.  They we hiding from two lions.  We followed them around the plains for well over an hour.  When we moved on we ran across another lion eating a zebra....right in the tall grass next to the road.  Wow!  We finally moved on and ran across a herd of African buffalo, just in time to see one of the females give birth.  Everytime we think we can't possibly see anything better....we do.

On our way back to camp we decide to see if we can find the lions again.  We do!  They are both lying on top of a rock hunting two warthogs.  We watch as one takes off after the warthog.  We try to follow but lose sight of her in the grass.  Apparently the other lion couldn't keep up either.  We watch as she scouts the grass hunting for her sister.  She finally climbs a tree for a better view.  We get within 30 feet of the lion in the tree.   This is starting to feel like a National Geographic shoot!

We have some amazing pictures.  Tom's research and practice with the camera before we left has paid off.   Unfortunately, though, the internet is slow.  Africa is beautiful but not so high-tech.  We'll try to upload photos, but not having much luck.  Maybe at the next camp it will be easier. 

After dinner tonight we are going on a late-night game drive in search of a leopard or the famed black rhino. 

More later. 

Day 1 Continued

Went on a late afternoon game drive before dinner.  Saw herds of elephants, hyenas and more.  Hoping to see a lion or a cat soon.  Our 'tent' is amazing.  Hardwood floors, chandeliers and more.   The bed faces the plains and the entire backside opens up.  We can lie in bed and watch the giraffes and elephants go by. 

Day 1 First Safari Game Drive

Got off the plane to a champagne reception.  Got into the jeep and before we could get to the lodge and check in we saw so much - zebra, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, baboons and more.  This place is amazing.

Arrived in Kenya.  Stayed last night in Nairobi. 
One more small flight this morning (1 hour) to our first camp where we will stay for 3 days.

Arrived in Amsterdam

                                  7-hour flight! They have Starbucks!