Best Kenya & Tanzania Day 16

Day 16 - Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - Serengeti National Park/Game Viewing

This morning’s wake up call was an elephant trumpeting in the trees behind our tent! Gennie heard them during the night and worried because we did not have an emergency evacuation plan – old principals always think about group safety!

After breakfast we thanked Victor, our Mobile Tent Leader and his crew. Just a little after 8:00 we were on our way to the most northern part of the Serengeti and our next mobile tent camp.

We started out with the tops off the trucks so we could have great vantage points for anything we might see on our way out of the park. The temperature was 68º and the humidity was 52%. We had overcast skies to begin our safari drive.

The ecosystem of the Serengeti is so vast – we went though rolling hills, more flat plains, and we saw mountains in the distance. The hyenas were out this morning looking for breakfast.

A pair of lioness under a shade tree came to life when a lone impala wandered up wind of them. We watched from a distance as their ears perked up and they started to prowl on the hunt.

Another safari truck pulled right up to them and spooked the impala. This ended the hunt for the lions. We wondered how many times a day this happens. The human/tourist impact on the eco-system is unimaginable.

At 9:15 we stopped at the Seronera Tourist Center for a rest room break. We are learning not to pass up these opportunities as they are few and far between.

Leonard, our driver was able to get us very close to 3 old male Cape buffalo. When the males are too old to compete with young challengers, they avoid shame by isolating themselves.

These old males are cranky and aggressive and have been know to attack trucks and other vehicles. We did not give them a chance to be angry – we took our photos and left them alone!

When we crossed the Gurumeti River we saw a crocodile that was not very cooperative about being photographed. He hid in the reeds and was half way submerged. At least we could add him to the “Critter List”.

As we drove further north we saw many giraffe. This is the woodlands and giraffes love the fresh leaves of the acacia trees. It is interesting to see them twist their long tongues in the branches, eating the leaves, but avoiding the thorns.

At 10:45 we left the North West gate at Ikoma and left the National Park but entered the wildlife preserve. There are many settlements here in this area.

Both Leonard and Bariki warned us the Ikoma Tribe is not friendly and will not allow photographs. We waved, just to be nice and a few of the young people waved and smiled back at us.

Most turned their faces even though no one in our car was taking photographs of them. We are trying to be good travelers and not typical tourists!

At the village of Mugumu we made a stop to buy Hazel a birthday gift. Beth and Maxine went shopping but had a tough time; this was definitely not a tourist town.

While the ladies shopped, I took advantage of the stop and talked to some woodworkers who were turning table legs on an old lathe. They were very welcoming and I was even allowed to take a few photos. I promised to send them some pictures as soon as I could.

Reentering the Serengeti at 1:15, we could not believe the number of wildebeest that are here getting fat on the green grasses.

We ate our box lunches at the Taroba-B Ranger Post. The facilities were minimal, but they did have benches and pit toilets. We left at 2:15 continuing north in the park.

New additions to our “Critter List” today along with the crocodile were the Ground Hornbill, Lappet-faced vulture, Kudu antelope, and the Oribi, another smaller antelope. We had no idea that we would see so many species of antelope on this African adventure.

Everywhere the eye can see there are wildebeest! They are gathering for the summer migration to the south Serengeti. One of the wildebeest was down and about 20 vultures were eating. Nothing is wasted here in the Serengeti.

At 4:30 we reached our tent camp and were welcomed by the crew. Our tent is much newer and nicer than those the past two nights.

We took showers right away and then I looked at pictures while Gennie organized her bags for the flight back to Arusha in Friday. We saw the tiny air strip and a 16 passenger plane.

Bariki came running up to the tent to tell us there was a very large herd wildebeest trying to cross the Mara River very close to our tents. Several of us went to see them, they never crossed, but it was a remarkable sight!

We met in the Lounge Tent for a drink and talk at 7:00. Bariki is very good about telling us what we will be doing the next day. This helps to keep everyone informed.

I talked to people about the CD I will make for everyone and showed the World’s Greatest Sights.

Dinner was served at 7:30. It was Hazel’s birthday. The camp crew and our two driver/guides danced and sang for her. It was great to see the way they celebrate birthdays!

A porter brought us back to the room with his flashlight. We unzipped the flaps so we could get plenty of air. Gennie finished the journal and I selected today’s photos.

The night was full of animal sounds as we are very close to the herds of wildebeest and those who prey on them.

Accommodations: Kogatenda Ongat Camp - - - Meal: B, L, D

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