In Search of Cheetah

This was our last day on the Serengeti and we spent it out on the western plains in search of the elusive cheetah.  The morning drive once again took us through winding rough roads with wonderful views on both sides doted with animals of all descriptions. We stopped to watch a herd of elephants, families of gazelle.hippos bathing in the water and one on the waters edge having breakfast.  The birds are plentiful and a bird watchers dream.

Hippos bathing with the plains stretching beyond

A less than pretty vulture sitting high in a tree

Along the way we passed by a kopje which is named Masai Rock and was simply beautiful rising from the surrounding flat plain.

Traveling further down the road we stopped to admire a beautiful female lion having a morning siesta under a tree before venturing future out into the plain.  Out on another large kopje sat another large female and one could see that there was a male lion in the crevice but he was not showing himself at the time.

Looking over her territory 

Across the way was a grassy area with some pond.  As there was a collection of safari vehicles we went to investigate and were told a cheetah had been spotted in the long grass so we settled in to watch.  After eating a picnic lunch and still no luck it was decided to venture farther afield.  We encountered giraffe out on the plain far from any trees to munch on which was different from what we had seen previously, warthogs, gazelles to mention but a few.

Grazing on the plain

Couldn't resist this one

Warthog eating

Returning to the rock we saw the female lion laying in the grass but went right by as the male was now up on the rock and we were all eager to get a good look.  Cameras clicked and he gave us all a good shot before he got up and followed quickly by our driver he went over to the female who we now saw had a gazelle.  As soon as the male arrive she gave home her dinner and simply got up and cleaned herself up and then went to the watering hole to drink while he proceeded to eat what he wanted.  When he was either done or too hot he carried the remainder behind a rock

Male with a bit of a mangy mane

Looks fierce it he is only yawning

Taking her dinner

Dinner is done

Our eagle eyed driver then noticed over by the waters edge that the female lion was being watched by a cheetah.  With a fancy piece of driving our vehicle had rock star viewing to watch this beautiful creature.  Adrenaline was certainly running high.

Fastest mammal on earth

Such stunning markings 

Totally thrilled with our day and expecting nothing more we headed back to the lodge but of course there was more to come.  First we met up with a family of elephants that were literally right beside our vehicles. There is something about them that just captivates me and I could watch them for a very long time.

One of the babies of the group.  I swear they smile

Sauntering off into the evening

 To finish the day of perfectly we stopped at a 'lion tree'. The way that they are just draped over the branches indicates perfect relaxation.  Another magical day on the Serengeti.

Ballooning over the Serengeti

This morning started early as we rose at four so we could be at the balloon site for sunrise.  We were picked up in a safari vehicle for the hour and a half ride and were not 15 minutes from the lodge before we started to encounter hyenas on the roadway.  One had an adorable baby with it but I would not want to have a run in with an adult but was great to se so many in their environment.  Also saw a jackal and rabbits but our exciting find was a pair of lions.  This was our first encounter with a male lion and we were in awe.  He was only feet from our vehicle and the excitement was high.  It was too dark for pictures but I know we will all carry that one in our heads.  Arriving at the launch site we were all a little apprehensive as well as excited to see the massive balloons laid out on the grassland ands. We entered the basket as it layed on its side which was challenging for some and the as the balloon filled and rose the basket tipped up to the right position and we were off.  It was absolutely breathtaking.  We flew low so that we could observe the wild life below.  As it was still early we saw hippos out of the water which is a rare sight, lions, zebras, wildebeest ,cape buffalo,gazelle, nesting birds and of course the sunrise over this wonderful land.  Floating along smoothly after a few days of very bumpy roads was a welcome reprieve.  After an interesting landing where the basket once agin ends up on its side and you are basically lying down we were driven to a site for the site for the traditional celebratory champagne.  On the way as this time we were driving across the actual grassland not the trails we encountered another pair of lions and this time the camera got their workout.  What magnificent creatures!  Now we really had more to celebrate.  Serving champagne after a balloon ride goes back to the first balloon rides in France where the King ruled that the pilots must give the land owners where they landed champagne as they often destroyed some of the crops as they landed. 

Getting ready to go up

Filling the balloon

Up up and away with panoramic views

Grazing Cape buffalo 

Our pilot

Champagne awaits

Breakfast served to us complete with giraffe and zebra grazing in the background 

After being picked up by our on guides and the rest of the group we headed back towards our lodge for lunch but several highlights were to come before we made our way back.  We first encountered a couple of lions on rocks close to the road which gave us wonderful viewing then as we headed back we came upon a large group of wildebeest and zebra migrating which though not our first such encounter it was once again breathtaking.

Migration of wildebeest and zebra crossed right in front of us

The numbers are staggering.  I never imagined we would encounter the volume of animals that we have been so lucky to have such close contact with.

A little further along we came along a large herd of zebras gathered at the waters edge drinking.  It was fascinating to watch them. When one of them spooked they would all run out of the water, look around and then cautiously return.  With their wonderful mix of stripes it was quite the sight.

Love the reflections in the muddy water

We also came across groups of impalas and zebra with nursing babies which warmed a mothers heart.

After lunch we set off on a late afternoon drive with no expectations as the day had far exceeded anything we could have dreamed of.  How wrong we were.  We drove out to some beautiful kopjes passing varied wildlife on the way.  Approaching this magnificent rock decorated with Masai paintings we spotted two lions resting in the sunshine.  As we stopped to watch and photograph one by one additional family members emerged from behind the rocks until we were watching a family of twelve on what Garth called Pride Rock which seems a very fitting name.

Pride Rock

Venturing out further on the Serengeti we did get to see two rhinos as they made they their exit across the plain.  This was very exciting as it means we have seen the Big Five in the short time we have been here.

Not the best picture but it is pictorial proof that we saw them

Our trip back was not without excitement as we got stuck in a muddy dip in the road.  Luck would have it that there was one vehicle behind us and several pushes later we were on our way.

Inspecting the hole 

As we were a little late getting back we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

Returning to the lodge was like taking a little safari with us as monkeys played on our decks,dik diks grazed just outside our room and we had panoramic views of the Serengeti.  I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow has in store for us.

The Serengeti

After breakfast at Lake Manyara we set off for the Serengeti.  Entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area we drove along the top edge of the creator.  It was very foggy and the road was very muddy making for an adventuresome ride. At one point we came upon a local bus which had fish tailed across the narrow road and all the locals had to get out and climb up on the bank.  We were concerned about how we would get around this obstacle but our experienced driver simply took our safari vehicle up the bank and around the bus missing the back end by mere inches.  The Masai people live in harmony in this conservation area with the animals due to the fact that because of their beliefs they do not hunt wild animals.  We passed by some picturesque Masai villages on our trip.  Along the way we also passed several young Masai boys dressed in black with their faces painted white, some with feathers.  These boys aged 13 to 15 had just been circumsized without any pain medication and we're hoping tourists would take their picture and give them money.  The feather symbolized that they had not shed any tears during the procedure.

On the way to our lodge we passed herds of migrating zebras, elephants, and giraffes and we had not even started our first Serengeti game drive.  I can not find the words to describe the beauty of this magical place.  Endless planes covered with golden grasses swaying in the breezes are dotted with acacia trees, many with yellow bark that glow in he sunlight.  In some areas there are gentle rolling hills covered with an assortment of low trees that give the animals some protection from the sun.  Snaking through the dry grasses is a narrow waterway crowded with hippos which also serves as a watering hole for other animals.  Some parts of the Serengeti are decorated with spectacular kopje which are beautiful rock formations which appear to have been placed there by some prehistoric artist but make wonderful homes for prides of lions.  In the distance low mountains rise up to frame this masterpiece.  The landscape is breathtaking but it is the wild life that make this a truly special place.  Winding bumpy roads took us from one encounter to another.  We viewed herds of elephants with very young playing among themselves while the adults ate from the trees before crossing within feet of our vehicle.  We witnessed the migration of the wildebeest and zebra with groups numbering in the hundreds time and time again.  We spent time watching giraffe eat from the trees and travel gracefully across the planes.  Gazelles and Impala play along the roadside, and baboons play in the trees.  The variety of birds is outstanding and they seem to pose for photos.

Lions really do climb trees and we were thrilled to find six in one tree passing he day away.  Leopards definitely live in trees and we have been lucky to find two so far.  What beautiful creatures.  A definite highlight was watching a mother lion stalk and take down a wildebeest.  Once she checked the area for any other predators she left and returned with her three young cubs and preceded to teach them how to feed from a kill.  This took place over four hours and showed the patience of the lion to get food for her young.

This truly is a magical place, the bumpy ride for hours every day is like a constant massage which I don't think would sell well at the spa but the hours fly by as one is constantly scanning the landscape to see what animal may be lurking nearby.  We cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Masai village

Elephant crossing with very young

Giraffe 

Love the face

Lion in the tree

Leopard taking a nap

Giraffe going for a ride

Mama lion and her kill

Her hungry Cubs

Baboon in the tree

Wild ostrich

Reaching high up for dinner

Hippo not in the bath tub

Tree full of lions

African adventure

With great anticipation Eric and I set off to Africa with a one night stopover in Amsterdam which was just long enough to stroll some of the canals and find some delicious crouquettes.  We landed at Kilimanjaro airport in the evening and went to our hotel in Arusha which is a city of 1.2 million people.  Having met our tour mates at the airport in Amsterdam after some nightcaps we headers to bed anxious for morning light to arrive so we could get our first good look at this new and different continent.  After breakfast we set off in two safari vehicles on a three hour drive to Lake Manyara.  We first drove through busy Arusha where the traffic seemed to go in every direction all at the same time. Brightly dressed locals went about their day many carrying loads on their heads.

As we left the city the  beauty of the landscape spread out on either side of us.  Lush African planes dotted with low wind swept trees typical of what one sees in African photos welcomed us.  All along our journey we passed small herds of cows and goats always attended by a colourfully dressed Masai grazing close to the roadside.  Set a little ways back there were occasional groupings of small round huts which are the traditional Masai homes and each a small community.  We also passed through a few small villages and markets which were alive with people and activity and a wonderful glimpse into life in this country so different than ours.

After settling into our beautiful Lake Manyara Safari Lodge and enjoying a wonderful lunch we set off for our first long anticipated first game drive.  Entering the reserve the first animal we came upon was the blue monkey.  We were all all excited to watch them playfully jump from tree to tree as we tried to get the perfect picture. A little further along and around the bend and we were all on our feet as there were two elephants just off the trail. It was truly magnificent. To see these creatures in their own habitat was something I had only dreamed about and to watch them eating away was truly amazing.  Towards the lake we came upon a large group of Cape buffalo and wildebeest ,both magnificent creaturures.  Pelicans and flamingos played amongst them making the sight even better.  Off to the side three warthogs stayed on their on perhaps avoiding the crowd.  One large wildebeest could also be seen in the distance and you wondered if it was on guard for predators.  Further on we encountered more groups of monkeys, several birds, large colourful cranes which are the national bird of Uganda and we were stopped for awhile by a large family of baboons who decided to play on the roadway.  To make our day complete we came upon three zebras feeding right beside the trail.  Breathtaking! 

As we sat outside on the deck eating dinner overlooking Lake Manyara and being serenaded by the birds and frogs Garth asked what everyone's highlight of the day was.  The whole day was outstanding but he elephants won.  When he asked if there were any tears I was the first to ease my hand.

Eric and our safari vehicle

The market

Herding the goats

My first elephant in the wild

Cape buffalo

Wildebeest 

Beautiful 

Unusual birds

Grooming monkeys

Our first glimpse