Following the Kilimanjaro hike was the 5 day long safari. We were again in the lap of nature but in the kingdom of wild. As visitors in the various national parks that we went to over the course of five days, we maintained the one and only decorum – not to step out of the vehicle at any time except when in the picnic area and camp.

Day 1-It was Lake Manyara National Park where we were on Day 1. On the way to the park from Arusha, we saw the world famous Masai tribe and their dwellings. Our very friendly and knowledgable safari guide Godson Mellisa made the ride even more interesting by showing and telling us facts and folklore about everything we saw during our drive. The photographs would do more justice than the written description about what we saw.

Day 2-We left the park around sunset and went to Karatu where we stayed just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area(NCA). Next morning after a good breakfast, we got our permits to enter NCA at the gate. After driving down for around 45 mins we were near the entrance of the crater area. On the way we saw giraffes, the Masai cattle and flat topped Albizia trees.The Savanna vegetation against the blue sky with few acacia trees strewed around gave such a surreal picture. It was a very exciting day.

Day 3-After spending the night at the beautiful Rhino Lodge, we headed to the Serengeti National Park in the morning. Serengeti means endless plains and indeed it held to its name. On the way we saw giraffes, gazelles, zebras etc.

Day 4-We went for a morning game drive before sunrise after spending the night in the Kisura Serengeti Mobile camp(which was a lux camp in many ways) in the park. One could hear the hyenas and elephants in the night. Within the camp area we were always accompanied by escorts who carried weapons. After breakfast, we headed to see the cats again before we left the park around noon to enter the northern part of Serengeti National Park after a four and a half hour drive through dirt road. ON the way we got to see rural Tanzania. It was lush green vegetation.

Day 5-After spending the night in the Serengeti Wilderness Camp next to Mara river, we went to see the only mammalian migration on earth. Wildebeest are funny animals. That morning we got lucky twice with the river crossing. We spent the afternoon going further north to the Tanzania-Kenya border. We went to the copies(area with big stones on the rolling hills) to view some lions. And we finally saw a kill. The day ended very well. Next morning, we were leaving for Zanzibar.

Day 6-We woke up around 6:00 am to excitement filled noise coming from the reception area. When we went out to find out what was happening, the camp staff asked up to jump in a vehicle to see the river crossing taking place next to the camp. We got lucky the third time.

After the eventful morning, we rushed to the airstrip in the park to go to our next destination. So many species of animals living together in a delicate ecosystem was truly a treat to the soul and the eyes.

Our safari was arranged by http://www.calabashadventures.com

At every step they took care of us and made sure our transit and stay was smooth. They even provided us with binoculars, books on wildlife in the vehicle. We would love to go with them next time as well.

Things to carry:

1) Sun screen, sun glasses, hat
2) scarf, light jacket
3)bug repellant
4)comfortable clothing preferably wicking
5)notebook and a pen
6)binoculars, camera,battery, memory cards

In the mobile camps, we got 20 liters of water per day per person for bathing. So be cautious.:)

The Masai tribe and their animals

Masai market

Mommy and Baby Baboon

Manyara National Park -Red Billed Quelas

African Grey Hornbill

Blue Monkey

Blue Balled Monkey

Blue Balled Monkey

Posing while having fun

Impala

Grey headed kingfisher

Male Baboon – the big boss

Marabou Stork

Superb Starling

Yellow billed Stork with Pelicans and Hippos

Egyptian Goose

Black winged stilt

Birds

Blacksmith Lapwing

Male of Impala

Ms Tanzania -Masai Giraffe

Birds in flight

Pied Kingfisher

Tembo

Harem of Impalas

Banded Mongoose

Manyara National Park-Bushbuck

Grant’s Gazelle at Ngorongoro Crater

Wildebeest posing

Wildebeest with their friends Zebras- Zebra with their good eye sight warn them of any predators

Female Ostrich – they incubate the eggs during day because the color of their feathers provides an effective camouflage in the savanna

Male Ostrich – they incubate the eggs during night because the color of their feather provides an effective camouflage in the darkness of the night

Relaxing Female Simba- so well camouflaged!

Simba

Secretary Bird – they can kill snakes

Here comes the king

Marking his territory

Grant’s Gazelle

Wildebeest in their breeding grounds at Ngorongoro crater after a long journey from kenya

Lazy Hippos

African Sacred Ibis

Yellow Billed Kite

Helmetted Guinea Fowl

Spotted Hyena sneaking among Wildebeest

The pride of a Warthog

Elephant with one tusk

Teenagers in a row

No one is ready to give up

Thomson Gazelle alarmed by the Spotted Hyena

Golden Jackal on a stroll

Gray Crowned Crane in flight together

Birds -Lesser Flamingoes

Common Eland(biggest antelope) not in a mood to pose

Zebras with Wildebeests

Beautiful Cinnamon chested Bee-eater

Common Fiscal Shrike

Strangler Fig Tree

How does it taste Mr. Blue Balled Monkey?

Busy working

Don’t mess with me

Do not Disturb us

Bird’s eye view of the Ngorongoro Crater

Masai men herding their cattle on the way to Serengeti

Superb Starling – we saw many of them

White Rumped Helmet Shrike

Scarlet Chested Sunbird

The Sausage Tree

Grey Heron

I am watching you

Reed Buck

Female simbas looking for their prey

Be ware Gazelles

Gazelles drinking water after grazing

coming closer to the lion’s hideout

one more step close

very close to the hideout

someone sensed danger

Can you spot the lion?

slowly coming back for water

First one is out

second one is waiting for her moment

The second one is out

closing in from both sides

Almost there

Gazelle’s run faster than lions, they are second only to Leopards

There’s always a next time

Pissed off cat after a failed hunt

so many hippos :D

Topi standing tall on a termite hill

Natal Red Duiker

Cheetah under a tree

Mommy Cheetah with her new babies

A cheetah is not a true cat

Lazy Leopard

So you woke me up?

What’s up?

Savoring the Zebra head

Happy after feasting on Zebra

Baby Python

Male Ostrich dancing for his love

Mating

Tawny Eagle atop the Acacia tree

Gray Buck Shrike with its prey

Lilac Breasted Roller

Brown Snake Eagle

Spotted Hyena on an early morning hunt

Beautiful African Sunrise

Black Backed Jackal

Zebras sleep while standing

Can’t take my eyes off you

Our tent in Central Serengeti

Our escort at the camp – Masai man

Family

Long Crested Eagle ready for flight

I am bored

Need some stretch

We are family

Martial eagle – difficult to spot one

Affection

Zebras in North Serengeti National Park

Enjoying each other’s company

Black Backed Jackal beautifully posing

Leopard Tortoise

Vultures

Agama Lizard

Wildebeest waiting to cross the river

Took the plunge

1, 2, 3…GO!

If one jumps, rest follow

After crossing the Mara River successfully

Yeah! I did it.

Where is our family? Did they cross ?

Cinnamon Chested Bee-Eater

Baby Elephant posing

Don’t mess with me!

The hungry Crocodile in the Mara river

Saddle Billed Stork

Just arrived from Kenya

Border pillar between Tanzania and Kenya

Those hills are in Kenya

Can you see the elephants?

I am not talking to you

Rock Hyrax

Rock Hyrax again

Bufffaloes

Those Wildebeests who have already migrated

Lion cub

hungry

Looking out

Another one next morning

Look they are running in a line

Marabou Stork -company matters

And if one decides not to cross and turns back….others follow

From stranger to friend

Our camp

Ride for the next destination