I just arrived back in Arusha after completing another successful safari to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Areas. We had a well planned safari itinerary for my two guests named Robert and Deborah, a lovely and friendly couple from Arizona, USA. Our first three nights in the bush were at Sametu Camp in the Central Serengeti. We had a fantastic time here and although most of the migration had already passed Seronera and the Central Serengeti we still had great sightings of all the big cat species (lion, leopard and cheetah) along with some of the larger herbivores including elephants, giraffes and hippos.
On one of our days we decided to conduct a full day adventure drive to the Gol Kopjes in the Eastern Serengeti and we found large herd of zebras but only a few scattered herds of wildebeest. Accordingly, we decided to explore further east to the very remote Nasera Rock area just outside the Serengeti and in the Eastern Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here we found the larger herds of the wildebeest migration. It was breathtaking. Some of the herds looked to be content in this area grazing while some were forming long lines and heading southwest to the Ndutu area of the Serengeti.
After departing Sametu Camp, we headed for Ndutu Lodge and the South Serengeti where we had three wonderful nights. The wildlife viewing was more diverse in this area. One of the highlights was watching a mother cheetah with five cubs that we spotted drinking from one of the inlets to Lake Ndutu.
We moved on to the famous Crater and to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge for two nights. Our early morning game drive in the crater was superb. The weather was pleasant and most of the animals were scattered over the western half of the crater flow as it was much greener. We had great photo opportunities with two black rhinos and four huge male lions walking in front of our vehicle with the morning sunlight. Perfection!
Our last two nights on safari were spent at Kikoti Camp in Tarangire National Park before heading back to Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport for my guests flight back home to the USA. The highlight in Tarangire National Park were the spectacular herds of elephants, one of the herds was almost 300 individuals. We also were lucky to spot a leopard who was in the tree away from the road. Eventually she came down from the tree, had a drink in front of our vehicle and afterwards came right up next to our vehicle! Such an amazing sight to watch from a distance and then to experience within a hand’s reach away.
The below are some of the photos I took on safari that I would like to share with you.
– A fantastic view of a yawning lioness in Seronera – Central Serengeti.
– Mother cheetah with her five cubs of about 1 month old drinking water in Lake Ndutu, South Serengeti.
– Leopard in Tarangire National Park
– Warthogs in the Central Serengeti.
– Four mane lions majestically walking in Ngorongoro Crater.
Habari za mchana from Arizona Claude. Hujambo? Hatujambo! Asante sana for a marvelous trip. Your photographs told the story. The 2500 pictures we took would not have been possible without your expert guidance and knowledge of Tanzania. I am still reviewing them and each time we choose new ones to be our favorites. However the hippo pool, the baby cheetah cubs, black rhinos, 4 male lions, the elephants including the “youngsters”, the sunset on the giraffes and the leopard that came out of the tree are memories we will never forget. It fulfilled my dreams as a youngster and more! Debi enjoyed talking about the space shuttle, NASA and the geology of Tanzania with you. Seeing the space station in the evening sky outside our Ndutu lodge was magnificent with no artificial light pollution (an added bonus). Saying tutaonana was not easy but we really hope it is baadaye. Asanteni to everyone at ADS who made our safari such a success!
Can you tell me what kind of lens was used to capture these pictures?
We used canon 100 – 400 zoom lens. Claude used a point and shot lens for the pictures above.
Am reading this mail its Mchana here in Tanzania so,habari ya mchana nzuri sana and am so exited to see the kiswahili that you have,hatujambo wote hapa Arusha we thank god for every thing.sorry to get on your coment now but yes,How amazing has been,really enjoyed been with you guys and speaking about how much and fantastic observations,that was Incredible.I believe TUTAONANA….