Greetings from Arusha, Tanzania. I have just finished my most recent safari with my guests Kathy and Bette who are from Maryland, USA. While in the bush (February 11th to February 21st) we had a wonderful time together with some spectacular wildlife viewing especially for the predators including lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and even the rare wild dog. We stayed 3 nights at at Sametu Camp in the Central Serengeti, 3 nights at Lake Masek Tented Camp in the South Serengeti, 1 night in Ngorongoro at Lion’s Paw Tented Camp, 1 night at The Ngorongoro Manor, and lastly 2 nights in Tarangire National Park at Kikoti Tented Camp. I took some photos which I would like to share with you below:

These are my friends Bette and Kathy. We had a wonderful time for these 12 days through the whole Northern Circuit of Tanzania. We explored all the main highlights in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire National Parks. Here we are having a Bush Breakfast after an early morning game drive along Sametu Kopjes in the Central Serengeti.

The Sametu Kopje Pride devouring a buffalo kill in the Central Serengeti. We counted 30 lions hiding in the nearby shade and bushes. This kill happened the past night and we stayed with them until they completely devoured it.

After getting enough of the lions, we headed back to camp and along the way we spotted this beautiful leopard with three kills up in an acacia tree. She made our day!

The next day we were watching a beautiful family of elephants as they crossed the road right in front of our vehicle. All of sudden, we saw in the distance a pride of lions hunting zebras. It was amazing! We rushed off to see the lions taking down a zebra. We stopped in the middle of the road with action happening on both sides of us.

On the same day after having enjoyed a picnic lunch, we came across this lone lioness walking our way. We followed her as she was roaring loudly. Later on we discovered she was calling her pride mates as they started coming out of the bushes. We counted 35 lions. They turned heading back in the direction of the lone lioness. So we had to turn back, as well! We couldn’t believe what we saw. The lone lioness had made a kill and she went to call the other members of the pride to share in the food. It was an awesome moment. This was in the Seronera Valley of the Central Serengeti specifically in the Banagi area.

We stayed at the lovely Retima Hippo Pool long enough for Bette to get some really nice photos. Unfortunately, the hippos looked sad as the pool has been shrinking due to lack of rain. Kathy felt sad to see them like that. Thankfully, a few days later we had some brief showers, which were enough to fill most of the pool again.

Mother Cheetah with her three cubs on a morning game drive in the Lake Ndutu area of the South Serengeti.

Here is a beautiful shot of a herd of zebras drinking at a water hole in the Ndutu marsh area of the South Serengeti.

A spectacular Serengeti Sunset as we made our way to Lake Masek Camp in the South Serengeti.

A male lion resting very near Lake Masek Tented Camp.

A massive baboon troop at Lake Manyara National Park, which has the largest baboon troops in Africa!

Elephants in Tarangire National Park were enjoying wallowing in the mud. It also functions as a form of sun screen and helps to protect them from insects.

One of the little five – The leopard tortoise – in Tarangire National Park.

The highlight of our safari was this magnificent predator – The African wild dog. They topped our adventure as they are very rare and critically endagered. This large pack was near the Gursi Swamp in Tarangire National Park.

Thanks,

Emmanuel Kichao
ADS Driver-Guide