The staff was great and gave us a great sendoff!
So back on the road again with Alladin at the wheel. I think the crack in our windshield is growing!
I'm not sure if I told you or not, but "serengeti" means wide endless plain. It goes for miles and miles and is filled with so many different birds and animals it is hard to do justice to everything we have seen. Along the way to the Visitor's Center near the exit to the park we spotted this lone Cape Buffalo.
Wildebeest migrating - you can see the video here https://youtu.be/9C3YYE0qrMA
Native to the savannas of Africa and commonly found in the Serengeti, the whistling thorn tree is a tall (up to 18 feet), swollen-thorn acacia. Its hardy, termite-proof wood can be used to make tool handles and fencing, or for kindling; and the gum is sometimes collected for use as glue. The bulbs on them are hollow and when the wind blows, it sounds like it is whistling.
We spotted some topis along the way, too.
At the Visitor's Center this young man gave us about a 40 minute presentation explaining about the different tribes from the area, the park's history, animal migration, and a short walk around the area. It was interesting and we all wished we had more time there.
The "Big Five" are the Cape Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, and Elephant. Why? you may ask. They are considered the most dangerous. We learned there are also the "Little Five." Africa's little five safari animals include the elephant shrew, ant lion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver and the leopard tortoise.
We also saw more of the agama lizards.
More of the hyrax were on the rocks.
There were also some banded mongoose at the visitor's center.
We were soon back on the road heading out of the park. At the entrance, Alladin had to go inside and check out and then we were on our way.
The road is dusty and rough. We all got very good at quickly closing the windows when another vehicle goes by!
We spotted a brown snake eagle up in a tree and then went by large areas that were black from controlled burns.
At one place we stopped because there was a bird in the road and it wasn't moving. As we got closer, it did fly off and we discovered it was a vulture which had a dead white-tailed mongoose.
These African white-backed vultures and maribu storkc had something they were all feasting on!
Southern Ground Hornbill
I'm not sure what this bird is but it might be a barbet.
Before long the vegetation and scenery changed and we wer near the Grumeti River where we spotted crocodiles, hippos, monitor lizards, babboons, and a variety of birds.
Hippos
This spillway used to be the bridge across the river. We spotted many of the animals and birds in this area.
Babboons getting a drink
Hammerkop bird near the water
Fish eagle
Crocodiles
Did I tell you that we saw elephants today? Yes we did!
We had lunch at an airstrip today and watched as a plane landed and picked up three passengers. The runway is gravel and we thought it took a very long time before it lifted off the ground! I'm not sure I would want to fly in - although the roads are rough and it would be quicker!
There were little critters around our lunch spot.
Barbet bird
Swallows
Blue Social Weaver
They do the controlled burns to promote new plant growth for many of the animals.
We were soon on a paved road and heading to Serenity on the Lake, our lodge for the night. It's a beautiful property and had peacocks - 24 of them! No, peacocks are not native to Africa. The owner of the lodge was from India and had them imported. They are Tobey and our granddaughter's bird, so he was happy!
Our room had a view of Lake Victoria!
View from our porch
Sunset on Lake Victoria
View from our porch
Sunset on Lake Victoria
We had a "nature walk" around the property with one of the waiters after we arrived. He pointed out some of the different plants and birds. It was interesting, but 30 minutes was plenty! We had a delicious dinner. Tobey tried the Masaii steak which came with an cooked egg on top. I had the fresh fried fish (whole). Both were served with lots of vegetables, soup, and dessert. Tomorrow we head out to Masai Mara.
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