First time Tanzania

I was in Tanzania in early June, where I began attending the KiliFair. That’s a very large trade show focused on the safari business. Seen a lot of tour operators, accommodations and many more businesses. Followed by a short safari and if that becomes a preview for the trip I will take later this year, I can’t wait!

Serengeti National Park

We flew to the Serengeti from Arusha, mainly to save time. There we were met by the guide from Lion King Adventures with a drink. In the car (named Mufasa) we immediately began a game drive, which is what it is called when you drive through a game park in search of animals. Within minutes we found our first leopard in a tree, not much later a second and a little later still a lion sleeping in a tree and two young male lions playing in the wet grass. We also got a heavy downpour over us, just the tail end of the rainy season, but that too gives nice pictures. All before lunch, so that was a good first session.

After lunch we drove on in search of more beautiful pictures in the Serengeti. Those endless plains are particularly beautiful. As far as you can see, you can see grass and animals in the distance. We did see animals here and there up to several kilometers away from us with the naked eye.

So we saw several animals, including giraffes, elephants, baboons, several birds, more leopards and a lioness who was visibly interested in one of the giraffes on the plains.

In search of The Great Migration

During our second day, we went in search of The Great Migration, the phenomenon in which thousands, perhaps millions, of wildebeest migrate in search of fresh grass and water. They are accompanied by zebras and gazelles, which in turn ensures that predators can always be found as well.

After about four hours of driving we had found them, as far as you could see only wildebeest (in English Wildebeest). There we also saw some vultures taking care of a fresh carcass of a wildebeest, so there were predators around. But especially beautiful to see the vultures trying to eat the carcass.

Ngorongoro Crater

After two days, we left the Serengeti and drove to Ngorongoro Crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera with many different animals in it. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area offers a unique safari experience in a beautiful setting where you can always see the crater rim.

Along the way we saw a beautiful lioness sleeping peacefully on the volcanic rock, a photo that earned me the spotlight of the week at DigifotoPRO. A few jackals, elephants, lots of flamingos, running zebras and some birds again. This time an augur-buzzard, Kori trap (Kori Bustard – heaviest flying bird in Africa) and ostriches. Enormously enjoyed this beautiful environment with the wildlife found in it.

Hiking safari in Lake Manyara

I concluded the safari with a walking safari at Lake Manyara. Accompanied by our armed guide Syoboke, we walked through the African wilderness. On the way to the picnic area, where the hike began, we saw several blue monkeys sitting in the trees. A very different environment that the days before, what a diversity! We also saw beautiful colored birds again and one of the Small Five, the Antlion.