Serengeti

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Feeling better today.  It always takes a while to get acclaimated to a new place and moving everyday does present its challenges in that regard.  We are in Serengeti for three nights.  So the first thing we did yesterday when we got to our tent was to jump in the shower and wash all the clothes we've been wearing for the last week.  It was wonderful seeing all that dust and dirt go down the drain.  Most things were dry by morning.

This morning's game drive was simply wonderful. The Serengeti is a truly magnificent place. So grab a snack and a cup of coffee, there a lot of pictures here because you just can stop at one! Since we have already seen the "Big Five" - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, African (cape) buffalo - we were under no pressure to go speeding off from place to place.  When we were able to just sit and watch and enjoy as the animals went about their lives.  The giraffes were first, then the baboons, next the impala harem - all ladies and one male.  We stayed at the Hippo Hilton for quite a while.  What a sight.  We have never seen so many hippos. Well we were all truly awed but wait there was more.... a small herd of female elephants came right into our path and crossed the road right through jeeps.  I could have reached out and touched one.  

The hunt was on for the elusive cats.  Gila took us to where the Kopj rocks.  Kopj is Swahili for head.  This is where the leopards and lions bring their young and hide them among the rock formations.  We ran into a traffic jam waiting for a mother leopard and her cubs to appear. Didn't stick around. We left and found a lone lioness up among the rocks.  Moved on and found ourselves right in the middle of a Cape Buffalo migration. Came upon two big male lion brothers which were a stone's throw from the jeep. Last but not least, we were the first jeep at a leopard sighting. Could have watched him for hours.  Heading back we we saw the jeeps still lined up to find that momma leopard. They don't know what they are msising.

Back to the ranch for lunch and a short break before heading out this afternoon.  By the way, there are plenty of tsetse flies in this part of the Serengeti.  Not supposed to wear blue or black (oops!).  So far no bites, hope it stays that way.  Later....

The flies were annoying this afternoon.  But we managed to be entertained by the all popular baboons,
elephants, and giraffes and others.  Oh, and we ran into some ostriches - grey is female and the black is male.  We went on the hunt for six lions taking a walk but never found them.  And, there was lots of more two story activity.  We have decided it must be mating season. 

Arrived back just in time for a quick shower and then dinner.  The drive back got a bit dicey. It rained while we were on safari and it was quite muddy.  The jeep was slip sliding all over the place.  Gila did a great job reining it in and getting us back safely.

A side note, Jerry asked what the name of the tortoise is -- it is a leopard tortoise.

Tomorrow we go back out for an all day safari. 

Next time.. Serengeti Day 2