Serengeti Day 5

Hi Everyone

After an amazing night sleep, we left this decadent palace at nine thirty and drove to a huge shopping complex that specialized in Tanzanite. Tanzanite is a stone that is only mined in Tanzania and is much rarer than diamonds.

Olivia walked around and bought some local crafts for the grandchildren. I did not partake. I do not come to Africa for the shopping and my photos are my memories. Furthermore, I bought Olivia some beautiful Masai jewelry in November.

After about ninety minutes, it was back onto the road. We drove over lush green hills and past some local Masai villages. All the villages here were made of wood and a fence encircled the village with small huts inside. Local Masai Men and boys were tending to their herds of sheeps and goats. They were all dressed in the traditional Masai way and each one carried a long spear.

We were driving towards the Serengeti. Masai are not allowed to live in the Serengeti. After passing lots of Masai villages and herders, the road opened up into a long flat plain. Then we started to see it. The migration of wildebeest and zebra. In February, over one million wildebeest and Zebra migrate together over the Serengeti. We were told that they drop over twenty four hundred offsprings per day for over three weeks. What does nature do to make the wildebeest and zebras go on this journey and only at this time of year? How big is the Serengeti? We were told it is larger than than the state of Connecticut. After a wildebeest drops a doe, it takes the doe about seven minutes to stand up and run with its mother. I had witnessed something like this in the Galapagos. I saw Grey Albatross matting on one specific island. They migrate there between May and November to mate and lay their eggs. How unique nature is. It is like these animals have a clock and nature tells them where to go and when.

Wolf eventually turned off the road and drove up to a cliff overlooking some Masai tending to their herds of sheep and goats. Two Masai women appeared and let us take pictures of them. Then some more arrived with their children. What a unique experience. Imagine in the twenty first century seeing these people tend to their animals or valuables. I would have loved to talk to them. I had so many questions to ask them. What are their lives like? Do they know of the outside world? What is important to them and what are their values? I could go on and on.

We finally reached the entrance to the Serengeti. In November, I was in the northern part near the border with Kenya. We stopped to have our box lunch at the entrance while Wolf did some paperwork.

We then drove and drove past the migrating herds of wildebeest and Zebras.

We got closer to a bunch of boulders and then we saw them. A group of young lions walking and sleeping on the boulders. We pulled over and took our time watching this spectacle. Wolf then pointed out the rock formation that was used in the Lion King. Just what I expected to see.

Our road was dirt and bumpy. Wolf finally pointed out some Mountains in the distance and said “That’s where our Camp is”.

As we were getting closer to the mountains, the light was becoming darker and then Wolf let out a yell. Standing in the road was an animal I had never seen before. Wolf said it was a Caracal Cat. He has only seen them twice in his long career. They are nocturnal and come out at dusk to hunt. They have beautiful long ears and are small. The driver of the other Jeep, Arnold, last saw one five years ago. I immediately stood up and started to click away. The Caracal eventually wandered back into the tall grass and we were on our way.

We eventually reached the Camp at around six PM. The name of the Camp is “Ole Sarai Luxury Camp”. The Camp is located near a river where hippos spend the day and come out at night to forage. Of course, we were told that we had to be escorted in the morning and at night. Olivia and myself were then taken to our home for the next three nights. Our tent was awesome. A huge bed with a separate shower and bathroom. Hot water and electricity is provided twenty four hours. Time now for a hot shower and to get ready for dinner. The boss of the Camp is a Masai man who always wears traditional Masai clothing and told us that he has reached level four of leadership of his tribe with two more levels to go. He is the youngest person to reach that level and hopes to be the head one day. He also told us that he has one wife and claimed that he will not marry again and have multiple wives.

Our escort arrived at seven and we were led to the lounge tent for some drinks and then to the dinner tent. The menu had choices of beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian. The soup was unbelievable. After finishing dinner and spending some time at the lounge, we were escorted back to our tent.

The hot air of the day turned into refreshing cool night air. No fans needed and we both covered ourselves up in our huge bed. Then the Bush symphony started. Hippos grunting, hyenas making their noises and Bush babies walking on top of our tent. The Bush I love and my amazing and beautiful wife was there to share it with me.

Love
Larry

4 thoughts on “Serengeti Day 5”

  1. Thanks for the detail Larry, makes me feel like I’m sitting beside you and Olivia on the trip!

  2. Is this a gate one discovery tour.? Larry , you don’t want to shop?
    Regards to,a Olivia.

  3. Hi Evan

    hope you and the family are well. Yes this is a Gate 1 discovery Tour

    Stay Safe
    Larry

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