Crossing into the Serengeti

We bumped our way out of Ngorongoro crater towards the Serengeti. Once again, the journey itself was unforgettable. We passed one Maasai village after another, some bigger than others but all with similar round thatched huts built in a circle protected by high walls of sharp acacia branches. Along the way, we saw Maasai men and children walking their cows and goats in search of green pastures and water holes. And right nearby zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, giraffes roamed around grazing. The lions, cheetahs and leopards wouldn’t be too far away either. 

One of the many Maasai villages dotted along the way from Ngorongoro to Serengeti.

The modern gumboots wearing warrior.

Grazing land of the Maasai 

Which is also the feeding ground of the giraffes.

Towering over the acacia trees that they feed on.

Fetching water is hard work in these blazing hot conditions. Taking a break under the shade of this huge tree with their buddies.

Road to the Serengeti 

What a sight to greet us! 

What a beautiful creature. 

Where bubs is, Mum is never far away.

Eyes always on her little one.

The cheetah’s tear mark face is what differentiates it from the leopard. 

 Curious Banded Mongoose

Crowding protectively around their injured friend. Unfortunately they couldn’t help and had to leave him behind.

Bedtime for these 

Time to head home as the sun starts to set.

Our home for the night. Kubu-Kubu Lodge. Incredibly luxurious lodge right in the middle of the Serengeti. With no electric fence surrounding the camp, we were literally living next to Africa’s wildlife, although the hotel staff assured us that our brave Maasai warriors would protect us from the animals. Still it was pretty scary walking back in the pitch black night after dinner and seeing the glimmering eyes of hyenas less than a few feet from us.  

Unforgettable. A family of migrating elephants right infront of us. We counted almost 70 of them. We were told that these elephants were following the clouds and rain. Where there is rain, there will be green pastures. 

Sunrise... Another 6am start

Our Maasai protectors. “Do not walk around camp alone. Always have our Maasai warriors accompany you to your room” (hotel policy)!

Kinyonga (chameleon in Swahili). Our home in the Serengeti. One very grumpy kid. We didn’t know at that time but this poor little girl was feeling rather sick.