Morning on the deck a Marera Valley Lodge. Off to the Serengeti!
Typical street scenes along the way
Typical street scene along the way
Michael found Savanna's for Kathy!
These little cars were everywhere. Kathy wants one for home.
To get the the Serengeti we have to go through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We will explore this area later, on the way back to Arusha.
Welcome (Karibu) to Ngorongoro. Baboons trying to get into the safari vehicles.
Overlook at Ngorongoro.
One of the other visitors took our photo - he saw us trying to take a selfie. Many people at the overlook. We drove by this area several more times and it was empty.
Entering the Serengeti
East African Wolf, according to iNaturalist. I thought it was a common jackal.
Agama
Rufous-tailed Weaver. I have a couple lousy photos of the reddish tail.
Nile grass rat
Nile grass rat
This rock formation was the inspiration for The Lion King.
Lion just sleeping in the road.
He may have eaten recently. Enjoying the shade.
Can you spot the leopard?
Up close African Leopard. The crossed legs usually signals a male, as they are trying to protect the family jewels.
We ate lunch at a small airstrip that is rarely used. Hard boiled eggs were included in many of the boxed lunches. Michael would pack up what we didn't eat and give it to the helpers are each of the rest areas.
Savanna - Kathy's drink of choice.
At the airstrip.
Speckle-fronted Weaver
Speckle-fronted Weaver
Serengeti National Park Visitor's Center. They offer short tours and have displays about some of the local wildlife.
Elephant skull - honeycombed to reduce weight.
Lots of leg bones
Grey-capped Social-Weaver
We spent some time at the visitor center while Michael was having repairs made to the vehicle - the rough roads caused some damage to the shocks/struts. No wonder - the roads are very, very bumpy.
Hyrax - probably bush hyrax. Cute.
Hyrax, probably bush hyrax.
Topi, or Tsessebe. They say this one is made of spare parts too with the patches of color.
Topi patches
Dark Chanting-Goshawk. Stunning birds.
The view from our room at Lahia Tented Lodge. There was one other couple onsite the first night, we were alone the second and third nights.
Clearly we are roughing it. Staff split the bed into two for us while we were at dinner.
Lovely bath area
With an outdoor shower. Had to chase away some birds and lizards before using it.
Tangawizi enjoying the view.