We left Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge and headed toward the crater for a two night stay at the Ngorongoro Farm House. Just as we were heading out Michael spotted a caracal crossing the road. We stopped and waited for him/her to come out of the tall grass. What a beautiful cat! We also saw our first cheetah, who posed nicely for me. Then just as we exited from the Serengeti gate, five lions were spotted a short distance from the road drinking from some puddles. Again, amazing.
At lunch we spotted the first and only woodpecker – the one time I didn’t have my camera on me. Kathy took some photos. Based on observations at the time, we think it was a Cardinal Woodpecker.
Michael spotted this caracal as it crossed the road. We waited for bit to see if it would wander out where I could get a photo - and he/she did just that.
Caracal - very distincive ear markings.
Caracal - and distinctive profile
Marabou stork
Cheetah. I took many photos of the field trying to spot the cheetah. It was beyond were I could se clearly. Finally he/she got up to look around and it caught a photo. It was a day full of big cats - my favorites.
Spotted hyena - this one looks relatively free from flies.
Three male and two female lions took some time to drink from puddles near the road. I think there was a water pump station nearby and the puddles were runoff.
One of the lionesses
Beautiful cat!
The three males were there first, and then the two females joined in.
Sometimes they make funny (or seems that way) faces.
The lioness is either very well fed or pregnant.
Black-backed Jackal - lousy photo but enough for an ID
This is the only woodpecker we spotted. I heard it first and didn't have my camera with me - stupid.
Based on our observations at the time, and less the photos, we think it is a cardinal woodpecker.
Sadly, the photos are not good enough for an ID through iNaturalist.
This is the main lodge area at the Ngorongoro Farm House. Tagawizi enjoyed her stay.
This lodge is also a working farm and coffee plantation. They supply goods to the other lodges that are part of the same chain. The flowers were stunning.
Outdoor restaurant area. The smoke kept the bugs away, but I didn't really like the smell.
We were in the Bundi lodge, which is Swahili for Owl. Seemed appropriate.
The room was lovely, but the colors a bit odd.
Not sure about the colors in the bathroom but the hair dryer worked.
Sunset from our deck.
Dinner on the veranda. My typical grimace.
