The wilderness of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

From Amboseli we drove to the border with Tanzania, Namanga, and onto Arusha where we had a delicious lunch.  Onward we flew to the Serengeti and over the active volcano, Ol Donyo Lengai; three spectacular volcanoes in two weeks!

 As we drove to our camp we came across two old bull elephants who were wrestling and play fighting with each other.

The wildebeest migration is massed on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti.  We found this large group crossing an arm of Lake Ndutu despite the danger of their young calves when they could have easily walked around.  We saw one poor calf which was left behind, exhausted from wading through the mud and chest high water.

The next morning we found a troup of baboon basking in the warm sunlight before they descend for their breakfast.

After searching all safari we found our... elusive leopard on our way to catch our charter back to Arusha on the last day of our safari.  Nothing like keeping it to the last minute!

Amboseli and the Kisongo Maasai

Flying by charter and flew close to a newly snow covered Mount Kenya.

Our first morning in Amboseli and our private Ker & Downey Safaris preserve were we work so closely with the Maasai and we had a fabulous view of Mount Kilimanjaro!

That morning we were invited by our Maasai friends to watch them tap blood from a cow using a special bow and arrow.  Most of us tried the fresh blood for breakfast!  Amazing to think that in the 21st Century a way of life like this still exists!

We visited Esiteti Primary School which will soon be retired for the new buildings we have helped to build for the Maasai.

And what better way to finish our day but to watch the Maasai throw their spears and have a few lessons too....

People have asked us if the Maasai dress like this and take part in our "Maasai Olympics" for our guests....  As you can see they have such a great time that we are just part of the scenery!

Lewa Downs

Onto Lewa Downs by car from Meru; an interesting drive with a much better understanding of rural Africa!  Lewa has already had good rains, it was lovely and green with lots of wildlife.  With the rain comes our 'African spring' with birds courting each other and nest building.  The male Lilac breasted roller brought a gift of a grasshopper to his mate before they settled on the top of their favourite perch above their nest hole.

There were many elephant on Lewa with Mount Kenya in the background it was a beautiful sight to see!

This young female showed us how big she is to stop us from getting closer to her!

The two young cubs who were orphaned last October have been hunting for themselves despite being too young to be very experience in hunting.  So far they have been successful, earning our respect and admiration.

We found a white rhino with her calf down by the river drinking among herds of zebra, elephant, waterbuck and warthog.

Meru, great to return!

Meru was looking stunning before the rains, still dry but in great shape!  Showers had put down the dust a little before we flew into the Park and on our first evening we were delighted to see a male cheetah.  He was totally unconcerned by us, walking around and marking his territory.

The next morning we set out early to find a very large herd of buffalo.  As they smelt us they stampeded putting up dust and cattle egrets.

In the cool of the Rogerewo Rriver a pod of Hippo watched us keeping a wary eye on the human visitors.

Our camp was up in the shade of some tall 'yellow fever' trees where we were surrounded by troops of baboon, more buffalo and elephant.  It is always great to return to Meru National Park!