Tanzania: Serengeti National Park: Aug 13 & 14:

The Serengeti National Park is in north Tanzania and south of Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya (across the border). It covers an area of approximately 15,000 sq km (6,000 sq mil). 

The word "Serengeti" is derived from the Maasai word siringet, which means "Endless Plains". You can see below photo.

The park's diverse landscape includes vast grasslands, open woodlands, riverine forests, and isolated rock formations that rise abruptly from the surrounding flat plains. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here is a short video (virtual tour) taken on safari vans, all are Toyota Land Cruisers, 6 seaters, very rugged and can last up to 1 million KM or 600,000 miles. 

The Great Migration (April – October): The most famous spectacle in the Serengeti is the Great Migration, the largest annual animal migration in the world. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebra, and smaller herds of gazelle, circular journey in search of fresh grazing lands and water.

Wildlife and Biodiversity:

• The Serengeti is home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including all of the "Big Five" (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhinoceros, and Cape Buffalo). The park boasts one of the largest lion populations in Africa and is an excellent place to see these majestic predators in their natural habitat.

• Other notable animals include Cheetahs, spotted hyenas, hippos, warthogs, and numerous antelope species like Topi, Eland, and Impala

• Birds: More than 500 bird species

Yesterday, Aug 13, our day started with an encounter with a female Chetah and her 3 cubs.

Later we encountered Lions Pride, consisting of few lionesses and their cubs, The cubs were playing, while their mothers were resting, The Lions typically stay little further away, guarding or resting or relax by smoking cigars.

Finally we found their cubs dads, male Lion, 500 yards away, see below,

Next we found a Leopard, resting on a tree. He had hung carcass warthog high up on the tree, to protect from predators and something he could eat later.

The leopards male and female meet only once in 2 years during mating time, after that they live separately, males (like golf buddies) and females (like book/Kitty club). They prefer climbing and resting on a Sausage Tree. See a Sausage Tree below.

We then encountered few giraffes. 

We stayed in a luxurious Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge. It is on a ridge overlooking the "endless plains" of the Serengeti and its unique architecture inspired by a traditional African village.

Food at the Lodge: Every meal had at least 4 to 5 Indian variaties, such as, various types of Daals, Lobhia, Rice, Chapati/Nana, Aloo-Methi, Aloo-Gobhi, Paneer-Matter, Pau- Bhaji, Chole Bhature. I was very happy to have home style food, not spicy, not oily, just right.

Today, Aug 14, was another spectacular day. Our day started when we saw 2 lions chasing 2 water-buffaloes, but the buffalos out ran them and lions gave up.

Later we saw another pride, where 2 lions had just discovered a warthog. Warthogs hide in a burrow with their backs in and head with horns outside, They are also favorite food for Lions. The lions dug him out in front of us and then our jeep took us near the kill, the warthog was still alive and they were killing him. The Video below is gruesome, but a reality, something we saw just 20 ft way.

After the kill, the big male lions had lion's share, and then cubs joined. The female lion and an older lion were away. Anytime there is a kill/food, the pride has a pecking order.

Our day ended by watching a beautiful sunset from our room.

We saw few more animals and have posted their photos in the album.

If you wish to just see Photos, please click here: