[It has been so long since I’ve blogged because I have had these Africa pictures hanging over my head. John took over 6,000 photos and that is an insane amount of pictures to weed through. I think I may have gotten it down to a manageable (and interesting) few.]
Although there wasn’t a moment of our trip that wasn’t amazing, the wide open spaces and the golden grass of the Serengeti is really something special. We were also lucky enough to be there for the great migration. For those who don’t know, the great migration consists of about 700,000 zebra followed by 1.5 million wildebeest, and then about 500,000 gazelle. Essentially they are on a continuous, clockwise, year long migration following good grazing conditions. Around about August the wildebeest are in the Serengeti crossing over the Mara River into the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Click on the pictures to really get a good look.
The Lake Manyara airstrip was short and went right up to a cliff. Suddenly the ground wasn’t there. All the the little planes we took to various little airstrips made me think of a Nevil Shute novel.Those extra tires aren’t just for show.Right near our camp a line of wildebeest pass in a seemingly endless stream.Sitting here at night offered a great view of the stars. There was also staff with crossbows to make sure nothing wild ate us.On the way to our tent.The view from our tent.Yes, that is right, our tent. It had a flushing toilet.Nice spot in the shade.I love the wide open spaces.The wildebeest were everywhere.We saw large groups of elephants but I like these shots.So amazing.Mom and baby.A marker for the Tanzania/Kenya border.Afternoon game drive.A fresh wildebeest lunch.Looking for a better bite.No doubt he enjoyed his scones with strawberry jam.Sunset on the first night.Love the golden grass.Toward the start of a wildebeest crossing. They start to congregate along the edge of the river and eventually one of them gives it a go, then the rest of them follow.They will follow each other but then one or two start another line.Always a few zebra mixed in.Getting to the tail end of this crossing. You can see off into the distance how those further back are like “hey they’re going, let’s not miss it…”What it looks like on the other side.StragglersLook at that baby. Happily the crocs were full and didn’t try to eat anything.The start of a second, much larger crossing downstream about 30 minutes after the first one.Reminds me of those terracotta warriors in China.Chaos.I love how the zebra is a neck above the wildebeest.The sound was a bit like buzzing bees with the occasional cow-like sound.The zebras tended to drink a bit before they crossed over.Defying gravity.Keeping my eye out for predators.Aww.Seriously click on this. They go on for ever.Kids.Afternoon snooze.Youngish boy.We were on our way to the airstrip to head off to Kenya when we ran into his leopard.
These photos you’ve been sharing – Wow! They are amazing and your trip looks beyond amazing. Thanks so much for sharing – those photos are beautiful and I love just flipping through them all.
Those photos are breathtaking. How close were you to the lions? I’m guessing John has a super-zoom lens. And I that photo of the wildebeest — it just goes on and on. I’m trying to imagine it in real life.
John does have a pretty good telephoto lens, but there were times when the lions were within about 20 feet. One of them in Ngorongoro Crater walked about two feet away from another one of the vehicles parked ahead of us.
hogglestock 
Wow. Looks like a wonderful trip.
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These photos you’ve been sharing – Wow! They are amazing and your trip looks beyond amazing. Thanks so much for sharing – those photos are beautiful and I love just flipping through them all.
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Thank You for sharing your amazing Africa journey. I want to go!!! Please thank John too – his photos are beautiful and inspiring.
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Those photos are breathtaking. How close were you to the lions? I’m guessing John has a super-zoom lens. And I that photo of the wildebeest — it just goes on and on. I’m trying to imagine it in real life.
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John does have a pretty good telephoto lens, but there were times when the lions were within about 20 feet. One of them in Ngorongoro Crater walked about two feet away from another one of the vehicles parked ahead of us.
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Wonderful pictures….It has been a year since my visit to Serengeti and your pics filled me with nostalgia. Hope you had a great time.
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