Central Serengeti - the Seronera - Safari days 4 & 5

Day 4 - Central Serengeti - Kiota camp

Standing in front of one of the hippo pools where we had lunch.
I wasn't real fond of turning my back for the photo. This is not
a zoo. There may have been 40-50 Hippos here.

Our first 3 days in the Northern Serengeti were really beyond words.Chaka Camp staff pampered us so much during our 3 night stay. I'm tellin ya, the food in these tented camps set up in the middle of nowhere, is fantastic. The "bucket showers" after each day out on safari were so welcoming. They manage somehow to give you a warm and even hot shower whenever you want it. Wow just wow. There's even great wifi in the group gathering areas. We were so impressed with the staff at Chaka Camp and the perfect location on a hill with it's breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

Saying good-bye at Chaka camp with some of the staff

Today however, we are leaving Chaka and heading to the Seronera region in the Central Serengeti. The name of our camp is the Kiota camp and is a sister camp of Chaka. We're already briefed and ready to go - we are pros now. :-) To get to Central, it was about a 3 hour drive with the shortcut. We exited the Serengeti park, drove through local villages and then re-entered the park in the Central Serengeti. The culture and nature of the average villages are just amazing - all so similar to our time with our sponsored kids in Musoma and Shirate.

Enjoy the pictures from day 4 of our Safari.

Nothin like a very cold Serengeti in the middle
of the Serengeti (Bia Baridi)!

White headed buffalo bird

DikDik

Don't even think of messing with me

Yes - those are all elephants

Cover your mouth! Seriously! This is a money shot - way to wait for it Kathy!

Starling

 

The last 2 pictures are truly miraculous. In this beautiful creation from God, we witnessed another beautiful creation. Yes, this trip has done nothing but solidify our belief in an intelligent designer, a Creator. The beauty, practicality, intuitive nature of the creation and daily interaction of the entire system could never have happened by accident. We have video of the entire birth of the zebra to walking. This process probably only took 10 minutes, Astonishing.

Yes, the Ku De Ta to the day - just happening across a live brith of a new baby Zebra as we were almost back at camp.

About 2 minutes after birth - still partly in the amniotic sac.

Home sweet home for  2 nights.

Ahhh what a day. Time for a hot "bucket shower", some fantastic dinner and rest so we can do it all over again tomorrow... Hmm I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Day 5 - Central Serengeti - Kiota camp

Good morning Serengeti! Everyday is filled with such anticipation. What might we see today? Hmm. We got a very early start today. We were on Safari by 6:30 am. The park hours are 6am - 6pm. When I say park, I mean the National Park protected by the country of Tanzania. Serengeti means "endless plain" and let me tell you it takes many, many hours to drive from the northern to southern Serengeti.

Well today turned out to be "cat" day and I dubbed it "Kathy's day" because she saw the one thing she really dreamed of seeing on safari. Look through the pictures to figure this one out. Again enjoy Kathy's awesome pics. The videos will come later on YouTube after editing, etc...

Thirsty anyone... I'd suggest you wait your turn

The day started out with a bang - BAM! - we came across a huge pride of lions - 17 in all. They were crossing this stream and all took a drink after their long night of hunting. They walked right in front of our Land cruiser and headed off to find a place to unwind and relax for the day. Wow - just Wow!

These two males - part of the same Pride - decided they wanted the same female and went at it - yes they drew blood!

When will the humans leave my big shade tree?

Ride anyone?

Come swim with me ..... please

Grey blue Heron

Warthog

Male Ostrich

Uh oh - I think there are lions over there.....

Do not, I repeat do not mess with one of these - Hyena

The elusive Cheetah - how beautiful!!

OK - you made it this far and you now know Kathy's dream animal to see on Safari - the Cheetah. Yes - this was Kathy's Day and let me tell you she was 'cheezin'! I'm happy for you babe!