From Baboons to Simba Times Three

Sorry it’s been a few days.  I got a travel bug a few days ago and have been pretty much sleeping during all down time.  Had me worried.   Several other people in the group have had it as well. Yesterday morning we had an early morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park.  It was pretty good.  

Lake Manyara National Park covers approximately 130 square miles, is known for the flamingos that inhabit the lake. It is mostly all bush and tree vegetation.  During the wet season they inhabit the edges of the lake in flocks of thousands but they are not so present during the dry season.

More than 400 species of birds inhabit the park and many remain throughout the year. Because of this Lake Manyara is a good spot for bird watching.

Leopards, East African Lions, Cheetahs, Elephants, Blue Monkeys, Dik Dik, Gazelles, Hippos, Masai Giraffe, Impala, Zebras and many more wild animals inhabit this park and many can be seen throughout the year.  After the game drive at Lake Manyara we headed for our hotel on the rim of Ngorogoro Crater.

This morning our early morning game drive was at the bottom of Ngorogoro Crater.  It totals about 100 square miles and its inhabitants include Lions, Zebra, Wildebeest, Jackels, Hyenas, Impala, Hippos and other types of birds and wildlife.  It was pretty exciting for the four hours we were in the park.  We saw two female lions hunting Zebra but because of the lions location, the Zebra could smell their scent and moved.  They continued on and when we left the area they were watching another herd.    We headed straight for our next hotel inside Tarangire National Park after the drive.

Tree climbing lions in Tanganire National Park.  We saw these on the way to our lodge.   The mom is on an upper branch somewhat hidden by other branches.  She was hiding her head.  

Tomorrow evening starts my 20+ hour journey home.  It’s been an exhausting but exciting trip.  I’ve met some wonderful people.

Masai Mara

Masai Mara is the best known of the Kenya Game Reserves/National Parks.  It lies along the southwest border with Tanzania, bisected by the Mara River (one of the main crossings of the Wildebeest & Zebras during their annual migration from the Serengeti).  The reserve is approximately 2700 sq. km. (690 sq. miles) and is home to a large variety of wild animals.  Our group had its first game drive on Monday afternoon, seeing many animals and hundreds and hundreds of Wildebeest and Zebras.  Tuesday morning was a magnificent pre-dawn hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast, followed by an afternoon game drive.  This morning was our last game drive at the “Mara.”  This morning I got my wish.  Hope you enjoy the pictures below, especially the last one.

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge:

Masai Village Visit:

Game Drive Animals:

Tomorrow morning 11 of us fly to Tanzania for the remaining four days.  I’ve enjoyed the trip so far but am anxious to get home.