Serengeti National Park

Serengeti has wide open expanses of grasslands with rock islands and forests, where we found our only two leopards of the trip. Out on the plains there were thousands of gazelles and many warthogs, giraffes, and elephants, along with two serval cats, many lions, and two cheetahs. We were lucky enough to witness a lion hunting a buffalo, and many hippos. You must sleep at the tented camp, where there is breathtaking views, hot chocolate, and a comfortable place to sleep. At night, a massive herd of wildebeest ran past our tent, along with hyenas on the prowl. This was a very neat experience.

It was here that we saw cheetahs, as well as lions hunting but our most memorable site was watching two giraffes boxing in slow motion with their heads! The Katikati Camp was very nice in all respects. Amusing having the elephant right outside our tent door and not an inconvenience that he broke the plumbing. I especially enjoyed seeing the hyena's eyes while being walked back from dinner.
Our final sunset in the Serengeti displayed extraordinary God's Rays. Many of the animals had already migrated so the numbers were down, but there was a variety and they were easy to spot with the low grass.

Once in a lifetime through the Serengeti

No visit to Tanzania would be complete without a visit to one of the most famous parks in the world: The Serengeti. Located within the northern reaches of Tanzania the Serengeti is an expanse of land that is home to hundreds of thousands of animals. Here you will have a chance to view the Big 5, if you're lucky. I chose to visit the Serengeti on a 5-day, 4-night Safari after a climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro. I used the company Popote African Safaris, based out of Moshi. I can highly recommend this company for both the safari as well as the climb. The owner, Sabino, was always happy to answer my questions about everything that would take place, and also allowed me the flexibility to customize my tour so that it would meet my needs, rather than their needs.

My 5 day safari began with a very long drive from Moshi to Tarangire National Park, home to the Baobob trees. Also famous for having one of the highest population densities of elephants in Tanzania, it is surely not to be missed. Everywhere you looked there were family groups of elephants. As an elephant lover, I just found it to be one of the best places ever. As I was the only person in my group (besides my guide) I was free to stay and watch the animals for as long as I liked. Other animals seen within the park included, a lion pride, zebras, giraffe, numerous species of birds (including the Lilac Crested Roller), and numerous types of hooved animals (waterbuck, gazelle, etc). The weather was sunny and warm, but not hot.

From Tarangire we traveled along the Ngorogoro Crater rim to the Serengeti National Park. The first day through the park is spent as a wildlife safari as you drive through the dirt roads (read: bumpy, dusty, awesome) to the camping site (or other, if you chose higher class accommodations). Along the way to the camping site was saw various animals, including lion, cheetah, a family of leopards, a couple of elephants, hippo, giraffe, ostrich, hyena, dik-dik, vervet monkeys, cape buffalo, baboon, topi, wildebeest, etc). Sometimes, because of the size of the park and the time of the year - depending upon which end of the great migration you end up in Tanzania - the park can seem almost devoid of animals. At one point we drove 20-30 minutes without seeing any animals. Though, I have to say, it didn't matter. I was in the Serengeti.

Camping was a great experience. Although I had camped before in Namibia & Botswana, this was still a great experience. In your campsite you're likely to meet many other travelers, all with a common goal. The food was amazing each night and plentiful. From soups, pastas, rice dishes, meats, fruit, etc. Amazing food.

Day 3 of my safari was in the Serengeti. It was a great experience on this day because most groups are only doing a 3 or 4 day safari and so they are headed back towards the Ngorogoro Crater while the rest of us get to travel deeper in to the Serengeti. I counted just 4 other safari vehicles for about 5 hours this day. Here we were able to find many groups of lions and some cheetahs, again some more leopards (I think I was really lucky with the big cats), and many other animals. At one point, my guide decided that as it was just the 2 of us, he was going to take us off roading just a little bit (which is not technically allowed) but he had found a pride of lions just laying in the grass and he wanted me to get to see them really up close. I'll be honest that I did get a little lion fatigue by the end of it. I think I counted about 15-16 prides of lions we saw on the first and second day in the Safari. Though my National Geographic moment did happen also where we watched a lion & lioness mating ... every 10 minutes ... until she's no longer receptive. It's a sight to behold and I'll always cherish my moment of lion porn.

On the 4th day after a couple of hours in the morning through the park we made our way towards the gate to the Serengeti and onwards to the Ngorogoro Crater. As we were leaving there was a safari vehicle parked on the side of the road with a flat tire. We stopped to see if they needed any help, but they were OK. What struck me as odd was that all of the occupants (Tanzanians) were out of the car walking around. There's no way I would ever be in the bush walking around and for good reason. As we headed down the road further, not more than a quarter mile, we came across a pride of lions who were tracking the broken down car. I pointed this out to my driver who made a quick U turn and headed back to warn them. Now, had this been me I would have immediately jumped into the car but these people were not phased at all. We turned ourselves around and chased the lions away. I would have loved a video or photo of this moment, but my guide was spending all of his energy trying to chase them back the opposite way - swerving this way and that. What an experience.

The final day we traveled down into the Ngorogoro Crater. I'm not sure what I was expecting but I think I was a little bit disappointed from the lack of animals. It's not a very densely populated area for animals, but it is one of the only places you're likely to see the rhino. We did see him, but he was about 2 miles from the road and was barely a speck on the binoculars or my camera lens (650 mm).

All in all, a trip to the Serengeti (and any national park in Tanzania) is well worth it. The food was great, the camping was great, my guide was amazing, though I would have enjoyed having more people in the group I think, to better socialize. Do not underestimate the weather. Although most days it was warm and either sunny or overcast (it only rained at night, 1 night), it gets quite cold at night!

The Migration was fantastic

People always told me something about how special the Serengeti Migration is and I just confirmed during my visit to the Serengeti. The park is very huge with low savanna grasses and lots of animals. During our visit I think it was a peak of the season of animals because there were so many tourists just like us in the park and everyone was busy with binoculars and cameras on the roofs of their cars capturing the moments. It was beautiful in deed. The scenery was also very good, weather was good but a bit hot during the afternoon. Food was amazing, of course we took packed lunch and the dinner in the lodge was always superb. Our visit was generally breathtaking.

You need to spend several days in this park. We followed the migration of the wildebeest. We literally saw over a million wildebeest finding their way to the Masai Mara. We the wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara. Those that ventured away from the group we quickly found by the lurking crocs. There are more animals than you can imagine. Seeing rhinos is extremely rare and will likely be from 1/4 mile away. You may or may not see leopards and cheetahs. We saw many of both. As you are traveling around you won't see too many other tourists, but there are specific locations (i.e. Mara river crossing) where there will be numerous jeeps with other anxious and excited tourists. The first time we stayed in a Sopa lodge which was great. This last trip with stayed in tents. These tents were walled tents with a toilet and shower. Meals and socializing take place in a large dining tent and camp fire. The tents are very popular and must be reserved about a year in advance. It's a wonderful option for feeling close to the animals. All through the night you hear the bleating of the wildebeests and grunts of others. The smells, sights, and sounds really pull the experience together.

Every moment was to be cherished

I've always loved animals but I may never be able to return to a zoo again.... With Restoration Safaris as our guide --- Bariki and Alphayo -- and the animals as our entertainment, not a moment was wasted. When animals were not around, we learned about the animals and about Africa and its people. When animals were around, Bariki and Alphayo would point out how the movement of the tail or the ears was signalling upcoming action. Point the camera... wait... now!! And we saw action!! It's a joke to call our accommodations tents since we had running water, hot showers (by request) and gourmet dining. This was my dream trip before I left and, still, it was never disappointing. The only problem.... I've got to return!!

Same criticism as with the crater in that at times it was crowded and you had to stay on the roads making animal viewing a crap shoot. Lots of animals sometimes close and sometimes far away. Lots of elephants and wildebeasts.

A piece of heaven on Earth! Great any time of the year. Suggest you visit during the rains as the clouds rolling into the crater is a photographers dream. Ensure that a good wide angle lens is in your camera kit along with all your zooms :) Also do not miss to see Oldupai Gorge in the Serengeti NP . This is where humanity started & there is a resident Red & yellow barbet which will allow you to get reaaaal close!

Once in a lifetime experience

We went during the winter season in Tanzania, so the weather was fantastic coupled with good game viewing along with an excellent and knowledgeable guide. Will definitely do it again. This was about my fifth safari and can't wait to do another one. Well done Mega Adventures!!!

just incredible!

Serengeti NP was amazing! We had so much wildlife and birdlife as well. We just got from one special sighting to the next one. I did around 30 game drives in diffrent NP´s before, but these 4 days in the Serengeti and the Crater were absolutly stunning.