{"id":4203,"date":"2014-07-16T09:12:47","date_gmt":"2014-07-16T16:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interspace-design.com\/blog\/?p=4203"},"modified":"2020-07-17T01:02:31","modified_gmt":"2020-07-17T08:02:31","slug":"serengeti-safari-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interspace-design.com\/blog\/serengeti-safari-part-2","title":{"rendered":"A Drive on the Wild Side – Life & Death on the Serengeti, Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

As promised, our African Safari<\/a> the next day was action-packed. A scant 3 miles from the Serengeti Park gates, Buffalo Camp offers, for a price, wildlife activities\u00a0that are unavailable inside the park.<\/p>\n

I opted for the\u00a0walking safari as it’s only permitted on private land. Also on tap was\u00a0the fabled sundowner\u00a0– a classic safari tradition –\u00a0with bush dinner under the stars and last but not least,\u00a0a\u00a0night game drive with a local tracker and the camp’s driver\/translator!<\/p>\n

\"Starting<\/a>
Our turn at starting a fire after a demo by our Maasai guide. Apparently it’s carpaccio and sashimi for us judging from the result (or lack thereof)!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After lunch we set off on\u00a0the walking safari with our Maasai tracker, followed by a ranger totting a traditional spear, and another, a gun. The guide showed us different medicinal plants plus practical essentials like the Maasai version of biodegradable tooth brush and toilet paper!<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A jewel-toned lilac breasted roller looking at us quizzically.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We’ve seen plenty of striking birds in our travels, but few display as many colorful hues as the lilac breasted roller<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\"Safari<\/a>
Waiting for action in the tracker chair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While\u00a0our butler\u00a0was setting up our sundowner (safari happy hour\u00a0at sunset) and bush dinner, I checked out the lodge’s safari vehicle. Unlike regular jeeps that criss-cross the vast Serengeti, this is an open sided Land Cruiser with a tracker chair mounted over its front bumper.<\/p>\n

\"Sundowner<\/a>
Emmanuel, our butler, patrolling ‘incognito’ without of his Maasai garb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The spot for our sundowner is on a ridge overlooking the Serengeti. At 6,000 ft elevation, it gets chilly in the evening so the bonfire is\u00a0by no means decorative – it’s needed to keep the nip off the air!<\/p>\n

\"Bush<\/a>
The chef and his help setting up our dinner under the stars.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Talking about pampering!\u00a0Since there were only 3 of us,\u00a0it was a very small and intimate setting. Some lodges offer a\u00a0dinner inside a boma, a fenced Maasai compound, which would be\u00a0an even more\u00a0amazing experience!<\/p>\n

\"Night<\/a>
We lucked out and caught the birthing of this baby zebra on camera! The guides use a red search light to look for wildlife as it doesn’t seem to disturb the animals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The zebras were unfazed by our spot light. As the baby struggled to get up, its mom tried to help by stepping on the placenta still attached to the newborn.<\/p>\n

\"Maasai<\/a>
A Maasai in the distinctive red-and-blue checked wrap at the lodge. Men all wear elaborate beaded bracelets for adornment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Buffalo Camp conjures up visions of Colonial Africa, an enchanting oasis of genteel living amidst the vast wilderness \u2013 you almost expect to see Dr. Livingstone striding up the path! But all too soon, it’s time to drive back to Central Serengeti where queues of Land Cruisers await\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Cheetah<\/a>
As we decamped, we came across 3 cheetahs lounging languidly in the shade. One of the brothers came to investigate shortly after we stopped.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The cheetahs cased our Land Cruiser before crossing the road to disappear among the grass and scrub.<\/p>\n

\"Leopard<\/a>
Big kitty snoozing in the tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Prosper suddenly stopped, reversed the car and proclaimed ‘Leopard<\/a>\u00a0in the tree’! We eventually found the cat with our binoculars almost 25 feet above the ground. Sprawled precariously on the trunk,\u00a0I was surprised\u00a0the leopard didn’t fall off its perch!<\/p>\n

\"Leopard<\/a>
The Leopard eyed us for a moment \u2013 as if sizing us up for its next meal. Luckily, its larder was full.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The leopard woke up eventually and prowled around the tree. Prosper said there was zebra stashed up there as well. Guess it didn’t\u00a0get up\u00a0the tree on its own volition\u2026 I could barely make out the stripes (in the red box) dangling 5-6 feet ABOVE the leopard. Considering a zebra is several times the cat’s weight, this is an awesome feat!<\/p>\n

Amazingly we saw a second leopard ensconced in a tree less than a mile away. Given leopards are territorial, they were probably unaware of each other’s presence.<\/p>\n

\"Hippos<\/a>
Slumbering hippo with a contented grin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next stop,\u00a0‘Hippo Pool’. I counted almost 50 hippos<\/a> in this stretch of river. Hippos aren’t social animals, but for some reason, they like to huddle. This one looks soooo relaxed!<\/p>\n

\"Baboon<\/a>
A baby with a face that only its mother can love\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Baboons<\/a>\u00a0are not the most photogenic bunch but since they are staring at the camera, I might as well make use of the opportunity!<\/p>\n

\"Elephant<\/a>
Prosper told us elephants give 3 signs when they\u2019re about to charge. Warning 1: If an elephant starts flapping its ears and faces you, it’s time to RUN!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We saw many herds of elephants during our safari. They even grazed around our Land Cruiser on a couple occasions. However when Prosper saw this elephant flapping its ears at us, he decided we’ve outstayed our welcome and we cleared out in a hurry.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Just one big happy family of felines chilling out and playing tag in the grass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This was a pride of at least 20 lions and cubs. Some of the lions were so well camouflaged that they were practically invisible till they got up to move around!<\/p>\n

Here’s a video of some rambunctious lion cubs wrestling in the Serengeti. Enjoy!<\/p>\n