DAY 38: Serengeti Migration Camp

As always, we got up very early to depart on our morning safari before sunrise. This time we headed for the rocky region around Lobo in the north-east of Serengeti National Park. I've always wanted to see cheetahs on the Serengeti Plains, but the one thing I wanted to see more, was a pride of lions on a rock! Since I started doing research on the Serengeti more than a year ago, I've seen countless photographs of lions sunbathing on the park's picturesque kopjes. And this morning I found my lions!

Near Lobo public campsite we came across two massive male lions resting on a large rock right next to the road. We were just in time to see the sun's first rays light up their massive bodies. There was no sign of them getting up, so we left them to continue their morning nap. The whole area around Lobo is not only incredibly scenic, but also full of game. We saw literally thousands of zebra along the watercourses, along with large herds of buffalo and elephants. Ji also spotted a large male leopard resting on a rock. See whether you can spot it:

Can you spot the leopard???

Two brothers on a rock

Zebras crossing a small river

Male models

We loved the area around Lobo so much that we booked an additional night in the Serengeti. Instead of heading back to Seronera tomorrow, we'll first spend a night at Lobo public campsite. The view from there is the best I've seen in the park so far and there's sure to be action around camp both during the day and at night!

A colourful rock agama near Lobo public campsite

During our morning safari we enjoyed a delicious breakfast packed by Elewana Afrika's Serengeti Migration Camp. We found ourselves a nice little viewpoint next to the river and devoured the muffins, croissants, Chelsea buns, bacon, sausages, yoghurt, muesli and other goodies in our cooler box. What a feast!

Picnic in the Serengeti

Since we'll be spending an additional day in the park we decided to make the most of things and spend the afternoon in camp. The lodge is extremely relaxing and with free Wi-Fi and always-willing-to-fill-your-glass waiters, we couldn't have been more comfortable. And then something extraordinary happened!

Next to one of the lodge's wooden walkways a dassie (hyrax) mother gave birth to two tiny, wet bundles of fur right in front of our eyes! At first we kept our distance, but as soon as we realised how relaxed she was, we slowly moved closer for a better view. We used "stokkam" (the GoPro Hero video camera on the end of the fishing rod) to get close up footage of the spectacle. The mother ignored us, whilst the babies (who we named Gopie and Hero) first stumbled and later played in front of the camera - AMAZING!!! 

Ji with "stokkam"

Gopie and Hero next to the GoPro Here video camera

The dassies are not the only creatures in camp. On our way to our tent we were greeted by two giraffes and under the tent-decks I saw two klipspringers escaping the heat. Apparently a family of warthogs rest under the main area's deck and a troop of vervet monkeys 'joined' us for lunch. There's also a ton of birds around the lodge grounds and right throughout the day you hear hippos calling from the nearby Grumeti River.

We used the rest of the afternoon to nap, swim, check e-mails and record interviews for our documentary. After a late afternoon shower the sun came out, only to set again in spectacular fashion. And there's no better place to watch it go down than on the sunset deck at Serengeti Migration Camp!

Sunset at Serengeti Migration Camp

Here's some more photos of this stunning lodge:

Ji enjoyes the Wi Fi in the lodge's comfortable lounge

The view from our tent

Serengeti Migration Camp's main area

The lodge is beautifully lit at night

One of the highlights has been the food served here. Every meal has been simply delightful and tonight it reached its climax with the desert - the Migration Chocolate Bomb! You've never tasted a chocolate desert so good!! We'd like to thank Stanford, Elly and the rest of the Serengeti Migration Camp team for your hospitality - we've enjoyed every second in your wonderful camp! And again, thanks to Elewana Afrika and Shaun and Elcke of Tarangire Treetops for making this visit possible.

So, before I end, I just want to know: did you spot the leopard??

There he is!!

Have a great Sunday!

Villiers

Highlight of the day:

Villiers: Lions on the rock

Ji: To speak to my girlfriend

Lowlight of the day:

Villiers: Honestly - there wasn't one

Ji: When my migration chocolate bomb was finished!!!