Wow, we just sat reading all your wonderful comments on this weekend's posts - thanks for those! And yes, we also couldn't believe how cold it was on the crater rim. We're only going down after our week in the Serengeti, so we'll keep you posted. We spoke to three American guys earlier today who managed to get into the Ngorongoro Crater without a guide, so we might just make it in alone yet...
 |
| Villiers, freezing at Simba A |
We got up at 06:00 this morning, still freezing our bums off, and headed north-west towards our main destination - the Serengeti National Park! As we reached the lowlands below the crater rim JI spotted something walking towards us. It was a caracal (aka lynx) and it was surprisingly relaxed. We were able to look at it for what seemed like a long time and fortunately we could also get this shot:
 |
| A caracal surprise on our way to the Serengeti |
Soon after we came across a spotted hyena family right next to the road. One of the three adults was VERY full and had to hungry pups following her everywhere she went.
 |
| Someone's very full indeed |
It was in the same area, close to the main park entry gate, that we came across our first massive herd of wildebeest. It's so difficult to estimate how many there were, but let's just say it was black as far as the eye could see over the open plains. Wildebeest were not the only animals in abundance. We drove down to Lake Ndutu and saw thousands of flamingos wading in the shallow water.
 |
| Our first big herd of wildebeest |
 |
| Flamingos at Lake Ndutu |
Next to the lake we finally saw our first cheetahs of the trip - a mother with two cubs feeding on a carcass right next to our car. Unfortunately the light was poor, but we enjoyed it none the less. After we set up camp in Seronera's public campsite we went for a short afternoon drive, which produced sightings of more hyenas, elephants and nearly 300 buffalo, as well as a few stunning birds.
 | |
| Cheetahs next to Lake Ndutu |
 |
| A lilac-breasted roller in golden afternoon light |
Our campsite consists of an unfenced piece of veld approximately 5 km from the park headquarters. There are quite a few other people camping here tonight, but it doesn't feel over-crowed. Something disturbed a flock of guinea fowls and some baboons and monkeys earlier, so we think there's a leopard close by. Let's hope it visits tonight!
Oh, and if you were wondering: YES, the Serengeti is as beautiful as it looks on TV!
 |
| A scene near our campsite |
I nearly started crying this afternoon on our safari when I realised that another life-long dream of mine has just come true...! Thanks again for following our adventure on this blog!
Bye for now
Villiers
Highlight of the day:
Villiers: Wildebeest! Thousands upon thousands of wildebeest!!! And the caracal.
JI: To be in the Serengeti!
Lowlight of the day:
Villiers: The road between Naabi Hill Gate and Seronera.
JI: Not to have my girlfriend, Talita, with me!
13 comments:
Ai, ai, ai, maar julle is vandag behoorlik bederf! Hoop die naglewe en naggeluide stel julle nie vanaand teleur nie en ons hoop more is net so 'n goeie dag! Ons is so bly vir julle dat als so mooi loop en dat julle uiteindelik kan beleef waarvoor julle al so lank gewag het. Soete drome...
Al julle beplanning...en nou het julle gearriveer!
Aaaahhh! Dis sweet JI! Ek is seker sys baie bly om dit te hoor!
Wow - chills! Eks so bly vir julle! Wens julle kon tyd laat stil staan, ne!?
Geniet elke oomblik!!!!
Baie geluk manne julle is die Serengeti!! Ja Villiers wie sou kon dink toe jy as klein tjokkertjie van 'n paar bakstene hoog met 'n amperse tè groot verkyker in die Kruger Wildtuin die diere bekyk, dit kort voor lank in die Serengeti met die blote oog sal bekyk!! Deel in jou vreugde. Bly jy het nie die trip alleen aangepak nie, maar vir J saam geneem.
Lyk ongelooflik!! So bly vir julle! Geniet dit baie en thanks vir die stunning fotos
al wat ek kan se is wow wow wow!! en amazing fotos! en so baie jaloesie... ;-)
Wow I can't believe you are in the Serengeti now - it looks baie lekker! ;-) And you have experienced so much already! Will be looking forward to seeing all of your photos while you are living the dream in the Serengeti - I'll be green with envy as always! Especially about the cheetahs. Hope the hyena is running smoothly like the indestructible Hilux it is :-)
Hugs from me stuck in frosty Denmark dreaming of the wilds of Africa
SJoe julle twee, ek is baie bly julle is daar!! en geluk met jou eerste Cheethas!
Ek en Sorina is net so jaloers soos almal hier bo en weet julle gaan elke oomblik geniet van julle droom!!
Geniet dit en nou sit en wag ons net vir die mooifotos!! :)
Wow, dit lyk regtig amazing!! Lyk my daar is heeltemal genoeg om te sien en te beleef! Kan nie wag vir die awesome foto's wat julle VERSEKER gaan neem nie... Geniet elke oomblik! :-)
Another life-long dream coming true is definitely something to celebrate - you're an inspiration to us all!
It's a pity about the cold but it looks as though the Serengeti has already provided you with more than enough to make it worthwhile. I'd certainly brave the cold to be there..:)
Fingers crossed for that leopard!
:)
Die boom-foto is 'n skilder se droom - stunning! Ja, die Liewe Vader gee vir ons klein en groot vreugdes, ons moet net tyd maak om dit raak te sien. Geniet elke oomblik! Judy janse van Rensburg
Hi Villers! This is CanadianRobin from Fodor's. I am so enjoying following your blog. What a fabulous trip you are having. I am green with envy, especially given that it is -18C here today and snowing. We return to Africa in July, and it can't come soon enough.
My DH and I self-drove the northern circuit in August 2009 and entered the crater in our own vehicle twice. We were never accompanied by a guide (it was just my DH and me in our 4x4) and were told we didn't need to be. Unless our situation was different because we were staying at Lemala Camp (a private tented camp on the rim near Sopa Lodge) as opposed to the public campsite, or unless something has changed in the past year and a half, you do not need a guide. We were never stopped or questioned while in the crater, even though it was quite obvious that we were on our own. CR
Ons self oppad na Serengeti op 16 Maart 2011. sien baie uit en geniet julle foto`s.
Post a Comment