Tanzania - Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha National Parks.

22/5 2008 to 1/6/2008.

The migration was in the western sector of the Park, flirting with the Grumeti River famed for its crocodiles. We watched one Wildebeest vanish into the jaws of a hungry Crocodile - one splash and a couple of ripples and it was gone. Not one of those things that one enjoys watching, but it is a part of life.

One is never short of surprises in this magnificent area of Tanzania and thisyear was no exception. We were lucky enough to be able to enjoy very special sightings of Cheetah, Lion, Leopard and Black Rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater. As is often the case, we enjoyed spectacular Elephant experiences, and also had an unusual sighting of a lion chasing a mother Cheetah off her kill and watching
her for some time whilst she regrouped with her sub-adult cubs.

The Arusha National Park also served up a very rare sighting of an African Broadbill and a number of other forest birds which are not normally seen.

Another truly successful Safari. By now we were beginning to realise that the trips were full but oh so rewarding. We had also, more or less, worked out what really suited us for a safari of this type. One could easily spend a few more days in this humbling environment, but full days can be quite tiring.