Tanzania - Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha National Park.

21/5/2015 to 1/6/2015.

Tanzania experienced an unusual season weather-wise, with the rains starting on time and then stopping for almost six weeks in the middle of what was expected to be a normal season. The rains then restarted and continued beyond the normal end to the season. The principal effect of this was that the Wildebeest migration became confused and started their move north early, then retreated, then moved north again. We saw a good portion of this massive herd north of Lobo, and were later told that they had started crossing into Kenya at the end of June - almost a month earlier than expected. This mass movement of Wildebeest is an amazing natural phenomenon and the scale almost beyond comprehension.

Once again, we were very lucky with exceptional Leopard sightings. The first was of a splendid female, seen in the early morning in that special golden light that one gets after overnight rain. She was very happy to sit and watch us. So unique.

The next morning we were again out early and were rewarded with the sighting of a mother Cheetah and four cubs, who were also not bothered by our presence. We were able to watch the cubs interacting with their mother, again in spectacular early morning light. Later that same day, we saw two other Cheetahs, one of which leapt on one of the vehicles’ spare wheel for a better view, and then the other, at full speed, chased down and caught a meal. Cheetah are always very special to see, and we were privileged to see a number of them on this trip.

Lions were abundant and we were very lucky this year to see most of them alert rather than sleeping, which is what they tend to do most of every day. There were numerous cub sightings as well as some magnificent Males, and everything in between. Prides were seen in widely divergent environments which gave photographers, especially, some very dramatic images.

In addition to the 'normal cats' that one sees we saw a Caracal, Wild Cat, Serval and a Genet cat. All very unusual and very special. We filled a full wish list this year of fifty nine different types of animal, just a few of which came from the Selous National Park. The bird life was also plentiful, and culminated in the rare sighting of a Bar-tailed Trogan in the Arusha National Park. A very comprehensive 'bucket list' of bird sightings was recorded.

The Selous was very different with very dense bush in places. The end of the rainy season is not the best time to visit because the wildlife is widely disbursed, and the vegetation very thick. Having said that it was still an enjoyable experience and we did manage to see a few different types of wildlife unique to the region. Our guides provided their usual excellent service, and made sure we had every opportunity to experience the very best there is to see in this wonderful part of the world. Nothing was too difficult, and every care taken to ensure everyone was always secure and comfortable.

All the lodges that we stayed in were truly amazing and once again management and staff went out of their way to make sure we were happy and comfortable. The service provided really is a benefit that has developed over time as lodge staff have come to know us and our particular requirements. Yet another memorable Safari with many unique experiences.