Tanzania Safari: Day 4

Today we moved from the Northern Serengeti to the Central Serengeti, towards our new camp in Robanda. On the way, we explored the bustling village of Mugumu, which provided a wonderful introduction to a thriving bush market in the middle of… well, of nowhere! 

The Thomson Safaris Nyumba camp staff at Robanda had a wonderful hot lunch waiting for us when we arrived at our new digs, and even better, we had just enough time to put our feet up and relax on our tent verandahs. 

Afterwards, it was off to the to Retima Hippo Pool to photograph some hippo wonders, and wonders did we see! In addition to the hippos, we were treated to several Little bee-eaters–a small and vibrantly-colored bird–feeding nearby. 

Tanzania Safari: Day 3

Another wonderful sunrise in Africa this morning was a simple reminder how special it is to be here, and in the very capable hands of Thomson Safaris. Today we explored the far side of the Mara River in search of new animals and landscapes to photograph. Tanzania did not disappoint today, either – elephants were giving us a constant show and wildebeests were everywhere we looked. We were able to capture some wonderful images, including this fun photo of us standing directly on the Tanzania/Kenya border.

In the afternoon we were treated to a different kind of crossing when a Cessna 208 had to make multiple passes to clear the runway from wildebeests. Our guide estimated that about 15,000 wildebeests crossed right in front of us! They just kept coming and coming and coming.....what a treat. 

We're enjoying our last night in the Northern Serengeti now; we're off to Thomson's Central Serengeti camp in Robanda tomorrow.

Tanzania Safari: Day 2

Last night, we enjoyed a delicious dinner, celebrated a birthday (with a delicious birthday cake made in the bush) and retired early. My campers experienced their first night sleeping in the bush amongst the lions, zebras, and monkeys, oh my!

After listening to the wildebeest and zebras chomping on their late-night meals on our doorstep, we awoke and ate a breakfast of scrumptious eggs, bacon, and pancakes, and washed it all down with fresh juices and piping hot caffeinated goodness. All the while, the sun was rising above our camp like a huge glowing globe, as intense clouds starting filling the sky. It was a glorious moving portrait of what a sunrise should be.

We headed to the Mara River in hopes of photographing a river crossing as herds of wildebeest cross from Kenya into Tanzania. Just when we thought we weren’t going to have an opportunity to witness a crossing, we spotted a large group of wildebeest massing – just looking for a reason to cross. With little notice, they charged into the river, presenting us with not one, but two crossings!

We headed back to camp a bit early to process our images and take a well-deserved intermission. As I close this entry for the day, the clouds are building and the wind is starting to gust… maybe an African rainstorm lull us to sleep tonight.

Tanzania Safari: Day 1

Kicking off another Thomson Safaris Photo Safari with a BANG! 

After a wonderful overnight in Arusha at Rivertrees Country Inn, we found ourselves flying high over the Serengeti aboard two charter Cessna 208 Caravans. As we touched down at Kogatende, wildebeest and zebra flooded the sides of the runaway, and as soon as the propeller stopped, a herd of elephant ran across the end of the runway.

We were treated to a wonderful lunch at the Thomson Safaris Nyumba camp before heading out on our first game drive of the safari. Within a mere 30 minutes of our journey, we came across two lioness and 8 cubs. The family gave us quite a show – the cubs were very curious about us and the movements of the Land Rovers. Talk about a killer start to our safari!