We have had an amazing day, today for our last day in the Serengeti. We set out at 7.30am with Bosco, not long and we saw a couple of black backed jackals.
We saw a few animals in the first 90 mins, but it was mainly enjoying the scenery as we travelled over very bumpy, dusty roads. It is always worth it though.
We passed a vehicle, that had seen a lion kill, about 30 mins to an hour after the kill we arrived to see a dead Wildebeest and about 30 vultures. The lion had taken the vital organs of the animal and left. Then the Vultures come in and clean up. All the meat was gone from the two hind legs when we arrived, right down to the bone.
Soon after we saw a lioness and cub eating a Wildebeest and the male was sleeping, he eats first. The Lioness kills, unless the male is on his own.
I asked Bosco when Baby Lions, leopards, cheetahs learn to kill. He said, the Mums strangle an impala but stop before it is dead then the babies play at practicing to kill. Such is the way of life of a lion.
Then we saw a lion and lioness sleeping, followed by a pee stop surrounded by wildebeast.
As an aside, in Tanzania if you sneeze it means someone is thinking of you. I thought that was rather nice. (You are getting my notes as I wrote them today ?)
Then we saw Wildebeest crossing the Bologonja River, they have been in this area for a week. Evidently last week they weren’t here, so we are lucky.
We were right by the junction of the Sand, Mara and bologonja rivers, today we saw about 5 river crossings of the Wildebeest (I have only just started spelling it correctly ?) All along the Bologonja River. I think “the crossing” is considered to be across the Mara River, which is wider. We are happy with the crossings we have seen. It is impossible to do justice in words or photos the extent of the migration, the bit we saw today went on for kilometres, there must have been close to a million Wildebeest, it is of the biggest proportions of anything I have ever seen. Nature is amazing. (There are over 5 million Wildebeest that migrate).
We made a lovely stop beside the Mara River for a picnic lunch. We enjoyed Chatting with Bosco and learning more about his life. He will be away from his daughter for 6 months, then go home in November for two weeks. The Campsite is shut down in April and May. He has April off and in May they all come back and set the camp back up. When at work he works 7 days a week, so all of the time. When he was given the contract to sign, he was first asked if he could go 7 hours without food when driving on Safari. If he could he could sign the contract. He said it was hard at first but he soon adjusted. He used to do gym work, but had to give it up when he took up the job because he was always hungry. I asked him how he goes driving for more or less 7 hours straight, he said it was hard at first but he adjusted. Bosco reminds us of our nephew B, similar eyes, smile and attitude to life he is also 26. It is like B has a twin here in Tanzania.
Oh yes and we learnt cheers is Gonga in Swahili. And Maisha marefu means long life. Lunch and the conversation were good. I have very much enjoyed our time with Bosco.
After lunch we saw a large hippo in the water and a large crocodile nearby. Then we headed for home and were back by 4pm. We relaxed for a few hours then headed down for drinks at 6pm, they were held up on some rocks with a lovely view over the surrounding area.
Dinner was good as was the conversation, discussing past and future holidays and where Africa fits into our favourites list. We only have a week left of our holiday, we are looking forward to what it might hold for us.
Tomorrow we leave at 8.15am for two flights into Kenya and the Masai Mara. I am confused as to the spelling of Masai/Maasai. Seems both are used. A quick google search also suggests it is Masai Mara, for the area and Maaisa for the people. Think I need to research it more, maybe it will be explained to us tomorrow.
Hope you all enjoy your weekend. ?
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