Thursday, October 27, 2016 (Travel to Serengeti Wilderness Camp, Serengeti, Tanzania)

We were up early again this morning. It was a travel day today, so with suitcases packed, we headed up to the lodge. We were told to leave our luggage outside our door but when we stepped out, a porter was already there waiting to take it.

Another gorgeous morning here at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge...as we say good by to this beautiful, albeit remote, spot. The view of the crater was much clearer...

A panorama shot...                                 (Click on photo)

There was a bit of chaos up at reception as another big group prepared to leave, but we managed to get our bill paid (for drinks and laundry). After the other group had left, it was our turn to pile into our Land Cruisers for another day of travel.

One of the Land Cruisers from the other tour group apparently broke a leaf-spring so they were loading all of the stuff from it into another. We just tootled on by...

 Amazing scenery today as we head north to the Serengeti National Park...

Maasai Village...

Note Ostrich upper right corner...

We're now on the other side of the village and there are two more Ostrich...

Maasia cattle...

We drove along the rim...and stopped for a bathroom break at a viewpoint and had one final look at Ngorongoro Crater. Dry soda lake in the distance...

Steve and I...with Donna on the left...

Steve, me, Esther and Gordon....a great family picture! (Thanks Uncle Gord!)

We even came across some camels!
A Tanzanian Somali descendant brought about 20 camels from Somalia to Tanzania in the early 90s, to offer camel rides to tourists there. However, he reported the activity as a business and when the Tanzanian authorities subsequently demanded taxes from him, he fled and left the camels on the spot.
The tax authority integrated the camels into a poverty reduction program, which has been conducted in Tanzania for several years. In each case, a goat or a cow was given to a needy family, which had to pass this animal to another family, after the first offspring. The camels were used in this program and thereby, along with the local breeds like asses, are now used as transport animals. They tolerate the climate in Tanzania very well, grow healthy and multiply. Approximately 400 camels live in Tanzania, all descended from the 1990 years - from the 20 camels brought from Somalia.

Selling honey....

Another Maasia village...

Wow...we're going cross country...

We stopped at Olduvai Gorge, known as the "Cradle of Time" and where we all got out and had a very interesting visit. These newer buildings are under construction as they expand this important site.
Two Maasia dressed as warriors turned away when they saw Steve's camera...

Olduvai Gorge is a site in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of the existence of human ancestors. Paleoanthropologists have found hundreds of fossilized bones and stone tools in the area dating back millions of years, leading them to conclude that humans evolved in Africa.

A steep-sided ravine in the Great Rift Valley that stretches across East Africa, it is about 48 km (30 mi) long, and is located in the eastern Serengeti Plains in the Arusha Region not far, about 45 kilometres (28 miles), from Laetoli, another important archaeological site of early human occupation. The British/Tanzanian paleoanthropologist-archeologist team Mary and Louis Leakey established and developed the excavation and research programs at Olduvai Gorge which achieved great advances of human knowledge and world-renowned status.

Closeup of a dig on the left hill in the above photo...

Closeup of a dig below the hill in above photo...

We all sat as we were given the history and significance of this spot. Unfortunately, we had a hard time understanding him...

New building still under construction...

Gift shop and museum...

Then it was time to go through the museum...

                                                           
                                                        (Click to enlarge any photo)

Bone tools...

Stone tools...

After our visit, we were all back in the vehicles and on our way again...

The entrance to Serengeti National Park!

And more wildlife! A herd of Ostrich...

Topi...

Gazelle with Ostrich in the background...

And then what do we come across laying down under a tree right along the side of the road? Lions! Spectacular!

Don't bug me!

That was so cool!

Our next stop was at the actual entrance to the park where the guides had to take care of the paperwork for our entry. It was also our lunch spot..

Superb Starling...

Marianne and Steve sitting in the shade...

Betty, Joe, Brian, Joan, Anne and Jean...

Since the guides weren't ready to go yet, we decided we had enough time to walk up to the lookout...

It was very hot out...

That's Kaye making her way up...

Magnificent views!

A selfie from up top...

Once back down from the viewpoint, we sought out shade again and then the paperwork was finally ready and we were on our way. We saw quite a number of female Ostrich...

Secretary Bird...Its common name is popularly thought to derive from the crest of long quill-like feathers, lending the bird the appearance of a secretary with quill pens tucked behind their ear, as was once common practice...

Topi...

And then we came across another pride of Lions beside the road...

She's been collared...

Never did get a clear photo of a male lion...

A Heron and Weaver nests...

A watering hole with a bunch of Hippos....

And then Elephants!

Another herd...

Got an itch...

This one thought a scratch was a good idea too...

The baby elephants are so cute!

Elephants everywhere...

Cape Buffalo..

Lots and  lots of Cape Buffalo....

And  more Elephants....

And then the guide spotted a Leopard relaxing up in a tree...

Those two Warthogs have no idea whats up in the tree...

Luckily for them because that's his kill up in the tree with him...a Gazelle...

Just "hanging" around....

Not too much further to our destination...

There it is...Serengeti Wilderness Camp. Workers and guide area...

Now...this is a true tent camp! We all gathered in the "reception" tent (also the lobby, bar, etc) as our luggage was off-loaded from the vehicles. We were given a briefing about the tent camp. We are absolutely safe inside our tents at night...but don't go outside without one of the workers escorting you. When you want to come down for dinner, wave the flashlight (provided) and someone will come...on the way back, you will be escorted; you are not to go anywhere in the dark by yourself. Okay...got it!

This is the dining tent...

We were all assigned tents and then on our way to get settled in. We're in tent #4...

Home sweet home...

Our shower water supply...

Very nice...the door at the back, goes into the bathroom...

Complete with our our toilet room...

...and shower. They said showers were ready to go...the water buckets outside would be filled when we are ready. We are allowed one bucket each. We had just finished unpacking some things when a voice said from outside said "shower is ready"....

After we were cleaned up, we walked down to the "bar" for happy hour. We didn't need an escort yet since it was still light out. See that fridge in the back...that holds the beer, wine and mix...the glasses and spirits are on the shelf beside it and they just write down what we're having and pay when we leave the camp. I couldn't buy just a glass of wine...it had to be the whole bottle. No problem, we're here for three nights!

Then dinner was served...

After dinner, some hung around the bar tent visiting and some headed back to their tents...each escorted, of course, with a fellow carrying a spear.
The end to another great day...and we're in the Serengeti!! Looking forward to getting out on another game drive tomorrow!