On this 4th enthralling day exploring the flora and Fauna, first at Tarangire National Park followed by Lake Ndutu in Tanzania, it’s time now to explore yet another exciting jungle of Tanzania – Serengeti. Its 8am and your journey from Lake Ndutu to Serengeti now begins.
But before commencing this 28 km approx. journey, you have time to spend a few more hours to meander in the sensational wilderness here which thankfully seldom fails to amaze.
So as you begin wandering through this jungle for one last time, the first to come across is the remarkable ‘Bateleur Eagle’.
This medium size avian is endemic to Africa, and is considered a close cousin of the ‘Snake Eagle’ and also the origin of the “Zimbabwe Bird“, the national emblem of Zimbabwe.
Sitting on the top on a leafless tree to your left, you observe its red facial skin, a short tail, black plumage over its body and black bushy head.
As it takes to flight you are delighted watching and then capturing its marvelous white under-wing coverts in your camera. The distinct attributes that make this bird absolutely unmistakable.
Then comes this set of Gazelles. Gazelle is a relatively small antelope that has the incredible reputation of bursting in to an astounding speed of up to 100 km/h when faced with danger like trying to outsmart its predator.
Soon, atop another tree you see this Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk that can identified by its grey head, neck, breast and upperparts.
As you are involved in taking its pictures, it decides to take off, unabashedly flaunting its whitish upper-tail coverts, arguably an envy for its contemporaries.
Now off to a different destination for a different experience or even a different opportunity? #JustAsking
Its no one’s argument that this small size attractive Fischer’s Lovebird resembles a parrot (albeit this one looks more colorful). And, you can see more than one hopping around these medium size thorny bushes picking up dry fruits here and there.
With its green black wings, golden yellow neck and red beak, it is one of those avian that you would love to spend time watching.
Now is the time for you to encounter with one of the most persecuted bird species in the world – it is called Martial Eagle. This endangered species, considered by the IUCN, is deeply despised by the local community for its penchant to prey on their valuable live stock. Primary reason for its depleting numbers.
Closely followed by Martial Eagle is the Steppe Eagle. Also listed as endangered species by the IUCN. Interestingly Steppe Eagle apart from being the National bird of Egypt can be seen on the national flags of to different countries – Egypt as well as Kazakhstan.
Martial Eagle
Steppe Eagle
Exit Ndutu
So as you leave Ndutu, driving pass the vast grasslands, you see this big group of Zebras with radiant black-white stripes that contrast with the green grass below their feet and vibrant sky above their heads. Being calving season, you are not surprised watching their young ones tag along.
Your curiosity is aroused when you find a sets of three zebras stand together in a bizarre way wherein each-one’s heads faces three different directions. Kimando, your driver cum guide, allays your curiosity in his typical African accent : It’s their self-preservation tactics. These zebras are suppose to keep watch on predator/s coming in from three different direction.
Along the way you now spot this rare African White Backed Vulture or European griffon vulture. Unlike other vultures, this one has feathers on its head and neck. Its white neck ruff and extra broad wings with short tail feathers contribute to its hallmark.
Meandering through the well laid tracks, comes this Black Kite having wings that look angular and end over its distinctive forked tail. This Kite is indeed not uncommon and can be found in many parts of this world including India.
Then comes this startling small falcon called Lesser Kestrel. With great enthusiasm you hold your camera and take pictures of this comparatively small bird of prey. Lesser Kestrel is an amazing migratory bird that sometimes travels to as far as to our Indian Peninsula.
It seems the eagles are competing to show their presence and want each one’s images to be flaunted back home. So comes this dark brown colored, large headed raptor named – Western banded Snake Eagle .
Its incredible capability to dive swiftly from the perch to ground zero takes its victims, mainly the snakes and small vertebrates, unaware.
Lunch Break
Its time now for lunch break. Kimando stops at the outskirts of Serengeti National Park area where while you can enjoy your pre-packed lunch, he can get the requisite papers okayed for you to enter the park without any hassle.
Post Lunch
So after Lunch, you now take the exciting route that leads into the Serengeti National Park.
Just few kilometers after resuming, you are in for an pleasant surprise and a memorable rendezvous. To your right are there not one, not two but three fully grown, well built muscular Lions seen resting under the shade of large tree literally adjoining the road.
Kimando stops and without losing a moment you prepare to capture the movements of these exciting beasts. Their deep-chested bodies, short rounded heads, round ears, and hairy tuft at the end of their tails are undoubtable testimony of their fabled glamour.
Soon several other vehicles passing by stop too. Indeed no one would like to miss such a serendipitous encounter. Sounds of clicks from within vehicles then ensues unabated.
The tumultuous noise of running engines now begins to disturb the Jungle Kings and their discomfort gets increasingly evident.
The one with soft fluffy hair on its neck and probably the most handsome among the three appears to be highly affected by the cacophony and hence chooses to move further away.
The harshness now gets unbearable for the other two as well. Even as you continue to remain unapologetic, the second one too, expressing his resentment with an unmistakable glare, gets up and walks deep into the savannah to settle there away from you.
Its time now to move quickly towards the final destination @Serengiti
Plausible, after the Lion showing up, the Elephant not wanting to be left behind. So in the savannahs you see this huge female Elephant with her cute little calf sucking milk from her breast. Couple of clicks and you leave the mother-child to themselves and proceed….
This large attractive shrike with blackish wings now comes your way. Sitting on top of a thorny acacia parallel to your eye, you see its large black mask running from its eye to behind the neck and evident white supercilium (forehead). Name given to this shrike is – Grey-backed Fiscal.
Now as you drive through the muddy tracks, over a branch of a large tree at a distance is spotted an adult leopard lying calmly. Though quite away, your D850dslr with 500mm lens helps him come closer albeit not literally.
So even as you take his pictures expecting him to climb down anytime post its apparent catnap, this powerful predator disappoints you as it instead moves up in-between siesta. You nevertheless succeed in having some amazing shots while this big-cat navigates adroitly between branches.
Moving further comes this female Baboon with black dog like face and thick grey fur covering its entire body. It is so near to you that you can hardly manage to fit her in your camera frame.
Its delightful and charming infant with innocent sparkling eyes, can be seen clinching firmly to its mother’s body as it walks munching grass and herbs along the way.
And finally before you reach your destination in Serengiti, on the way you cross this small pond within which copious Crocodiles and Hippopotamuses are seen staying in harmony.
Crocodile
Hippopotamus
The Sun has just moved closer to the horizon by now and the place of your overnight stay, albeit being within the park, is still around 45 minutes away. So you agree with Kimando not to halt any more and reach the destination asap.
On reaching this impressive Serengiti Serena Lodge supposedly spread over several acres, you proceed to check-in. Serendipitously, at the reception you are Informed your room been upgraded from ordinary Cottage to a Cottage suite. Happily, you move and quickly settle in your allotted cottage.
Looking out from the window, you see large grasslands outside with hills at a distance. The golden hour in progress making the whole scene look incredibly awesome. (Golden hour consists of approximate 45-60 minutes after the sun gets below horizon)
After getting fresh in this luxurious suite, you now leave for the restaurant to enjoy some nice wine and then dine…..
Once back in your cottage, you now plan to retire but not before downloading the day’s pictures in your hard-disc and recharging the camera batteries for the following day.
Reminiscing the thrills you enjoyed on the way here, you close your eyes hoping for an even more ecstatic day tomorrow. Exploring the flora and fauna of Serengeti National park is a dream of any wild life lover.
Ronak Shah
Great information. To the Point, Direct and Specific. Feels Happy to read.
Just a suggestions, if possible to provide Google Map “Location Link” on the place-name (area-name, site-name)… the photo clicked.
Excellent moments, nicely cought in Camera…
Anonymous
Thankyou ji
Sanjeev
Superb
Dj
Good summary, gives an overall idea of the place and excellent captures.
Mukul Wasnik
The write up is so good that one can actually visualise the place. The accompanying photographs has made it more interesting. Many thanks to Bhupender Singh Gupta for sharing his experiences.
Anonymous
Thankyou very much ji