Saying Goodbye to the Serengeti

Where to start... 

Today was a travel day of sorts. We had one last morning to take in last breaths of the Serengeti but needed to exit the park by noon, per our permit. 

Just enough time to point and shoot at giraffes, cape buffalo (looks at you with gentle eyes but has a reputation for changing his mind about you on a dime and is considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa). 

A pride of lions with full bellies, digesting uncomfortably... Cubs bursting at the seams, only 4-6 months old.

This cub went on walkabout. Mamma gave him some space and time, then called him back in her deep stern voice. A few seconds later, she up'd and fetched him. Gently and affectionately escorting him back to the group, where safari vehicles weren't parked between her and her baby. Check out his ROUND belly!!! She's a great mom!

... And he couldn't wait to tell his brother about his wee adventure! (At least, that's how I see it.)

Hippos - Also decidedly unpredictable and dangerous - wallow in the filth they create. They eat greens on land all night then fart, poop and pee into the water they splash themselves with and drink all day! The smell is exactly how you'd expect and then some, but despite this, there is something entirely endearing about them. Pink skin and tiny ears, giant mouths! All snuggled up together, happily passing their days in community.

Like I said... Every animal has a bird! The vital role is of wound cleaner, in this case.

Silverbird

Lunch was at the Serengeti/Ngorongoro entrance-exit. It's a heck of a busy and ruthless environment so Hilary asked us to jump out and secure a picnic table for the 3 of us. Easier said than done! I nabbed a table and Sue went to the loo. Then I found myself setting firm boundaries with other guides as they attempted to hijack me, unload picnic hampers and settle in! Boundary-setting comes with a great deal of respect here, apparently. The guide gave up... then high-fived me for my bravery and stubborness. Yeah me!

Hilary positioned me on the road to Serengeti... then said "Now jump!" so I did. Hahaha

(The Serengeti is about a week away from the start of the rainy season. It's not just the animals who can feel it coming.)

Post lunch, of veggie stew, chicken, rice and bananas we got an education about how refueling the vehicle is done. I believed until this point that either our vehicle had a 100 gallon tank, was fueled by Hilary magic or he had been sneaking away at night to refuel the Land Cruiser. (Oh and I forgot to mention that every morning that truck was CLEAN! Hilary had been sweeping endless Serengeti dust from every pocket of it and restocking it with wet wipes, water and snacks every night after a long day of driving our precious selves around!!!)  Anyway... the queue is 30 minutes long and tan colored at the fuel station. Land Cruisers out the kazoo, lined up and waiting patiently - African style. Hakuna Matata!

Our final stop was for the permit for Ngorongoro. Then there was a substantial drive back across the conservation area and into grazing (Masai) territory. Our tented lodge is here. Literally tucked in between the Masai villages, surrounded by not just Tanzanian wildlife, but the herds of goats and cows that signify Masai net worth.

Embalaakai Ngorongoro is VERY similar to Embalaakai Serengeti. Not sure why that surprised me, but Welcome Home us! A cute tent cabin with 4-poster beds, hot water and clean linens awaited. 

But what have we here?!

"Someone" washed out his underwear and hung it to dry atop of my bed frame. Aussie branded boxer shorts! The whole situation reeked of a Zar-incident. Our Aussie kids had indeed stayed at this very resort last night and my money was on the kids having stayed in room S10 also. We giggled and took a picture. It was time to What's App them before they boarded the plane to Zanzibar!

Bingo! I win! Zar confessed to having my bed last night and our concierge (part mortified, part amused... but definitely more mortified) confirmed as much. It was the perfect way to end the day - wine and giggles on the covered porch, monkeys grooming each other nearby and more shared memories with the kids.

... and the wine? It's freakin' local and pretty darn good.  G'night Dallice!