| Tour Kenya/Tanzania |
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After
having seen so many wild cats in captivity and taking so
many photos in all different zoos and safari parks, it was
time to visit these cats in their own surroundings, in the
wild. My first trip was to Kenya and Tanzania, to all places
of interest where you can see lots of wild animals and where
you have good chances of seeing the cats.
For
ten days we made a tour and did lots of game-drives in the
Serengeti, Masai mara, Lake Nakuru, Ngorongoro Krater and
Lake Manyara.
A
first trip to Africa is even more exciting as you don't know
what to expect and what to see. Of course we hoped to see
the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino)
and lots of cats; lions, cheetahs and leopard(s).
On the
airport of Nairobi we were welcomed with champagne at 6 a.m.
so that was a pretty good start of our holiday, right? ;-))
It
took hours of travelling to reach all different destinations.
We e.g. had to drive for 10 hours from the Masai Mara to the
Serengeti National Park. But besides all travelling we did
have enough time to do lots of game-drives. Already on our
first destination Lake Nakuru we did see three of the Big
Five; a lioness, a rhino with youngster and buffalos. In the
Masai Mara we watched two lionesses and six cubs having
breakfast. They were eating two wildebeests and when they
were ready vulgars, jackals and hyenas came to finish what
was left. We also saw a female cheetah with three cubs and
lots of other wildlife.
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In the
Serengeti we also saw lots of lions (even a pair mating) and a
male cheetah hiding for a group of lions that were coming near.
In the Ngorongoro Krater we even saw a leopard, high in a tree,
unfortunately too far to take good shots, but even on this first
trip we could say we saw the complete Big Five.
It was an
unbelievable succesful trip as we also saw the famous crossing
of the wildebeests and zebras in the Mara river and all other
wild animals we hoped to see: elephants, zebras, giraffes,
hyenas, jackals, flamingos and lots of different birds, etc. It
was also amazing how close we could come and the hundreds of
photos all turned out exceptionally well.
What they
say is true. If you've ever been in Africa you'll return for
sure. Two years later (2006) I did return. Having been in the
Masai Mara just for two days during this trip I knew I wanted to
return there for a longer period, so please read all about this
stay in my next travel report on this site.
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