August 2019 - The Serengeti

We went to Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro (pictures), and couldn't miss the chance to visit the Serengeti We timed the trip to coincide with the Great Migration of wildebeest crossing the crocodile-filled Mara river as they migrate from south to north. The Serengeti was incredible - we were literally surrounded by stunning wildlife. Pictures here are from the first two days of our safari time, and day 3 continues in this gallery. The first day we saw a river crossing within an hour of flying in, we saw a cheetah successfully hunt down a wildebeest, and much, much more. All while staying in an awesome tent right on the savanna.

The airplane we flew into the Serengeti on, at the Serengeti airstrip	At the Serengeti!	A wildebeest
The airplane we flew into the Serengeti on, at the Serengeti airstrip	At the Serengeti!	A wildebeest
Action shot!	The Great Migration bunched up at the edge of the river	And they're crossing!
Action shot!	The Great Migration bunched up at the edge of the river	And they're crossing!
Some serious swimming
Some serious swimming
Everyone made it safe to the other side	A crocodile was watching the crossing, but didn't attack this time	A few other jeeps watching on the other side
Everyone made it safe to the other side	A crocodile was watching the crossing, but didn't attack this time	A few other jeeps watching on the other side
A Thomson gazelle, alone in the grass	A waterbuck	An African bush elephant!
A Thomson gazelle, alone in the grass	A waterbuck	An African bush elephant!
He's smiling	Part of a small herd milling about	The little one stuffing his face
He's smiling	Part of a small herd milling about	The little one stuffing his face
Water buffalo	An impala on the lookout	Some more elephant action
Water buffalo	An impala on the lookout	Some more elephant action
Pulling up some grass	A black-backed jackal	Another jackal not far away
Pulling up some grass	A black-backed jackal	Another jackal not far away
And right nearby, a jackal pup!	A pillar of light!	The savanna in the late afternoon
And right nearby, a jackal pup!	A pillar of light!	The savanna in the late afternoon
A pair of ostriches guarding their nest	Ostrich eggs	A male Common Ostrich
A pair of ostriches guarding their nest	Ostrich eggs	A male Common Ostrich
A female, alarmed		Chasing off our jeep
A female, alarmed		Chasing off our jeep
Cheetah!	On the move towards a herd	Hunting in the early evening
Cheetah!	On the move towards a herd	Hunting in the early evening
An eye on the migration (he blends really well into the grass)	Starting to run!	Success!
An eye on the migration (he blends really well into the grass)	Starting to run!	Success!
Looking around for competitors		Digging in!
Looking around for competitors		Digging in!
		A hint of blood
		A hint of blood
The herd continues on	A warthog. They're very skittish and didn't get too close to us.	Back at the tent in the evening
The herd continues on	A warthog. They're very skittish and didn't get too close to us.	Back at the tent in the evening
Our tent. Surrounded by open savanna.	Some serious glamping!	The view from our tent: we were surrounded by wildebeest and zebra day and night
Our tent. Surrounded by open savanna.	Some serious glamping!	The view from our tent: we were surrounded by wildebeest and zebra day and night
Taken from our tent	During the hottest part of the afternoon all the animals hang out in the shade (this is the area behind our tent)
Taken from our tent	During the hottest part of the afternoon all the animals hang out in the shade (this is the area behind our tent)
Our first look at a pod of hippos, swimming around in the early morning	Kissing or fighting? Always a mystery in the animal kingdom.	The classic Hungry Hippos look
Our first look at a pod of hippos, swimming around in the early morning	Kissing or fighting? Always a mystery in the animal kingdom.	The classic Hungry Hippos look
A little one	The same pod a few hours later getting some sun
A little one	The same pod a few hours later getting some sun
		Morning on the Serengeti
		Morning on the Serengeti
Breakfast on the open plains	Zebras! And a little one!	Most of the zebras intermixed with the wildebeest herds, but here was a small herd just of zebra
Breakfast on the open plains	Zebras! And a little one!	Most of the zebras intermixed with the wildebeest herds, but here was a small herd just of zebra
	A giraffe!	Enjoying a bush
	A giraffe!	Enjoying a bush
	A nearby trio	A large group of mongoose at their mound
	A nearby trio	A large group of mongoose at their mound
A wash full of baboons		A mwanza flat-headed rock agama
A wash full of baboons		A mwanza flat-headed rock agama
An elephant crossing the Mara	In sharp contrast to the wildebeest, the elephant's crossing is slow and relaxed
An elephant crossing the Mara	In sharp contrast to the wildebeest, the elephant's crossing is slow and relaxed
	Another elephant nearby enjoying a small patch of shade	More wildebeest, they're found around every corner
	Another elephant nearby enjoying a small patch of shade	More wildebeest, they're found around every corner
Bravely grabbing a drink from the river	Hanging around, waiting for the opportune moment to cross	A giant herd of jeeps, eagerly waiting for a crossing
Bravely grabbing a drink from the river	Hanging around, waiting for the opportune moment to cross	A giant herd of jeeps, eagerly waiting for a crossing
The Great Migration	We could often see incredibly long lines of wildebeest, steadily marching in single file	Leopard
The Great Migration	We could often see incredibly long lines of wildebeest, steadily marching in single file	Leopard
	On the lookout	A klipspringer
	On the lookout	A klipspringer