We left our overnight lodging at 7:30 am to do a final bit of game drive and then head to Shirati but as we drove, our guide Mouro asked when we actually needed to be at Shirati. Terry suggested we had some flexibility, so Mouro asked if we wanted to go a different way out of the Park. We agreed and it gave us a great look at some very different topography, as well as an amazing view of part of The Great Migration. (500 km trek each way by many of the Serengeti grazing wildlife as they follow the rainy season from south Tanzania to Kenya and back each year)
We saw 1000's of wildebeasts, many pacing back and forth at the edge of the Mara River where they have to swim across to continue their trek to Masa Mara Game Park in Kenya. As we were driving around, hoping to see the wildebeasts begin a crossing, a lone water buffalo took interest in our van and began to stalk us. Apparently they can be very aggressive when they are alone, so we didn't stick around to meet him! We didn't see a crossing but some people come and will wait for days to see one. I can imagine it would be breathtaking, but we couldn't stay.
Our route was one less traveled (we covered it in 2015) so mostly it was tracks in the grass and we saw very few other safari vans. It was certainly worth the extra 90 kilometres or so, and we thought it would delay us by at least 90 minutes, but we discovered a shortcut even Mouro hadn;t heard of before and it saved us that time and more, getting us in to Shirati early! Our arrival was one of great celebration for Terry and Jane as they re-connected with some of the people they have met and worked with on previous visits.
Since August 12 is Jane's birthday, we celebrated at supper with a cake provided by Leisha Otieno, baked in Mwanza and transported the five hour drive to Shirati for the party! Tomorrow its on to the work projects.
We saw 1000's of wildebeasts, many pacing back and forth at the edge of the Mara River where they have to swim across to continue their trek to Masa Mara Game Park in Kenya. As we were driving around, hoping to see the wildebeasts begin a crossing, a lone water buffalo took interest in our van and began to stalk us. Apparently they can be very aggressive when they are alone, so we didn't stick around to meet him! We didn't see a crossing but some people come and will wait for days to see one. I can imagine it would be breathtaking, but we couldn't stay.
Our route was one less traveled (we covered it in 2015) so mostly it was tracks in the grass and we saw very few other safari vans. It was certainly worth the extra 90 kilometres or so, and we thought it would delay us by at least 90 minutes, but we discovered a shortcut even Mouro hadn;t heard of before and it saved us that time and more, getting us in to Shirati early! Our arrival was one of great celebration for Terry and Jane as they re-connected with some of the people they have met and worked with on previous visits.
Since August 12 is Jane's birthday, we celebrated at supper with a cake provided by Leisha Otieno, baked in Mwanza and transported the five hour drive to Shirati for the party! Tomorrow its on to the work projects.
Sunset photo at our Lodge Team Shirati 2019 at Lodge Team Shirati with our guide
Wildebeasts at Mara river Zebras at Mara river Off the beaten track ditching the angry water buffalo!
Fred and Leisha and family The birthday girl! "The road less travelled"