The tour “Birdwatching and Wildlife Safari in Tanzania” is perfectly named as at the airport we were welcomed by a flock of iridescent “Superb starlings “- this was just a prelude to the incredible abundance that was to follow.

Our first night spent relaxing at the Ngare Sero Mountain lodge a green paradise with luxuriant rooms huge beds to sink into and diner served to the sound of frogs croaking and stars as big as our dinner plates. The blue  monkeys and hornbills being our entertainment.

Our Safari began with Tarangire National Park  within minute’s were were surrounded by elephants so close you could hear them ripping grass with their trunks.  Weaver birds rufous tailed dangled from their nests in acacia trees, Lilac breasted  rollers flitted so close -colours dazzling us, clouds of yellow butterflies filled the air to the sound of crickets competing with crowned plovers.

 

This was just the beginning of what to date has been the most incredible eight days of natural history – the list is endless and just when we thought we couldn’t beat the day we had just had with lions, cheetahs , Scops owls- Black chested snake eagle to name but a few- we continued on from Lake Manyara to the Serengeti to witness one of the  seven wonders of the world the “ Great Migration” we could not believe our eyes stretching into the vast distance the plains we full of wildebeest, zebra, ostrich, warthogs, impala, Thompsons gazelles, with several species of vulture and eagle flying high above the endless herds.

After witnessing a leopard eating its prey up a tree we travelled through a vast flower strewn ever changing landscape with red soil and colourful Maasai hearding zebu.

Arriving at Ngorongoro crater where our hotel over looks this huge volcanic green crater 600 feet down with a salt lake, flamingos and yet more wild life to discover tomorrow- our last day in this beautiful country.

Early this morning we  dropped 610 m from our hotel into Ngorongoro Crater and were instantly immersed in the scented yellow Bidens and Elephants! We watched nesting Lapid faced Vultures, male fantail Buddha birds jumping, seven black Rhino with grey crowned crane flying above!

This was just for starters- lions with cubs abounded while male lions snoozed cuddled up with each other.
Lunch was shared by a Hippo pool with cheeky Speke’s weavers and black African kites.

Sadly tomorrow is our last day before flying back  to our various homes – taking much knowledge and fabulous memories.