Notes from Africa: Day 4

Day 4
July 13, 2011

What started out not so well, turned out to possibly be our best day yet!
The day started at 4:30am when Sarah turned the lights on in our room and ran to the bathroom. She was really sick and spent the next two hours in and out of there. We were quite concerned, as we knew it was scheduled to be a full day of driving with a very bumpy ride. We left the hotel at 8:00am, with Allen as our driver. I think Allen is probably the best of the local guides we have in Tanzania. He is from the Masai tribe, and told us all about his early life growing up as a Masai. The day started with a two hour drive over rough terrain to the Serengeti. We did pass wildlife along the way. At the beginning of our trip, Allen made a comment that wild dogs are now very rare in the area, and he has only seen them twice in his eleven years of guiding. Sure enough, about a half hour later, we came across a pack of four wild dogs! It was incredible!
We continued our ride, and Sarah was still not feeling well, but hanging in. We had our "African Massage", which is going up and down on the very bumpy ride. The "highway" to and through the Serengeti is actually a dirt road.
We did make one stop along the way at a gorge where fossils of early man were found. It is believed that this was the birthplace of the human beings, with fossils of upright beings from 1.5 million years ago!
We stopped for lunch at the entrance to the Serengeti. We had a true boxed lunch today, from last night's hotel. It was very good! A full piece of chicken, ham sandwich, fruit, yogurt, and more. Then it was into the Serengeti!
For the first half hour or so, we really did not see any major wildlife. But then it all began! We came across tons of zebras again (there are so many!), a rare black rhino, giraffes, elephants, lions, and more. Then we had our second rare sighting of the day: a cheetah! We were able to get about ten feet from it, and amazing pictures. It was unreal!
We continued our ride, and about a half hour later Allen heard over the radio that there was a leopard in a tree. Sure enough we could see it laying on the branch. He said it was a recent mother. After looking for awhile, Cathy saw the baby's leg hanging out of the tree- incredible!
After a few minutes, we made another sighting- another leopard in the grass. This one got really close to us, again maybe ten to fifteen feet! It was extraordinary.
We drove for another hour or so to head to our hotel passing all kinds of terrain and animals. The views were amazing.
We finally arrived at the Kempinski Lodge in the Serengeti. All I can say is oh my goodness! This has to be the most incredible property we have ever stayed at. The whole place sits right in the middle of the game area. There are great views from throughout the hotel, including the infinity pool outside with a watering hold right next to it for the animals!
Then we came to our room. Besides a sitting area looking out at the Serengeti, along with our bed, is an amazing bathroom with views. I took a bath followed by a shower watching the animals. Since we came here this afternoon, we have been visited right out our window by wildebeest, gazelle, and zebras! It is beyond belief.
Tomorrow we are going out for a morning game ride followed by a free afternoon to enjoy this incredible property. Pinch me, because I do not thing it is real!