The Plains of The Serengeti as the Sun Sets

The four day exploration through The Ngorongoro ecosystem and The Serengeti, one of Africa’s most famous National Parks.

First, I want to start off by saying that 4 days is definitely not enough!! But, due to time limitations, this was what we had to work with. Simon, the owner of the safari company I worked with ensured we did as much as we possibly could during these 4 days without cramming in so much we didn’t get to experience the beauty of being on Safari because we were moving too quickly. But, if I had more time, I would have definitely considered this 12 day itinerary , or the Green Hills of Africa option, or possibly even the The Best of East Africa Circuit.

I would also like to share that we went on safari in the middle of September. This is about a month before high season starts so it was perfect as we weren’t with the  masses of people, and the weather was lovely. We were even able to see the beginnings of the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti which many people travel from all over the world to see and experience.

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Day One of the safari we arrived in Arusha, Tanzania and we were picked up by our safari guide for our airport transfer to the hotel. We also met Simon the owner of EASTCO Safari Company in the evening to solidify our plan of departure for the following morning. He met us for our convenience at our hotel and all details were confirmed.

The next morning, we left out of Arusha, Tanzania and into the wild. We left early in the morning and drove out to The Ngorongoro Crater also known as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where we spent the entire first day until dusk.

Overlooking The Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the name given to the 8,300 square kilo- meter piece of land that surrounds the famous Crater and the Highlands of the same name. The Crater was once the headquarters of Serengeti National Park of which it was an integral part, but in 1956, after intense pressure and lobbying from the local Masai community who were dispossessed of the lands when the National Park was set up, Ngorongoro was designated a Conservation Area.

The 210 square km Crater is now one of the principal attractions on the Northern Tanzanian Safari Circuit and is a premier trekking destination. The Crater has also been called The Garden Of Eden and the Eighth Wonder Of The World all justified by its perennial animal population.  It is home to one of the few remaining populations of black rhino in Tanzania and just about every other East African mammal, with the exception of giraffe (walls are too steep) and impala. The crater also has the highest density of lions in Africa.

The crater is just as amazing as the description makes it sound. From the top looking into the crater one would wonder if there was life out there. But oh is there once you get down into the winding dirt roads that guide you through the herds of animals. This is also where we would see our first spotting of one of The Big 5 – The African Rhino. The day was complete as we pulled into the beautiful Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge that overlooked the crater after a full day of animal spotting. We arrived at the lodge a bit before sunset, and the views overlooking the crater were just breathtaking as we sipped African beer and warmed ourselves by the fireplace. The room was also spectacular with a full wall length window that overlooked the crater as well. The first night we relished sleeping in complete comfort as the next 2 nights we would be sleeping in a tent with the animals in the middle of The Serengeti.

Our view from the lodge

Looking down into The Ngorongoro from the lodge terrace

On the morning of the third day we departed for The Serengeti with a picnic lunch and game viewing en route to our private campground in The Seronera Valley in the Serengeti. William, our safari guide had over 14 years of experience as a guide in Tanzania, and this was definitely evident during our day in the crater and the rough ride into The Serengeti. His seamless maneuvering of the jeep and his eagle eye spotting difficult game such as the Cheetah, Rhino, and The Leopard. Having an experienced safari guide definitely makes a difference on the overall experience.

Welcome to The Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is arguably the most famous National Park in the world, the Serengeti Ecosystem (the name comes from “siringit” the Masai word for “endless plains”) consists of some 35,000 square kilometers. It extends into the Masai Mara in neighboring Kenya and provides a vast eco-system for the wildebeest migration that takes place each year. The famed plains are found to the south of the park east of the Seronera Valley, rolling hills in the less visited Lobo area to the north and wooded riverine valleys to the remote east around Kirawira and Grumeti.

The park itself is about 14,763 sq kms in area and encompasses the main part of the Serengeti ecosystem. The ecosystem is defined by the annual migration of over 1,500,000 million wildebeest, zebras and associated predators, which occurs throughout the year and extends into the game reserves, game controlled areas and conservation area surrounding the park boundaries. As in all ecosystems, the vegetation and type of animals you will find are closely correlated, although it is impossible to say exactly where different species will occur, it is possible to build up a picture of the most likely species to be found in each area.

The third, fourth, and morning of the fifth day were all spent riding through the vast plains of The Serengeti spotting elephants, zebras, giraffes, elk, buffalo, hyenas, monkeys, cheetah, leopard, lions, hippo’s, gazelle’s, and a variation of birds. African Safari Part Two was dedicated to nothing but photos of all the amazing animals. It was all just how I imagined. Riding for long hours in an open top jeep sticking out our heads to get photos and videos, managing the endless bumpy dirt roads where you are reminded that you are in the middle of vast open land, seeing other jeeps drive by with crews all in safari gear – I felt we were in our very own version of Out of Africa.

For me, one of the most amazing experiences was choosing to camp out during the safari as opposed to staying in lodges the entire time. This really puts you into nature and in my opinion the safari wouldn’t have been complete without sleeping under the stars in The Serengeti. Now we didn’t do the completely traditional throw your tent up and rough it, we opted to stay in EASTCO’s full service camping which had an en-suite shower and toilet, towels, water, and a bed. We pulled up to our private campground where we would be greeted by a full camping staff – those that looked after the tent, prepared the meals, and even our night watchman who stayed up to keep the lions, buffalo, and hyena out of the campground while sleeping.

The Dining Tent

This was our dining tent where all of our  meals were served. For breakfast there was always a full English breakfast complete with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, typically  we ate a picnic lunch out game watching, and dinner was always served as a three course meal under the stars with a bottle of vino we brought along. The most amazing thing happened on the last supper here in the tent. We were all sitting chatting and enjoying our soup when we heard the roar of Lions. Roars so close we all froze as if we were planning an escape. Looking out the dining tent there were lions right across the way in the distance in between the trees. A little too close for comfort but our night watchman beamed the bright lights of the jeep in their direction to keep them from coming any closer. A night of excitement to say the least and I almost bargained for a jeep ride back to the sleeping tent that was a mere 10 yards away.

Our Sleeping Tent

The best thing about this tent was that the bathroom was inside at the back!! I would not have gotten up in the middle  of the night and ventured outside to an outhouse which is what the traditional camping sites have. Not that I’m afraid of an outhouse, but after falling asleep to the sound of hyenas every night I would not have wanted to become their dinner.

The View From The Tent

A Buffalo right across the way outside the tent

Both of these photos are views from our tent. On the first night of our arrival I was so excited that there was wildlife literally just steps away, I began snapping away. My new friend the buffalo posed just perfectly for me right outside out tent…..well until camp safety walked over and informed me that he was getting a little too close and that almost looked like his charging pose. Inside the tent I went and zipped it up as tight as it would go!

Sleeping under the stars in The Serengeti was a very unique and special experience. The creeping in and out of the tent with a flashlight hoping not to spot an animal right beside you, the roars of the lions at dinner, the hyenas scouring in the bushes and howling as you try and sleep, the warmth of the campfire the staff lights after dinner, the racing of your heart as you are sure that their is a buffalo trying to budge the back of your tent or a monkey unzipping the opening, and the calmness that consumes your body as you step out in the morning and see nothing but nature.

They say that safari’s are sometimes a once and a lifetime experience, and the quality of the company you choose and the expertise level of your guide will make or break your trip. I did ample research on several different safari companies before deciding to go with The East African Safari & Touring Company (EASTCO) out of Arusha, Tanzania and it was a wonderful decision. From the professionalism and quick responding owner Simon to our well experienced guide William, our safari was an experience that will not be forgotten. I hope to go on safari with them again in the future but hopefully on a longer circuit.

Our safari jeep and William our wonderful guide

INFO BOX

• We journeyed into The Serengeti with East African Safari & Touring Company
• William was our expert guide and Leopard spotting extraordinaire
• Our safari was 4 days and 3 nights to the Ngorongoro Ecosystem and The Serengeti in the middle of September.
• My biggest tip would be to pay in Tanzanian shillings for all souvenir purchases. Many places accept credit cards and the American dollar but it seemed to be significantly more expensive paying with dollars. Exchange money before your departure.

*All information listed above in gray italics is information provided by EASTCO as part of our pre-departure information on The Ngorongoro and The Serengeti*

Editors Note: I received a discount from EASTCO on the safari package in exchange for a review of their services and our experience as a part of this post. All information listed above is accurate and true sentiments of my experience on safari with this company. If the safari or level of service had been less than satisfactory it would also be noted in this post.

To see more photos from the safari, check out the following:

• African Safari Part One: The Big 5
• African Safari Part Two: A Photo Essay

Interested in purchasing prints from safari photos? In my online Photography Siteyou can view a complete photo Gallery. 100% of proceeds from any safari prints go to support H.O.P.E Ministries Children’s Orphanage in Uganda.

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