Top 5 scenes:
1) Lion with its kill- We happened upon a male and femal lion at sunrise and they had recently killed a wildebeast. They were around 5 feet away from the jeep. In the grass surrounding them were about ten hyenas. We watched this scene unfold periodically throughout the day. Occasionally the lions would move their kill and the hyenas would fight over the scraps that they left behind.
2) Black back jackal playing ring around the rosy with a hyena- When the lions were getting a little careless toward the end of the day a jackal ran in and snatched up a scrap. A hyena which was faster chased him off but the jackal who was smarter played a little ring around the rosy and eventually got away. Hilarious to see a childrens game being played for keeps.
3)Leopard stalking a grants gazelle- We watched as a leapord stalked to within less than 5 yards of a gazelle in the tall grass. He was amazing. The gazelle was looking his direction the whole time but the leapord stayed low and and stayed downwind and was able to get in closer than I would have imagined possible. He finally sprang and got a paw on the gazelle, but it was a little big for him and got away.
4)Crocadile making two attempts at some zebra- We were watching a pond with some hippos in the distance when we notices a crocadile right up by the shore. In typical crocadile fashion just his nose was sticking out of the water. We then watched as a herd of zebra came to drink at the pond. I have literally seen this scene 99 times on the Discovery Channel. While about 20 zebra were in the pond he went for the snatch and missed. The zebras scattered. We stayed for another 15 minutes or so and here came the zebra again. Very intelligent. To their credit they were cautious this time. All except a big male and a small baby. They marched right out into the water and had a drink. We watched as the crocadile went underwater. This is the point when I'm yelling at the TV telling the zebra to run. The male zebra seemed to get the point and left the baby about knee deep in the mud and unaware. The baby had no chance. Or so we thought. The crocadile made his attempt and the baby just barely got away. See the photo below.
5) Cheetah going after a thompson gazelle- So after seeing all the other big cats go for a kill we were lucky enough to run into a cheetah who looked like he was hungry. Long story short we saw a cheetah do what they are meant to do and run after a gazelle. In my opinion the cheetah gave up rather quickly. Doesnt he know that he is the fastest land animal? Seeing the little thompson gazelle run though was like watching a streak of lightning across the ground. It would be hard for me to believe that a cheetah was faster.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, it would take me around 99,999,999 words to describe our trip. I think I will let the pictures do most of the talking. Here are some of the best:
Are you kidding me?
Synchronized grooming.
The Princes goofing off.
The King doin' work. Very VERY rare.
Literally so lazy that he didnt even stand up to pee.
Hakuna Matata
We got pretty close.
You know I just have to say I have never seen a more beautiful, elegant, just regal creature.
Lion vs. Hyena standoff.
The one who got fooled by the jackal. See the embarrassment in his face?
Peek-a-boo.
I guess we were boring.
A character in the movie Antz?
This is right after he missed his kill attempt.
Kinda makes you wanna try it doesn't it?
Those tusks are not photo-shopped, he could literally plow the earth with those things.
He decided to perform circus tricks to amuse us.
Abbey Road?
A group of Black Back Jackal. Probably my favorite animal after his games with the hyena.
Black Rhino.
Those black specks are Wildebeast.
I've made a huge mistake...
Ok one exception on the birds 'cause it was exceptionally cool, the Secretary bird.
Acacia Tree with a bunch of Thompson Gazelle.
"Ok line up from tallest to shortest."
Inefficiency.
Da dun.. da dun... da dun..da dun (It's close enough to a shark)
da dun da dun da dun da dun
Swing and a miss. Thank God. I thought the baby had no chance.
They were actually pretty cool..I swear.
Haha...Literally exactly what I would have expected.
One of the ugliest animals on earth still managed to spit out some cute babies.
Serengeti gate.
The people who made it possible. My parents and our guide Tore.
Those dark blobs are hippos. What you cant see is us getting dive bombed by a bunch of kite.
Most scenic haircut ever?
The fam in Tarangire National Park.
This was completely candid.
Mom teaching the locals how to dance.
Our camp in the Serengeti.
I look relaxed. Im not. I saw a hyena run by every morning. That is not a joke.
Cape Buffalo.
He must work out.
Massai boy wasn't sure what to think of our lunch.
The black specks on the face are baboons
Not quite Zenyatta, but it will do.
Superb Starling
Ostrich
Lilac-Breasted Roller
Red-billed Oxpecker
Kori Bustard
Crowned Bustard
Fischer's Lovebird
Secretarybird
White-headed Vulture
Tawny Eagle
Black shouldered Kite
Egret
Blacksmith Plover
Ground Hornbill
Yellow Breasted Long Claw
White Crowned Shrike
Lapit faced Vulture
Snake Eagle
White headed buffalo weaver
Roopers Vulture
Striped Kingfisher
Pearl Chanting Goshawk
White Bellied Bustard
Pygmey Falcon
Marib Stork
Goliath Heron
Stilty
Egyptian Goose
Capeteal Duck
Rufous Tailed Weaver
Little Bee Eater
Crowned Crane
Flamingo
Longtail Fiscal Shrike
Saddle Billed Stork
Black Chested Snake Eagle
Guinea Fowl
Quail
Hammer Cop
Black Headed Heron
White Browed Cow Cow
One last thing, if you are ever considering a safari I would highly recommend the Serengeti. We literally saw thousands of animals every day.
Sorry for the delay the internet in Africa has not been the best.
Kyle
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