Posts From February 2010

The Wildebeest Calving has begun!

Africa Serengeti Migration may just be the greatest show on earth! Over a million wildebeest participate in the migration as well as hundreds of thousands of Zebras and Thompson gazelles. Relentlessly tracked by Africa’s great predators, these animals migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 miles of the Serengeti ecosystem each year in search of greener grasses. There is no real beginning or end to the pilgrimage for these animals it is an endless journey in search of food and water that climaxes in a new generation of baby calves born on the southern plains in the early green season.

Many of our guests on our African Safari Tours this month witnessed wildebeest calves at the moment of birth. This never ceases to impress people as new life replenishes the plains in such vast numbers. The saying there is safety in numbers is exceedingly true during wildebeest calving. Instinctually, females join together from different directions to form huge living barricades providing added protection at their most vulnerable time, birth. One of the reasons the females gather on the short-grass plains is to be able to have the best view of approaching predators as there is little vegetation to hide their presence. The other reason is the mineral content of the short grasses, rich in magnesium and calcium which is critical to good lactation.

We witnessed several different female groups giving birth this year (it is typical for the male and female wildebeest herds to range separately during the calving season with the males located further to the north inside the borders of the Serengeti National Park while the female herds tend to distance themselves deep in the southern extremes of the ecosystem). One group ranging about a 1-hour drive south of Ndutu deep within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the Matiti Plains area had its birth spike from about 10-Feb to 16-Feb. The largest female calving herd seen this year ranging about a 30-minute drive southwest of Ndutu had its birth spike from about 15-Feb to 22-Feb. We still have reports over the last few days of additional calving including a few on the eastern plains from Gol Kopjes through to Lemuta Hill. It seems the calving is trailing off now. The resident wildebeest herds in the Ngorongoro Crater usually calve earlier then their Serengeti counter parts. This year the herds in the Crater started calving towards the end of January into early February.

It is always a guessing game as to when and where the great wildebeest herds will drop their calves. Entirely dependent upon rainfall and grazing conditions, female wildebeest can hold off birthing for quite some time. In the most extreme dry years, we have seen the wildebeest calving being in early March in the Central Serengeti woodlands. More often then not though, the plains to the south of Ndutu and to the east of Lemuta Hill seem to be the preferred calving ground in February during ideal conditions.

In out last posting, the rains had been quite heavy towards the middle and end of December which finally drew the migration south onto the Serengeti Plains. In January and through the beginning of February we saw a general drying out trend which scattered all the migratory animals far and wide to seek the last patches of green grass and standing water. All of us here at Africa Dream Safaris were beginning to worry about the game viewing conditions (remember the old Serengeti adage that rain means game). Then, during the 2nd week of February thunder showers fell consistently all throughout the ecosystem. The rains continued during the 3rd week of February and intensified quite heavily on the 17th and 18th. The end result is the Serengeti Plains are a brilliant shade of green at the moment and game viewing is absolutely outstanding.

With the onset of the rains in February, we are now seeing large herds of wildebeest and gazelles beginning to shift from the southern plains to the eastern plains. There still remains heavy concentrations of migratory animals in the southern plains around Ndutu and Naabi but we are seeing more and more wildebeest, gazelle and zebra streaming to the eastern plains to Lemuta Hill, Nasera Rock and the Salei Plains. The Gol Kopjes at the beginning of the eastern plains are packed full of wildebeest at the moment.

The calving and the migration in general tends to steal the show in February but game viewing remains great for many other species in the Serengeti. Retina Hippo Pool in the Central Serengeti is quite full at the moment and guests have been getting some great pictures of hippos and crocodiles. The eastern game circuit from Seronera to Sametu Kopjes and further east to the Barafu Gorge and Kopjes has been rewarding with lots of good lion, cheetah and spotted hyena action. The scenery along this road is absolutely stunning, as well. Barafu Gorge has several large pools of water at the moment and has been a magnet for game throughout February.

Further to south there has been quite a lot of action on the plains between Kusini and Ndutu with plenty of lion, cheetah and hyena kills being reported. The Ndutu pride (we counted 16 total members including cubs) has been hanging around the big marsh as the wildebeest have been easy pickings when they come to the marsh to drink. There is lots of cover here for the lions to make a successful hunt. The Gol Kopjes area remains one of the best areas in the Serengeti for cheetah viewing and the Gol Kopjes lion pride has been spotted fairly frequently out on the kopjes.

We have had some very unusual sightings this February including an aardwolf on the road between Naabi Hill and Ndutu, a ratel (honey badger) on the Kusini Plains and wild dogs at Ndutu, which is something truly extraordinary. Wild dogs are rarely sighted within the Serengeti National Park though there is a small population in the Loliondo Game Reserve, which is adjacent to the Serengeti along its eastern border. Lastly, approximately 30 black rhinos (flown from South Africa) are scheduled to be released in the Serengeti over the course of 2010. The first rhinos are scheduled for release in the Lobo Valley of the Northern Serengeti in May. Currently, the Serengeti is home to only a dozen black rhinos, which are vigorously protected in the Moru Kopjes complex in the Central Serengeti. Hopefully, these magnificent animals can repopulate the Serengeti and once again roam the Serengeti.

Wildebeest Calving - February 2010
Wildebeest Calving - Matiti Plains - February 2010
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Quote of the Week: Dennis and Joanne Airoldi

Our Africa Dream Safari experience far exceeded our expectations and we had very high expectations. From the first meeting at the airport with the VIP service through the last good-bye on the way home we felt very comfortable that Africa Dream Safaris had everything planned. While a safari could have been a stressful experience, since we were far from home and in such a different environment, Africa Dream Safaris made our safari a relaxing enjoyable experience.

Our guide was amazing at spotting animals and he gave us tips on how to spot animals ourselves. Since most animals have a unique silhouette, when we were looking for a certain type of animal our guide would tell what shape to look for. More importantly, our guide had the knowledge that allowed him ot place us in the right place at the right time. I had hoped to be able to see a lion or cheetah kill during our safari. On our first day we saw a lion pride stalk and kill a mother Cape buffalo. When we returned in the morning 15 spotted hyenas surrounded the kill, a few male lions and jackals picked at the scraps. We also watched cheetahs stalk zebras, gazelle and wildebeest. This was very interesting since they failed to get in position to attack the zebras and missed on their first attack on the wildebeest. They were successful with the gazelle and the second wildebeest. It was good to see that the predators don’t always win. Over the course of our safari we saw 5 lion kills, 2 cheetah kills, 1 leopard kill and 2 vulture kills. I was glad that we were able to watch both lions and cheetahs in the complete process of the predator and prey confrontation. It was very interesting and we were able to get very close and get some amazing pictures and video.

My wife is an avid bird watcher and our guide seemed to know every bird we saw. While bird watching was not our primary goal we saw numerous unique bird species while looking for larger animals. During one 3-day period my wife saw over 60 different birds. The variety of bird life in Tanzania is truly amazing.

During our safari my wife and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary. The staff at the private luxury camp was able to bake a cake for us over a campfire. The staff at this camp did an exceptional job. Our guide brought us to a Maasai Boma (village) where some of his friends lived. My wife and I will never forget the experience on being in a Maasai hut with a Maasai warrior on our anniversary. The people were amazing and spent time with us discussing their way of life. In many aspects it was like going back in time, their knowledge of the world was very limited. They asked us where we lived and had no knowledge of America. In order to try an determine how far we had traveled they asked us how long it would take to walk to America. It was a very special anniversary.

We have been on numerous vacations and normally towards the end of a vacation you start to look forward to getting home. On safari we wished we could stay much longer. When asked if we would do it again our immediate response was that we would go back tomorrow. Every day on safari was special and different; you never knew what was waiting just around the corner.

Dennis and Joanne Airoldi
February 2010

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Quote of the Week: Fred and Lynnette Dubendorf

We have just returned from out two-week trip to Tanzania with Africa Dream Safaris. To say that the trip was life-changing is actually an understatement. Where can we start to try to convey the whole experience to those who have never been?[…] Our guide was unbelievable! We finally decided to call him “eagle eyes” because of the astonishing way that he could spot wildlife. He was able to spot lions even though they were sleeping in tall grass; he spotted a cheetah and pointed it out to us and it still took us several minutes to see it with our binoculars. One morning he spotted a leopard even though the sun had not even broken the horizon and it was quite dark. His knowledge of the animals was equally impressive as he told us to keep our camera on a lion that was preparing to arise from a nap and would probably yawn three times so that we could get a photo with his mouth wide open. Most days we started our game drives at 6 am and didn’t end until late in the afternoon, and the whole time he would answer all of our questions, be constantly on the lookout for animals and birds and was conscientious that this was an experience of a lifetime for us. If we wanted to start a day later or end the day sooner, he was equally obliging. […]

To those who are considering booking a trip with Africa Dream Safaris…You will be glad that you put your trust in them to take care of what will most definitely be an experience of a lifetime. We confidently, and without any hesitation, give Africa Dreams and their staff the highest recommendation that is possible.

Fred and Lynnette Dubendorf
February 2010

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Quote of the Week: Howard and Marsha Seltzer

We just returned from our Safari and had to take a few minutes to let you know how thoroughly pleased and delighted we were with the trip. Beginning with our initial contact with ADS and the home office, through our final minutes at the airport awaiting our return flight home, everything was as advertised, perfectly arranged, and well beyond all of our expectations – and our expectations were high. From our initial encounter with the “visa meet & greet staff” which whisked us past the long lines and out the door to our waiting van, to the flight into the Serengeti where we met our guide / driver, to the game drives and tented camps, every turn was a new and wonderful experience.

Our guide was absolutely amazing in his ability to spot & identify the animals and we saw 4 of the “big five” on the first day. We were “family” within a day of meeting him and he was willing and able to do anything we asked, including long game drives everyday with boxed breakfasts & lunches for picnics in the bush. It was perfect. Another ADS feature we noticed was the selection of vehicles. The roll-top Land Cruisers were far superior to the other type of open top vehicles we saw. Ideal for game viewing, both all around us and above in trees. I must admit that we were skeptical about some of the advanced reading we had done, especially regarding the incomprehensible numbers involved in “The Great Migration”, but we are skeptics no more.

We visited “The Great Migration” several times, including one day when we parked in the midst of the moving herds and enjoyed our boxed picnic lunch – from the comfort and safety of our Land Cruiser – and for 45 minutes watched in awe as the Migration passed before us. We saw it, but is impossible to grasp. The line of animals on the move stretched from horizon to horizon. Another highlight that we must mention was our hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti –extraordinary. Again, thank you for an adventure that was unlike any we had in the past and one that we would hope to repeat in the future.

Howard and Marsha Seltzer
February 2010

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Quote of the Week: Fred and Lynnette Dubendorf

We have just returned from out two-week trip to Tanzania with Africa Dream Safaris. To say that the trip was life-changing is actually an understatement. Where can we start to try to convey the whole experience to those who have never been?

First, the animals and the landscape- Of course, we all go that we can see the animals. What is amazing is the number of animals you will see and the fact that they are completely relaxed with a safari vehicle within feet of them. Within a couple of hours of arriving in the central area of the Serengeti, we saw a leopard, giraffe, impala, gazelle, elephants, hippos, topi, lions, and many other animals. And, sure, you can mark each animal off your list of “MUST SEES,” but when you feel yourself starting to absorb the atmosphere and peacefulness in which all of these animals co-exist, it is truly astounding. As you gaze at the vastness of grunting or eating, or the flapping of the elephants” ears against their bodies-an awe overcomes your soul and you feel your heart fill with a sense that somehow, after seeing this, the world finally makes perfect sense in a way you never knew before.

In a word, whatever one may expect to see when it comes to the wildlife-we can’t imagine that anyone could ever use the word “disappointed.”

Second, the Tanzanian people. The people are beautiful, warm, friendly and kind. Each encounter with staff members at the lodges was a true delight. They welcomed us with open arms and saw to our every need.

Our guide was unbelievable! We finally decided to call him “eagle eyes” because of the astonishing way that he could spot wildlife. He was able to spot lions even though they were sleeping in tall grass; he spotted a cheetah and pointed it out to us and it still took us several minutes to see it with our binoculars. One morning he spotted a leopard even though the sun had not even broken the horizon and it was quite dark. His knowledge of the animals was equally impressive as he told us to keep our camera on a lion that was preparing to arise from a nap and would probably yawn three times so that we could get a photo with his mouth wide open. Most days we started our game drives at 6 am and didn’t end until late in the afternoon, and the whole time he would answer all of our questions, be constantly on the lookout for animals and birds and was conscientious that this was an experience of a lifetime for us. If we wanted to start a day later or end the day sooner, he was equally obliging.

Lastly, our [planning representative] with Africa Dream Safaris-we believe if it weren’t for her the whole experience would not have been as successful as it was. [She] and Africa Dream Safaris were very attentive in asking all the right questions to plan a trip appropriate for us. They asked what we were expecting from the experience, what type of accommodations would make us comfortable, and if we had any special needs that would have to be looked after. They also were completely honest with us about what to expect at each of the lodges, the types of meals and boxed breakfasts and lunches we would receive and, most importantly, they were very thorough in advising on what we should pack. Throughout our trip we felt confident and prepared and were completely comfortable.

To those who are considering booking a trip with Africa Dream Safaris…You will be glad that you put your trust in them to take care of what will most definitely be an experience of a lifetime. We confidently, and without any hesitation, give Africa Dreams and their staff the highest recommendation that is possible.

Fred and Lynnette Dubendorf
February 2010

A pride of lions napping with (and on top of!) each other.

 

A family of elephants quenching their thirst at a water hole (although that baby elephant looks like he might be playing more than drinking!)

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Quote of the Week: Howard and Marsha Seltzer

We just returned from our Safari and had to take a few minutes to let you know how thoroughly pleased and delighted we were with the trip. Beginning with our initial contact with ADS and the home office, through our final minutes at the airport awaiting our return flight home, everything was as advertised, perfectly arranged, and well beyond all of our expectations – and our expectations were high. From our initial encounter with the “visa meet & greet staff” which whisked us past the long lines and out the door to our waiting van, to the flight into the Serengeti where we met our guide / driver, to the game drives and tented camps, every turn was a new and wonderful experience.

Our guide was absolutely amazing in his ability to spot & identify the animals and we saw 4 of the “big five” on the first day. We were “family” within a day of meeting him and he was willing and able to do anything we asked, including long game drives everyday with boxed breakfasts & lunches for picnics in the bush. It was perfect. Another ADS feature we noticed was the selection of vehicles. The roll-top Land Cruisers were far superior to the other type of open top vehicles we saw. Ideal for game viewing, both all around us and above in trees. I must admit that we were skeptical about some of the advanced reading we had done, especially regarding the incomprehensible numbers involved in “The Great Migration”, but we are skeptics no more.

We visited “The Great Migration” several times, including one day when we parked in the midst of the moving herds and enjoyed our boxed picnic lunch – from the comfort and safety of our Land Cruiser – and for 45 minutes watched in awe as the Migration passed before us. We saw it, but is impossible to grasp. The line of animals on the move stretched from horizon to horizon. Another highlight that we must mention was our hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti –extraordinary. Again, thank you for an adventure that was unlike any we had in the past and one that we would hope to repeat in the future.

Howard and Marsha Seltzer
February 2010

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