In the early morning, the Serengeti sky is a very light blue, and the grass is a pale yellow-green, as if the colours are only just beginning to seep into the day. The grassland stretches out around us, punctuated by trees and bushes, and framed by mountains. The air is cool and fresh and the early morning feels peaceful.
At first sight the landscape seems empty but before long we see elephants, some ambling alone, others in herds.
Again we spot hyenas, snouts in a carcass.
And a troop of curious baboons, including babies.
Herds of antelopes, gazelles and zebras (possibly my favourite) graze all around, while giraffes browse among the trees.
A warthog family bustles through the long grass, looking officious, tails sticking up like antenna.
Hippos lie in their muddy baths.
We also see herons, roller birds and eagles.
And plenty of lions, skulking in the grass, or snoozing in trees. A couple of lions lie lazily in the sunshine, stretched out on their backs, while beside them lies what looks like a black and white striped rug.
Then we head to see part of the Great Migration – an enormous herd of wildebeest, mingled with zebras, gazelles and others. The migrating herd follows the rains (which bring fresh pasture) and in a few months’ time will tramp north to Kenya once the Serengeti’s grass is exhausted.
Later we see some wildebeest graze beneath a tree, seemingly completely unaware that just above their heads, a leopard waits on a tree branch.
As we leave the vast Serengeti plains, we all feel incredibly lucky to have seen so much.
No comments:
Post a Comment