The Serengeti National Parkpark covers more than 5000 square miles of grassland plains and savanna as well as river forest and woodlands. The park is bordered to the north by Kenya.
The park is usually described as having three regions. The plains are the endless and treeless grasslands of the south. This is where the wildebeest breed, as they roam in the plains from December to May. Many other animals including zebra, gazelle, impala, hartebeest, topi, buffalo, waterbuck also occupy the area in huge numbers during the wet season.
The western end of the park has black clay soil covering the swampy savannah of the region. The Grumeti River is home to enormous Nile crocodiles, colobus monkey, and the martial eagle.
The Northern Serengeti has open woodlands and hills. The northern region runs from Seronera in the south to the border with Kenya.
As our "preview" photos from the Serengeti showed, the pictures tell most of the story.
Mr. Karashi explained that the treeless plains are a result of volcanic eruptions carpeting the area and the rain water hardening the surface making it almost impossible for roots to break through and sustain most plant and tree life. In fact, many years ago the Maasi people would walk endlessly toward the mirage that appeared to be water as the sun glared off the plains.
Below is a photo of the sun glistening in the distance.
We were so fortunate to see all that we encountered.
95% of cheetah cubs die during their first few months. As a result, the cheetah numbers continue to dwindle. Below, is a picture of a cheetah and her cub that Mr. K estimated to be more than six months old.
Below, a silver haired jackal howls in an annoying fashion until the cheetah finally took its Cubs and moved on. The jackal also had a cub with her and each wanted the other to yield.
Perhaps our best lion shot.
While we could not get all of them in one shot, below are many of the 15 lions in a single pride that we encountered.
An endless herd of wildebeest move into the plains. Within a few weeks, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million of these beautiful creatures will inhabit the area.
These two lion cubs ponder a walk down a steep rock formation. Ultimately, they turned around and took another route to their mothers.
This lion wears an electronic monitor so that researchers can track her movements and travel habits.
One of our game drives came to a close with this rainbow in the distance.
The Serengeti had already served as the treasure. We are fortunate that we experienced all that it had to offer.
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