This morning we started our day at a reasonable hour. Breakfast at 7:30 and departure for a day safari at about 8;15.

When we got to the park gates, there was a little problem with or permit, but it got sorted out and we were able to enter the park.

David took us to the west side of the park… this features vast plains, interesting rock formations from underground volcanic activity and rolling hills into the distance. It sure felt like we were on the set of the Lion King!

The first thing we encountered was yet another grouping of the herds of wildebeest. This also contained many zebras as well. These two species travel together throughout the entire migration. About 1 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebras do the trek each year. This collection of herds went on for miles, each wildebeest and zebra herds with their our dominant male, constantly fending off advances from other males… makes for an active day for the dominant male. Apparently , on average a male doesn’t stay dominant for more than 3 years… he then “retires” and joins a male only herd,

After the wildebeest herd we saw many many more animals. I started a list in the am and here’s what I had before lunch: Wildebeest, zebras, topi, giraffes, ostriches, impalas, both Grant and Thompson Gazelles, wart hogs, Lions and LIONS including a lion sleeping near her wildebeest breakfast, Spotted Hyenas, Wart Hogs, and vultures. Phew! So many pictures, and so much awe at the beauty of life that surrounded us today.

It was soon time to stop for lunch. David picked out a spot with a tree, and one or two other vehicles around. This wasn’t as formal a picnic place as we had had yesterday, so the three of us ate in the car. Another lovely box lunch from the hotel.

After lunch we spotted another vulture, totally posing for us! We also saw a small herd of zebras standing in front of “Pride Rock”, and our first water buffalo along with a beautiful herd of Topi. Our afternoon was rounded out with a cute mother daughter photo op of wildebeest.

We headed out of the park a little earlier tonight. This would give us a chance to try and upload my posts from yesterday and today. (Obviously, no such luck!) as well as have some R and R time before dinner. As we got back to our hotel, we just made it into the reception area from our room and we had a bit of a rain with some distant thunder… all sounds of the Serengeti!.

The evening appears to be clearing nicely. The plan is to have dinner and then head back to the room to get packed up. Tomorrow will be a new day, where we drive to the Central Serengeti and begin another day of exploring the wonders of this amazing region!