Safari: Serengeti National Park (Soroi Lodge)
Plan of the Day: Depart the Ndutu Camp head to the Serengeti enjoying a game drive on the way to the Soroi Lodge for two nights.
Our Itinerary: February 2012
14th: Depart Naples, Italy
15th: Arrive Kilimanjaro, Africa *Transport to Arumeru River Lodge, Arusha (adjust for jet lag)
16th-17th: Tarangire National Park
*Stay two nights at the Kikoti Camp
18th: Lake Manyara National Park
*Stay one night Ngorongoro Farm House
19th-21st: Ngorongora Crater
Stay one night Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Stay two nights (20th-21st) Ndutu Camp
22nd-23rd: Serengeti National Park
*Stay two nights the Serengeti Soroi Lodge
24th: Depart Serengeti National Park for flight back to Seronera Airstrip and transfer to Kilimanjaro airport
25th: Arrive Naples, Italy
Depart Ngorongoro Nat’l Park & Game Drive to the Serengeti (Friday 22FEB2013)
As we left Ngorongoro National Park, we paused at the Serengeti check-in, and Anthony warned this would be our last chance to see the wildebeest migration — so we climbed to the top of a hill for a better view. Tens of thousands of animals stretched across the horizon, a living, rolling river of dust, tiny ants and muscle that made us stand in awed silence. Later, a jeep sank in the muck beside the track; Anthony laughed and said if we stopped to help we'd be just as stuck, but not to worry, help was on the way. We drove for a couple of hours along what passed for a road until, at one point, Anthony turned right where there was no road at all and grinned, “I know a shortcut!”
Birds of the Serengeti (Friday 22FEB2013)
Flamingos stand on one leg in shallow pink-tinted waters, their curved bills sifting for shrimp and algae that give them that unmistakable rosy hue; hawks, sharp-eyed and silent, wheel overhead on broad wings, scanning fields for the quick twitch of prey before plunging with purposeful speed; and a bright yellow canary flits between branches, its cheerful song and sunny plumage cutting a warm, melodic contrast to the dramatic silhouettes of the raptors and the elegant, languid presence of the flamingos.
Serengeti Soroi Lodge (Friday 22FEB2013)
We made it to our last lodging, the Serengeti Soroi Lodge — a string of cabins perched on the cliff’s edge with the Serengeti fanning out below like a living map. Our room was spectacular, with thoughtful touches and comfortable luxury, but it was truly second to the view: endless golden plains, acacia silhouettes, and the steady parade of wildlife moving through the distance. When planning our safari we were offered an upgrade and decided to take it — a decision that paid off in spades at Soroi, where mornings began with coffee on the veranda and the horizon felt like part of the suite.
Game Drive Day 2 (Saturday 23FEB2013)
Our first full day in the Serengeti delivered everything we’d hoped for: huge pods of hippos wallowing in muddy pools, a giant crocodile sunning itself on the riverbank, and even a rare stretch of road that allowed us to step out of the jeep and feel the warm, dry air on our faces. The highlight of the day was an encounter with an elephant.
The Charging Elephant
What started out as the usual — stop the jeep, grab a few pics of this huge elephant, nothing much to note beyond his incredible size — shifted in an instant when he caught us in his sights. He lifted his head like a warning: this is my yard, move along. He began to walk toward us, and I said to Anthony, “We need to get out of here!” Then he charged. At 10 frames a second I rattled off thirty to fifty frames, heart pounding with every click, until finally we edged away and the distance between us grew. Only once the jeep rolled on and the elephant faded behind us did I let myself breathe again.
Birds (Saturday 23FEB2013)
A day of herons.
Having a Flat Tire In the Bush (Saturday 23FEB2013)
On our last day in the bush, we have a flat tire. Not to worry, Anthony had it all under control. This was one of the few times we were actually allowed out of the truck, and of course, we took full advantage of the extra camera time. The unexpected pause gave us a perfect opportunity to soak in the wild surroundings, capture some incredible shots, and appreciate the adventure that comes with every moment off the beaten path.
Serengeti Soroi Lodge (Saturday 23FEB2013)
Our last evening at the Soroi was pure reward for the long road— the upgrade was well worth it. We slipped into the pool as the sun eased away, the water cool and forgiving, then lounged poolside with a few cold drinks in hand, laughter mixing with the soft evening air. We raised a toast to our guide, whose steady knowledge and warm spirit had turned dusty trails into unforgettable stories, and for a few suspended moments everything felt perfectly simple and right.
