Ngorongoro Park to Serengeti Plains - April 2

Left the Maramboi Tented Camp at 8 am.

We had a long day travelling over 200K  through the Ngorongoro Park entrance and up to the craters edge (not in) before heading North into the Serengeti and our 2 night stay at Serengeti Sopa Lodge. We soon oon stopped to get water and some shopping in a town along the way.  The markets in these places are something … eager for business.  I had 3 or 4 people offer me carvings, paintings, and other local handicrafts for my sunglasses and shoes.  Sorry guys… I have another week of safari and need them!

A short distance down the road I met a little fellow who proudly announced he was a business man.  He made quite and impression on me actually.  He asked in French if I spoke the language .. then we settled on English.  He had two live birds to barter with ... said he shot them with a bow and arrow (the smiled knowing it was a lie).  I declined to buy but gave him a Canadian pencil and sharpener through the window.  

We also tossed some balloons out along the country roads to Maasai children who often wave as they tend their sheep or cattle.  The Maasai think they have a earthly right to own all the cattle in the world.  They believe cattle were put on the planet for them … which has caused trouble over time as they steal felt entitled to take other tribes cattle.

At the parks entrance we enjoyed the baboons for some time .. quite a family.  I got in the back of the safari vehicle … heard a big commotion and lifted my head and looked right up at a big male baboon (40 kilo) looking back at me.  He was quite effectively searching through all of our lunch kits in the front seat.  This would have been just fine if at precisely that moment our guide not scrambled in the front door after him, baboon over the front seat … now 6 feet from me trapped in the back … baboon heads for the back side door as Claudio slams it … with options other than coming at me limited .. he ducked out the half open remaining side door …  beef sandwich in hand.  Later he humped his lady friend as she enjoyed lunch.  Seemed like he might have done this before!!

Stopped for lunch, Thomas’s sandwich short … and hour or so later after taking a quick look down into the crater (more on the crater in a few days).  Then back in the Land Cruiser to continue the full day trip.

Had a bit of rain along the way ... and a lot of very washboard road.  

We saw our firsts lion on a huge rock formation just before reaching camp and upon arrival were told after 7 pm. if we moved between buildings we needed to call for protected escorts given wild animals at Serena Serengeti.  More on animals in next blog.