Serengeti~Mahale May-June 2014 Days 1-4 May 26-29, 2014

Tanzania May~June 2014

3 Nights Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Arusha National Park

2 Nights Research Campsite Private Tented Camp

Ngorongoro Crater

4 Nights Moru Kopjes Private Tented Camp

Central Serengeti

4 Nights Greystoke Mahale

Mahale Mountains National Park

1 Night Arusha Coffee Lodge

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Days 1-4 May 26-29, 2014

Overnight Flight and 3 Nights Ngare Sero

The excitement leading up to a safari is incredible. All the preparation - months & months of planning, emails, & get-togethers. I always breathe a sigh of relief when we finally get through the 

x-ray machines and into the bar at Logan International Airport in Boston.

This year, Mike, Ben and Holly were lucky enough to go a day early, so Ben could have an extra day to "observe" moths and butterflies at Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, a place he had been to on two previous trips.

I'm always amazed that we cross the sahara and see nothing but sand and the Nile River for 3 hours.

So, why do we always stay at Ngare Sero?

The Colobus Monkeys 

Their horses

The food

The insects, flowers, reptiles, birds

Brown-hooded Kingfisher

And, to watch Ben in action

After the three of us enjoyed the first day, it was time to pick up the rest of the gang:

Dan, Betsy, Bev, Maureen and Tim

We always look forward to the light, late night dinner awaiting at the lodge.

"Where's the cheese?" "Pole, not till tomorrow."

Today our introduction to Africa is Arusha National Park

White-fronted Bee-eater

It's our only chance to see the elusive Red Duiker

Ben, enlightening us. There's always someone not paying attention!

The highlight of Arusha NP is always the walk with Cape Buffalo ~ not too close, but close enough.

Killimanjaro

After another great dinner, with cheese,

I torture my fellow travelers with group photos.

"Just one more, then off to bed"

Tomorrow it's up and out early to the Ngorongoro Highlands.