Idnas71

Hi, all. I have been working on putting the photos from my safari on Flickr. It is a slow process! I'm not completely done yet, a few more days of pictures to go through, but most of the wildlife shots are already in the album, so here it is. The last couple days of my safari were spent in the northern Serengeti (Lobo/Migration Camp), and the wildlife sighting was not so great up there. Seronera Valley was fantastic, though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2891429...349358/detail/

Hope you enjoy some of these. I sure enjoyed taking them. Check back to my album if you want to see my Zanzibar and the rest of my Migration Camp pics.

Cheers!
Sandi

jules39

You have some great photos. Thanks J

atravelynn

There have been questions and discussions about Tarangire in the wet season. Your photos show there is lots to see, including the famed eles. Here's something I had not thought about before--you can see blooming baobabs in Feb in Tarangire. No blooms or even leaves in dry season.

The clouds make for some dramatic backdrops. Great job on the rollers and barbets. Those warthogs in the crater must have been newborns.

Glad Seronera worked out. Do you have any migration updates? What was happening as you left?

Why did you head up to Lobo?

Thanks for the lovely pics!

CarrieT

Thanks for sharing the photos! They brought back good memories...you stayed in a lot of the same lodgings that I did when I was there.

Idnas71

Thanks for the kind comments. Atravelyn, I thought Tarangire was full of just beautiful landscapes. I spent two nights there, and was so glad.

It has been two months since I've been back home, so no current updates to share. It was really pretty dead up there wildlife-wise. Enjoyed the differing landscapes, though. We did take a drive to the Mara River (I had requested that) and had a lovely picnic lunch under the shade of a tree on the Mara plains. (Migration Camp packs one heck of a picnic basket with real china.) On the way back it started to rain, and we put that Landcruiser to a real test. It was amazing how treacherous those roads became with just a little rain. I was majorly impresed with our guide's driving skills. It was like an amusement park ride at some points, nearly sideswiping a few trees.

When I planned this trip, I was hoping the migration might still be trickling down from the north in the first week of November. We saw a few wildebeasts, but not massive herds. So that gamble didn't pan out. However... I thought Migration Camp was a fantastic experience. Still have more pics to upload from there. Loved the fire pit/observation deck looking down on the camp. Saw some pretty lightning shows way in tne distance the first night. Our second night, there was only one other couple staying in camp. The staff arranged for that couple to have a special dinner in their tent, and my friend and I had the dining area all to ourselves. Great service there, the tents were so nice, and the setting was gorgeous.

My only complaint during the trip was some really uncomfortable beds almost everywhere (Tarangire Sopa, and the Wildlife Lodges at Manyara, Seronera and Lobo). They were so hard... and I'm not a picky person. The Crater Sopa Lodge had much better beds, and of course, Migration Camp was fabulous. lol I did not let it ruin my trip, though. I just caught up on sleep when I got home.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the Wildlife Lodges (except for those beds), the common areas, the meals, etc. They were chosen for location and cheap price to offset some of the pricier nights. I thought they were just beautiful settings and architecture, and the meals were great (did not try their boxed lunches, though.)

I'm bad at the trip reports. As you can see, I tend to ramble. lol If anybody had specific questions for me, ask away!

Cheers,
Sandi

Leely2

Lovely photos. You excel at landscapes. Lilac-breasted roller in flight is terrific. I would love it if you could top this thread when you have added to your galleries so I can peek in and see what's new (Lobo area, etc.).

Welcome back and thanks for posting!

Leely2

Oh gosh, hadn't gotten to the wee warthog babies yet when I commented. I bet they were a sight to see prancing about.

Idnas71

Thank you, Leely2. I would get so disgusted at myself when trying to get those landscape shots because 80% of the time my horizons are crooked. I am just off-kilter most of the time, I guess. lol

Loved the baby warthogs. I liked the adult ones, too. lol Such funny little creatures.

atravelynn

That makes sense to be north if you were there earlier.

The flamingos in Lake Momella were lovely.

rsnyder

Sandi, many excellent pics particularly some of the birds, lbr, barbet, etc. And, the ones of the hyena in the hippo pool in the crater--Wow! Thanks for sharing.
Dick

Kavey

Enjoyed viewing those very much!

scootr29

Image 3839 is a Barbet?...what kind of Barbet?

canadian_robin

Sandi - your photos are amazing. I especially enjoyed those from Tarangire - my DH and I loved that park. The scenery and baobabs are so beautiful and, like you, we had spectacular wildlife sightings. We stayed three nights and I regreted not having longer. Lovely giraffe photos and a pair of leopards in a tree - wow! The hyenas on the hippo in the Crater are wonderful - that is something I never would have expected to see. What luck! Great cobra! lol. If you want to see (Cape) cobras, go to Kgalagadi NP in SA in November - they are everywhere and very beautiful - a metre long and brillant yellow. I love your cheetah shots from Seronera - in one, it looks as though the cheetah is smiling at you. The two lilac-breasted rollers in the tree is a lovely photo. You weren't exaggerating when you said that you had outstanding sightings in the Seronera valley. We did as well, but we did better up north at Lobo than we did at Seronera - interesting the difference 3 months makes. You took some great lovebird shots - my DH became so frustrated trying to get a good photo of those skittish birds. Migration Camp look fantastic - we might have to try that next time we head to Lobo. You mention asking for tent #16 - that sounds like a lot of people/tents for such an exclusive camp. Would you want to be there when all of the tents were occupied? Was it your impression that this happens often? Does each tent have a private driver/guide? Good thing the roads weren't that bad when we were in the Northern Serengeti in August - it looks treacherous! Love the airplane - looks like a Tinga Tinga painting! Thank you again for sharing your photos!

Scootr29 - they are red-and-yellow barbets, I believe - we saw them in Tarangire - beautiful birds. Such intricate markings!
Robin

DEAN45

Hi - if you could i have a few questions - if you do not mind me asking abouthow much per person was the flight to Zanzibar?
Were you glad that you went or was there something maybe you wish you had seen instead?

What kind of a lens did you have?

Were the guides knowledgeable about identifying the birds for you?

Thanks!

Idnas71

Thank you all... I appreciate your feedback on the photos very much! I try to get better at taking them trip by trip. lol

Robin, Tarangire was amazing. We spent two nights there, but I could see how three would have been worthwhile, too. About the tents at Migration Camp, I think they are quite spread out, and the setting is just lovely. I really didn't spend much time there, only two nights, and then with a full-day game drive to the Mara River, there wasn't much time to relax and soak in the special service they offer. But I enjoyed the meals, the interaction with the host and hostess (Johan and Jennifer, I believe!), the two guests we had brief visits with, the firepit in the evenings... it was truly a grand finale to the safari experience. Even if the tents had been full up, it would have been fine with me. Jennifer was telling us about their plans for Christmas, (fully booked) and it sounded like loads of fun!
My friend and I had our private guide throughout the whole ten days from Good Earth Tours, so I don't know if the camp provides a private driver otherwise.

If you want to buy some Tinga Tinga paintings, check out the gift shop at Gibbs Farm! My friend bought several there, and the prices were unbelievably cheap (in my opinion). They were just gorgeous paintings, all signed by the artist.

Dean45, I believe the flight from Lobo to Zanzibar, with return to Arusha, was around $300. I planned this so long ago, I don't actually remember the numbers, as it wasn't exactly itemized. So better ask someone who has a more concrete idea. It was very reasonable, though, in my opinion, when I was planning it all and getting the cost finalized. My whole 10-day safari was right at $4,000 per person, I do remember that. The two-nights hotel stay at Kibo Palace were separate (although could have gotten a better deal if I'd just booked it with Good Earth) and the Zanzibar portion was extra and independently arranged, except for the airfare.

Our safari guide, Prosper, was a birder's dream. That is his specialty and love, I would say. But he was great at spotting big cats and the like so far away, it truly amazed me. He says to go to Lake Manyara and Gibbs Farm in the rainy season for a birder's true delight. I didn't necessarily go with the intention of being a birder, but it was sure fun to find the different varieties and watch them, and photograph them! I took notes of what he told us they were named, but I didn't exactly get those notes transfered to my photo album yet. lol

My camera is a Canon 40D and the lens is a Tamron 18-270 with vibration control. That's 27-405 in 35mm speak. I loved it because it was all in one lens and I never had to change it! The photo quality is supposedly not as good when you have a big range like that in one lens, but it was perfectly fine for my amateur interests.

Thank you all again, and I'm glad the photos are being enjoyed!

Idnas71

Forgot to add, I was very glad I visited Zanzibar. For one thing, met a couple at the Imani Villa who I hope will be friends for a long time to come. We shared a couple of day excursions together and had the best time. And the beach at Kendwa Rocks was one of the prettiest I've been to. (My beach vacation experience is limited, but it was so nice!) Stonetown was full of interesting photo opportunities. Loved the carved wooden doors, as you could tell. lol

canadian_robin

Sandi - Thanks for the tip about buying Tinga Tinga paintings at Gibbs Farm - I have made a note for the future. We picked up a couple at the Masai market in Arusha, but there wasn't great variety. The two we purchased are now framed and hung in our home - fond memories of Tanzania.

Thanks for the info on Migration Camp - definitely a place to consider for 2011-2012. Robin

Leely2

Just going through the additional Zanzibar photos. They're really beautiful! Zanzibar is so picturesque, isn't it? I've only been once, about 5+ years ago. I remember feeling tremendous culture shock having come straight from the calm, quiet world of a Northern Circuit safari. But by the time we had to leave, I was ready just to stay in Zanzibar relaxing...forever!

Thanks for bringing this all back to me--such pleasant memories. I hope you and travel partner cherish yours.

Philbill

How do you rate Good Earth as your operator?

would you recommend them?

Thanks!

Otis72

While you are waiting for Sandi to respond... We just sent in deposit for our third safari with Good Earth, Northern TZ in Feb 2011. Previous trips (with GET) were in Jan 2007 (TZ) and August 2008 (TZ/Kenya). Great people, service and value, especially for a private safari. Read my trip reports for details, also the many other reports on GET and other good TO's in the East Africa Index. Note that GET does Kili climbs also. Our second trip was GET in TZ and their partner SafariLine in Kenya; both did a terrific job. Jim.

p.s. Sandi - your photos and sightings were terrific. Our GET driver/guide was Abdi (or Abdul) for both trips and he was a bird-master too!