It’s always a thrill when our travelers return from a journey with tales of adventure and inspiring wildlife experiences. See these wonderful wildlife photos from Keith and Nancy, 20-time WT adventurers who recently returned from the Serengeti on a private departure of our Tanzania: The Great Migration Safari.
A trip to the Serengeti during January and February meant we could see the wildlife with very few other people around.
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Tanzania boasts the crowned crane as its national bird. Its magnificent plumage attracts much attention.
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The giraffe is the nation’s national animal.
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Graceful of movement and tranquil of temperament, the giraffe represents Tanzanian acceptance in a culturally and religiously diverse environment.
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During the early wet season, we were able to spot the Kori bustard in its mating plumage.
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…and we also got to see other wildlife with their young, including this hippo calf.
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Elephants are known to have strong relationships. We enjoyed watching them care for their young.
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This gnu calf stayed with its mother, but many others got separated and wandered alone. Gnus are less concerned with their young than elephants.
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Even the predators take it easy. In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we were surprised to find hyenas lounging around the water hole like tourists at a hotel swimming pool. Even the nearby zebras were unconcerned.
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In the south Serengeti, rock formations known as “simba kopjes” (lion heads) are a favorite hideout for lion. We spotted this male lion gazing over a rock during a game drive.
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Leopards hunt at night and sleep during the day, so it takes a trained eye to find them after sunrise. We were lucky to see this one lounging in a tree.
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Normally this tree is the site for our sundowner, however, this lion took the staff by surprise; they had to move our sundowner to a different tree! This is why you always look up before you get out of the vehicle!
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While the meat-eaters are in no danger of extinction, we were pleased that the “law of the jungle” seems to rely primarily on peaceful co-existence.
— Text and photos by 20-time WT adventurers Keith and Nancy Price, Tanzania: The Great Migration Safari.