Time for a Serengeti safari. This is part two of the safari featuring day 2 and day 3 in the Serengeti. If you haven’t already, before continuing you can read about my trip preparations and day 1 in Tarangire National Park.
Day 2: Central Serengeti
After a delicious breakfast, I waited for the driver to arrive to start our journey to Central Serengeti!!!!
After what felt like forever (I have no patience when I’m excited), the driver arrived with three additional passengers and the cook. The eight of us loaded up (6 passengers, the driver, and the cook) and set out for the Serengeti.
It was about a 2.5 – 3-hour drive.
When we entered the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
We made a brief stop to take photos overlooking the crater (we’d be traveling down there on day 4).
Then we continued our journey and passed some beautiful giraffes grazing.
About halfway into the drive we made a quick rest stop. The rest stop had restrooms and an interesting “Tale of Two Species” statute.
Later, we stopped again and enjoyed a hood top lunch. The food was really good. There were a few Maasai women nearby, and they came over and offered their jewelry for sale.
Then we finally entered the Serengeti National Park.
We entered the park around 3ish pm and did a game drive for a few hours, checking out the animals.
Hippo pool
After the game drive, some members of the group and the cook went to the public campsite in the park. On the way to my lodging at the Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp, we saw a herd of buffalo and an amazing Serengeti sunset.
Check-in was smooth, and the staff was very welcoming. I had the Hyrax tent, the first tent beside the main dining tent (which I was very grateful about). During check-in, I was informed not to leave the tent alone once it’s dark since we are in the national park, and animals roam freely.
Once in my tent, I took a hot shower, and when it’s time for dinner, I radioed for an escort to the dining tent. The campsite hires Maasai men to guard the camp and escort guests around at night.
After dinner, I returned to my room, and I must admit I had difficulty falling asleep. While I felt completely safe in my tent, I was nervous as this was my first time staying in a “tent” (although not your typical tent, as it has some wooded walls).
You could hear the animals making noises outside the tent.
The wind also blew against the side of the canvas, which initially had me thinking an elephant or some animal was leaning against my tent (ridiculous, I know).
After a while, I eventually drifted off into a comfortable sleep.
Day 3: Serengeti National Park
I got up early (before the crack of dawn) to do a hot air balloon safari. The morning was freezing (to me). I left my jacket in the jeep when I got dropped off at camp the night before, and the guide was not able to bring it to me. So, I had on layers (a tank top, long-sleeved shirt, leggings, socks, sneakers, a knit cap, scarf, and a Maasai blanket I bought on the first day).
I left my carry-on bag at the camp for the guide to collect later, as I was the only one from my group doing the balloon ride.
There were a good amount of people waiting to do the balloon ride. We had to wait for the weather to stabilize, and while I waited, I saw a breathtaking sunrise.
Seeing the process to inflate the balloon was interesting.
When it was time, we got in the balloon while it was on its side. I had never been in a hot air balloon before, so I had that nervous energy mixed with excitement. However, after a few literal bumps, we lifted up and were air born
Once we were in the balloon and the fire started going, I quickly warmed up.
It was cool to see the animals from above. I saw pretty much the same animals, like zebras, impalas, a lion, giraffes, hyenas, buffalos, and one lone fox, but we covered more terrain than in the jeep (since the jeep can’t go off-road).
When it was time to land, we landed in the middle of a field not too far away from a family of giraffes.
The landing was smooth, and once we were on the ground and out of the balloon, we were in the animals’ territory with no protection. I was worried about a lion or hyena getting spicy, but our pilot said that giraffes would not be in the area chilling with their offspring if there was any danger nearby.
When the jeeps arrived, we had a champagne toast (which is customary following a balloon ride) and then headed to breakfast.
On the way to breakfast we spotted a hippo and hyenas
The breakfast setup was lovely. The crew had everything set up when we arrived (including a loo with a view ). The breakfast was good, and the company was enjoyable.
After a lovely morning, I went to the drop-off point to meet up with my group (who did a morning game drive while I was enjoying my balloon experience). Then we headed to the campsite for lunch and, of course, spotted animals along the way.
Although I was stuffed from breakfast, I still ate some lunch (why not? the food was there) and chilled while they loaded everyone’s gear in the jeep. One of the cool things about staying in the national parks is the animals get close to the campsites. While I loved the experience during the daytime, I could not sleep in one of those small tents, knowing huge animals may be right outside my tent.
Then we embarked on our afternoon game drive as we headed out of the Serengeti.
We made our way back to the Ngorongoro area. Everyone else stayed at the Simba campsite, and I stayed at the Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp along with the guide. When I researched my accommodations, I was worried because some of the reviews said the tents needed to be updated, Fortunately for me, I was assigned one of the new tents. The inside was decorated very nicely and still looked new. It was was my second favorite accommodation after the lodge.
The staff was so friendly (making that 3 for 3). The host shared that they plan to update all the tents but can only do it between bookings. Once again, I was told not to leave my tent after dark without an escort. This campsite used whistles (yes, a whistle; they don’t do walkie talkies like the Serengeti) for campers to call for assistance. Apparently, elephants, buffalos, and zebras like to visit at night.
After organizing my bags and taking a hot shower, an escort came to collect me for dinner. After a 3-course dinner, I retired to my room to rest for tomorrow’s experience at the Ngorongoro crater.
Click the link below to read about the last day of my safari adventure
- Reading about my final day at the Ngorongoro Crater
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