Into the park

We drove into the park today. It was spectacular, but pretty long. We saw so many animals. First we drove through the Ngorogoro Conservation Area, where we stopped and got a great view of the crater lake. Here’s a “nice” picture of my dusty self in front of the lake. Any tiny black dots you might see in the background are actually water buffalo! The lake is HUGE! When we stopped to take a look at the lake, we were almost immediately surrounded by teenage Masaai boys who were trying to make some money from tourists by selling beaded necklaces and bracelets. I fended them off pretty quickly by telling them I didn’t have any money, but they really wouldn’t leave Rachel alone. They followed us back to the car where one of them asked if we could spare any water. I gave them what I had, but it really wasn’t much. The summer drought is really taking a toll on the region.

After we passed the Ngorogoro Crater we began our drive through the plains. They were flat as pancakes. Little Thompson gazelle and Kori bustard bodies appeared black against the horizon line. Every once in a while we would pass a huge ostrich or a topi. Once we got into the park the plains turned into savanna land, where Thomspon gazelle were replaced by wildebeest and zebra.


Once at our final destination, we met Chris Schelten, a spunky blonde woman who runs the Seronera FZS projects. Chris is kindly allowing Rachel and I to bunk in the Frankfurt guest house in Seronera (located in the middle of the Serengeti National Park). In the morning we plan to meet up with Dominic and Felix, who are staying at the Disease House and go on a game drive in the morning before we start our day full of meetings.