This blog has taken ages to appear because it has taken much longer to edit the photos and decide which are keepers. Incidentally, the date of the photos is 23rd April so it shows just how far behind I am. Still, it is enjoyable for me to relive the experience after nearly 6 months.

As we climbed into the van in the hotel car park, a strange bird call became apparent. And then the bird appeared, rether peculiarly named a Bare-faced Go-away-bird.

So rather later then envisaged, we started on the days safari.

A Lilac-breasted Roller called in the early morning sunlight.

shortly followed by a rather distant Long-crested Eagle.

Some of the safari buses have intercom communication and a call came in advsing the location of two Leopards in a tree, about half-an-hour's drive away. Hot foot is an understatement.When we arrived there were already several buses there with the Leopards about 150-200 metres in a tree but with clear views.

A male and a female.

After a while, most of  the other buses had had their fill and moved on but Eggy, our driver/guide wanted to stay as he thought there were signs of movement. And there was with the male descending from the tree

and proceeded to wander in our direction.

In fact he walked straight past us, giving full frame shots - wonderful!!!

But the best was yet to come. The female had also come down from the tree and was looking for the male.

Not seeing him she climbed a nearby Termite mound for a higher vantage point.

For me, the shot of the trip and then she wandered off in the opposite direction.

That was an encounter that will live in my memory - amazing.

Next was an encounter with an Ichneumon Mongoose.

We were following another bus when a pair ran across the track with one not quick enough to avoid the other bus wheels. It lay in the middle of the road so we stopped to see when the mate reappeared from the trackside and pulled the body into the bushes, all the time keening like a baby.

Distressing to see!!!

Following that would be difficult but the Serengeti bird life also showed well. An African Pied Wagtail

A Black-winged Plover

and a Spotted Thick-knee.

and that led us to the signs of Vultures with a carcass - surprisingly wary and not wanting to allow a close approach possibly because they had already eaten and by now, early afternoon, there was heat-haze to contend with. But some decent photos were possible - just. Lappet-faced Vulture

Ruppell's Vulture

White-backed Vulture

The smaller Hooded Vultures really kept their distance. Overcoming the heat haze was a problem here so flight shots were the better ones to keep.

Next to appear were one or two Tawny Eagles, showing the very varied plumage of the species.

Time to make for the hotel, but not before we found a close pair of White-bellied Bustards.

So far, being just over half-way through the trip, I have managed to photograph 103 species of birds and 32 species of mammal.