Lions and Cape Buffalo
Lions and Cape Buffalo are often unknown outcomes. The Cape Buffalo is a dangerous hunt and usually, most of a pride would hunt together. A herd of Buffalo spotting a single lion could be a fatal encounter for the lion.
Leopard
We thought the lions had broken the leopards back because she was on the ground and not moving. But after the pride moved away the leopard ran off and up a tree.
Successful lion hunt in Serengeti.
Super Pride
This is part of one of the super-prides of lions (more than 20 individuals) in the central Serengeti.
Giraffes
On a clear beautiful day in the Central Serengeti, Giraffe majestically roaming for trees to eat from.
Climb Video
Makes you wonder if they ever fall out of a tree! Lions climb trees in all the northern Tanzanian parks. The types of trees allow them to reach lower branches and lions like to get off the hot ground and fewer flies.
Wildebeest herd
This big Wildebeest herd has now been moving into the central Serengeti and the rut, or re-breeding of the herd will soon be underway.
Grumeti River
Cooling off in the Grumeti River!
Taken by Jim K- Unique Safaris Guest February 2023
Ever wonder how lions get up into those trees or why they climb trees in northern Serengeti? On a very basic level, they climb trees because there are trees that they are able to climb. Sounds silly but the lower branches and softer bark allow lions to jump up and make their way further up into various trees. On a practical level, they climb trees to get off of the hot or wet ground and away from the flies that constantly annoy them. The trees can also offer a higher vantage point for spotting their next meal. They obviously have great balance and can position themselves so they can even fall asleep on the branches. I have never seen an adult fall out of a tree but I have seen a lioness climb onto a branch that can’t hold its weight!
Taken by Jim K- Unique Safaris Guest February 2023
Bull Elephant
Down at the Ngorongoro Crater, you rarely find the females and their calves just because there is not enough food to feed from and trees that provide shade which is especially important for the calves. But you do find, the big old bulls that come down to the crater floor. Many old males have teeth that are worn down so they love to chew on the swamp grasses you find in the wetlands. Notice on this particular male his extraordinarily long tusks, this guy has been around for a long time! One of the few places you can see big bull elephants with big tusks!
Lions Being Chased
Been browsing safaris? Check out this video taken at Ngorongoro Crater, this video really demonstrates the benefit of traveling with Unique Safaris. This was taken very early morning because we use Lion's Paw we are able to get to the crater floor by 6:05 AM meaning no other vehicles are there yet.
Rhino Right on the Road
Taken at the Ngorongoro Crater, Rhinos come out early to graze this time of the year.
Moments After Landing
Our clients on safari were able to see this stunning male leopard just 15 minutes into their drive to the East Central Seregenti. Such a huge, strong male walked right up to their vehicle!
Perched Leopard
A very cozy leopard perched above.
Rock Python
"Am I looking for a leopard, what am I looking at?!" This is a gigantic Rock Python in the Serengeti. This python is incredibly camouflaged and digesting a kill!
Rasta
One of the most photogenic and prodigious lions in the Serengeti was killed last weekend by rivals who were able to take over the famous Sametu Pride. This is a normal life cycle for male lions but Rasta ruled his pride for over 8 years which is a history unrivaled. He and his brother ruled together and protected a very large pride known as the Sametu Pride and yes the pride’s territory is very near to Sametu Camp in the east-central Serengeti. The Sametu Pride is a super-pride consisting at one time of almost 30 individuals. The two brothers were a strong pair and they controlled a large territory in the Sametu, Barafu, and Namiri areas of east-central Serengeti. Rasta was killed ironically by three of their younger sons. His brother’s body has not been found and there is speculation if he is dead or if he ran away and some of his females followed him to set up a new territory.
Alpha male lions are always challenged by younger males, some of whom may be from their own pride or others who are bachelors wandering to take over a pride. All in all this process is a good thing since it increases genetic diversity and the siring of new cubs. But it is also sad to see such a famous lion meet his fate. The irony of this situation is there are a total of seven young males, all brothers, who took over the pride for breeding rights and yet all of the females appear to have run far away. Many of them have cubs or are pregnant and are likely wanting to protect their cubs rather than have new alpha males. So there are a total of seven young males roaming the pride’s territory searching for the females, as of this week!
Some people referred to this lion as Bob Jr. as his father was affectionately called Bob. But the Serengeti rangers referred to him as Rasta, in recognition of his glorious long mane with deep black fur that ran to his knees and onto his back. Many years ago the Serengeti Lion Project conducted a famous research project to determine if the size and co
This is a lesser kudu which is not easily seen in northern Tanzania. Tarangire is one of the only locations where it is possible. Use this video ONLY if you can edit out the whistling someone is doing to get the kudu attention.
Even in the green season when Tarangire is not at its peak, the park still guarantees great elephants, fabulous birds, and much more. Look at the length of these tusks. The elephant populations in northern Tanzania have been recovering in numbers from the horrible years of poaching.
For all the fans of flamingos, there are large flocks at Lake Ndutu in the Serengeti at this time of the year. Photographers can choose to spend as much time as they would like to get the ultimate images.
Termite Mound
This is a video you don't see every day. Termite mounds dot the grasslands and serve as vantage points for animals, and the active mounds can have 1-3 million termites burrowing throughout the structure. In 30 years of visiting Tanzania, I have never witnessed the activity inside the mound until now. Not only do termites serve as valuable recyclers, but they are also a food source for many animals and birds. And their mounds are used by many other smaller animals who burrow and need to hide or get out of the heat.
