African Safari Page #5

what a transition!

- So what do you think?

- Oh man,

it was definitely worth the detour.

It's pretty unique for sure.

There is wildlife everywhere.

That's some herd of wildebeest!

Yeah and some zebras over there.

There is a herd of buffaloes,

way back there in the sunlight.

Yeah, let's check it out.

Hippos, buffaloes...

What a piece of paradise.

I know this is what makes this place

so special.

Absolutely...

Let me have a look.

Check it out, have a look over there.

Look at that, two lionesses.

Do you think they gonna

go for the buffalo?

Well, it's unlikely,

they don't look like

they're in hunting mode.

Look to your left,

they already have made a kill.

Where?

Straight ahead of that walking lioness.

Well, these guys can relax now,

they won't be bothered for awhile.

Look up there, the clouds are back.

Let's hope it does not rain on us

before we set up camp.

Yeah!

That evening, as everyone

was settling in for the night,

we are visited by some unruly guests.

- Mara!

- What?

- Mara!

- Yeah?

Are you OK?

There's lions in camp.

I don't know how many.

It sounds like one by your tent.

Hey bugger off, shoot shoot...

- Are you OK?

- I think so.

Move off...

Get out of here...

- What happened Kevin?

- He ran off with the mat.

He's back...

- They're all there.

- What are we going to do?

Oh no. He grabbed the side of the tent.

He is relentless, get out of here!

Go!

What happened, Kevin?

This male is trying to get in my tent.

Get out of here, go...

I think they are leaving.

I am coming out.

I am coming to your tent.

The events of last night

left everyone on the expedition

pretty unsettled.

We've had predators roam through our

camp at night on several occasions,

but never did they cause any damage.

Luckily no one got hurt.

Some tents need repair though.

Fortunately we have been able to

book accommodations at

a commercial safari camp

near the Moru Kopjes in the Serengeti,

our next destination.

As we are getting close to camp,

things get pretty exciting.

Large herds of wildebeest

and zebras everywhere we look!

A sure sign that the first wave

of the great migration

has already arrived

to this part of the Serengeti.

About two million animals take part

in the migration

from the Masai Mara region in Kenya

to the Serengeti in Tanzania

following the rain in

a big circular motion.

However, it is often hard to predict

the exact location of the herds.

Many factors affect their movement.

We're very lucky,

we seem to have come at the right time.

Our only worry is the storm system

blowing across the region.

Depending on where it rains,

big herds can appear or

disappear overnight,

attracted by greener pastures elsewhere.

In the 19603,

Tanzania set out to protect

more wilderness

than any other nation on earth

and eco-tourism has become big business.

But the needs of the local population

that grew from 10 million

to almost 50 million today

and is projected to double

over the next 40 years

will make it hard to justify

the existence of such

vast protected areas.

Watching the sun set on

this amazing scenery,

one can only reflect on the dramatic

impact a new government project

to build a major commercial highway

through the Serengeti

would have on this world heritage site.

Under intense international pressure

the plan to link Lake Victoria

with Eastern Tanzania

has been put on hold,

but for how long?

Oh perfect light!

Check, they're everywhere.

I can see...

This is the real wild Africa!

What a disaster!

By the break of dawn

the herds of zebras

and wildebeest have vanished.

We did not get a drop of water at camp

during the night,

but we heard big storms rage off

in the distance.

As we drive around,

we realize the worst-case scenario

is unraveling.

Even though there still is

lots of green grass to feed on,

the animals have left the area.

Terribly disappointed,

we head for the plains

where it rained during the night,

hoping to catch up with the migration.

That's all what's left.

Alone spotted hyena.

It's not looking good!

Let's see if I can spot the herds.

They must be nearby.

Mara, have a look out there,

by that dry lake...

There's a herd.

I just don't understand,

they heading in the wrong direction.

I mean it's all dry here.

There is much green grass

where they came from.

But I guess they are

just following the rain.

Yeah, I don't know,

maybe we should also head out early

to the Kilimanjaro.

The weather condition can be

really tricky over there.

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania

right on the border with Kenya,

peaking at 5,895 m.

The tallest mountain in Africa

is often shrouded with clouds

and is not visible for weeks on end.

This afternoon,

only a thin ring of clouds

crown the top of the mountain

in the distance.

Most of the wildlife

at the base of mount Kilimanjaro

is found on the Kenyan side

of the border,

but long term conservation efforts

and intense anti-poaching surveillance

is paying off.

Large herds of elephants,

antelopes and predators

have returned to the

foothills in Tanzania.

In the days ahead,

we will fly around

Kilimanjaro in the Cinebulle

and a micro light that belongs

to a friend of mine

who works in the area.

But as dark clouds burgeon all around

the mountain,

we know there will be no flying today.

So we decide to take the time

to follow a mother elephant

and her calf in the bush.

But it is the elephant

who wants to have an up close

and personal look at us.

It is unusual for elephants

to interact with vehicles this way.

She's clearly had previous

close-up encounter with people

who probably gave her food.

As we approach mount Kilimanjaro,

we cannot help

but reflect on our extraordinary journey

across the continent.

There is still plenty

of untouched wilderness in Africa

worth protecting.

But the melting glaciers

at the top of the mountain

which will completely disappear

before the decade is over

are a stark reminder as to how fragile

our planet really is.

There is lion tracks,

all over the place.

Yeah, let's follow them

and find out where they are.

Yeah definitely,

we don't want to set up the camp

and have it raided all over again.

Oh great Kev... look at this.

Three cubs, brilliant,

the rest of the pride must be on a hunt.

I think we disturbed them.

Hopefully they won't go too far,

I mean they should hide from predators.

They already coming back.

That's great.

Yeah, it's just as well.

A visitor...

Now, this could be interesting...

My friend Damian Bell

supervises the anti-poaching efforts

around mount Kilimanjaro.

His micro light is a very useful tool

to survey the area for

illegal activities.

But today it is all fun and pleasure,

as we will join Dany

and Kevin in the air

in an attempt to fly towards the slopes

of Kilimanjaro.

In this stunningly

beautiful part of Africa,

we cannot help but think that

despite the great efforts

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