Day 14 Serengeti - Kogatende

Left Lobi by 7.30am for long drive to Kogatende on the Mara River with no idea as to whether we would have anywhere to camp that night or not.  First part of journey to Klein’s Camp Gate uneventful but then finding the actual road to Kogatende proved a little tricky.  Our first attempt took us to an impassable brook after about 9km so we headed back to find the alternative route on the map.  Reached that but were just pondering which of two tracks was the road when some locals came past and told us that no-one used that road anymore and we needed a track 200 m back – luckily another guy in a truck volunteered to show us which the track – we would never have found it ourselves.   Saw loads of wildebeest on route plus a group of vultures tucking into dinner.  

Most amusing part of journey was about 30km from Kogatende – we had seen no-one for 2 hours when we came upon 3 guys in the middle of the road – all with their mobile phones.  Slightly hesitantly we slowed down and bizarrely one of them said “We are waiting for Lucas – have you seen him?”.  We will spend the rest of the trip wondering who Lucas is and whether they ever met up with him.

Arriving at Kogatende, a safari drive advised us that a river crossing was about to happen about 3km down river so we headed straight off.  No-one had told us the etiquette and we almost certainly scared the wildebeest who were grouping at the river front – a driver told us that everyone parks at the top of the slope where you get a good view and don’t scare the wildebeest.  We waited for ages to see whether they would regroup and cross but to no avail – I don’t think I have the patience for the sport of wildebeest crossing spotting. 

Back to the ranger post to see if we could get a camp site (seriously had our fingers crossed as it was a very long drive back to Lobo).  Luckily the ranger was happy to show us to an “extra” camp site – a spot right on the banks of the River Mara.  Also close to the road and on the flight path but we were happy.  Interesting evening listening to hippos in the river and a large group of workmen chopping wood – not great when you are still suffering from jippy tummy but it certainly ensures you lose any inhibitions.