At the border on the Kenya side, they didn't even glance at credentials, simply opening my passport and stamping my visa. A Micato bus was late due to a flat tire, but it was interesting just observing while being observed during the wait. We were picked up and taken to Immigration on the Tanzanian side, where again my passport was opened and the visa stamped without even checking my identity.

Hours later, over roads that seemed riddled with crater-sized potholes (remember this was post-El Nino and probably not the norm), we arrived at the Novatel Mount Meru in Arusha, Tanzania. Breakfast the next morning was 6 a.m., with departure for Wilson Airport at 6:30 a.m.

It was foggy in the morning. We headed for the airport in a misty rain. Crews were preparing aircraft to take us to the Seronera airstrip in the Serengeti. There was a 4-passenger single-engine Cessna that a few bags were loaded onto. The rest went on a much larger plane. The Cessna pilot (born in Nairobi, but from Pittsburgh via the Flying Doctors) called for "three volunteers" to ride with him. No one moved. I strided forward boldly. Why not? I was here for adventure, right? My Tanzania roomie and another fellow traveler followed my lead

In the end, it was a good decision. I sat in the co-pilot's seat and was invited to "take the controls for awhile" . . . over the Serengeti plains after we got out of the fog and above the turbulent air and clouds. Well - - I did take private pilot certification in college!

We arrived at the Seronera dirt airstrip and were off on a game drive on the way to the glorious Serengeti Sopa Lodge. Visible wildlife was few and far between on the Serengeti compared to the Masai Mara this time of year. But when we did come upon something, it was usually extremely photo-worthy . . . . a cheetah with cubs, a leopard, etc.

Keep in mind that if you want to visit Tanzania when it is teeming with visible wildlife and you want the same in Kenya, it's probably best to make separate visits at two different times of the year. But the animals are there. You just have to work harder to find them.