Maasai Mara

We flew to the Maasai Mara on a small 50 seater propeller plane. The flight took 40 minutes and was quite comfortable. On arrival we were met by someone from our camp and immediately taken on a safari.  We found many animals including zebras, buffalo, wildebeest, hyena, impala, warthog, ostrich, topi, vulture and more. All very exciting and done in a typical open topped safari Land Rover. We all spent most of the hour or so standing up.

Our accomodation for the next few days is a large semi permanent tent. There are three single beds all next to each other, so quite cosy.  (We get a hot water bottle each night) The main restaurant/bar area has a view over the nearby river. In the river are many hippos and a couple of crocodiles just lazing around opposite our viewing area. Tracy was so engrossed and keen to get photos that she leaned against the electric fence and gave herself quote a shock - and Lauren and I a great belly laugh. Apparently earlier in the day many wildebeest had crossed the river here as well.


Our days here include a morning (6:30am) and afternoon (4:00pm) game drive of around 3 hours each. On these we have seen an incredible number and variety of animals. There are an estimated 1.5 million wildebeest and 1 million zebra in the migration and it feels like we have seen most of them. The wildebeest in particular come through in a huge long line. Whilst we have seen many of the same animals as that first drive from the airport, we have also seen a dozen or so lions, several giraffes, about 20 elephants and a cheetah. When I say seen, we are usually only metres away, even from the lions. It is really amazing to be that close to wild animals, but they - generally - appear very unfazed.  (A girl at work told me that cats like being scratched behind the ears and lions are just big cats, so ... I don't think I will give it a try) We are the only passengers in our truck, which is great, but when a major find happens - such as the cheetah - there can be 20 trucks milling around to get a look. Our driver is very knowledgeable and has been doing this for 17 years, so seems to know all the best places to go.

 Our last game drive started at 7:00am and finished at 4:00pm, including lunch from a box sitting on the ground near zebras and wildebeest - awesome. Prior to lunch we came across a leopard, one of the Big Five and probably the hardest to find. We watched it from the truck for about 1/2 an hour whilst our driver kept saying 'It will get up soon'. Well he was right as it stood then walked along the top of a small ravine. We followed - along with about 12 other trucks - until it disappeared down the ravine. We then raced ahead hoping to see it come out. We spotted it dash into a piece of low grass only a few feet from a gazelle, then watched as it leapt out and grabbed the gazelle. It was incredible to see and a little sad, but all part of 'The Circle of Life'. After lunch we went to a Maasai village where a warrior told us of their life, showed us through a house and we watched some warriors jump and sing and the women dance. It was OK but felt a bit put on for tourists.

 We have had a fantastic time in the Masai Mara and have seen 4 of the Big Five, missing only the Rhinoceros ( We have seen Cape Buffalo, African Elephant, Leopard and Lion). It is amazing how close you can get to most of the animals and how used to the trucks they seem to be.
















Comments

  1. xuan12 August 2018 at 22:07

    Amazing Photos Pete!! Looks like something out of a David Attenborough documentary.

    ReplyDelete

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