Jump to content

Those Poor Animals – A Family Safari in Kenya


foggy27

Recommended Posts

Oh I am eager to read about your time with Ping :) We will be with him again in February.  Sounds like you are off to a great start!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 4 Afternoon Game Drive

Over the lunch, Ping asked us what we had in mind for the next seven days, and we said we would leave it to his discretion.  It seemed to be defeating the purpose of hiring a highly regarded guide, and then trying to second guess his moves.  Ping just chuckled and commented that relaxed guests tended to get the best out of the safari experience.  Well we curtained hoped he was right.

 

After a nice rest, we left the camp at 4:30PM for our first proper game drive with Ping.  The first thing he did was to take us where we left the cheetahs.  They were still there, barely moved a few meters to keep up with the shade.  These cheetahs were copycats, pretending to be lions.

Naboisho-133.jpg.2879db5e048a403b5d030f9eeb926c2e.jpg

 

This time we had company of quite a few vehicles.  After a short chat with the other guides, Ping told us a large pride of sleeping lions had been spotted.  But lions are even less likely to get active in day time, so we decided to stay with cheetah.  It did not take long for the two cheetahs to get up.

Naboisho-136.jpg.709b5fe0df07d30012ba7d6c6ad59b1a.jpgNaboisho-139.jpg.32e93405d8779c6b076b7a9de5bd66dd.jpgNaboisho-149.jpg.fe083e0020a415862556644fa9afb8fa.jpg

Naboisho-142.jpg.e3ce2fc27d5b969ce9cd5b33653da4b2.jpg

 

Display of brotherly love.

Naboisho-152.jpg.1e1f279dfd127e9d538e47e8a1259e22.jpgNaboisho-155.jpg.b44a6914554166f5bdf26803416d61d6.jpg

Naboisho-156.jpg.b364b583d1119946aeac0e50d59cced1.jpg

 

We could see some Thompson’s gazelles in the distance.  Ping (and every other guide) was hoping for a hunt, but it never materialized.  Eventually a lone wildebeest walked by, and the cheetahs quickly assumed a stalking posture.

Naboisho-165.jpg.99432564aea1511751b52dc67e8eca9e.jpg

 

The wildebeest was too big for cheetah, and it walked away without incident.  By now we had spent almost two hours with these cheetahs, with a long lunch break in the middle.  It was about time for lions to wake up, and we decided to check out.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 4 Afternoon Game Drive (Continues)

It was easy to locate the pride of lions, as they were surrounded by vehicles.  The sun was getting low.  Lions, and particularly the cubs, were starting to get active.

Naboisho-199.jpg.2f0513c8802122738bf374836f1eb252.jpgNaboisho-178.jpg.18592801263a3259d4fb3dd9f65a2cad.jpgNaboisho-183.jpg.32b81c12a52a7e6b4faa9874016a4712.jpgNaboisho-185.jpg.1cdae7a6c6a55dd5cd5924463fe05f69.jpg

 

One by one, the adults left the pride for work.  It was a large family to provide for. 

Naboisho-197.jpg.2654a3b8479ba5e79778752dda1ccf1b.jpgNaboisho-198.jpg.944017796e909026b0eed113576c681e.jpg

 

We were unable to follow these lions because of the terrain.  It was getting dark and most vehicles called it a day and went back to camps, but Ping did not give up.  Anticipating where the hunters were headed, he took a detour and soon found them again.  The lions were attempting to ambush zebras.  Luckily, the zebras spotted them before it was too late.

 

The visibility was low.  I put down my camera and watched it unfolding through my binoculars.  It was a pleasant surprise that one of my daughters captured it at ISO 12800.

Winnie-8.jpg.bd08e13dc371011acc52f3693d8f04df.jpg

 

Quote from my daughters: “Poor animals, never a moment to relax”.

 

We did not get back to camp till 8PM.  It is nice that the conservancy allows night drive, and guests are not forced to be back to camp when there is action.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for circling the lion, since my senses are not as adept as the zebra.  Beautiful giraffes in the sunrise and rhinos on the moonlight.  Great light on all the sightings.  Good thing the cheetah is much faster than the baboon! How lucky you were often on such a private safari.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Atravelynn I could not see the lion either when my daughter first showed the picture to me.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 5 Morning Game Drive

Lions were abundant in the conservancies.  This morning we had great sights of lions in three acts even before breakfast.

 

Act 1: After leaving camp at the crack of dawn, Ping soon spotted a family of lions, with a male, a female, and two cubs.  As we drove close, the male lion started to leave.  Ping positioned the vehicle perfectly so that the lion walked past us to give us a close-up view of this beautiful specimen.

Naboisho-231.jpg.95dfae6b2217a8d83d0758ed4ea46bee.jpgNaboisho-239.jpg.587f85770fac26b6fc999792972a66cf.jpg

 

We followed the male lion until he walked into the thicket.  When we went back to look for the lioness and cubs, they already disappeared.  With plenty of bush in the area, lions can choose to hide from us anytime they wish.

 

Interlude 1: A bat-eared fox in the early morning light, a first for us.  It never bothered to look at us though.

Naboisho-245.jpg.0072773f317a8696d76d293cc81498db.jpg

 

Act 2: We went back to the area where we watched the large pride of lions yesterday.  Some of them were still around.

Naboisho-246.jpg.80b81cd2d76f9f7d3d81e6d193da7e46.jpg

 

The clearing was used by the cubs as their playground.

Naboisho-273.jpg.9a0b433d0bb0846b361ba9ec78de631b.jpgNaboisho-286.jpg.6e477ac412773d612f206297e0c8c81c.jpgNaboisho-333.jpg.008976a6ec2750ce539307851b02d533.jpg

 

Interlude 2: Tawny eagle on a more peaceful setting, for a change.

Naboisho-346.jpg.8b9a1328029630a42ff74809b324082b.jpgNaboisho-353.jpg.df494a00021737e86fed72ff021d94cd.jpg

 

Act 3: We heard a lion roar in the distance.  All vehicles were racing in the direction.  When we got there, an animated male lion was busy chasing off intruders.  We could barely make out the tawny shape of his enemy moving around in the distant bush.

Naboisho-354.jpg.589da7a39c0768278aac3143ef613a2d.jpgNaboisho-364.jpg.cf9e2a769d3a8b7cd9900b7c7d7d9102.jpgNaboisho-390.jpg.cb3b7ce521f09ca790d709b1196ebdc6.jpg

 

It was hard work to defend a territory.  After seeing off the intruders from his kingdom, the exhausted lion took a well-deserved break.

Naboisho-398.jpg.35cee1dbcfd7af81dd45e433809f6627.jpgNaboisho-435.jpg.ae85863aa6c267195b729c559958a783.jpg

 

Finally, the lion got up and followed a lioness into the bush.

Naboisho-449.jpg.b8ef153a6ba1ed715ff6134443a00ca8.jpgNaboisho-450.jpg.c9e8de2aa2bf505f50deac4ff914a49a.jpgNaboisho-473.jpg.eb400e3bd963dfc41297c1367866292d.jpg

 

It was hard to believe we had all the excitement before breakfast.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the likes.  I struggled photographically when the male lion was engaged in high-speed chase.  Despite many excellent photo ops that Ping “created”, I managed to get a lot of blurred images.  My excuse: I am not used to moving subjects, let along fast moving ones.  The focus of previous trips are mainly ancient ruins that have not moved for hundreds, and sometimes thousands of years ?.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 5 Morning Game Drive (Continued)

We did not have to go back to camp for breakfast.  Ping arranged with the camp to haves a picnic prepared and loaded into our vehicle.  Now he found a nice spot under a big tree.  We enjoyed a relaxed breakfast in the company of wildebeests and zebras.

Naboisho-501.jpg.88503b90c82c09f933d3ede9dbe0a545.jpgNaboisho-491.jpg.07fda9726b12afccffb3b0c71fe91842.jpgNaboisho-521.jpg.ab2562c118c596772e4d633cbc1f3f89.jpg

 

We even saw a new animal over the breakfast, as a topi joined the foraging party.

Naboisho-516.jpg.a1755db70796bd4e50b80eb038b2098d.jpg

 

The leisurely breakfast was followed by a leisurely drive back to camp, with numerous stops.

Naboisho-525.jpg.b1dbd2c7d6b198645f251d0975412470.jpgNaboisho-549.jpg.e75184e44b648e4cd5206d097384b1f0.jpg

Naboisho-578.jpg.73691592da9e9ec08a3e68c02bce5f92.jpg

 

A closer look of topi.

Naboisho-560.jpg.ff4e76283028f6ba8bcdbf0efe0fcc16.jpg

Naboisho-568.jpg.f2be6e3eb27f3f1885709dcb288651f9.jpg

 

First hippo on this trip.

Naboisho-593.jpg.fbd658b85f6d16f7981eed08c5e1b135.jpg

 

A journey of giraffes emerged from the horizon, and walked in our direction.

Naboisho-616.jpg.c52ed6299fc8c077e35af4425c13c965.jpgNaboisho-629.jpg.62145ef6303e21e9c5037dba0b55a469.jpgNaboisho-630.jpg.055e559ccf2ad2c148b641167140b525.jpgNaboisho-632.jpg.3ca995933b84d3a6387cd50e44c53ef6.jpg

 

Masai giraffe has a different pattern from that of the reticulated giraffe we saw in Ol Pejeta.

Naboisho-645.jpg.d6c36191b29e08deee4b39fbfcf58c86.jpg

 

The giraffe was the last sight we had before we got back to the camp.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for a wonderful TR @foggy27. It is great that you got to share this with your family.

Ping sounds like a great guide.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 5 Afternoon Game Drive

Ping was surprised that we did not see any hyena at Ol Pejeta.  The plan for the afternoon was to take us to a known hyena den.  Right out of the camp, we made our first stop for giraffe with beautiful Mara landscape in the background.

Naboisho-660.jpg.c1b546ba86b858a3546408e0b9c7bca7.jpg

 

When we reached our destination, the hyenas appeared to have moved.  Ping searched the area methodically, and found a bat-eared fox den site with young.  Ping parked at a good distance, as we did not want to get too close and scare the young bat-eared foxes away.  It was delightful to watch these youngsters by ourselves, with no other vehicle around.

Naboisho-679.jpg.f3b6e442f5ce70048ce75b480107bf73.jpgNaboisho-686.jpg.3aeaecec1c39b5ebfdfc02c268f5c204.jpgNaboisho-705.jpg.dd9f1fc7e9ac01a4b8bf4ec85eaac671.jpg

 

In the open plain, two impala rams were moving in circles, sizing each other.

Naboisho-720.jpg.1e6dee9aeb2bf9b85b32391d8bc6fbe0.jpg

 

The outcome was decided without locking horns.  One impala retreated, apparently not in condition to challenge.  He was pursued in high-speed chase.

Naboisho-730.jpg.f0b88905d0e363bb8ea6caddd5a045f5.jpgNaboisho-732.jpg.460598eb28f750d01064d79b759fe944.jpg

 

The prize that rams were fighting for?

Naboisho-738.jpg.45787eedfb1cd8584689fa325af5d354.jpg

 

We had a lot of fun trying to photograph the spectacular sunset.

Naboisho-755.jpg.a6be4fb9e00754b463809d263d48b8cf.jpgNaboisho-756.jpg.1620173ebc4d93927780da3a4f156273.jpgNaboisho-763.jpg.d0cade324dfb531ce592a573fe8e1bc3.jpgNaboisho-764.jpg.94e3a5c284d6e14d4711a1654e0e8ef5.jpgNaboisho-767.jpg.369d2b554fa2eaa72ac8ab011a1d4b3b.jpg

 

Afterwards Ping took us next to a bush.  He had spotted lions hiding there while we were absorbed with the beautiful sunset.  Apparently, other guides had the same idea.  Quite a few vehicles converged in a small area, waiting for some action.

 

A herd of zebras walked by, but nothing happened.  Ping suspected the lions might be hunting on the other side of the bush.  We drove around the bush, and found out that lions had already made a kill and brought down a zebra.  The cubs were excited about the prospect of meal.  I got no usable image from my camera, and stole one from my daughter.

Winnie-3.jpg.95fdc149e34499585b9602d370643ec4.jpg

 

Quote from my daughters: “Poor zebra”.  They felt a little squeamish at the sight of the lifeless zebra body.  It was good that we did not witness the zebra strangled to death.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Enjoying your trip @foggy27 you have had some terrific sightings so far.

 

Looking forward to see what happens next!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@mopsy Thanks.  Indeed we were lucky to have great sightings.  Halfway through the trip, we all agreed that it was a success even if we see nothing from that point on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 6 Morning Game Drive

When we left the camp in the early morning, Ping was excited as hyenas had been calling all night.  He believed a fight over the zebra carcass broke out at night between lions and hyenas.  But when we arrived at the site of zebra kill, it was surprisingly quiet.  Not even a hint of zebra was in sight.  We never find out which side won the prize and where they took it.

 

We continued with our drive, and enjoyed zebras and giraffe in the soft morning light.

Naboisho-776.jpg.7cdf32601e3fcf22765d4b5a6bdf10a2.jpgNaboisho-801.jpg.a7d02a48a5bfc46962766a43a4779937.jpg

 

A new animal for us: Coke’s hartebeest.  Ping told us its population was declining in Mara.  We only saw them one other time in the far distance.

Naboisho-786.jpg.71b615773606f6f15462847bf93bfdc9.jpgNaboisho-798.jpg.1f9ce8aae1d834ddb74eede369d0becc.jpg

 

When Ping started to look for a picnic spot, he spotted two young lions in the tall grass.  They did not look particularly healthy.

Naboisho-873.jpg.9b59cef8eec005a0f7ce7850150d259a.jpg

 

The location was dangerously close to a large cattle herd.  Nobody wins when a conflict arises between wildlife and livestock.  Ping notified a predator research project based in the area, and was told that a vehicle was on the way to check on the situation.

 

Ping parked nearby and kept an eye on the lions.  Meanwhile we occupied ourselves trying to photograph a pair of bateleurs in the harsh light.

Naboisho-842.jpg.1d356ab00ac331de7c5d4f0dc553eef1.jpg

 

It did not take long for the research team to arrive.  We left the lions in their capable hands and went for our delayed picnic breakfast.

 

In the heat of the day, animals were seeking out shade to rest.

Naboisho-861.jpg.ce2910788037765ac550568e6a43d671.jpgNaboisho-879.jpg.97e72d86e7cf9d4b94444e809a7c38e9.jpg

 

We saw waterbuck only once in Mara.  This one was unmistakably a defassa waterbuck.

Naboisho-881.jpg.c2d13d7906d26af3ce5898a1ff1441e2.jpg

 

Dik-dik is very cute, and now my new favorite antelope.

Naboisho-866.jpg.4e424cb3da344946e42ba44204d8cb8a.jpgNaboisho-867.jpg.679f74f0cfd42e907f2dcaa99b383f05.jpg

 

As we crossed a river (or rather a stream), Ping noticed a fresh footprint of a leopard leading to a nearby bush.  The odds were low that the leopard would come out of dense vegetation in the mid-day.  Still we decided to give it “15 magical minutes” to see how it developed.

 

An impala ram casually walked by, and suddenly stopped near the point of the leopard footprint.  Clearly aware of the danger, the impala did not venture any closer to the bush.

Naboisho-908.jpg.8ee1100b1dbd78ce8bd67cc583f2d9c8.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 6 Afternoon Game Drive

Over the lunch, we realized that we just reached halfway mark of the safari.  We all agreed that it was a complete success even if we saw nothing special in the second half of the trip.  The afternoon drive started promisingly with a relaxed bushbuck, followed by some relaxed elands.

Naboisho-913.jpg.192102a0efe353977aa572f8a51db783.jpgNaboisho-917.jpg.4349e2bb2749fa3b3142fa1ba9a7e7f8.jpg

 

In the far distance, Ping spotted a lioness with cub on the move.  Thanks to his superb eyesight, we were the first vehicle at the sight.  The lioness walked at a brisk pace, and the cub tried very hard to keep up.  They were heading into the thicket when we got there.

Naboisho-935.jpg.693d4790226afafb74699217154065db.jpgNaboisho-939.jpg.6a5e16d335c3e78b5c82d65d32510f08.jpg

 

Ping guessed correctly that it was not their destination, and positioned vehicle at the other side.  The lions soon reappeared from the bush.  We followed them from one bush to another, and a couple of other vehicles joined us in pursuit.

 

The lions walked into a large thicket and did not come out.  Ping discussed the three possibilities.  The lions might settle in the bush for the day.  The lioness might stash the cub in the bush and came out alone.  In the best scenario, the lioness would take the cub with her after a rest.

 

We waited for a while before the lioness came out again.  Even better, she took the cubs with her, not one but three cubs!

Naboisho-951.jpg.832e9f95eb4630ffa5d02c30c008c149.jpgNaboisho-953.jpg.91a6653dab051f7ad69a16269297416f.jpg

 

It dawned on Ping that the lioness had stashed two smaller cubs in the bush, and taken only the older cub with her earlier.  Now that the family was reunited, they walked at a more relaxed pace.

Naboisho-969.jpg.3267f764fad3d138403f486ed0f9e75d.jpgNaboisho-982.jpg.be5e3c4d1b72dcb274f99132fa87bc83.jpgNaboisho-991.jpg.4eff746578fa8611ccdce231d0d96141.jpgNaboisho-1035.jpg.f45def49d21516d94aeb00bcb5a68415.jpg

 

Not an easy job to raise three cubs, but this lioness was determined to succeed.

Naboisho-1016.jpg.0eef53048b602579176974d1407b034e.jpgNaboisho-1018.jpg.fa223e976aea884387fa1675d50d0e68.jpgNaboisho-1001.jpg.a8a675e05faeb1bb2e7258157e0c813f.jpg

 

Finally, they settled down at the edge of a bush to rest.

Naboisho-1042.jpg.3f02940cf5f70a3d0dc247921c00559b.jpgNaboisho-1049.jpg.a611a7e0656b8ce680e1be91dd6da0f2.jpgNaboisho-1103.jpg.f4692d1df6a322a970621c90d6649323.jpgNaboisho-1116.jpg.ceea5e3656e5e8f431f0aa72380bbaa3.jpgNaboisho-1121.jpg.3a3eaa453a6c6756f8406c4f06f460d5.jpg

 

We stayed with lioness and cubs until the darkness fell.  It was a fantastic afternoon. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting.  Did Ping know why she had cubs of different ages? They seem too close in age to all be hers. I wonder if she’s raising or babysitting a sister’s cubs?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@amybatt We learned later that the lioness was reunited with her pride during the night.  It is likely that some of the cubs are of a sister's. 

Edited by foggy27
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 7 Morning Game Drive

It was our last day at Naboisho Conservancy and Ping was to take us to his camp in the main reserve. The plan was to have a shortened drive this morning and be back at camp for breakfast.

 

We first checked out where we left the lioness and three cubs.  It was crowded (for conservancy), with four or five vehicles.  The word went out and everyone came for the prospect of seeing lion cubs.  Apparently, the lioness was reunited with her pride during the night.  As we waited, two members of the pride made an appearance.

Naboisho-1129.jpg.6c03e5953d2c21582d771e5d166f85d6.jpg

 

It was then Ping gestured us to remain silent.  He concentrated for a minute or two, and started the engine.  Whooping sound of hyena was heard in the distance, and Ping raced in the direction.  We got there in time to see hyenas taking over a wildebeest kill and two young male lions retreating in defeat.

Naboisho-1142.jpg.b8558023b1c6c515b0b0a98c89645e77.jpgNaboisho-1143.jpg.3dddbfa3a087cb885903d89b5d3c9825.jpg

 

It was remarkable that Ping heard it from three kilometers away, made sense of the sound, and got to the location very quickly.  He lamented that if a more experienced lioness were present, the lions would be able to hold the fort a little longer and put on a show for us.  This guy was greedy.

 

The feeding frenzies.

Naboisho-1152.jpg.f2562a3da0240ebc986fb4d7db579bab.jpg

 

Relative calm prevailed after the initial frenzy.  The high-ranking hyenas got the choicest part of the carcass.

Naboisho-1167.jpg.272592167e2fe8bdb2915d4c287b77ee.jpg

 

It did not take long for vulture, tawny eagle, and marabou stock to arrive and descend on the kill.  Ping should be proud that he got us there before the vultures.  We had the front row seats to the summit of scavengers.

Naboisho-1164.jpg.f08df1f0b14a063ed7a4324ef7a22817.jpgNaboisho-1175.jpg.bebfbee50d6572c7db8e20c3e50a51b8.jpg

 

Four of the “ugly five” were present: three scavengers (hyena, vulture, and marabou stock), plus a wildebeest in the distant background.

Naboisho-1184.jpg.1d234b660827d5fc3e01aa366d6844d0.jpg

 

A late arrival: jackal trying to steal a scrap of food.

Naboisho-1197.jpg.e993b7e7792a168a074b7d629d57f0b6.jpg

 

As the top scavenger, hyena was surprisingly tolerant of the other species.

Naboisho-1212.jpg.2dd250dbba015d9fcf5d8859308e91e0.jpgNaboisho-1221.jpg.66ee0d1ff9e0560b7b9975be0866a56c.jpgNaboisho-1263.jpg.f482d5172f0f8066e9119663daaa73a2.jpgNaboisho-1295.jpg.35fcd9ec039cf6a533d363d11a20f564.jpg

 

My daughters grew up with the Disney version of Lion King.  They were surprised to find hyena likeable.  Ping was happy that he had a high success rate in reversing the negative perception of hyenas among young travelers.

Naboisho-1249.jpg.0a0a26808b9ba0f8147d23d97d6b2c4f.jpgNaboisho-1266.jpg.83a03cc55f34caf063091611c3527a9a.jpg

 

Quote from my daughters: “Poor lions, worked so hard for the food and did not get to eat it”.  Hmm, I was expecting something like “poor wildebeest”.  When did they switch to the predator side?

 

Our vehicle was the only one present.  I guess the other visitors were enjoying lion cubs.  There was no loser.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 7 Morning Game Drive (Continued)

The intense sight of feeding hyenas was followed by a comic relief.  On the way back to camp, we saw a mixed herd of zebras and wildebeests standing still, looking in the same direction.  Was there a predator?

Naboisho-1301.jpg.712451239244d3a1347de62659a5c30d.jpg

 

A cheetah?

Naboisho-1307.jpg.c922d298072e1a33f0f0a61c76c847e5.jpg

 

No, it was just a little monkey.  Even Ping could not come up with a theory why it commanded so much respect.

Naboisho-1304.jpg.b09a431f05adc515b7d10449eec68d88.jpg

 

That is harassment!

Naboisho-1311.jpg.cea0aeec6f45ad4d964cc58b6e948f6f.jpg

 

Impression of  Naboisho Conservancy and Mara Encounter Camp

Prior to the trip, we read a lot about high density of wildlife in the conservancies.  Our stay at Naboisho Conservancy lived up to our expectation.  The lion sighting was particularly strong.  As a bonus, a part of the Loita migration was in Naboisho.  It offers a similar experience to the great Serengeti migration with games in every direction as far as eyes can see.  At the same time, it attracts far fewer tourists.

 

We stayed at Mara Encounter Camp because of the special arrangement for Ping to bring guests there on full-board basis.  Since we did not utilize their resident guides, our experience of the camp was limited to lodging service.  We found the accommodations comfortable, the service friendly, and the kitchen capable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I adore the color and exposure on your lion photos in particular - such a rich, warm contrast between their golden coats and the green grass.

Relaxed elands must have been nice, they always seem skittish to me. I also liked the fray of hyenas. Ping is doing good work in restoring their reputation!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You found your hyenas alright!  That territorial lion does look angry in the first photos, but seems to settle down.  What luck with the skulk of bat eared fox, using the proper group name.  Lots of animals at attention for the vervet.  I had that happen once for a plastic bag.  Disappointing because it was not a predator and infuriating because it was litter.  Wonderful lion activity!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Marks Thanks.  On our previous safari, we were lucky to spend time with inquisitive young hyena at den site, one of the highlights.  On this trip, both Ping and Duma at Ol Pejeta tried but failed to find hyena den.  The feeding frenzy and interaction with other scavengers make it up nicely.

 

@Atravelynn Thanks for following.  I am learning a new collective word: a skulk of bat eared fox.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 7 Road Transfer to Enaidura Camp

After relaxing over a nicely cooked breakfast, we checked out the Mara Encounter Camp in the late morning for the journey to Enaidura Camp in the main Reserve.  Shortly after leaving the camp, we stopped for our first ever secretary bird.

MasaiMara-16.jpg.ae313f10f1eb5a7386a85f1cd49a4753.jpg

 

At this point, we normally would not stop for wildebeest or zebra.  However, Ping urged us to have one more look before leaving Naboisho.  Zebra was a rare sight in the main reserve after some recent rain.  He was right.  It turned out to be our last sight of zebras.

MasaiMara-26.jpg.15deff922d89029369bf0a7d3606b0fd.jpg

 

We passed through the community land before entering Masai Mara National Reserve.  Our first sight in the reserve was a welcome party of elands.  After years of steady decline, the eland population in Mara is recovering.

MasaiMara-39.jpg.592334d564fe2f76414b05a41c3d8c3a.jpg

 

We immediately noticed the absence of wildebeest and zebra in the reserve.  There were still plentiful of games though, mainly topi and impala.

MasaiMara-51.jpg.89457a05b9d2913ebd8c9bf8303fe548.jpg
MasaiMara-56.jpg.75571bb60c07d615ddcfbd791a9a4548.jpgMasaiMara-57.jpg.4abad3e132f73720a5456e8afa0b4d13.jpg

 

Several vehicles were parked at roadside.  Ping quickly found out the reason: the famous 5-musketeer coalition of cheetahs were behind the roadside bush.  While off-roading is not officially allowed in Mara, exceptions are granted on “major sightings”.  The park rangers were present to ensure everyone followed the rules.  As directed, each vehicle took turn one at a time to get a quick look.  We seemed to be lucky with cheetah sightings so far.  It was the third time in a row that we saw cheetah on the day we arrived at a new camp.

MasaiMara-65.jpg.7567f5d6155b3c5d961000195dd8c7f0.jpg

 

A warthog family was foraging not far from the coalition of cheetahs.  Were they aware of the predators in proximity?

MasaiMara-71.jpg.bbbdbea7558ce375bddbb52d14f5e61d.jpg

 

The final sight before we reach the camp was a pair of southern ground hornbills.

MasaiMara-97.jpg.af4f2e7f7dc234b81f58cdfdcf433098.jpg

 

In a courtship display, the male caught several insects and presented them as gift to the female.   My daughters recalled the story about the fox and the crow.  The crow dropped a morsel of food when it was tricked to open its mouth to sing.  How did the hornbill manage to keep so many insects in its mouth?

MasaiMara-86.jpg.ed40bd9b745040e057d08f71dda66192.jpgMasaiMara-106.jpg.e3ba357b1ea302035bac0103d2857027.jpg

 

We arrived at Ping’s Enaudura Camp in the early afternoon.  It would be our base in the reserve for the next four days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 7 Afternoon Game Drive

We headed out of the camp in the late afternoon for our first game drive in the reserve.  Ping had a mission in mind: finding elephants.  For some reason, no elephant was found in Naboisho during our 3-day stay, even though the conservancy is renowned for elephant sightings.  Ping was perhaps more disappointed than we were, and determined to remedy that.  It did not take long for him to locate a small family group of elephants, among them a taskless one.

MasaiMara-109.jpg.f877ca413bae3fb9b6c57b406bbc996e.jpgMasaiMara-112.jpg.89705236a6fda808834dc90030320d31.jpgMasaiMara-126.jpg.219f9886a76a063cfaed514bfb93f64a.jpgMasaiMara-145.jpg.895133b9d6d8b8696226ab8f15c1a1f6.jpg

 

The vast plain was covered with tall grass.  Now we could understand why zebras and wildebeests preferred the habitat in conservancies.  It is much easier for predators to hide in the tall grass.

MasaiMara-160.jpg.d6cf959c9cfc430982ab653ae4e0eaca.jpg

 

Ping caught a glimpse of cheetah in the distance, and decided to investigate.  Afraid to lose track of the lone cheetah, we followed it at a relative fast pace.  Suddenly something completely unexpected caught our eyes: a young black rhino.  The rhino was as surprised as we were, and ran as fast as it could.  It happened so fast, and all I captured was the rear end of the fleeing rhino.

MasaiMara-168.jpg.042a4c75123db753f53859c4eaa65ee3.jpg

 

Ping was amazed that the rhino was heading into the woods where our camp was located.  He notified the camp staff to watch, and continue the pursuit for cheetah.

 

The cheetah was equally shy, and never came out of the grass to give us a clear view.

MasaiMara-172.jpg.56eab476bdb47d16bdafa6ed93487fb4.jpg

 

Enough of the shy rhino and shy cheetah.  We decided to get back to elephants.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Safaritalk uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using Safaritalk you agree to our use of cookies. If you wish to refuse the setting of cookies you can change settings on your browser to clear and block cookies. However, by doing so, Safaritalk may not work properly and you may not be able to access all areas. If you are happy to accept cookies and haven't adjusted browser settings to refuse cookies, Safaritalk will issue cookies when you log on to our site. Please also take a moment to read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy: Terms of Use l Privacy Policy