Horns, Spots and Stripes - Happy Days in Lewa&Ol Pejeta Dec 2018

[Atravelynn]

2 minutes ago, Kitsafari said:

@Atravelynn we were told very briefly but, I can't remember.

If there is adequate food and water and no danger of predators, that limp elephant can probably live to a ripe old age.  Just hope it is not in pain.  I would think most predators, unless it is a lion pride skilled in hunting elephants, would steer clear of attacking an elephant, even one that is impaired.

[monalisa]

We missed Ol Pejeta on our recent trip. Based on your lovely photos it looks like we will need to head back to Kenya! 

 

Seeing the last 2 northern white rhinos would have been incredible. I had heard about them but did not realise that they were both female. That is very sad. I'm glad to hear there is some glimmer of hope, however faint, in saving the species though.

[Kitsafari]

@Atravelynn I was quite surprised that it had survived as long as it did, but i supposed the lions wouldnt' come so close to the gate, and wouldn't need to exert extra energy to take the elephant down, even if the jumbo is disabled, since there are lots of easier prey to hunt. 

[Kitsafari]

The hiatus of ST meant that I couldn't finish up the TR since I'm really onto our last morning in Ol Pejeta, and of our trip. So let me just wrap up very quickly!

 

The last morning dawned glorious skies. Mount Kenya looked imposing as a silhoutte behind the rising sun.

 

 

and all the animals came out to say farewell, starting with these two dudes.....

 

 

 

Peter positioned us well, driving ahead so that we could watch them walk towards us. The two boys were clearly finishing up their territorial nightly runs and ready to flop down and sleep for the rest of the day.  I'm not sure what they had eaten but the blondie went behind a bush and vomitted. otherwise, he seemed normal.

 

 

Lots of animals were on the plains, and we were well positioned below those lines of zebras and gazelles against the skyline for some atmospheric photos

 

[Kitsafari]

the sun popped out, and so did a family of three black rhinos accompanied by a big bull with a spectacular horn. The rhinos were grazing (there was only grass on the plains!) and walking calmly in front of the zebras and elands that wanted to enjoy the warming sun and the grazing party. it was a sight for sore eyes, just sitting and watching the animals mixing and wandering around the plains. the rhinos would stop once in a while to watch us, but they weren't spooked at all, and simply continued on their slow and ponderous stroll downhill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the sun climbed, the rest of the morning became quieter but it was enough for me. the morning sojourns of the zebras, the gazelles, the stunning rhinos moving along with the elegant elands in the beautiful African sunlit morning had already burned into my mind and that was the wonderful fuzzy feeling that I took away as we headed to Nanyuki for our long drive back to the airport.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 5, 2019 by Kitsafari

[Kitsafari]

here are some of the birds we saw in Ol Pejeta: 

 

grey-capped social weaver

 

red-winged lark

 

 

brown/meyer's parrot

 

Long-tailed ruppell's starling

 

Brimstone canary

 

yellow wagtail

 

Kittliz plover

 

Gabar goshawk

 

Pin-tailed whydah

 

 

Rock thrush

 

purple grenadier

 

Brown babbler

 

 

[Kitsafari]

Finally, a BIG thank you everyone for your likes, kind comments, and doggedness in following this TR! 

 

Edited April 5, 2019 by Kitsafari

[Pamshelton3932]

I really enjoyed your report and am glad you took the time to finish.  Ol Pejeta delivered for me too.

 

[Zim Girl]

What a wonderful sighting of Black rhino for your last morning.  Enjoyed this report @Kitsafari

[CDL111]

@Kitsafari, thank you for completing your report we thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and hopefully when we go in June will see some of the wildlife that you have photographed. If not we can read your report again.

[Atravelynn]

Beautiful light on the rhinos in #155 and your earlier rhino series looked like you were at a low angle for shots.  How did you manage the low angle, which if I recall is a signature of Doug Macdonald.  (I know he was not there)

[Kitsafari]

@Atravelynn kicheche guides are excellent in positioning the vehicles. We stayed down on the slope so it looked as if we were lying flat on the ground. 

[Atravelynn]

11 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

@Atravelynn kicheche guides are excellent in positioning the vehicles. We stayed down on the slope so it looked as if we were lying flat on the ground. 

Ah! Down the old slope trick!

[monalisa]

Those 2 male lions are very good looking! 

 

And great rhino sendoff! I knew there were rhinos in that area but I didn't really realise exactly *how* common they were there. Fantastic!!

[Atdahl]

@Kitsafari, what a great report.  So, many good photos too.  I think I need to add Striped Hyena to my list!

 

Alan

[Kitsafari]

thanks much @monalisa and @Atdahl ! glad that you enjoyed the TR. 

[Alexander33]

@Kitsafari

 

I’m glad Safaritalk is back up and running and that you were able to finish your trip report.  The spectacular skies and light on your last evening and final morning certainly sent you off in a memorable way. You really managed to have some unforgettable sightings and nice photos, including the lions and rhino here at the tail-end. 

 

Thanks again for sharing your experience. 

[Kitsafari]

@Alexander33 Thank you for reading to the end! we did have some unforgettable sightings. that's the wonderful thing about the African bush - when you least expect it, it gives you incredible moments that make each trip memorable. 

[johnweir]

Yet another masterclass in trip report writing. Have just read it from start to finish and enjoyed every word. The report contains so much useful information and the images from both cameras are breathtaking. Your travels certainly impact on my ever growing travel wish list.

I must admit I had a lump in my throat reading your thoughts at the Rhinoceros Memorial. The Striped Hyena and Zorilla sightings were very special and extremely rare. Jackson's Hartebeest interests me, I am sure you are aware that many now regard it as a hybrid! Could I ask you a favour when you have time could you add some of your Hyrax images to the 'Show me your Hyrax' thread, I thank you in anticipation.

Thank you both for taking the time to document in so much detail your latest wildlife experiences. Wonderful.

 

[Kitsafari]

@johnweir you're too kind.  I usually feel lazy and just exhausted thinking that I would have to do a trip report while on safari. But when I get home, I just want to relive the trip and the best way I can do to do that is to write the TR! 

 

Let me seek out the hyrax thread and put in a few images from my past trips. 

 

 

[vikramghanekar]

Thoroughly enjoyed the trip report!

Looks like Ol Pejeta is a fantastic destination.

Has anybody stayed at the new Ol Pejeta Cottages? They look stunning and have exceedingly good deals if you boo last minute!

Thanks for sharing this

Vikram

[Kitsafari]

@vikramghanekar thanks for ploughing through the TR! and glad that you enjoyed it. 

 

I'm afraid we didn't look at Ol Pejeta Cottages so I cant offer any advice.