Kenya after the Rains (mostly): Meru, Ol Pejeta, Olare Motorogi

[Alexander33]

@@TonyQ

 

Stupendous vulture portrait in post #349. I used to dismiss vultures until a recent National Geographic article opened my eyes as to just how tremendously important they are in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. That same article has a photographic portrait of a vulture with bloodlets dripping down its neck -- also taken in Kenya, if memory serves me correctly, and your photo reminds me of that one. Not at all beautiful in the traditional sense, but certainly captivating.

 

The angled light and stormy clouds in your last landscapes are dramatic and compelling -- what a way to close out your last afternoon/evening drive of an already unforgettable trip.

Edited March 28, 2016 by Alexander33

[armchair bushman]

Great photos and a great trip report! Really enjoying it.

So glad that you've been able to spend time with Charles Wandero. He's an excellent guide and an excellent character. In my opinion, one of Kicheche's best guides - almost up there with Andrew Obaga from Laikipia Camp.

[Treepol]

@@TonyQ I have just read your entire TR in one sitting - what a magial trip, with so many memorable sightings! After a 20 year drought of cheetah sightings, you did espeially well this year - and a caracal and a serval, oh my!

 

I smiled when I saw the reddish tinged elephants and zebra in Meru.

 

I think the prize for cuteness definitely goes the Grevy's foal, followed closely by the topi calves and the BEF family sleeping in the sun.

 

I really enjoyed the cheetah sequence and that of Olive and the cub.

 

Did you see Vulturine Guinea Fowl in Meru?

 

If you had to choose between Samburu and Meru, which would you choose and why?

Edited March 29, 2016 by Treepol

[michael-ibk]

You were really lucky with all your Bat-Eared-Foxes! Jealous here....:-)

 

Really love the first pic and the last two in post#351 especially. Magical moments!

[Marks]

The leopards on the last page were just gorgeous! Sad to see you are approaching the end...

[elefromoz]

@@TonyQ, fantastic bloody Vulture, such lovely photos throughout

[TonyQ]

@@Tom Kellie

Thank you for your kind words

@@xelas

Thank you

@@Alexander33

Thank you - I think Vultures are very interesting - and beautiful in their own way....

@@armchair bushman

Thank you - we felt lucky to have Charles and Andrew (at Laikipia) - both superb guides. (we did ask for them)

@@Treepol

Thank you for reading it in one sitting - I am humbled. I am glad you enjoyed it. We didn't see any Vulturine Guinea Fowl unfortunately - they are beautiful birds - I have always admired pictures of them on Safaritalk. I am afraid we have not been to Samburu (it does look nice) - this has (so far) been our only trip to Kenya. We loved Meru and are surprised more people do not visit- it is a wonderful place.

@@michael-ibk

Thank you- a good place for Bat-eared Foxes (we have never seen them before). The experience with the approaching storm was special.

@@Marks

Thank you for your kind comments - yes it will finish soon (it is longer than I intended!)

@@elefromoz

Thank you for your kind comments

Edited March 30, 2016 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

OMC continued (for the last time)….

 

After our usual early start we were pleased to see

Dik Dik sheltering in bushes

 

As we moved on we came across a group of Spotted Hyena

(I know I have shown a lot of these animals but this is my last chance)

Handsome young adult

Sideways Glance

Hammerkop

 

We were just trying to soak it all in, knowing that we would soon be leaving it behind.

Topi portrait

[TonyQ]

We were delighted to come across a group of Elephants

Sniff the air

Family group

Leaning on a friend

[TonyQ]

Tiny baby

Receiving guidance

Affection

Protected

We spent quite a time watching this group (I thinkI could watch them all day!). Two young males were testing each other’s strength

 

Video Clip: Elephants Wrestling (49sec)

We finally left them as we went to find a breakfast spot

Edited March 30, 2016 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

Further exploring took us to a group of lions seriously relaxing - something they do so well

 

 

[TonyQ]

We left them to explore elsewhere

Giraffe with tree

Coke’s Hartebeest

African White-backed Vultures

Secretary Bird in Long Grass

 

We met a small group of Elephants who came very close

 

[TonyQ]

Were visited the lions to see if they were up to anything new

Not really

Relaxed but alert

Yellow Bishop

African Grey Hornbill

Finally we had to head back towards camp

Red-winged Lark (I think)

Elephant

We said our farewells to Charles – he had been an excellent guide and we were pleased to have spent time with him.

[armchair bushman]

Reckon your Hyena pictures above are some of my favourite photos ever. I sincerely mean that. I'm not a photographic judge - it's just something about those photos (especially the close-ups of the young ones) that really does it for me personally.

[TonyQ]

We had a late flight (16.15) from the Mara to Nairobi. We booked this one so that we could have a full morning game drive, a good lunch and a shower. (There was a small extra charge for this option)

 

As our tent was being prepared for new guest, we were given a tent used by visiting guides – and it was fine. We re-sorted our packing and went to have lunch. Back for a quick shower and we were ready for our transfer to the airstrip at Naboisho Conservancy.

 

The transfer started off fairly leisurely, enjoying some wildlife on the way

Vulture overhead

 

We asked to stop to see the Blue Wildebeest as we had not really had a good view in OMC.

@@Safaridude discusses the plight of the Loita wildebeest in his excellent report -

http://safaritalk.net/topic/15956-of-old-friends-and-new-kenya-revisited-february-2016/page-8 Post 145

 

The final stretch of the transfer was a bit of a rush as we had lingered a bit much – but we did make the flight for Nairobi.

[TonyQ]

Final thoughts on Kicheche Bush and OMC

 

We thought Kicheche Bush was an excellent camp. Fairly small (6 tents I think), well run in a friendly and efficient way and excellent food. The vehicle was excellent and the guiding was superb. (We heard that the other guides were excellent as well – one woman visits many times and always asks for Nelson). They stress flexibility – if you want to stay out with a sighting then do it. We were usually out from 6.00 until 13.00 to 13.30, and then out from 16.00 until 19.00 or 19.30.

 

We really enjoyed OMC. There were more vehicles than at Meru or Ol Pejeta, but the numbers were still small. Cats would often, but not always be shared. The vehicles (guides) behaved well. Grass was longer than it had been for many years – this created challenges and opportunities.

 

Final thoughts on the whole trip (our first to Kenya)

We loved it – from start to finish. Meru was wonderful – lush and full of wildlife large and small. Why does it not have more visitors? Ol Pejeta was excellent with varied wildlife. OMC was superb as well. We were very happy with our choice of Parks, camps and guides.

 

As we watched the weather forecast before we set out, we were worried it would rain all of the time – well it didn’t. We did have some rain but it did not cause problems. A big advantage of the time of year was that many birds were in breeding plumage – often very beautiful. Another big advantage for us was that there were so many babies around – and we love the “cute” factor.

 

 

In Nairobi

Our BA flight was at 11pm. We wanted to be at the airport fairly early because we expected security to time consuming (it was very thorough – so allow time).

 

We decided to go to Ole Sereni for snack meal and a beer as a final sundowner. (We also saw our sixth species of cat on this trip, Felis catus - no photo)

 

So with some Vegetable Tempura and some Fries, we sat with a glass of Tusker overlooking Nairobi National Park. (It was a very good choice for spending a couple of hours).

 

I tried to take pictures of birds on the terrace (not very successfully)

Speke’s Weaver

 

A man came up to me and said “With a lens like that you should be able to see the lion!”

I thought he was joking –but

Our final lion in Kenya.

The End

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@TonyQ and @@Thursday's Child

 

You've placed Kenya in the loveliest of limelight, bringing out its natural beauty.

Your commentary was realistic, warmhearted, wry and informative.

The photography is, as ever in your trip reports, top class.

The 2-part elephant image above is a very effective approach.

As we were in exactly the same area — Olare Motorogi Conservancy — within weeks of one another, your experience was especially meaningful to me.

As a true, blue Meru fan, I'm so pleased that you both experienced its lovely charm, with for more striking sightings than I ever had.

Your trip report style remains the gold standard for me, as it has been since I joined Safaritalk one year ago.

I admire your gracious style, without pretension, name-dropping or one-ups-manship of any sort.

May your next safari in Africa be as personally satisfying as your Kenya safari was for both of you.

With Much Appreciation,

Tom K.

[amybatt]

That "eye" shot of the lion is exceptional. If you look closely you can see your vehicle in her pupil! Tremendous, and I am a total sucker for cat photos. Nicely done, I'm so sad to see your trip report come to an end!

[elefromoz]

@@TonyQ, a beer, snacks and a Lion over the fence in NNP, what a nice final look at Africa for you and MrsQ, and a lovely end to a lovely report

[Patty]

So glad you enjoyed your first trip to Kenya! Such lovely images throughout and what a great ending with the lion at NNP.

[michael-ibk]

A simply delightful report, thank you for all your efforts! Very glad that you and @Thurdsday´s Child enjoyed Kenya and I have to say, it really delivered for you. Lots of great sigthings, the Hyena den, the Leopards in OMC and of course all those Bat-Eared-Foxes were standouts for me. Like you I can´t understand why Meru does not get more visitors. A great park I would love to return to. All your pictures were really fantastic, you have excelled (again)!

 

A pity that you have already reached the end, but I´m already looking forward to the next one. Any plans yet?

[xelas]

@@TonyQ (and @@Thursday's Child )

you have had one fantastic wildlife trip to Kenya, and I am so grateful you have shared it with us! The photography is top notch, and you have really took a lot of time to describe the details of the camps.

It was a pure pleasure spending time in your virtual company and following your adventures!

[dlo]

@@TonyQ

 

Just to echo everyone above this was a very enjoyable report and I am glad you enjoyed one of my absolute favourite places Kenya. BTW thanks for more great hyena pictures.

[deano]

Thank you @@TonyQ. Fabulous report. Your photographs and words have really put Kenya high on my list of places to visit. 2017 is not planned yet.......

 

kind regards

 

deano.

[Zim Girl]

@@TonyQ

 

Really, really enjoyable report. Great story-telling and wonderful pictures.