5 Porini camps. October 2 to October 16

[AmyT]

Is that the famous Martin (lion)?  We tried to track him in the dark by his roars.  Glad to put a face with a name! 

[CDL111]

Hi @AmyT, l have checked what records l kept and Ketre never mentioned the lion's name. So unless somebody Martin and there are markings similar on my pics it will have to remain nameless.

[CDL111]

Day 3 is a full day in Amboseli NP. 

We started out for the NP, and not long into our journey Ketre received a call telling him that a pride of lions had been spotted so we turned around to photograph the pride.

Edited November 16, 2017 by CDL111

[CDL111]

We were about an hour behind when we arrived in the NP, and it soon became obvious that there was a lack of eles, Ketre and Muli were of the opinion that because there was not enough food due to the lack of rain that the eles had moved on. There was plenty of birds to photograph though and it made a very enjoyable day out.

[Alexander33]

It looks like you had quite a productive safari. You certainly had a wide variety of sightings. From all appearances, that baboon on Day 2 just narrowly escaped a close call. The photo of the Magnificent Starling perched on the buffalo skull is most artful. 

[CDL111]

It took us about 90 minutes to drive back to camp and we thought as it was nearly 5pm that would be it for the day, but Ketre asked if we would like to go for a drive about 6pm and then go to the watchtower and have a sundowner, we didn't want to be discourteous so accepted the offer!!! 

Both of us managed to take pics without spilling a drop of G&T.

[CDL111]

Thanks @Alexander33, just lucky to be in the right place at the right time. It was so peaceful as nearly all the guests were in their tents having had lunch and staff were working elsewhere, so no noise to disturb the birds.

[lmonmm]

@CDL111  OMG- baby Jicanas!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[CDL111]

Just a few pictures from Amboseli Jan 2017 to highlight the difference.

[CDL111]

Day 4, Amboseli.

Our last full day here and for us another very enjoyable morning drive.

[CDL111]

It was time for the bush breakfast and we stopped at the watchtower we were at on day one. It is very enjoyable to have breakfast whilst being able to see wildlife having a drink of water.

[amybatt]

I don't know why but that little bird singing his lungs out made me smile.  Nice zebra trio at the watering hole too!  So far a great safari for you!

[CDL111]

Thanks @amybatt, the song of the rosy-patched bush-shrike (male) was loud and piercing. 

 

[CDL111]

Our afternoon drive was to look for the pride, which never materialized so it was back to the second watchtower and pictures of the eles.

[lmonmm]

Oh what a teeny tiny baby elephant!!!!  

 

[CDL111]

This was our last morning at Amboseli and as our flight was at 0800hrs there was no morning drive, so just a couple of birds. Its then onto Ol Pejeta and Rhino Camp

 

 

Nubian Woodpecker

 

 

Green-winged pytilia

[CDL111]

There was a problem with the plane at Wilson and as they could not repair the fault we had to change planes, therefore we were an hour late arriving at Nanyuki. Nicholas (guide) and Hesbon (tracker) told us that we would be crossing the equator on three separate occasions and as we were late pics were in short supply. This was our first visit to Ol Pejeta and what a contrast in the landscape to Amboseli, we managed to see a rhino in the distance on the way to camp and so that made us happy, Nicholas told us that we would see plenty of rhino, and he was not wrong. There was us thinking that the 16 we had seen at Nairobi was something were going to be really surprised as to the quantity we saw in one  

 

Dafassa waterbuck

 

 

Grey crowned cranes

 

Secretary bird

 

Common bulbal

 

Superb starling

 

Arrow-marked babbler

[CDL111]

Day 5 Rhino camp

 

Our afternoon game drive with a nice finish, no not G&T. 

Cokes hertebeest

 

Martial Eagle juvenile

 

Reticulated giraffe

 

Yellow billed oxpeckers

 

Buffalo

 

Black back jackel

 

 

Crowned plover

 

3 females and 7 cubs

 

Ostrich

[wilddog]

Love that shot of the cub looking round the tree at the rest of the pride. It looks as though he/she has mischief in mind

 

[amybatt]

Lovely lion pics.  I could watch nursing cubs all day, although it looks like mamma lion had enough of that in one of those pics! 

 

I too appreciated the very diverse landscape of Ol Pejeta.  Can't wait to see how Porini Rhino delivered for you!

[AmyT]

I love love love lion cubs!!  So cute!

[CDL111]

Thanks @wilddog, its probably where the vehicle was parked, as much as it may look mischievous it was well behaved. We did see them again two nights later.

[CDL111]

Thanks @amybatt, from memory Nicholas said that the cubs initially suckling were the mother's cubs and the ones that then tried to muzzle in were from one of the other mothers. l don't think you will be surprised of our opinion of Porini Rhino.

[CDL111]

Apologies readers, the quantity of the pride on day five is 3 females and 10 cubs.

[CDL111]

Day 6

Rhino camp.

Morning drive, again another camp that does bush breakfast, which for us allows discussion with Nicholas and Hesbon regarding wildlife and also their families, the added bonus being more time to see different wildlife and birds.

We did see two towers of giraffe in excess of 25 and a herd of 16 warthogs. rhino sightings, but tomorrow is the big day for rhino.

 

Hyena

 

Marabou, the one with white on its feathers is a breeding marabou

 

Black headed heron

 

Kori bustard

 

Red-rumped swallow

 

African hare

 

First tower of 25+

 

Part of the 16+warthogs

 

Rhino with daughter

 

Little stint

 

Black chested snake eagle

 

Impala

 

Eurasian bee-eater

 

Zebra

 

Ele on the way to he water hole

 

Rhino and baby on their way to the water hole from the other side.

 

Defassa waterbuck

 

Female fisher's sparrow lark with young, could not see it at first

 

The male then came in with food

 

Eland

 

Ostrich

 

Zebra

 

More warthogs

 

The second tower of 25+ giraffe

 

Eles trying to get shade from the sun