Kenya February 2018

[ELIL]

Finally, I found some time to continue with this report.

 

After our bush picnic in Naboisho we were pick up by another car that was supposed to bring to Rekero camp in the Mara reserve. It is always nice to get an additional game drive as part of a transfer. It was already getting very warm and even the game was looking for some rest like this giraffe.

 

Occasionally, we disturbed some animals during their siesta.

 

It took us about 1,5 hrs until we arrived at Rekero. There was quite a big group about to leave and the camp was half occupied during our stay. This turned out to be of advantage for us. Except for one game drive, we had our guide and the car for our exclusive use. The camp is located at the Talek river which makes it one of preferred spots during the migration season and you can watch herds crossing from the deck of your tent. Even during our stay we saw a few buffalos and zebras crossing during lunch or tea time.

View from our tent

 

The close location to the river means that you have always hippos around. Especially during the night, there were always hippos in or around the camp and the guides and guards were always happy to show them to us.

 

Regarding quality of the camp, Kicheche Valley and Rekero camp were on par for us. We would definitely return to both of them. 

 

Striated Heron in front of the camp.

 

[ELIL]

During our first game drive we tried to find a leopard which had been spotted around the camp the days before. However we were not successful with this elusive cat, but nevertheless enjoyed the time in the bush with the sometimes ignored animals.

Warthog

 

Topi

 

Banded Mongoose

 

Birds were around as well

European Roller

 

Pair of Fish Eagles

 

Crowned Cranes 

 

Suddenly we received a call that a leopard had been spotted and we drove into the mentioned direction. I always appreciate the spotting capabilities of safari guides, especially when they see something in a distance far beyond where I am hardly able to identify  an elephant. But this time it was easy even for me to identify the right direction. There were already many vehicles gathered together and it was clear that there must be something. Having spent the previous days in private concessions, this cluster of safari vehicles was quite a difference. 

 

It was not the leopard that had been spotted around the camp during the previous day, but a young male. Our guide explained that at this age, the mother occasionally leaves the young alone for some days so that they learn to survive on their own.

The young leopard looks a little bit "confused" in this picture.

 

 

[Amylovescritters]

Amazing TR. Kenya was my first Safari back in 2004. My second (with far too long a gap but funding was previously an issue) being TZ this coming April. The next will definitely not be more than 2yrs in the future! Great pics!

[ELIL]

On the next day, we first came across a pride of lions. Most of them were sleeping, just a few were watching around for something interesting.

 

I always like how lions greet each other when a member returns to the pride. The lions "at home" lay down flat on the ground, then head rubbing and nuzzling between the reunited family members starts.

 

Since we did not share the vehicle with anybody else, we decided to go to a marsh area. This was quite a productive area for birds, the following picture shows the biodiversity with at least 8 different birds.

 

Some area of the marsh was beautifully covered with yellow plants.

 

Some Jacana chicks made some of their first steps

 

And mother was always watching

 

A Grey Crowned Crane starting

 

But there were some other animals around as well

 

 

 

We did not see any other safari vehicle in this area and we enjoyed this idyllic and peaceful area very much.

 

Rufous bellied Heron

 

Wooly Necked Stork

 

There were also some other smaller ponds in this area with some more birds.

African Spoonbill

 

White Faced Whistling Duck

 

Red Billed Teal

 

Northern Pintail

 

Squacco Heron

 

 

 

 

[Marks]

Fantastic shots of the hyena in action. The wildebeest birth must also have been a remarkable experience.

[penolva]

On 10/20/2018 at 6:37 PM, ELIL said:

During our first game drive we tried to find a leopard which had been spotted around the camp the days before. However we were not successful with this elusive cat, but nevertheless enjoyed the time in the bush with the sometimes ignored animals.

Warthog

 

Topi

 

Banded Mongoose

 

Birds were around as well

European Roller

 

Pair of Fish Eagles

 

Crowned Cranes 

 

Suddenly we received a call that a leopard had been spotted and we drove into the mentioned direction. I always appreciate the spotting capabilities of safari guides, especially when they see something in a distance far beyond where I am hardly able to identify  an elephant. But this time it was easy even for me to identify the right direction. There were already many vehicles gathered together and it was clear that there must be something. Having spent the previous days in private concessions, this cluster of safari vehicles was quite a difference. 

 

It was not the leopard that had been spotted around the camp during the previous day, but a young male. Our guide explained that at this age, the mother occasionally leaves the young alone for some days so that they learn to survive on their own.

The young leopard looks a little bit "confused" in this picture.

 

 

 

@ELILI only just came across your TR. I was very interested to see the young male leopard. I think this may be him a year younger when we were staying at Brian Freeman's camp which is in the same Talek area. What do you think? The nick in the ear looks exactly the same to me. His mother is Bahati. Did your guide mention that? It would be amazing to see him again as we spent hours with him, his sister and mother in 2017. Pen

 

[ELIL]

@penolva Well spotted! It seems that it is the same young leopard. I don't remember that our guide mentioned anything about it, but the nick in the ear is a pretty good identifier, I think. Thanks for sharing the photo of the young guy.

[penolva]

39 minutes ago, ELIL said:

@penolva Well spotted! It seems that it is the same young leopard. I don't remember that our guide mentioned anything about it, but the nick in the ear is a pretty good identifier, I think. Thanks for sharing the photo of the young guy.

 

@ELIL Really happy you also agree it's him. When we were in the MM in September this year we were told he and his sister had survived but didn't see them, only Bahati their mother. It's brilliant you saw and photographed him. Thank you. Pen