WorldTravelReynolds

Since we spent 3 days here on the Maasai Mara National Reserve and pretty much had safari drives day and night, I’m combining days 2 & 3 to make it easier. We saw so many animals, its just amazing.

It was an early wakeup call and soon realized that it would be that way for all 8-10 days! We are learning that the animals dont sleep in. On our 2nd day we arose to a magnificent African sunrise. They are so orange and beautiful here. I guess since we are at the equator we get to see this beauty up close and personal. Our game drive started very early without breakfast, only a hot cup of coffee to get started on our day.

Our first sighting this morning was just as we were leaving the lodge. We spotted a troop of baboons huddled together in a tree, their silhouettes stark against the rising sun. They seemed to be having a lively morning meeting, their barks and screeching are loud as they let everyone else know they are awake.. These intelligent primates have a complex social structure and have been around for millions of years, adapting and thriving in the African savanna. We learned that the olive baboon lives in groups of 15 to 150, made up of a few males, many females, and their babies. Each baboon has a social ranking somewhere in the group, depending on its dominance.

As we ventured deeper into the grassy land, these African animals started popping out of everywhere. Impalas, graceful and alert were grazing nearby. A not very attractive secretary bird, with a brown crest and long legs, strutted across the road, ignoring our jeep and on the lookout for its next feast. This is one of Africa’s weirdest birds. It struts about the savannah with the head of an eagle and the legs of a stork. In reality, it is a bird of prey, eating on its own kind. Just weird!

Suddenly, our guide slowed down as we spotted something in a tree. It was a lioness, her foot was injured. We could see the blood and a scratch or bite on her lower leg. Maybe a fight or just a scuffle. All around her were cape water buffalo. The guide said she would stay in the tree until all animals were gone so she could make a quiet escape. Nearby, two lion cubs frolicked under the watchful eye of another lioness. She moves her den and cubs regularly to keep them safe from predators while she is away hunting.

Driving along, it wasn’t hard to spot the towering giraffes munching on their favorite leaves on the acacia tree. They spend 16–20 hours a day eating. With 33,000 Maasai giraffes, this area must be full of acacia trees somewhere else. It appeared sparse to us! A curious Topi antelope watched us pass by. They are know as the policemen of the Maasai Mara because they are known to make loud alarm calls when they sense danger. These calls can warn other animals in the area, similar to how a police siren might alert people to danger. I found these to be pretty animals.

As much as I love cats, the sleek serval cat isn’t one I would want to have around the house. They are skilled leapers that can jump up to 12 ft in the air to catch birds in flight. Wow! They also have excellent hearing and can sense vibrations from rodents moving underground.

We met a shy bushbuck hiding in the bushes but he eventually made his way out when eating some the grass. He’s another sleek looking antelope. He’s not very shy though when cornered by a lion or leopard. He will fight hard with his 20 inch horns and will sometimes win the battle if only facing one predator.

The plains zebras are beautiful. So much like a horse, they are graceful and their black and white stripes add to their beauty. We did learn they are white with black stripes, not the other way around. .During the annual migration thats a very popular time to ride in a hot air balloon and a major tourist attraction, around 400,000 zebras travel through the Maasai Mara along with 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 antelopes. Thats one animal we didn’t see at all, wildebeest.

We spotted a hyena scavenging for its next meal. My opinion is that these animals are the worst but they are very much needed for the eco system. They eat pretty much anything! While watching the hyena, he became startled so we looked up to see what he was looking at and saw a huge lion with his fluffy mane just sitting there surveying his kingdom or actually the cape water buffalo as this is one of his favorite meals. We sat around for a while hoping he would pick one for dinner but he eventually went back to sleep. I’m guessing he was outnumbered.

After seeing a very large herd of elephants and water buffalo off in the distance, we were mesmerized at the sight of so many of these animals getting along. They actually protect each other! Elephants are the largest land animals on earth and can weigh up to 6 tons. On the other hand, the water buffalo only weigh up to 2,600 pounds and the most interesting is the shape of their horns. It is flat and curved with a split in the middle like parted hair. An interesting look.

After a 3 hour drive watching the amazing creatures, we drove to a hippo pond and had an amazing breakfast while watching them bathe in the mud. We had a couple of protective guards with guns and spears watching over us just in case. These hippos are the deadliest large land mammal on the planet. The latest information suggests hippo attacks kill 500 people each year in Africa. It’s not just their size and weight that makes them dangerous, but also their very sharp teeth. After a delicious breakfast we retreated back to our lodge for some much-needed rest and sleep. I indulged in a relaxing hot stone massage, the perfect way to unwind after an exciting morning.

As the sun began its set we embarked on our evening game drive. The golden light painted the landscape in a beautiful warm glow as we spotted more impalas and a majestic grey crowned crane standing proud. He had a very pretty head. Another bushbuck emerged from the undergrowth and a graceful serval cat hunting its prey. A playful banded mongooses ran so fast we caught only his backside! Our last sighting before heading to the barn was a beautiful lionness hanging out on a small mound of dirt. The guides say she is not alone.

Day two dawned with another spectacular sunrise. This just doesn’t get old! Early this morning some of our adventurous friends decided to take their experience to a whole new level with a hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara. Imagine soaring above the savanna, witnessing a breathtaking view of the sprawling plains and herds of buffalo grazing below. While they were off on their aerial adventure, we continued our exploration on a thrilling early morning game drive. We like to view the animals a little closer to the ground!

The thrill of the day wasn’t just about the wildlife encounters. We reached the boundary of Tanzania, a line in the sand that separated two countries but couldn’t contain the spirit of the wild. The vastness of the savanna stretched out before us, spanning across Africa and Tanzania into the Serengeti.

In the afternoon, we visited a traditional Maasai village. Learning about the Maasai tribe and their customs was a humbling experience. We witnessed their daily life, the construction of their manyattas (homes) using mud, grass, sticks, and cow dung, and even learned how to build a fire from scratch using sticks and how the knowledge passed down through generations was put to use. As a sign of respect and cultural exchange, some of us even participated in a traditional ceremony, drinking a mixture of blood and milk. Another interesting fact was the men remove the bottom two teeth when they become men or if they get lockjaw and cannot eat.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we embarked on our final evening game drive. The highlight of this adventure was an encounter with a rather disgruntled bull elephant who decided to follow our jeep for a while, clearly not a fan of our presence in his territory! Luckily, our experienced guide kept a safe distance. We also spotted a gentle giraffe with its adorable twin babies, a comical Hamerkop bird running alongside the jeep, and a group of lappet-faced vultures circling in the distance. I’m sure they know of something human don’t about where their next meal is coming from.

We had a hearty dinner so we could get to bed early. We have a flight to Ol Pajeeta tomorrow in some prop planes. Another two amazing days. Its hard to believe we are here! God is Good!

May He bless you always!

Chuck & Lea Ann