Baraza

Category: Mara Triangle, Uncategorized | Date: Aug 17 2008 | By: baraza

I’m back from an amazing 3 days in the Masai Mara. Apart from a rather irritating spate of punctures that took us to some amusing experiences which I wrote about on a blog called Afrigadget, it was absolutely spectacular.

We drove in from Nairobi along a road that could be described as Africa’s worst, and into a camp run by JK Safaris. Since the election crisis tourists have not returned in full swing even to the Mara which meant we had the entire tented camp to ourselves, and the most relaxed wildlife viewing  that I’ve had in a long time in the Mara. Instead of hundreds of cars there were tens.

Arriving in the park had particular significance as we’d just overcome a puncture that nearly ruined the trip.

Spectacular wildlife viewing - the migration is in full swing and the landscape was saturated with herds of wildebeeste, zebra, gazelle and other species.

After much “hmming” and bleating the first wildebeest leaped into the water setting off a frenzy of excitement amongst the crocodiles. The flow of the river was stronger than I’d imagined, causing them to drift downstream while they swam like crazy to get across to a safe landing point.

Once the crocs had one animal in their clutches, the othere were safe to cross. The sacrifice of one wildebeest seemed worth it - hundreds if not thousands made it across safely, bleating excitedly as they emerged .

Hippos avoided busy crossing points and rested a bit further upstream.

Our guide Moses claimed that hippos mate for 3 hours. It certainly seemed like a slow process!

Not just migration - the Mara is exciting

Dung beetle - with a massive ball

Wildlife seems tame - this stunning lilac breasted roller let us get very close.

Topi guarding his leking spot

Lazy lions

….and an uncooperative leopard

The best moment came last for my son Josh - he received a Masai name and  spear for his 16th birthday.

The challenge of saving the Mara comes closer to home after a special trip like this. Losing the area due to political fall outs in Kenya would be the height of stupidity and short sightedness by our leaders. Thank you all for your support towards the Mara triangle through Kimojino’s blog.

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Tags: Kenya, Kimojino, Mara Conservancy, Masai, Masai Mara, Wildebeeste