Primal Fear (Safari - Part II)
For our final two days on safari, we spent one day at the Masai Mara National Reserve and the last around the Ol Kinyei Conservancy again, which started to feel like home.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is a huge wildlife sanctuary filled with animals, and it is possible to see all of the Big Five there. But it is also open to any group willing to pay the entry fee, and there are many hotels located within the reserve. While we did see some amazing wildlife, the fact that at least ten jeeps swarmed every animal made us long for the smaller, yet still animal-rich, Ol Kinyei Conservancy. Another drawback is that you cannot off-road at the National Reserve, which made it difficult at times to see the animals up close. Nevertheless, we were still glad we spent a day at the Reserve because we saw some beautiful things that we hadn't seen at the Conservancy!
We also included some photos at the end from our flight back to Nairobi. You'll never believe who flew our plane...
-Michelle
Day 3: Ol Kinyei Conservancy and Masai Mara National Reserve
African sunrise.
We came across a pair of elephants while leaving the Ol Kinyei Conservancy.
Good morning!
Along the road to the Masai Mara National Reserve.
No shortage of wildebeests at Maasai Mara!
A huge termite mound.
You have something on your face.
Another solitary cheetah getting some sun on a rock.
Ostrich with a pink neck (means he's ready to mate!).
We stopped for breakfast in the wide open (our guide of course checked the tree first for leopards!)
Stephen was fascinated by the Maasai culture and asked Tippa to pierce his ears.
The Topi in the background is sleeping (they sleep standing up to confuse predators).
We arrived at the banks of the Mara River, hoping to see some wildebeests crossing. Instead we saw this baby crocodile. I think that means the mama is nearby!
There she is! Looks like she is smiling.
There were some wildebeests on the banks thinking about crossing. Lucky for them, they held back and avoided that croc mama in the river below!
Also in the river was this giant, lazy crash of hippos.
So many of them!
The hippos make the most amazing noises! They sound like the laughing pigs in Angry Birds.
Mama and baby hippo getting some sun (their skin turns pink to help protect them from sunburn).
The first hippo to move in over an hour.
After an hour by the river waiting for a possible wildebeest crossing, we moved on...
Grazing zebras.
Strike a pose!
While not a big bird lover, this secretary was a cool bird to see.
The landscape of the Masai Mara is so stunning, and this gorgeous elephant only added to the beauty.
We found this stork and pack of vultures picking at a carcass. The stork looks like an undertaker.
In the afternoon, we spotted this lioness with a cub peeking out. It was so cute!
Protective mama lion.
Two cubs!! We also watched them roll around and play with each other. It was pretty amazing to witness.
A group of hartebeests watching their backs. And for good reason, there is a lioness with two hungry cubs on the loose.
After a full day at the Masai Mara National Reserve, we headed back to our conservancy.
Beautiful sky on the drive home.
Beautiful sight along the road home.
By the time we got back to the Conservancy, it looked like it was going to pour. But we were able to see some sun rays peeking through the clouds before the rain.
Day 4: Ol Kinyei Conservancy
We woke up early to try to spot a leopard before heading to the airport. Instead we came across this cute dik-dik. Dik-diks mate for life, and when their mate dies, the remaining Dik-dik will die of a broken heart.
A spotted hyena looking for some carcass remnants.
On the prowl (what an ugly-looking creature).
These beauties came to see us off.
This guy looks like he could use a straw.
The whole family saying goodbye!
Saying goodbye to Jimmy, the manager of Porini Mara Camp.
The dirt road, I mean airstrip, where we flew in and out.
Up in the front seat of our six-person plane.
Not a bad view.
Taking over the controls for a little bit. It was exhilarating flying the plane. Only in Africa!
Elom was afraid for his life...
Landed safe and sound!