Glimpse of Kenya Part 2: Masai Mara

Maintain respectable distance from me 

I have blood on my whiskers 

Once Nairobi was explored as much as one day wouid allow, we were told to pack and be ready by 7 am to load our bags in van and have breakfast once the counters for breakfast are open. 

The road trip was long. We got an opportunity to see the rift Valley of Kenya from the big platform by the side of road. In 2018 heavy rainfall in Kenya increased the width of this rift. 

From here onwards was a long winding but thoroughly enjoyable road journey, with food packets, water, juice and snacks being passed on from time to time we did not stop in between. 

Before we started our travel from Nairobi to MasaiMara strict instructions were given "not to throw paper, plastic or left over food /fruit peels or any other trash out of vehicle. 

I still vividly remember the Oohs and Aahs when we spotted giraffes for first time in forest area. What a sight it was! Gracefully moving giraffes stretching their necks to eat leaves from prickly branches of tall trees. To see an animal in captivity is nothing compared to seeing them in their natural habitat and that we were going to experience aplenty in next few days. 

First sight of Giraffe from so near in forest area

It had rained heavily, overcast sky was not a good sign to travel on forest road, as it is the slushy roads,and flash flood made it difficult to drive, so we all got down to push the vehicle and managed to cross the wide spread forest. 

The reward for all labor was rare glimpse of the tribal people who come in these forests to collect fruits, wood, and water. They had vivid color paint on their body with feathers crown on head, leaf for covering their modesty and huge bow arrows. For these people wild animals are like friend and fellows. They will kill one only for food or if attacked fiercely else they just let them be. We were asked not to take their photos since they are very protective and possessive about their privacy. 

We were shown our tents where we were to stay for 2 days and 2 nights. They were sturdy, spacious and comfortable. 

Tents in forest area and we with Masai gaurds

 Indian cook was to look after out food. It was almost 3pm, we were offered hot cup of tea with some biscuits. We grabbed out cameras, binoculars and water bottles and drove off for the national park (wild life reserve) area. 

It was just a quick introductory tour because by  nightfall all tourists vehicles are supposed to be out of park. We saw some spotted deers, zebras, swamp deers, wider beasts, antelope returning to their habitats after grazing and drinking water. 

The Mjestic enterance 

I am so graceful, do you agree?

Cat family animals come out either early morning or at dusk to hunt for their food. We were feeling slightly let down because we were told lions prowl in this area after dusk. But suddenly my excitement was not lost on others and binoculars and cameras with zoom were out to get view of lion sitting quietly waiting for any deer, antelope to prey upon. We returned to our tent house all excited. Having hot water bath, cup of tea we all chatted, shared our photos and waited for dinner to be laid. 

The smell of food invites wild animals so the tribal people were employed to comb the surrounding area and keep tourists protected from any attack. These people do not use guns, knives etc. They have a big stick of ebony wood with knob shape at the end, they can kill any wild animal with from far away. They have perfect aim. 

Left over food is never thrown there it is collected and taken away out of forest area. 

I slept off the moment I hit the bed. Suddenly at almost 3 am I heard something scraping on the back of our tent, I heard some growling sound, being daring (sometimes wrongly) I thought of opening the zip and peeping out, but thought of my husband who would certainly not like my dare devil idea, so just kept following the sound from inside till I dozed off again. 

When I told this to the Masai people there they said "good you did not open the tent, it was wilder beast and hyena. Had you opened it would have been dangerous. We were standing guard whole night for you all. (one learned one was translator for rest of them). 

Breakfast done, lunch packed we left for National Park area. It was early morning sun was yet golden, beautiful birds and plethora of wild life was out looking for food, water and enjoying the warmth of sun. 

National Bird Of Uganda (Crested crane)

Wild Pheasant 

Secretary bird 

The animals/birds are highly territorial. They usually do not encroach upon others territory and each gaurds their territory fiercly. We were told that this is mainly where we will see antelopes, chital, spotted deers, etc but not cat family, giraffes, zebra, eagles, ... some animals were soaking in sun, some going for grazing some as if just posing for cameras. 

Oh I did not know you were taking my photo 

 

We have first right to road 

I am lonely fox 

Lonely hyena 

It took us to zoom our cameras to take a perfect picture of zebras on the rock.      

We prefer being in herd 

Zebras sunbathing 

A wildebeest was trying to move but his heavy weight was amking his legs to get stuck in slush caused by heavy rain thus war so angry that he was hitting his head to a stone. None of the birds or animal were daring to come near him.

Slushy ground makes me angry

As we went further it was not only the wild life but also the clear sky, the land scape, the greenery all around and the calmness disturbed often by the sound of different birds was also enchanting and mesmerising. 

 slushy yet so beautiful 

Blue sky white clouds green ground (nature at it's best) 

The descipline followed by the wildlife is an example to all of us. We witnessed two mail deers locking horns and were engaged in fight of supremacy to win the love of female standing nearby. 

We fight to claim the lady love 

Due to unseasonal rains the animals got confused after all they do not consult calender, they follow seasons and nature. So unseasonal rains played trick with their body clock and they started migrating towards Zambia. It was sight to behold to see hundreds of different animals moving in their groups for migration. 

It was almost noon and we yet had to explore large area before it is time to exit the park, but first and foremost was a break in forest resort for lunch and stretching our legs. 

Since we had our packed lunch boxes so we preferred going to open garden area enjoying the cool breeze and having great picnic. Once food was done, we all after freshening up went to explore the area around it. 

There was watering hole for wild animals and wad fenced to protect both humans and animals from each other. We were lucky to get a great display of swimming and frolicking of hippopotamus in there. 

We love it out here 

Monkeys were least bothered by us rather they were in different to our presence. 

We have to carry on with our work 

After having 30 minutes of walking around the beautiful surroundings of resort we set out for jungle again. 

Most of the animals prefer resting when the sun goes high in sky so for miles together we could only see green lands dotted with hillock, sometimes rocky patches and just when we were getting restless all excitement came back when our driver noted some thing and hushed us up and pointed towards bushes. 

We could not believe our eyes. Oh my my whole family of lions were taking their siesta under the bushes. All windows up, only roof open we took turns to see the pride of king of jungle taking afternoon seista. 

Do not disturb my Pride 

We need our afternoon nap 

We thought nothing could be better but wait till you see photos of later day. Every moment was better than the first one. 

We spotted ostrich family, the patriarch of family guarding little one, making sure they cross the road safely, huge white eagles, wild boars, secretary bird and elephants what at sight each of it was. The memories are so vivid that I close my eyes and can see it like a film being processed. 

This is my family 

Me my wife and our kids 

Eagle and Secretary bird 

Let me eat before l lead  my Parade 

Majestic family of three generations 

We sighted the shy wild cat. Our Daniel was explaining about animals with the help of picture book. He was a well read, knowledgeable person. 

Rare sight of shy wild cat 

Zebras migrating 

Herd of Wildbeests moving  

When we were about to take a turn towards the migrating point between Kenya and Zambia the walky talky crsckled and Daniel took U turn towards deep forest. SILENCE was the command and we knew some thing big is there. This is the sight we got to see. 

Mother leopard feeding cubs (a baby deer) 

Cubs playing with mother 

The river was home to bask of huge crocodiles. Watching reluctance of  some members the Zeal to cross crocodile feasted water, while some crossing over, two of them becoming morsel of crocodile was exciting, gut wrenching and exhilarating sight. Since shutter sound would attract crocodiles to the side of river thus we were asked to keep cameras away and watch quietly. 

Deciding to cross the river or not 

The winding River had pockets with bask of crocodiles and bloats of hippopotamus. Get down from van stretch your legs watch from distance, go near and you become dinner for hippos and crocodile was the refrain from Daniel. 

Places in river with Bask crocodiles and Bloats of hippos. 

Evening had set in birds were going back to their nests, animals were returning to their resting places and after almost half an hour drive we found our path blocked by 8 lions. Never ever dreamt of seeing the big cat from a distance of 5 ft. We had to wait for almost an hour before the leader led rest of the lions to their lair and we sighed with relief. 

You go when we say 

Daniel did not want to risk being late for checking out from the gate so sped off quickly only to stop abruptly because huge dust cloud was moving in our direction and we could see dark figures all over. Our luck! we were grinning from ear to ear because we were told it is not storm but hundreds and thousands of wilder beasts moving "migrating". 

You wait till we leave even if it gets dark 

Count your blessings we are far from you 

It took almost 30 minutes for last of the wilder beasts to clear our way, and finally super tired but excited, happy and satisfied we retired for nights sleep after hot water bath and delicious food. 

Even though it had rained in night, morning was awash with golden rays of sun. 

We had planned to see a Masai village before driving off for Thomas falls and Nakuru. 

Masai Village 

We lit fire by rubbing special wood pieces

Proud of our dress and ornaments 

Cleaning slush is ladies job 

Local fruits of jungle 

Endemic tree with medicinal value 

Peek sneek into village chief house 

Patriach of the Tribe 

And then we left for Thomson falls in Nyahururu. I will meet you all in Nyahururu with more exciting photos of Thomson falls and lake Ol'Bolossat in Nyandarua County of Central Kenya.