Day 18 to 19 - September 7 and 8, 2013

September 7 to September 9, 2013

Masai Mara Game Reserve

Safari by definition is " an expedition to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitats especially in East Africa". That is exactly what we have been doing for the these 3 days,( except the hunting part).

Masai Mara Game reserve is a magnificent landscape of open grassland rich in its variety of plantations which nurtures abundant wildlife. One can hardly not be amazed by the openness and the grand scale of the endless grassland. Due to its closeness to the equator and the high altitude (5000 Ft), climate all year round is mild and pleasant, around 10 to 22 Celsius daily. April and May is raining season. This time of year is dry and comfortable. No mosquitoes. Windy at times.

People write about Safari a lot and there are so many great animal photos out there, it is hard to add to it. However seeing the animals in this grand reserve living in the way that is minimally disturbed by human being is precious.

From the beginning of times, the native Masai lived a nomadic lifestyle competing with wildlife in the grassland. Today, they have mostly abandoned the nomadic life style, instead, they farm in a small scale, raise cattle, and make local artifacts for tourists. Resort royalties and government grants help the Masai people to adapt to living alongside the wildlife.

More visibly are larger mammals like giraffe, zebra, elephants and wildebeests. They migrate in the middle and east Africa chasing mature grass field. Top go food chain, like lions and leopards hunt as they needed. Hyena and 禿鷹 help finish the job. Many other species in between.

 

September 7, Drive to see Wildebeest migration and crossing the Mara River. Waited 3 hours for them to cross. They come down to riverside and back up to bank back and forth. Mainly because There are alligators in the river and also 25 jeeps around to make them feel uncomfortable.

Sighting of lioness and her babies.

 

Rare sighting of lions in their "honey moon". Do you know in mating season, a pair of lions mate 150 times a day? No wonder they are tired!

Wildebeests waiting and line up for crossing.

Picnic as waiting for the crossing.

 

 

Resting after crossing. They are all hungry and tired. They have to cross the Mara River to get more food at this side of grassland.

 

September 8, Started today by a one hour hot balloon ride followed by a 3 hours game drive.

It is not a crash landing just tilted.

 

Hot balloon ride ended with an outdoor Champagne breakfast.

Afternoon game drive.

 

 

Zebra line.

Eland on a termite hump.

Cheetah and their leftover dinner.

Leftover dinner.

Water buffalos taking mud bath.

Ending the day at the camp for dinner.

 

 

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