Life's a Stitch

(Feb. 26)

The park, comprised of savannah wilderness, is named for the Maasai people and the Mara River. There were rolling green hills and stretches of wheat coloured fields.

We were given the choice of an all day game drive or sunrise and sunset drives with lunch and afternoon at the lodge. The six of us chose a compromise of an abbreviated day drive, 7:00 am to 2:00 pm as we had already done the evening one yesterday.

Although every day was good, in retrospect, this day was the highlight of the trip. Early on we spotted a Cheetah, probably the one we saw yesterday, as although a distance from where we originally sighted him, it was still within his territorial range.

Everyone on Safari hopes to view the “Big Five” animals—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. “Originally coined by big-game hunters to describe the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot, the term now represents top wildlife viewing in countries like Tanzania, South Africa, and Kenya.”

In Nairobi we checked two off that list: lion and rhino. Yesterday we saw elephants and today the buffalo.

Only the leopard to go, but we were warned that they were shy and not to have our expectations too high.

Along the way we saw gazelles, gnus aka wildebeests, mongooses, giraffes, impalas, ostriches, zebras, baboons, buffalo, warthogs…It was amazing that all these creatures lived together, some in a predatory relationship, others in a peaceable kingdom. Sometimes in one pasture there would be several different species all getting along. 

We saw a group of safari vehicles ahead, indicating a sighting of interest. It was a lioness relaxing in the grasses. She decided to move and the Land Rovers followed. Although this photo might give the impression of being irresponsibly close to wildlife, it was the opposite. The lion pair parked themselves right in the middle of the trucks. 

We continued toward our destination with an unexpected treat, a rest area in the middle of nowhere. 

The farthest point of the day was the Mara River where a regional guide took us on a river walk to see crocodiles and hippos. 

He taught us about Maasai culture and demonstrated how to use a twig of the green hat tree as a toothbrush.

The guides are in contact with each other via radio communication. Ours was advised of lions in the immediate vicinity. We came upon a male sitting in the field of flowers reminding me of Ferdinand the Bull from a childhood storybook. The bull, destined for the bullring, wasn’t fierce at all. His happy place was sitting in a field, smelling the flowers. 

The next lion was of the fierce variety, munching on a buffalo carcass.

I’ll spare you the video with sounds of crunching bones. 

Across the road hyenas and vultures were awaiting their turn.

On the way back to the lodge we had a giraffe photobomb experience. As I took the picture another giraffe popped up out of the trees.

It was a satisfying safari day.