17
May
2015
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Masai Mara: Photo Blog Part I

Masai Mara… it’s a true jungle where humans are the outsiders and the animals know it! I spent over ten minutes admiring a lioness who was least concerned about my presence.  Our safari vehicle drove close to a giraffe…so close that I was sure he would eat up my safari hat for dessert! I clicked to my heart’s content and soaked in all that I could without the lens. There was plenty of time for everything…no one seemed to be in a rush.I have received emails from our readers asking for a photo blog on Masai Mara. So, here are a few of my favourite clicks from Masai Mara, with a little commentary on each.

Locked Horns: I haven’t met anyone who has come back from Africa without sighting the cape water buffalos. In fact, the buffalo might just be first of the big five that you sight in an African jungle. I have seen them in Kruger National Park back in 2010. I also saw quite a few of the them at Lake Nakuru National Park. However, it was in Masai Mara that I saw a herd which had hundreds of buffaloes. There were little suckling ones, lazy looking ruminants and obviously, young males. Watching buffalos literally lock horns was a display of pure power and aggression.

Cape Buffalo Masai Mara (1)-1

Locked horns, literally!

Her Royal Highness: Her royal highness was the first of the big cats that I saw the evening I arrived at Masai Mara. She wasn’t too fond of the sun. The direct rays seemed to bother her and she barely opened her eyes during the ten minutes that I was there. I am sure she would have loved to have an eye mask (the kind you get on a long distance flight) to let her catch up on her beauty sleep.

Her Royal Highness!

Her Royal Highness!

Wildebeest Scouts: I was in Masai Mara in March i.e at least a couple of months before the great migration typically commences. However, March 2015 had been an exceptionally hot and dry month in Tanzania and the wildebeest and zebras had decided to head to Kenya a few days before time.

The great migration involves over 3 million wildebeest and 1 million zebras crossing the grasslands over a span of 3 months. Before the masses move, a group of wildebeest ‘scouts’ trek from Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya to ensure that it indeed is the right time to commence migration. I was lucky to see the scouts…wildebeest and zebras both!

Wildebeest Scouts

Wildebeest Scouts

Siesta Time: I had lunch under a tree, with the Mara plains all around me. Four hours of the morning safari made me feel tired. All I wanted to do was stretch my legs, close my eyes and get the much needed siesta. Little did I know that three cheetah cubs possibly shared the same emotion and were less than 250 meters from my picnic spot.

Siesta time for little cheetahs!

Siesta time for little cheetahs!

Lonely Elephant: As we drove along the Mara planes, I spotted this lonely elephant. My guide told me that this bachelor has been shunned by his group a few years ago and has a very bad temper. The weather wasn’t looking too favourable and I wasn’t too elated with the elephant’s anti-social profile. While we swiftly moved on, this picture is one of my favourite shots from the Mara.

Lonely young man

Lonely young man

Did you like any of the above pictures? If not, there are some more coming up in the Photo Blog Part II next week….stay tuned!

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12 Responses

  1. Richa

    Lovely post as usual and beautiful pics 🙂 I love how the cheetahs are hiding themselves in the bushes. Must have been a lovely hide and seek type of game searching for them all in the bushes as well 🙂

  2. As an operator we have to second you,Maasai mara game reserve is always the best when it comes to animal lovers,You will always see great and amazing large number of wild animals in this National game reserve.

    We are happy you had your time in Match,Considering that those who visit during migration have a lot to see but only the wildebeest and Zebra Population increase.The other animal species they live here without any migration at all.

    Visit Maasai mara at low season give one a great time to spot animals,and high season the package cost are expensive,Lots of Tourist struggling to view a same group of animals,problem with accommodation among other issues.Make a visit early enough,build memories as you will have great time just as our write here.The photos are well selected and great Narration provide.We are happy of a great published post.

  3. Great post,amazing photos,Africa is really blessed and Kenya being in Africa holds a great beauty,stop watching films and make your way to Kenya for live game viewing,Celebrate your own Photos,your Photographic just like my friend here.Welcome to Kenya for amazing trip but only with a great operator who will offer a knowledgeable guide.

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