Even though going on a safari had always been a goal of mine, I don't think any amount of research could have prepared us for the magnitude of the experience. Over the next 2 1/2 days we would have five drives into the Mara to observe the wildlife in their natural habitat. The best time to see the animals is early in the morning (6:30am) or late in the afternoon (3:30 pm). Mid date the animals are more sedate and enjoying siestas in the heat of the day.
So each morning the Sentinal staff brought us hot water for washing as part of our early morning wake-up call. At 6:30 we were dressed in warm clothes, as it gets cold driving around in open sided vehicles at that time of the morning, and ready to watch the sunrise and search for the animals. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, and lots of wildebeest just to name a few. For the next 3 1/2 hours we would be totally amazed as the animals roamed the land in search of food and water.
They say " a picture is worth a thousand words" and I totally believe in this case it is true.
We were assigned two guides for our time in the Mara, who did an amazing job at locating the animals and ensuring we were comfortable throughout our time on safari. They did an excellent job at locating spectacular animal sightings and on the second morning provided a breakfast picnic in the wildlife reserve, just a short distance from roaming zebras, buffalo and wildebeest.
Just to put it in perspective the Maasai Mara National Reserve is in south-west Kenya and expands over 1512 sq. km. I often wondered how our guides knew where to go and how we didn't get lost. The roads weren't much more than dirt paths, crossing rivers, twisting and turning throughout the massive countryside.
In the afternoon we would stop beside the river to take in the activities of the baboons and noises of the hippos while enjoying a few refreshments. Watching nature take its course and the ensuing cycle of life was fascinating.
We watched as the crocodiles waited patiently for the zebras to attempt to cross the river. we watched as a pride of lions strategically circle a buffalo in attempt to take it down, we watched the thousands of wildebeest travel across the country as they migrated from the Serengeti National Reserve, crossing the Mara River to the greener pastures of the Maasai Mara. We watched hippos roll in the mud almost totally camouflaged from view. We watched the cheetahs hunt their prey as they perched on a small hill. Fortunately or unfortunately for us we never witnessed a successful attack. It is one of those things in nature you want to see but you are still routing for the hunted to escape.
We did come upon a pride of lions who were feasting on the mornings catch, which the scavengers stood back and watched waiting for any scraps that might be left.
When we weren't on safari we were enjoying the comforts of Sentinal Mara Camp. The whole experience was surreal and going to a zoo while never quite be the same.
We were assigned two guides for our time in the Mara, who did an amazing job at locating the animals and ensuring we were comfortable throughout our time on safari. They did an excellent job at locating spectacular animal sightings and on the second morning provided a breakfast picnic in the wildlife reserve, just a short distance from roaming zebras, buffalo and wildebeest.
Just to put it in perspective the Maasai Mara National Reserve is in south-west Kenya and expands over 1512 sq. km. I often wondered how our guides knew where to go and how we didn't get lost. The roads weren't much more than dirt paths, crossing rivers, twisting and turning throughout the massive countryside.
In the afternoon we would stop beside the river to take in the activities of the baboons and noises of the hippos while enjoying a few refreshments. Watching nature take its course and the ensuing cycle of life was fascinating.
We watched as the crocodiles waited patiently for the zebras to attempt to cross the river. we watched as a pride of lions strategically circle a buffalo in attempt to take it down, we watched the thousands of wildebeest travel across the country as they migrated from the Serengeti National Reserve, crossing the Mara River to the greener pastures of the Maasai Mara. We watched hippos roll in the mud almost totally camouflaged from view. We watched the cheetahs hunt their prey as they perched on a small hill. Fortunately or unfortunately for us we never witnessed a successful attack. It is one of those things in nature you want to see but you are still routing for the hunted to escape.
We did come upon a pride of lions who were feasting on the mornings catch, which the scavengers stood back and watched waiting for any scraps that might be left.
When we weren't on safari we were enjoying the comforts of Sentinal Mara Camp. The whole experience was surreal and going to a zoo while never quite be the same.
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