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Published: September 17th 2007
"Privileged are those who get to travel to Kenya. Blessed are those who get to share the adventure with their children".
We were quick to rise and prepare for our new day in the Mara. The lodge served pastries, coffee and hot chocolate before the game drive and it was appreciated. We would bring to-go cups in the van to warm our hands and sip. The kids are not ‘morning’ folk, but somehow the game drives wakes you up in a really good mood. I just loved watching the boys and their reactions to the day and the adventure. How lucky they are I thought, and how lucky I am to be sharing this with them. What a very special memory and a very special way to bond our family even closer. It is day four and I am still filled to the brim with gratitude.
The morning air was cool about 67 degrees. Mid day temperatures were around 75-77 degrees. We would bundle up once the air rushed into the jeep through the raised roof, as it was quite chilly. The first light views were made of deep purples and orange with striking dark acacia trees
dotting the landscape not yet illuminated with the high morning sun. The daybreak cast deep yellow and orange hues over the horizon, highlighting the many shades of green grasses gently stirring, dew still clutching to each blade creating a glitter affect.
We saw zebra, gazelle and a not so common black backed jackal. We found a few elephant and they were dramatic in the early morning light. Again we traveled to the river and we saw hippo and crocks. Peter said he heard some activity on the radio and picked up momentum heading east. We noticed an outcropping of rock with brush surrounding it on the front side. We could already see the other jeep there so we knew it had to be something thrilling. Well, well, well. The girls went nuts. Playing atop the rocks were about 4-5 small lion cubs. Resting a few feet away were 3 large male lion, although they seemed languid and not that interested in our gawking. The cubs were adorable and frolicked and rolled about the mound. They tackled each other and flipped on their backs and pretty much acted like any other domesticated kitten we might know. Oh so deceiving!
Morning Masai Mara Elephant
Good morning to you too. How beautiful in the soft morning light.The girls (and me too) squealed and moaned. The jeep would move now and again to get better photo positioning or to make room for others. We stayed about ½ hour and I took close to 75 pictures with Garrett video filming as well. Peter had to prompt us to go and Brittney begged him to return before we left the area. We crossed paths again with the mating lion. This time we saw a new couple sleeping nose to nose and it was just precious. We then saw a hyena and lots of the standard gazelle & wildebeest. The morning safari was from 6:15 to about 9:00. Peter had been traveling in a circle and now we were heading back up the hill. Breakfast buffet was delightful. Breakfast meats and breads with fruit and juices were plentiful. Egg’s of course and hot cereal as well. Usually served with a standard African faire of lamb and rice. We were stuffed and ready to kick back for a while.
We accepted an offer from Peter to let him take us out to a Maasai village after breakfast. It cost $20 per person and we would be back for
Brit and Spencer
With the sleeping lion in the road beyond them. lunch. On the way out we spotted a lovely Secretary bird catching a snake. We also watched a family of warthogs darting across our dirt road and through the grasses. We passed through a ranger station called the County Council of Transmara, a conservancy station for the Masai Mara. Peter paid a fee and they let us through. We spot some birds of prey and then we could see the very large hill where the Maasai tribe lived. As we climbed the trail to the hill we saw many giraffe. We could see a small boy tending to cow and another to sheep. They were draped in the iconic red scarves, blankets or robes. At the top of the hill we see the actual village. A barrier wall made of thorny branches is built in a circle to keep out lions and such. Once inside the gates there is a cleanly kept dirt inner circle and inner thorn branch wall, which encircles a mud pit, which is where they keep their cattle at night. During the day they take the cattle out to graze and drink. In the first inner circle is where their living huts are. They appear to
Masai Mara Lion Cub 1
Cubs anticipating the game. be made of mud, cow dung, and grasses. It smells pretty bad and the front doors to the huts are very narrow. This is also to stop the cattle from entering the dwelling. Poor Pat could not fit inside so we had to take pictures and tell him about it. Brittney and I were invited in. It was so dark inside that it took several moments before my eyes adjusted to the darkness and I could see I was not alone in the abode. There were three women and a young couple holding a child. We were told they were newlyweds. There was a fire pit in the middle and a small fire was smoldering. After a few moments it did appear quite light in the room. The beds were simple platforms of branches, no mattress or pillows. It was explained that the Maasai do not raise vegetables and only ate cattle meat and drank animal blood and milk. After being permitted to take pictures of the shelter we were next taken to open area where the women guests were given ornate neck ware to don and subsequently asked to dance with the tribal women. This was a traditional welcoming
Masai Mara Lion Cub 2
I think he notices us. dance. The girls and I joined them in song and dance. We were then given the opportunity to procure the necklace or to purchase other hand made goods on a back hillside. Pat struck up a nice conversation with the head tribal leader and was talked into buying a beaded Walking Stick, used to tend to cattle. He loved it and keeps it in his office. Out back there were about 30 or so women and children of all ages sitting in a large circle with blankets laid open in front of them. On these blankets were crafts that were purportedly made by the women. I kind of doubted it though. Just a weird feeling I got. They seemed to be mass-produced and brought in as way to generate revenue for the tribe. The $20 fee also went to the tribe. Trust me I don’t begrudge either reality it was just an awareness I had. Anyway I bought a small beaded jewelry bowl that was adorable and each of the kids bought souvenirs as well.
More significantly I got to take pictures off their hillside that was much higher than the hill where our lodge resided. Once
Masai Mara Lion Pride
Male Lion tend to the cubs. again I was gifted with incredible views of the valley and beyond. The head tribesman walked us out and said he would be willing to give a few cows if we would leave Brittney with him. I don’t think he was joking. Of course we declined and got a giggle out of the gesture. She must have really made an impression. The trip back was swift and we did not see any different animals though all the animals we saw were special and always turned our heads. We had an appetizing lunch and were not due to meet again until our 4:00 pm Safari.
This was the chance I had actually been pining for. A chance to get out, with my camera and explore the grounds of our lodge. I would also take the opportunity to sit and enjoy the mind-boggling views. Pat went back to bed and the kids darted off to their rooms to cat nap or play cards. It was around 2:00 now and the afternoon sun was bringing out the multi colored lizards to warm up on the building facades. The butterflies were fluttering around and a few large beetles were stuck on
their backs twirling in circles.
The music of the afternoon was courtesy of a plethora of birds that were either nesting under the building eaves or visiting the nearby wild brush. With my zoom lens I could spot large game animal meandering the basin. The layout of the lodge took advantage of the hilly topography and was laid out in two long rows of buildings sort of crescent shaped, parallel to each other about 20 feet apart with paths and gardens between them. Of course the backsides of each room were perfectly perched on the edges of the hill so each room had unobstructed views of the Mara below. I explored the area and took countless pictures. I sat out poolside for about an hour. I met a man and his daughter from Burlingame, Ca. The views were like a massage for the eyes; it was hard to walk away. The flora and fauna around the lodge was interesting and demanded many photos, many of which I have placed here.
Once again we were exhausted starting our afternoon Safari and we were all a bit quiet and conversation was small. There was a lot
Masai mara Lion
Looks like dad woke up. to see and I was particularly drawn to the late afternoon and sunset views. The landscape afforded an assortment of extraordinary pictures that I will cherish. Brittney asked to return to the cubs and we knew the river would hold wildlife. The cubs were just as playful and we stayed a while taking more pictures and this time inched even closer. The hippos were presenting in pairs and seemed mischievous in the dusk twilight.
Unfortunate Spencer had been wearing the same clothes, as his luggage was lost at the airport. Conversely we would be in for a pleasant surprise as when we returned that evening we discovered that Kenya Air had flown in his bag to an airport a few miles from our lodge and the bag was waiting for him intact. Thank you Nature Expeditions for following through with the airlines. Time for a nice hot leisure shower and then to sleep. Not enough time to shower in the morning as we are out the door too early and it sure feels nice to go to bed without all the trail dust stuck to your skin. Pat also sent out a bag of laundry when
Masai Mara Lion 3
How masculine and gorgeous is this boy. we arrived in view of the fact that we would be here three days giving them ample time to clean and return our clothing. Living out of one small bag has been challenging but given that we are only traveling with each other it is not a problem in wearing the same things again and again.
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