Kenya's Wildlife

---

Not much text with this entry, mostly photos from 2 safaris. The first was a 4d/3n deal to the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park. The Mara is not actually a national park but a reserve run by the Masai themselves who live in the traditional manner all around the reserve perimeter. Really difficult life between the termites munching their abodes every few years, having to kill a lion at age 15, and the male circumcision at age 17. The second safari was to Amboseli National Park along the Tanzania border. Was really hoping for the classic Kili pic with the elephants in the foreground but the weather was very overcast. All over Kenya the weather was lousy - more rain than normal and cloudy. There was only a very short rainy season in the spring so the dry season has been wetter than normal. The parks were great - lots of wildlife, great camps, guides and food.

Then spent 2 weeks in Malawi before crossing to Mozambique 3 days ago. Brutal road conditions here but from Beira where I am now it should be better on the way to Maputo and ZAR. Trying to get by with my meager Portuguese has also been brutal - mostly for the locals listening to me.

So much more to say and post but internet here is almost as bad as the roads. More later.

Ciao amigos.

Jon

---

Photos

Move along, nothing to see here
Wildebeast migration from Serengeti into Masai Mara.

Zebras - Masai Mara
They always seem to be posing for the cameras.

Buffaloes - Masai Mara
Staggering numbers but nothing like the wildebeasts.

Giraffes - Masai Mara
They´re also camera hogs.

Cheetah - Masai Mara
Trying to catch some Z´s but it was not to be with 3 or 4 minivans full of shutterbugs surrounding him. Or her.

What everyone was there to see
Absolutely no shame.

Another lion close by - Masai Mara
This was a young male, part of a group of 3 or 4 bachelors.

Border between Kenya and Tanzania
One side Masai Mara, the other Serengeti. Border control non-existent here. A Homeland Security Orange Threat level and Dick Cheney´s Orwellian nightmare.

Pelicans - Lake Nakuru
They were relentless, for like an hour in formation.

Pelicans, Flamingoes, Maribu Stork - Lake Nakuru
Park is famous for its bird life.

Rock Dassie - Lake Nakuru
Like a guinea pig. Supposedly most closely related to an elephant although I don´t see that resemblance.

Rhino - Lake Nakuru
Park is also famous for stocking rhino although I can´t remember if they are black lipped or white lipped. This was a mother and 10 year old child.

Kibo - Amboseli
Summit of Kilimanjaro from Kenya. Classic shot but the clouds sort of detracted from the overall effect.

Bull Elephant - Amboseli
The grey ghosts of Africa. Quietly came through our camp at night

Headbutting Wildebeasts - Amboseli
Not part of the migration. Either resident or seriously lost.