Ammon:
Got up at 5AM and got through the gate which cost $500! We saw lions, cheetahs, water buffalos, big birds, impalas (not the car), gazelles, zebras, crocodiles, hippos, ostriches, giraffes, elephants, warthogs. Ate breakfast and lunch under a big tree, then went back to the “hotel”.
Pictures & video clips from our Game Drive (Safari)
LaReita:
It is migration season. The law of Supply and Demand in this case states that since there is a higher supply of animals to see, it demands a higher entrance fee. That’s fine, since it goes towards preservation efforts and anti-poaching teams.
“The Big Five” animals to see for a one day “Game Drive” are: Lion, Elephant, (water) Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Leopard. The term Safari is reserved for a multi-day journey. We saw 3 of the 5. Lion, Elephant, (water) buffalo.
The Maasai Mara is in the south-west border of Kenya next to Tanzania. The Mara game preserve continues into Tanzania, which is known as the Serengeti. We actually did get to walk 2 feet into Tanzania. More Rhinoceros live in the Serengeti and don’t often venture north into the Mara. So we didn’t see any Rhinos.
It was pitch-black when we drove in. As the dawn began to break, our driver pointed and said, “Look at the ostrich.” What ostrich? I thought it was a tree in the distance! The sunrise on the Mara was beautiful, complete with balloons lifting into the air.
We saw a cheetah chase and miss an impala, but then turned around sulked back to its original spot, regrouping its strength. It was walking right between some Land Rovers, oblivious to the 50+ metal machines there to watch. We watched for another 5 minutes as it prowled towards a small group of gazelles, and targeted a gazelle straying away from the group. See the far-shot video in the link! We learned later that even though a cheetah’s top speed is 60mph, but can only sustain it for 15 seconds. That is why it missed the impala. Our guides said it is very rare to witness a hunt and a kill so this was a unique experience!
This gave a real-world example to teach Ammon about the fight, flight, freeze response in the animal kingdom (including humans). Also the brain’s capability to release a hormone to dissociate so the victim can’t (hopefully) feel the extreme pain.
Another incredible moment was having an elephant herd walk 1-2 feet in front of our Land Rover. The lead elephant paused to regard us, and then continued on. Our guides whispered anxiously, “stay still, stay still”, but Ammon couldn’t hear the quiet instructions with an African accent, and he was moving from one side to another talking at normal volume. I think we were protected by our travel angels!
Seeing valleys FULL of zebras was mesmerizing. I wondered if any have ever been tamed to be riden like a horse? We were able to pull right up to herds of gazelles, impalas, a young water buffalo, and the Rongai Pride. The Rongai pride had about 9 lioness’ (and 2 younger males). We sat and observed them interact/play with 2 of the growing cubs practicing their crouching and pouncing. A hyena started to approach, but the largest lioness began approaching the hyena, who then changed course.
We went to a nearby location where we saw 2 lioness’s sleeping while 5 very young cubs nursed or played. We were only 10 feet away, safe in our metal Land Rover cage.
Other notable scenes:
- an ostrich pair preparing to mate
- Impala young males stay separate from the herd that is overseen by the head male. At some point one of the young males will feels ready to challenge the head male. (no challenge was taking place at the time.)
- baby kinbox (looked like a very small deer), in a ditch, panting. Nervous because it has lost its herd and is now a target for the circle of life
- Maasai River (flows into Tanzania) and saw hippos and crocodiles. A border guard (with a gun) walked us to the safe side of the river where they were. It was also the middle of the day, and the hippos and crocs don’t want to leave the cool water to attack humans, so we were safe.
Learned about current poaching penalties:
– if you are caught with a gun in hand, and a poached animal product(s), you are shot on site.
– if you are caught with no gun, but with poached animal products, 20 years in prison (and African prisons are punishing)
– if you are caught with implements intending to poach, 5 years in prison.
Our border guard guide has been doing this for 10 years and told us the guards rotate night & day shifts. The day shifts: 1) guides (and working for tips) at the Maasai River 2) anti-poaching day team (land, air and drones) Night shift: awake for 14+ hours, complete with night vision, to protect the herds from poachers
Due to these efforts and penalties, poaching has decreased dramatically the past 20 years.
Our hired driver (Dan) and guide (Enoch) tried to find the Leopard for us, but by 4pm we said it was ok, and it was a great day. They commented that is why most people do a safari for 3 days. Three days! I love animals, but one 10-hour day was good for me.
We left the park and visited Edith’s clothing store. She is a local leader and employs about 4 people at her shop. She told me her tale of her husband taking a 2nd wife without her knowledge (let alone permission), and the repercussions it has had on their children. She also invited us to her house where she milked a cow, warmed up the milk, added a little cocoa powder and served us this “Maasai tea”. Ammon was going to milk the cow, but the cow was spooked by 2 unknown (white) people. Whenever we approached, it moved away!
We went back to our accommodations, stopped at the ‘cafe/restaurant’ house, and waited for our pre-paid dinner, but it was quite late. So Dave went to bed. Ammon and I stayed to be on the WiFi and do some uploading and typing.
A very long, but very fulfilling day!