One of those experiences that you can’t put into words! 

The view from above is spectacular

After skimming the plains and flying high,  we landed, celebrated surviving, thanked the team, and enjoyed a champagne bush breakfast

Defined years ago as the 5 most dangerous in Africa, the 5 that you must kill on the first shot or they will hunt you!

Early safari gets the cats!

Our quest for the day and our 5th of the big 5

Serendipitous sightings are wonderful. These 2 brother Cheetahs were resting, then went after a topi, an antelop, but missed

We didn’t video the sprint, they are quite fast! But it was spectacular to watch.

Alas…. another miss

And this young male lion was just chilling

And costumes

Scenes along the road  between the parks are a snippet of African daily life. Our 150 mile drive took over 4 hours, and most were paved 2 lane roads, main highway that runs from the port of Mombasa all aross the country to Nairobi and even to Kampala in Uganda.

Inside each park, the safari trails vary in width and ruggedness.

This next week is the heart of the great  migration, the 7th wonder of the natural world!  1.5 million wildebeest and Zebra travel from the south of the Serengeti in Tanzania up into Kenya following the green grasses. they cover an area of 6200 sq mi. 

We arrived yesterday to our lodge,  the oldest in the Mara, the Keekorok Lodge.  We already had a game drive on our way into the park.   Animals roam the grounds,  mostly Zebra,  but there are hippos in the local pond.   We are escorted at night to protect us.  

The mara is a haven for the lions following the great migration of wildebeest and Zebra as well as several species of antelop.  We were fortunate our guide was able to situate us for some spectacular photos of this lion pride enjoying the nights kill.     

There were over 40 vehicles that arrived during our few minutes viewing the kill.

Antony kept us on the road,  as going offroad disturbs the animals, especially as they are eating a kill like this 1.  it is prohibited, and most those vehicles could be cited.   We were also in the best position for photography!

We visited the Mara River, and even tho no wildebeests were crossing, there were  animals to see,  crocodiles and hippos.

We had a guided walk by a range,  a masai man, who showed us several places the migration crosses the Mara River

We will go about on safari (swahili for journey or travels) at least 6 hours a day, sometimes in 2 sessions. Antony keeps us aware of any leopard sittings and when the animals begin moving toward the river crossing. So stay tuned.

This evening drive we found this elephant family

We had an hour and half boat trip out onto the lake today, but the rest of our day is a leisurely relaxing one.

Our captain showed us many gorgeous birds, even feeding the fish eagles

Many sea birds

Our lodging is another Sopa Lodge, the Lake Naivasha. The Amazing thing is that wild animals wander between the lodge in the garden! And a view of the Lake.

As always, Antony was on the ball, checking with his fellow guides and friends there to find a great sighting before e even arrived at our lodge for lunch!  He and 1 other guide got permission from a range to offroad to a recent lion kill! 

And the very full and satisfied dinner companions,  resting under a nearby tree in the heart of the day.

Our lodge there, the Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge,  was spectacular, with expansive views of the Lake

And more Spectacular views at sunrise

After lunch, and our usual afternoon rest, we went out for another game drive

Plus

As we left the lodge this morning, we hurried to a spot where 2 black rhinos were spotted, but the scene was even more spectacular than we imagined.

What an amazing sight … without moving the safari vehicle we could watch all these animals.  

As we left the park on our way to Lake Naivasha, we stopped at Lake Nakuru for the flamingo flock, some herons and plovers.

And we found these spectacular birds

You remember the duffles bags we packed with gifts?    On our way to Lake Nakuru, we stopped at an interfaith orphanage for abandoned HIV positive children.  We brought soccer balls, pens, toy cars, jump ropes, and more.  Spent an hour as the children sang and the caregivers told us the heartbreaking story of the need for such an orphanage.

It was a very moving and rewarding stop! Our guide, “Uncle Tony” to them, has a connection to this orphanage and set up our visit for us. We are very grateful for the opportunity. I hope and pray each small gift blessed someone there, and we pray for each of those 105 children in their care and the wonderful caregivers.

On our way to visit the chimpanzee rescue center, our guide Antony heard about a pride is lions at a large reservoir, watering hole. We arrived when there were Zebra drinking and 4-5 lionesses watching and waiting.

The Zebra suddenly noticed her, stampeded away, but a couple wondered back, alone, and a perfect chance for the lions to charge! She missed them, but it was exciting to see an attempted hunt!