Maasai Mara Safari - September 2011
Wildebeest migration
September is that time of the year to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya Maasai Mara. After a 40 minute scenic flight from Nairobi's Wilson international airport, we promptly arrived at Olkiombo Airstrip in Maasai Mara where we were greeted wholeheartedly by our ranger named Pilot who was dressed in the traditional Maasai attire, which consists of all colours of tartan dressed-up with silver and beaded earrings and numerous threaded beads suspended around the neck, hips and wrist. We got into our six seater Toyota Landcruiser and took a scenic 20 minute game drive on the way to our lodge. On arrival to our lodge, Entim Camp, we enjoyed refreshments all whilst taking in the breathtaking scenery. Entim is a luxury East African style camp situated in a forested area in the heart of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. This ensures immediate access to the very best game viewing areas. The canvas tents are very spacious all equipped with luxury accommodation and with en-suite bathroom and flush toilets.
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| Arriving in Maasai Mara |
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a large reserve situated within the Great Rift Valley in Southern-Western part of Kenya and covers some 1510 square kilometers. The Maasai Mara is named after the Maasai People who are the traditional inhabitants of the area. The Maasai Mara, an unfenced Savannah grassland, is well know for its abundant population of predators and game and of course the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration where over 1.5 million wildebeests, zebras and several species of antelope make their annual circular pattern between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Maasai Mara in Kenya in pursuit of greener pastures. The best time to witness the annual Migration occurs from around July till October.
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| In Maasai Mara with our ranger Pilot |
The annual Wildebeest Migration is an impressive phenomenon. Most depends on the availability of grazing, which in turn dependents upon the amount of rainfall. This year the grazing is still good and The Mara is looking beautiful with green pastures which makes a nice contrast for photography. We started off with a game drive towards the Mara river where we watched thousands of Wildebeest gather by the river bank, when suddenly one brave Wildebeest leaped into The Mara river and the other thousand Wildebeests followed. What a sight! It is truly amazing, the Wildebeests jumped fiercely into the Mara river with the crocodiles ready to snap at any opportunity of a good meal. The Wildebeest will now slowly make their way back to the Serengeti and continue this circle until they once again return to Maasai Mara the following year.
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| Wildebeest running towards the Mara River |
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| Wildebeest crossing the Mara river |
In addition to tracking the migration and seen the crossings, we searched for predators, such as Leopard, Cheetah and Lion which again we were lucky to see each day. In addition we saw Black Rhinoceros on three occasions and an abundance of general game such as Zebra, Eland, Topi, Gazelle, Elephant, Buffalo, Warthog, Hyenas, Jackal, Bat Eared Fox and much more. One day we saw the big 5 in one afternoon!. Where else can one find such amidst the African wild just there on your “doorstep”?.
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A Male Lion on the chase in the Maasai Mara Plains
On
our fourth day we decide to have lunch in the open. The animals all
seek shelter from the hot midday sun and we do the same and scan the
plains in search of a suitable tree with lots of shade to spread out our
picnic lunch. We reminisce on our successful days so far and Pilot
proceeds to tell me some Maasai Traditions. One that amazed me is that
the Maasai woman is the one who builds the house, fetches the water and
attends to all chores including “handyman” work while the Maasai man
looks after the cattle all day long!. After a wonderful lunch and some
interesting tutorials, we proceeded to track a pride of lions and we
followed them for a little while. One of the lioness had two little
cubs, who obediently followed their mother wherever she went.
On one of our morning game drive, we came upon a fresh kill where a pride of lions were feasting on their Wildebeest kill. Once the males lions were finished and left the prey, one mom Lioness brought he young cub to the fresh kill where the cub will enjoy his first taste of fresh meat!
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Lion Cub and mom on their way to a fresh kill and below, cub enjoying his first taste of fresh meat
On another early morning after watching the classic Mara sunrise, we were lucky to find a leopard mom with her two young cubs of about 3 weeks old at their den. As it was still early in the morning, the cubs were very playful and was such a special interaction to see. The cubs played for a while, then the mom showed them into their den and their mom left them for day where the cubs would remain safe in their den. We left the cubs
and continued our game drive on the plains of the Mara which were plentiful with Zebras, Wildebeest and numerous antelopes.
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Classic Maasai Mara Sunrise against Acacia Tree
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| Leopard Cub with mom |
A Black Rhino walking alone in the plains of Maasai Mara was such a treat to see, as it is rare to see such a sighting.
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| Black Rhinoceros |
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| Zebra |
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| Eland |
The Masai Mara is well known for its reputation of been one of the world's most spectacular wildebeest migration and the dramatic sights that occur during the mass crossing across the Mara River as well as been one of the world’s most spectacular game viewing. But
even if one had to see no game, the scenery of the Maasai
Mara is truly remarkable with beautiful acacia trees and shrubs where
one can spot birds such as Eagles, Owls, Kingfishers, Rollers, Coucals
and many more. The Maasai Mara remains one of our favorite African destination.
