Twigas

We had one more game drive at sunset and we had yet to see any twigas.  Twiga is the Swahili word for giraffe and for some reason it stuck.  Even a long painting pole became the "twiga stick".  We were on a mission.

I found it difficult to photograph a wildebeest - they run away.  Maybe not accustomed to visitors with cameras.  Richard says wildebeest are made up of parts left over from other animals.  That about sums it up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard's safari sense did find two male lions but they were not to be disturbed while sleeping. Finally, we saw them.  We counted eighteen total.. The sun was setting. It was quiet and serene

and we just watched.

 

 

This little guy had to bend a long way down to get some water. 

 

 

 

And having finished their grazing, the twigas  walked quietly into the sunset.

Maisha ni mzuri.  Life is good.

In Camp

Fig Tree was a big camp with a little luxury included.  Waiters in the dining tent, even some musical entertainment and guys who walked you to your tent at night and patrolled the area.  I asked " What is that noise?" He said "Lions?"  I know I heard a hyena one night.  It sounded like a coyote.

The dining tent

 

Home Sweet Mara

 

When I crossed the bridge to take a little walk, William was there to protect me and tell me not to  go any farther.  Wildabeests and zebras in the front yard probably means lions resting nearby.  I asked him if I could take his picture.  Some Masai believe that the camera can steal their soul.


                                       

 

This is one way to keep the animals out.

 

 

We were warned to keep our tents completely zipped to keep the monkeys out, but no one warned Brad that a monkey would steal the crepe right off his breakfast plate!

 

Live and learn!

Do Not Move

                 

               Saturday we got up very early to go on a game drive at  dawn. They also offer hot air balloon rides over the Mara.

 

 

We saw a couple of big bull elephants out for breakfast.

 

 

The lion cubs were probably waiting for mom to bring home breakfast.

 

These cape buffalo stayed away from the stray hippo.  Hippos are known to be mean.

Then we came upon these two cheetahs. 

 

 

 

And this one

 

 

 

 

jumped up our land rover!  Do not move!  The others ducked down.  I froze! Afraid to take a picture when he looked at me in case he did not like the camera.  Richard was my rock - he kept calm and kept saying "Do Not Move".

 It jumped onto the roof of our vehicle and I got to breathe again. Sara was able to get these great close ups while I was not moving.

 

 

 

Best adventure ever!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Then, to the delight of the other people in the vans now watching us, he promptly "marked his territory"  and jumped down.

 

Most memorable souvenir ever.  Didn't bring it home though. 

And More

 

This is an incredible ecosystem.  All the prey animals here actually eat different levels of the grasses.  So there is enough for everyone.  This is a cape buffalo. 

                    These little guys are dik-diks.  They are smaller than a large dog.

 

Then George took us to see the hippos.  Hard to see in the water but we could hear them grunting and snorting. 

 

 

 

And finally we came to my favorites - who were not quite as happy to see me as I had hoped.  Protecting the baby.

 

 

Love.

Game Drive

                                 

                                                Our first game drive was amazing!

This female lion was eyeing a lone wildebeest.

 

 

Now there is a plan.

 

She will move to the other side of her intended victim.

Although these hunts are violent, I was mesmerized.

 

She was downwind, but the wildebeest saw the gazelles high-tailing it out of there and took off.  Richard said this shows her inexperience.  She was sold out by the gazelles!

 

 

Love the Cubs!