If you have
ever considered taking the road from Lake Nakura to the Maasai Mara, you might want
to reconsider. They call it an African Massage but make no mistake, it is not a
pleasant experience. The road is under repair and even the most seasoned
traveler will be rattled and shaken to the limits of their well being.
Consider yourself lucky should you get through it without bumping your head on
the roof or using the nonexistent barf bags. It is another early start on what turns out to be a 12 hour day on this road which winds itself through small towns and villages,
but the end result is worth the effort.
When one
imagines going on safari the Maasai Mara is what one would probably consider in one's imagination what it would be like. This 700 square mile reserve consists
of unbounded grasslands, periodically interrupted by Acacia and Bara Metis
trees. You can see for miles from our hillside accommodation. The haze has
lifted and the air is still and clear. We have arrived!
The Maasai
people still thrive and instead of hunting lions now, they entice tourists to
embrace their lifestyle. You can spend a night in one of their village huts but
I will pass as they do not recognize air miles nor take credit cards. Besides
you are probably very likely to step in a cow paddy when exiting the hut in the
middle of the night should one have to relieve oneself.
They say
that the animals roam here in the numbers you would have seen centuries ago and
based on what we have seen today, I would have to agree with that. You don’t have to go
far to find another pride of lions or herd of elephants and gazelles. See my
video when you scroll down the pictures. A sighting of three cheetahs was
absolutely unmistakably one of the most memorable experiences to date. The giraffes are the most majestic
of all to my sightings, but the lions are truly something to behold.
We thought
we were taking a shortcut to the safari camp to only find out we were on a
rescue mission. A fellow tourist jeep had become stuck in the mud and we were summoned
to come and pull it out by winch and 4 X 4 drive determination. A number of
times we were afraid getting stuck ourselves but our experienced driver knew
better and manoeuvred our vehicle with skill in the rescue mission.
What’s
another day without a special breakfast. I told Sue this would be a terrific
location for a destination wedding for her daughter Chelsea. Right down by the
hippo waterhole on the bank of the Mara River. Complete with champagne, many of
us said it was the best breakfast to date.
We are off
on another game drive this afternoon and who knows what more surprises are in
store for us. Jambo from the Maasai Mara!!
C'mon guys. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Why not spend a night with the Maasai in one of their huts?
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