Safari in Maasai Mara!

(I haven't gotten any safari photos from Lanae yet, so those will come later)
Monday, 7/26/10
Up early and on the way to Siana Springs in Masai Mara for safari. It was a long 5 hour drive to our lodge, but it was through such beautiful country and we enjoyed getting to know our safari driver David. He is half Masai and half Kikuru and very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, geography and culture. We drove on the Great North Road aka: the silk trade route, the longest road in Africa that stretches from Egypt to Johannesburg. A short way from Nairobi we hit the bush, passing through the Savannah into the Great Rift Valley which starts in Israel and runs through Africa. We passed fields of corn, barley and wheat. The land is owned by the Masai community and they rent it out to the Kikuyu people in small plots.

We checked into our luxurious safari tent – it is sooooo cool! There is a huge grassy area with lots of deer grazing, not sure which kind – but they are very cute, and baboons and monkeys are frolicking in the trees! Had a delicious and plentiful lunch, then started on our first safari run in Masai Mara. All the roads are very rough; dirt or rock or gravel, nothing paved, so the drive is very bouncy! The top of the van pulls up into a canopy and we can stand up in the van looking out as we drive. We feel like puppies with our heads hanging out of the window - it is so much fun! I love Africa!

We saw thousands of animals; giraffes, zebras, different types of gazelles and antelopes, birds and cape buffalo. We woke up a lion and lioness who were taking a nap and we were 10 feet away from them – it was amazing! Then our driver tried to go around another driver on a narrow road, got stuck in a deep hole and had to be towed out by another driver - such fun! Then a gnat flew into my eye and David performed surgery with a piece of grass – I’m happy to report that it was successful!

We were on the Mara for the sunset and it was spectacular! We arrived back at the lodge in the dark just in time for a camp fire and dinner. There is plenty of delicious food, buffet style and of course tea with milk and sugar – the Kenyan staple. We were just finishing up our dinner when several Masai warriors ran in with high pitched calls and scared Ryana half to death! They were joined by another 20 or so young men who danced and jumped and performed for the dinner guests. Then back to our incredibly cozy room and comfortable beds for a good nights sleep!

I woke up sometime in the middle of the night to these crazy animal calls! They were so loud and something heavy was jumping around on our tent roof; I think it was the monkeys! It wasn’t a dream, even though neither of my daughters woke up to hear it, but it was a wonderful, wild, jungle moment for me!

Tuesday, 7/27
Up early again today and on the road for an all day drive. We are heading to the Mara River to see the great wildebeest migration. On the way we saw a cheetah which we are told is very rare to spot. She had cubs with her but we couldn’t see them because they were hidden in the grass. There were thousands of zebras and wildebeest herds migrating in the hills and we drove through them all day! We saw amazing herds of giraffes, elephants and more lions. We are still looking for rhinos and leopards.

We had a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the Mara then arrived at the River. Unfortunately, there were no herds on the other side of the river ready to brave the crossing, but we saw huge crocodiles and hippos! As we reached the summit of a small hill near the river, we had an incredible view! Mara means spotted (because of the trees dotting the plains) or meandering. As far as the eye could see was wide open space, herds of animals and blue hills in the distance. I imagine after God created Africa, He viewed his work, smiled with deep satisfaction and said “it is good!”

Imagine the Wild Animal Park times a million or so more acres, with no fences, pens or structures; and the animals have to catch their own meals! It is absolutely incredible!

Nine hours later we return to our lodge. We are dusty, tired and happy. You know those Footsie Wootsies they have at the fairgrounds? Imagine a full body footsie wootsie for 8 hours! We are a little weary but very satisfied with our adventure today! We actually have a little down time before dinner is served so we are reading, writing, and enjoying chai tea in the open air lounge. The generator was just tuned on so there are now lights and electricity for the one outlet in our tent and best of all – the water is hot for our shower! They just lit the huge bonfire so I will sign off for now. I won’t be able to post to the blog until we return to Nairobi and pay for Internet service, so there will be lots of information and photos at once!