randombirder

The pride of Lions that we observed stole the show.  Now totally desensitised to the marauding mini-vans that drive across the plateau, close access is possible. It wasn't just the Lions that dominated the day.  Moving away from the pride, a call came through of Cheetah present on the savannah.  We made our way up to the location and watched two of these amazing animals taking some time out within the long grass. The was so much to see today.  Elephant, Crocodile, Hippo, and a cute little Tortoise.

This felt like the main act.  The Masai Mara.  Rightly acknowledged as one of the continents finest game reserves.  It was an incredible week.  Here are the highlights. I booked a tour with a private local company prior to arriving in Kenya.  It all seemed fine and above board and it seemingly turned out that way.  Dispensing currency from cashpoints for payment was the way it was done.  It should have rang a few alarm bells. Thankfully it turned out to be a fantastic experience.  The mini-van was shared with three other tourists, two Israelis and an Australian. Our driver was on a mission to take us to the animals.  And take us there fast! The scenery was breathtaking.  The plateau held a throng of mammals.  The landscape was something I was probably expecting, but being there strangely surreal.  This was wild Africa. There were some species that were hard to come by.  This...

30th - 2nd June 2012 A trip of a lifetime and one that I will never forget.  This was my first experience of meeting some of the planet's most revered animals. Africa is a huge continent and there are plenty of destinations to choose from but Kenya is a one that has been well explored, and set-up for mass tourism.  I admit feeling ambivalent at times particularly when charging around this sensitive and globally-important verdant landscape in a mini-van, in pursuit of the next prized mammalian target. At least my aim to shoot these wonderful creatures was with a camera and not a gun.  It is a most spectacular place. Here are a selection of the many photos taken on the 8 day trip taken in May 2012. Camp Carnelley's was my base for the first part of the trip located on the foreshore of Lake Naivasha.   The grounds were full of birds including s uperb starling , l ilac-breasted roller , and this wonderful r ed-chested cuckoo . Li...