After two days of amazing game drives, we didn’t think it could get any better, but in the Maasai Mara…every day is a new adventure. With our trusty guide Bernard we loaded up the Land Rover and ventured into the Mara. (Mara means “spotted land,” named for the large number of animals roaming its wide open plains and the occasional acacia tree peppering its landscape.)

The animal sightings began as soon as we left the gate of Mara Leisure Camp with this beautiful pack of Tsessebe, also know as Topi in East Africa. We’d never seen these antelope before and we couldn’t stop admiring the coloring and muscle definition accentuated by their smooth coat.

Vultures are scavengers fighting for scraps the world over, but with over 1.6 million animals migrating to the Mara, they get to eat like kings.

After returning from a morning game-drive, nothing is better than slipping into the pool and relaxing in the warm African sun. (Note: I didn’t say hot African sun, as winter (June, July, August) is the best to visit Kenya, with temps of 75.) Fully rejuvenated from our dip and delicious lunch, we set out to see what more the Mara had in store.

A baby elephant cools himself off with a sand bath, while his mother scratches a trunk itch with her six-foot long tusks. The wildebeest might win the prize for power in numbers, and the African cats might have the ferocious beauty, but the elephants will always steal the stage with their charming and curious ways.

With Bernard’s expert tracking skills, we found a mother and baby cheetah relaxing in the shade of a shrub. We were totally content enjoying this peaceful moment but then they set out for the hunt. The mother moved with incredible grace and efficiency as she sought out a better vantage point, while the baby scrambled to follow. Together they climbed this little mound and scoured the savannah for lunch.

Though the mound wasn’t cutting it for the cheetah and then with a quick sprint and a leap, she found her ideal lookout spot…the roof of our car!!!! While we might look calm and collected, our hearts and minds were racing, thinking her her hungry gaze could turn on us at any moment. (Watch the video to see this beautiful beast makes its way towards Anne’s head and down the hood of our safari vehicle.)

One alpha-male impala will control a group of around 30 females, while the ousted bachelors hang together honing their fighting skills in hopes of one day seizing the harem. Here, two males get ready to spar.

Sundowners are an integral part of any safari experience, and Mara Leisure Camp had this covered with pair of tall Tuskers. Bernard found us the perfect spot to soak up the glow of the sunset over the rolling hills of the Maasai Mara.

Meals were always a treat at Mara Leisure Camp but our favorite one of all was the bush BBQ. A smorgasbord of grilled meats and vegetables from the region were being made to order by their expert chefs. Dining to the soundtrack of a few occasional growls and mating calls, we had a forgettable dinner under the stars.

To top off our dynamic stay at Mara Leisure Camp we were treated to a traditional Maasai dance performance. One test of a great warrior is how high he can jump and how deeply he can sing to intimidate the lions, this performance is beautiful blend of these two traits creating a powerful show.

The Maasai Mara is spectacular place for wildlife, of course, but what makes it one of the most memorable game parks is the culture. Not run by big bureaucracies, the park is tended by the tribes that have inhabited it for centuries, giving a precious look into the heart of tribal Africa.

Much love from the Maasai Mara,
Anne & Mike
HoneyTrek.com

Note: Mara Leisure Camp invited us to to be their guest;  however, all opinions are our own.