We went out at 6:30am for our final drive in the Masaai Mara; took a great photo ofour last sunrise in the Masaai Mara. It was another action-packed drive. One of the first sights was a rhino running in the middle of the wildebeest. He was all alone and moving through them like a grey muscular tank. He was on a mission to get away from them because they do not like all the noise the wildebeests make. I got a great picture of him with one of the hot air balloons in the background.
Then we drove around and saw a lion crouched down on top of a rock just peering at all the surrounding wildebeest; I guess trying to decide which one to eat. Below grazing in the grass were about three cape buffalo. Then all of a sudden Duncan hollered there is a leopard! We all shrieked because the leopard was below the lion and could not see him. The leopard was busy peeing and rolling around marking his territory. The rock is the leopard’s favorite spot. As he was on his way to take his perch, the lion came down and the two had a faceoff, but the leopard knew to retreat so he ran off and the lion claimed his throne. It was soooooo exciting because in one moment we had the big three in one sighting – incredible! I have a picture of it, but I was not able to get the shot of the lion and leopard together. Steve was able to capture it and he promised to send us a copy.
We drove off and spotted another leopard slinking through the bushes but it was too hard to follow him because he disappeared into some thick bushes. Then we rode on to see more cape buffalo and their babies, and of course more elephants. Then we drove back to the lodge. We had lunch and then got ready for our 2pm flight to Loisaba.
The flight lasted about two hours because we had to make two stops along the way. We arrived in Laikipia around 4:30pm and drove to the lodge. Veta decided to skip the drive and relax. I went out with our new guide Solomon with the hopes of seeing the Grevy’s Zebra and have a sundowner in the bush. Solomon set up cocktail hour in the bush and I had a gin & tonic and munched on some popcorn while photographing the sunset. On the last round for sightings since the light was getting low, we happened upon a group of 8 Grevy’s zebras. They are larger than the Burchell (or Common) Zebra and more aggressive. Their stripes are much thinner and they have white underbellies and larger ears. They are quite beautiful.
Another day of perfect drives. Tomorrow morning we have another drive and then off to meet the Masaai Cricket Warriors…cannot wait!!!!!! Perhaps I will get a cricket lesson and try my skills (or lack thereof) in a practice game. Lala Salama (Goodnight).