Kenya - Masai Mara National Reserve

 We spent a day at the Masai Mara National Reserve and it was an eye-opener.  I have been warned before to expect ruthless driver/guides cutting off each other in their jeeps to jockey for positions but I couldn't believe what I saw when scores of jeeps surrounded a leopard and chased after it, almost running it over.   There were no rangers around to keep people in line.  It was a horrendous situation for the pair of leopards, hounded by these metal monsters.  I felt sorry we became unwittingly part of this circus.  It was our only encounter with leopards on this trip.

But there were wonderful moments when we saw the cheetah at a distance and the massive movement of the wildebeest migration - from the top of a hill, then beside us and then crossing in front of us. It gave me goose-pimples seeing this impressive gathering and moving in unison of these animals.  We did not see the river crossing but these are hard to time and it was not the sole purpose of our trip.  After seeing the frantic jockeying for positions at the river bank, I was almost relieved that there was no crossing and everyone left.  LIfe returned to normal and we went on to see other interesting things in the park.

Hyena cub seen on the way to the park

Hyena and cub

The entrance to the Mara National Reserve is right beside the river.

Line up to enter the park

Lion on a mount

The leopard hunt 

The leopard came out in between the vehicles towards us

Cheetah in hunting mode with flattened ears, just like a big cat

This marks the border between Kenya and Tanzania

Hippos and crocodiles in the river

Baboon on a mount

Seeing the wildebeest migration from atop a hill

 - little black dots on the savannah

Closer up

This was where we had hoped they would cross

Wildebeests closerup

The Marabou storks hang out with the wildebeests - here's one in close up mid flight

On our way to the National Reserve we pass by the town of Narok.  Some interesting shops there, including a Hard Rock Café!

Locals going to work

Going to school

Some of the pleasurable and memorable moments: picnic under a lone acacia tree

Watercolours in the making... 
Golden hour and gorgeous sunsets!