The last camp we visited was the Ol Kinyei conservancy in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Maasai Mara and the Serengeti combined equal at least 12,000 square miles of wildlife refuge, separated by the threatened Mau forest and Mara River. It is here across the Mara River that the Great Migration takes place every year. During this time of year, the Serengeti experiences its annual dry spell, while the Mara is bursting with expansive stretches of lush grasses, long, flowing, and ripe for eating in the wake of April and May’s rainy season. While zebras and African buffalo are the first to migrate, it is generally the wildebeests that attract the most attention from hungry crocodiles and vultures. Thousands of wildebeests cross the Mara River every day and many lions lay and wait in the outskirts for the perfect opportunity to pounce on the oblivious prey. The wildebeests are so preoccupied with preparing for crossing that the lions can have any pick of the herd that they want. This Great Migration is the longest and largest overland migration in the world. We felt so fortunate to witness this amazing natural phenomenon and it was the perfect ending to a fantastic safari!
1. wildebeests lining up for the crossing
2. wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara river
3. Terri and Danielle excited and nervous to be so close to hungry crocodiles
4. A hungry lion waiting for the perfect kill
5. A dead wildebeest... lion's prey
Nothing short of amazing you two. I love that you're both sporting the Lucy shirts!
ReplyDeleteT: Getting really concerned about all these matching outfits....J
ReplyDeleteT: Did you get to hear a lion's roar close up? People say it is a foreboding, terrible sound. J
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact we did... well we thought it was close. One evening as we were being escorted from our tent to the camp fire by a Maasai-only speaking warrior, we heard a terrifying ROAR coming out of the bushes. We froze in our tracks and Danielle whispered, "What was that?" As the lion roared again she grabbed Terri's hand and nearly jumped on the back of the Maasai man as Terri cried out to him, "Where's your spear?" When he burst out laughing and doubled over at our reaction, we looked at each other and whispered nervously, "Maybe it's not as close as we thought." However to be absolutely sure, we ran to the camp fire. It was there we learned the roaring lion was at least 2 km away. We can't imagine what it would have been like "up close"!
ReplyDelete