Leisure Camp, Maasai Mara

July 10th, Leisure Camp, Maasai Mara

Today we rose early for a 6:30 game drive. The camp had coffee and a bit of cake for us before we left. But the early rising was rewarded. The sunrise was beautiful just like you see in the movies about Africa, huge and gradated from red to yellow. The hot air balloons that ply the Mara were already aloft. We passed a number of Maasai manyatta, their cattle streaming out for a day of grazing in the rich pastures of the Mara. We followed the river where we saw a huge crocodile heading for the water, several groups of hippos, ribbons of wildebeest on the move, buffalo, elephant and best of all, a leopard with its kill, a wildebeest on a branch of a tree. Leopards are considered one of the most elusive animals of the Mara and we have seen two.

We returned to the camp shortly after nine for breakfast. Again, they did not disappoint. They had eggs made to order, crepes, sausage, baked beans, croissants, Danish pastries and several different breads with jams….a veritable feast.

The drivers arranged for the kids who wanted to go to visit a Maasai village. I stayed behind to blog and enjoy the morning. I am sitting on my front porch enjoying the cool breeze watching a pair of African Fire Finches forage at the bottom of the steps and listening to the herds of livestock that are coming to the river which borders the camp.

During the afternoon game drive we had one goal, to find that animal which had alluded us: the cheetah. And it was at the end of the rainbow, literally. The rain also brought the lions out from the shade. We were so close to one of the males, as it shook its mane, we got wet! Awesome!

Everyone had a great trip to the Mara. I can not say enough about the drivers and the wonderful staff at Mara Leisure.