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Saturday, December 17, 2011

Off to see Kenya

Today as this post is aired, we'll be on our way to the Masaai Mara Game Reserve. The Masaai Mara also known as Masai Mara or The Mara, is a large game reserve in soutwestern Kenya. As it's on the border of northern Tanzania, it's effectively a continuation of the Serengeti National Park. The claim to fame for both these parks in neighbouring countries, is the Great Migration of hundreds of thousands (in fact, about 2 million) of wildebeest, Thompson's gazelle and zebra which migrate from one park to another at a certain time of the year. We're probably not going to witness this phenomenal occurance, known as one of the new seven wonders of the world, while we're in the park. But as a world famous game reserve, Masaai Mara offers viewing the large cats, many different antelope, giraffe and of course, BIRDS.
An aerial view of some of the 1.5million wildebeest migration in Masaai Mara

A herd of wildebeest in the foreground with zebra behind them

Masaai giraffe: these sport jagged patches and a tuft at the end of the tail

Ballooning over the Masaai Mara: we won't be partaking of this activity. It is exhorbitantly expensive! (All photo credits: Courtesy of Google)

After spending three days in The Mara, we'll drive northwards to Baringo. As it's too long a journey to do comfortably in one day, we'll overnight at Lake Elementaita. (famous for its Lesser Flamingoes and other birds and variety of  game). From there we drive to Baringo, are collected by boat and taken to Island Camp for one day and night. We've stayed there on two occasions and loved it.

From there we return to Nakuru National Park which is apparently a birders' paradise. (Say no more!) Christmas Eve, -Day and -Night is spent in this park and then it home to the valley.

To every one of my blog readers and followers: Have a wonderfully blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

I will be back online by the 27th.

Jo

9 comments:

  1. Have a wonderful Christmas --and take lots of pictures to share with us!!!!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  2. What an amazing experience you are in for. We would have to pay a fortune to get there. So instead I will enjoy it through your posts when you return.

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  3. Hi Jo, It sounds really wonderful and one of the vacations I have on my bucket list of places to go and see. I am sure the birds and animals will be wonderful sightings. Have a great time and take lots of photos.

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  4. What a wonderful post Jo! I'm all agog for your return.

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  5. Oh My, Jo, I'm about to sin the wicked sin of envy! (Not really) But I do remember the good times Frances and I have spent in the Mara. I'm sure you will come home with enough material for many blogs to come which I shall look forward to reading. Have A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and Safari Njema.

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  6. Sounds like my kind of holiday. Enjoy. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  7. Wonderful Christmas program ! You certainly will enjoy it while I have to sing under a tree, lol ! and eat and eat of course !

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  8. Hi Jo, a very Happy and Blessed Christmas to you and yours.
    I am sure you will spend Christmas taking the most wonderful photos to show us when you come back.

    Nollaig Shona Duit x

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  9. Sounds like an amazing holiday trip. Hope you have lots of fun.

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo