After three full days of viewing wildlife and spotting birds, it was finally time to leave the Maasai Mara National Reserve. After breakfast, the porters loaded our luggage into our vehicle and we said goodbye to the efficient and friendly staff at Fig Tree Camp.
En route to the gate, as a special farewell, we had several animal sightings.
African elephant (Loxodonta africana) crossing the road in front of our vehicle
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) clearly visible on the plains of Maasai Mara
African lion (Panthera leo) right next to the road
The lion was so close to the vehicle, I felt as though I could reach out and touch him!
Two buffalo (Syncerus caffer) with a young one between them
A small buck upwind from the predators
One of the gates into the Maasai Mara National Reserve
You may notice that I have used the spelling Maasai Mara in all my posts. Our gate entry passes had this spelling, various visitor's guides use this form as well. You can spell it whichever way you like; the Mara still remains one of the most famous parks in East Africa with an abundance of wildlife and birds with easy viewing.
I couldn't resist a photo of this magnificent fever tree at the entrance gate...
...and a pair of D'Arnaud's Barbets on a bush to my right
To be continued...
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wow. that's all I got. Wow.
ReplyDeleteA nice farewell by the wildlife. And this is only the first reserve?
ReplyDeleteYour adventures just never stop! I'm enjoying your safari shots - many of which belong in the pages of a National Geographic magazine! I wish you a wonderful 2012, no doubt it will be full of further African adventures! (P.S. I'm a big fan of walking around cemeteries!)
ReplyDeleteFabulous game photos, Jo, but I love those little birds. I've never seen anything like them!
ReplyDeleteWe've been a way for a couple of days, so I'm behind in my commenting. Gotta catch up.
Luv, K
What a wonderful part of the natural world you live in. The animal shots are terrific and the birds are cute with their tufty hairdo.
ReplyDeleteWow - what amazing shots! And what an adventure.
ReplyDeleteWow---what an awesome place... You all saw so much wildlife while there... Great photos.
ReplyDeleteDo the animals get along with each other ---or do that 'fight' for territory???? I'm sure there has to be alot of that --as they all search for food....
Great area.. I'd love to visit there sometime.
Hugs,
Betsy
Excellent Finale! I especially liked the quality of the last photo of the barbets. If it were not a sin, I would envy you. ☻
ReplyDeleteThat really is a paradise for photographers and animal lovers !!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip !
I envy that you can see these lovely animal in the wold so to speak! Great shots.
ReplyDeleteWhat terrific captures, Jo! I would so love to make trip/tour like this one. Your photos of the animals are fantastic! What a great trip you had! Thanks for sharing it with us! Hope your year is off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Elephants are my all time favorite -I made a painting and have it in the sidebar of my blog. My guess is that this wildpark is in the region of the Maasai tribe?
ReplyDeleteI laughed at Fred Alton's comment!
ReplyDeleteI agree, these are outstanding photos of the wildlife you saw at the Maasai Mara. The colors, including the grasses are so vibrant! These will be great illustrations to go with your magazine articles. Well done, Jo!