The Day of the Jackal...
Trip Start
Jan 20, 2007
1
19
23
Trip End
Jul 16, 2007
Where I stayed
Masai Mara National Park, Kenya, Kenya
Monday, May 28, 2007
Six hours of the bumpiest road we have ever experienced, to get to Masai Mara with our guide Raphael. Dodging the pot holes, zooming from one side of the road to the next to avoid dips and driving half on the remainder of the tarmac and half on the mud track, we were on our way. Firstly we travelled down a road built by the Italian prisoners of war (Captured by the British), most of whom died working or were killed by animals. We stopped at a small church which holds about 20 people and is a memorial to these Italians. We also stopped to see the baboons who were there to take advantage of the slow moving trucks travelling up the steep hill, filled with cabbages.They come every morning as they Know its easy pickings. Our first animals and we were already excited.
Into the Rift Valley and after travelling for a while, we came across some giraffes and zebras who had come to welcome us. We new then that it was going to be a fab trip. The closer we got to the park, the more Masai people we began to see. With large holes in their streched earlobes, they walked around wearing big red checked sheets, no shoes, lots of beaded jewelery and held sticks. It was just like the BBC clip inbetween programmes when the Masai people jump really high (don't know if you know what I am talking about).
We finally reached the Masai Mara and about an hour later we arrived at Keekorok Lodge - our home for the next 3 nights. It was absolutely fantastic. Without boundaries, the lodge looked onto the park and animals roamed freely around. Our bedroom had floor to ceiling glass and we could see animals in the distance - it was better than we could have hoped for and five star luxury. Yes everyone we are finally on honeymoon!!!!! A beautifully huge comfy bed, 3 pillows wide, like a four poster with a mosquito net and a wonderfully large rain type shower for 2! Yippee!!!!
Off out on our first safari - the roof of the van went up and we stood to see the animals. And boy did we see some beauties. It was the day of the jackal...and a pride of lions, huge families of elephants with babies, buffalo, wildebeast, hartbeast, hyenas, Thompson gazelle, topi, zebras, impala, giraffes (one of my favourites)a huge a mount of beautiful birds, vultures... We got up really close to the animals and it was so exciting. As soon as one guide had spotted something worth seeing he would radio others and then a convoy of vans would zoom off across the savannah to find them. Singing the A Team theme music, Kev and I became 12 years old again and we loved it!
So we returned to the camp after seeing a wonderful sunset on the way back. We had a drink on our terrace and got ready for our buffet dinner. The bed was all ready with mossie net down, lights on, when we got back and everything seemed perfect. We had a fantastic nights sleep and got up at 6am for our morning game drive. We had about 5 more drives and they were all fantastic. My best day was when we saw a huge male lion - the king of the jungle, close to the van - he was so handsome and we were the only ones with him. I could hear songs from The Lion King in the background (in my head anyway). Are you getting the picture? We also saw a cheeteh hunting although not killing, hippos, crocs, walthogs and more. Kev kept spotting the warthogs when we were looking for the cheetahs and Raphael said he had an eye for them - why do you think he married me? I commented.
After lunch we went for a walk around the lodge on the raised walkway. "I would love to see a giraffe up close" I said to Kev. As we turned the corner - there he was - Our friend the giraffe about 3 metres away. What else to wish for today, I thought. I'd already had my full English breakfast so I guess that covered it really! Maybe some Heinz tomato sauce - couldn't hurt!
So all in all we were over the moon and did not want to leave. We had seen 3 of the big 5 and so much more. Oh we also saw some hippos not far from our room, eating grass. They are such funny animals with little legs and huge bums, I could really relate to them!! But didn't get too near as they are the biggest human killer apparently. If you get between them and water especially. So 4 days of luxury and excitement over. We feel so lucky!! Hope we can do it again one day!!!!
Comments
The Day of the Jackal
Hi you 2
Sorry I am a bit behind with replying to your report. Everything still seems fantastic and the photos are wonderful. I always say to Dad when the BBC ad comes on that those people couldn't possibly jump that high they must be on trampolines and he assures me they do. Now your wonderful photograph has proved it to me. Can't wait for a film show, the pics look brilliant. Luv M and D