Our Last Game Drive

Although we knew it was going to be an incredibly long day (flight home not til past midnight) we both agreed we had to make the most of this last day so we were up and out by 06:30 and rewarded with the most glorious dawn sky.

And we were straight back with the cubs.

Judging by Mum's expression, her cub's claws are still very sharp despite his young age.

That's one very full tummy (at first I thought she was pregnant, then I look at the rear end - ooops!)

Magnificent

The rest of this morning's photos are just a random selection.

Another Widowbird but this one wouldn't move off the Datura (a real pest of a plant).

Cheetah on the lookout once again.

We headed to part of the conservancy we hadn't been to before and came across another cheetah who had been successful.

Wattled Plover

Egyptian Geese, so called because of the heavy marking around their eyes.

A very obliging Impala m.

Our last breakfast stop.

The lovely Moses, we're sure he'll make a great guide.

As is often the case I spend most of my time out of the truck rolling around on the ground taking photos.

Tissue Paper Flower

Back in the truck I spent a ridiculous length of time trying to get some decent ostrich shots, but this is the best I could do.

We enjoyed most of the usual Mara animals today, but no photos of any quality.

We drove through the optimistically named Leopard Grove, but unfortunately only saw a Rock Hyrax (nearest living relative of the elephant).

And a male lion.

Who promptly hid in the bushes!

The Secretary Bird, another of  our favourites.

Now back to camp for lunch and then the long trek home.  It's only a short drive to the airstrip so I'll leave my cameras safely packed away and hope we don't see anything amazing.

There is certainly more than one grain of sand between my toes - I just can't wait to return.

Serian - Day 4 PM

I've realised I haven't posted any photos of the common areas at Serian, which really are quite lovely.

Indoor sitting and dining areas which has a lovely log fire in the evenings.

Deck area

View across the Mara River.

The very lovely Sammy.

Roisin and 9 mo Charlotte who is quite cute and obviously used to new faces.  I'm not sure I'd like to have a little one here given the sheer number of flies etc but she seems to come to no harm.

She certainly enjoyed playing "Hunt the Wine Bottle" with Ian.

Back out this afternoon and the male lions were in their favourite position - horizontal.

 We thought this one might get up.

But he didn't!!!

So we left them to their slumbers and went to find the females .................. also sleeping.

We did find the lionesses with cubs but the light had faded so these pictures aren't really usable - shame as there are some lovely shots.

The experts always say when the noise level is unacceptable - do something creative!

Serian - Day 4 AM

Our last full day here at Serian and tiredness is overtaking us so we decided on a bit of a lie in.  We didn't head out until 07:30 but still not much light.

We first caught up with the lioness and 3 cubs – again not doing much. Lions really are very sociable creatures and you can see how pregnant the one on the left is.  And I just love how the hyena is just sitting ignoring them.

And for anyone who thinks they are in any way bothered by trucks.

We then went back to check up on the male lions only to find them still dozing, well hidden in the undergrowth so just one pic.  He was clearly keeping one eye on us!

Word then came that a couple lioness were trying to dig a warthog out of its hole – this is very much a new thing happening in Mara North, something our guides hadn’t seen until very recently.  By the time we crossed the plain, most of the action was over; one lioness was half-heartedly trying to dig out another warthog.

And another was happily munching on her kill.  Whilst lions are usually happy to share a kill with the rest of the pride, when it is only something small like a warthog or baby impala, they very much keep it to themselves.

The hyenas got wind of activity and soon about 15 were prowling around waiting for the lioness to finish.  We hoped that once they got the remains there would be a bit of a fight between them but in actual fact one got in first and ran off with the whole thing, totally unchallenged by the others. 

Finally a vulture and a tawny eagle joined in picking up what few scraps were left.

And the two hungry lionesses wandered off together, no doubt musing on their misfortune!

An interesting, if rather unpleasant, fact about hyenas.  Although they are more often known as scavengers they are in fact hunters too and one of the few that do not kill their prey before eating it (lions etc suffocate the animal by gripping its throat) but bite straight into the stomach and pull out the intestines and also bite into the flesh on the rump.  The poor animal can be seen still moving for some time after the hyenas have set upon it.  I must remind myself of this next time I'm in danger of liking one.

This part of the Mara North Conservancy is particularly beautiful with its rolling hills and many antelope types like Topi, Eland, Defassa Waterbuck, Impala, Grant’s Gazelle, Thomson’s Gazelle,  Bohor Reedbuck, Kirk’s Dik-Dik, Coke’s Hartebeest – many of which are sometimes difficult to tell apart.

I wondered at the time why this male Eland was being so helpful and standing still (they usually run off) now I can see why - he's relieving himself!

Nevertheless very handsome animals.

We’ve seen the Topi standing on anthills many times, showing off their prowess to the females and keeping watch, but they don’t usually share the mound.

This tiny bird is a male Jackson's Widowbird in breeding plumage - a very exciting spot but sadly a rubbish photo.

Next we found a cheetah doing very little but warming itself on a mound.

Cheetah clearly had no intention of moving soon, so we went off and had breakfast.  James and Moses set everything out so beautifully for us - despite saying when we first arrived that we didn't eat much breakfast, there is still a huge amount set out on the bonnet each day.

We always have to stop in a fairly open area so James and Moses can keep an eye out for trouble.

A few more wildflowers.

We headed back down into the valley just in time to see the cheetah chasing two adult warthogs - suddenly they turned around and chased off the cheetah, who then sat dejectedly under a tree.  Sadly once again no photos - we have been really unlikely this holiday and missed most of the action.

We haven't seen quite so many birds in this area of the Mara, but this Fiscal Shrike is quite attractive.

Another very difficult bird to get close to.

I think I still love zebra the most of all.

But I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of this kick!