The
trigger to visit Masai Mara occurred 18 years ago when I saw a documentary on
Serengeti National park. Seeing millions of wildebeest, I made up my mind to
visit the African savannas one day. The opportunity occurred this month when I
spent a week in Masai Mara, Kenya.
Masai Mara
National Reserve is the northern most segment of Mara Serengeti ecosystem. The
Tanzanian part is called Serengeti while Masai Mara is the name in Kenya.
The week
I spent was memorable with numerous sightings in Masai Mara. Some numbers are:
Lions –
50
Cheetah –
17
Leopard -4
Rhino – 4
Wildebeest
– Lakhs
Zebras –
Several thousand
Ziraffe –
100+
Elephants
– 100+
Hyenas -
~20
Buffalo –
Thousands
Gazelle,
Eland, Topi, Impala, hartebeest – Several thousand
Hippos –
100+
A slight disappointment was about not seeing crossings on
Mara River. Due to rains on Tanzania side, majority of wildebeest was still on
Tanzania side. Half a million were on Masai Mara but were near sand river that
did not hold great amount of water. I did see some amazing acts like crocodile
attacking zebras and Baboon killing baby Impala but I could not take photo in
both occasions!!
I am not sure how much I write about this trip as only thing
I did in Kenya trip was to go on safari after safari!! But there are some good
experiences that I can share!!
