From the Mara to Ol Donyo Waus

We finally left the Mara for Ol Donyo Waus in the Chyulu Hills where we stayed whilst my camp crew packed up the several tons of tents and equipment for the move to Amboseli.

The flight took us right over the Great Rift Valley which winds down Eastern Africa from Ethiopia to Botswana and split Madagascar from the mainland millions of years ago. Eventually in millions more there will be other islands off the eastern shore of Africa as the rifting process continues but for now we are blessed with the spectacular volcanic mountains, escarpments and lakes which characterizes this wonderful geology. One such lake is called Magadi which is a masai word meaning salts or soda and our flight took us right over this extraordinary lake. From the air the lake resembles more an alien landscape than anything found on earth as the salts form a hard red crust on the water and float into honeycomb patterns.

Ol Donyo Waus was as picturesque as ever and we were blessed with beautiful scenery and wildlife. I love the contrast of the golden grasses on the plains with the rounded volcanoes of the Chyulu range in the background. These three pictures may capture some of the essence of this beautiful area.

In the morning some of our party took the horses out while others went out on the mountain bikes with the Massai guides and still others went walking. We all met for a picnic breakfast in the shade of a flat topped acacia on the edge of the sweeping plains.

This time of year sees the arrival of oryx calves, helping to renew the population which had been hit hard by the terrible drought of the previous three years. Rival orxy bucks are disputing territory and mating rights, this pair disturbed one of the bull elephants who had been snoozing in the shade of an acacia!

From my room there were wonderful views over the waterhole and the plains to Mt. Kilimanjaro. There was also great micro wildlife viewing, Emerald spotted wood doves coming to drink at my plunge pool and Agama lizards sunning themselves on the wall. Always something to catch the eye and attention!