Oh the joys of Safari, new friends and old

They say that the guides are the ones who make or break a safari, and how lucky we are to have guides like Simon, Andy Campbell and Anthony Dodds on our team!

Finding a young leopard and watching it kill was incredible and exhilarating!

He already looked well fed but particularly determined to get  his wildebeest to his favourite tree.

Taking rests between his efforts.

Imagine the strength you need to pull something almost your own body weight up a steep incline?

It was spectacular to watch, we were so lucky.

Thanks to Simon, Anthony, Andy and the Otis family (who took the photographs whilst the guides positioned the cars).  What a fabulous safari we had!

The "Big Five" in one day, Maasai Mara

They may look like trees but the migration had arrived!
The Disney 'stars'
Unusual to see in the Mara, a black rhino out in the open!
We saw so many cheetah
On one day we didn't know which to watch, the cheetah or the lion...
The girls out on the prowl
A 'neck' of giraffe?
Zebra mixed with the wildebeest
This cheetah was on a mission!
And leopard within the first 10 minutes of arriving off the plane! We were so very lucky, thanks to a very special family!

Adventures in the Maasai Mara

These lion could not make head nor tail of an Ostrich egg..
A great vantage point for a cheetah.
Mum and five cubs out hunting for supper.
A lovely evening in camp!
King, he certainly is!
Mum and her mature cub after feasting on a warthog.
Superb starlings fighting over a scrap of food.
The perfect end to a fabulous safari!!!

Loisaba Wilderness - so much to do!

Onto Loisaba and so many activities where to start! Elephant at the dam in front of Loisaba Lodge, one of our favourite views in Kenya!
A camel trek is such fun in the cool of the morning.
Ahhhh......
This was jolly lucky!
Now for some fun on the TukTuks, proceeds from these go to the local community school.
Off to see the school and local community who benefitted from our TukTuk ride. There is always so much to do on Loisaba.

Fun in Amobseli

Our safari season starts of with a bang in Amobseli in our private Ker & Downey preserve. The pictures speak for themselves!
Setting the target for 'spear' practice!
Present arms!
New friends made.
Girls together.
Giraffe watch on!
Follow my leader at our school.
Of course it is about the elelphants too!
Dressed up for the dance!
A very large puzzle.
Ole BooBoo, the king of our Preserve!

The wilderness of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

From Amboseli we drove to the border with Tanzania, Namanga, and onto Arusha where we had a delicious lunch.  Onward we flew to the Serengeti and over the active volcano, Ol Donyo Lengai; three spectacular volcanoes in two weeks!

 As we drove to our camp we came across two old bull elephants who were wrestling and play fighting with each other.

The wildebeest migration is massed on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti.  We found this large group crossing an arm of Lake Ndutu despite the danger of their young calves when they could have easily walked around.  We saw one poor calf which was left behind, exhausted from wading through the mud and chest high water.

The next morning we found a troup of baboon basking in the warm sunlight before they descend for their breakfast.

After searching all safari we found our... elusive leopard on our way to catch our charter back to Arusha on the last day of our safari.  Nothing like keeping it to the last minute!

Amboseli and the Kisongo Maasai

Flying by charter and flew close to a newly snow covered Mount Kenya.

Our first morning in Amboseli and our private Ker & Downey Safaris preserve were we work so closely with the Maasai and we had a fabulous view of Mount Kilimanjaro!

That morning we were invited by our Maasai friends to watch them tap blood from a cow using a special bow and arrow.  Most of us tried the fresh blood for breakfast!  Amazing to think that in the 21st Century a way of life like this still exists!

We visited Esiteti Primary School which will soon be retired for the new buildings we have helped to build for the Maasai.

And what better way to finish our day but to watch the Maasai throw their spears and have a few lessons too....

People have asked us if the Maasai dress like this and take part in our "Maasai Olympics" for our guests....  As you can see they have such a great time that we are just part of the scenery!