In the local Maasai language, the word “Mara” means “spotted”, due to the many trees which dot the landscape. We will be seeing more of this dotted landscape as we head into the Maasai Mara National Reserve for the next two days. We head out after breakfast with the team to go on a game ride after lunch. World Concern rented us this deluxe, heavy-duty van to drive us around the reserve.
Since animals don’t hang-out by the side of the roads, our driver has to find them. He either scouts out other all-terrain vehicles that are looking at something, knows the area and animals well enough to decide where to go or has talked to other guides. A “heavy-duty” van is very important because most of the time we’re not on a road. A couple of times we saw vehicles get stuck in mud or not able to cross rivers.
We’re excited to see some animals up close but not personal. Where we are now staying, I hear animals and the first night was really creepy because it is pitch black and you don’t know how close the animals are. I’ve heard a lion, monkeys, unidentified animals, loud bullfrogs. I’ve seen a hippo across the river. The river by our place is in a ravine so we don’t worry that the hippopotamus will come charging after us. On the reserve, we hope to see the Big Five; lion, elephant, hippopotamus, leopard, and rhinoceros. We see four of the big five. No leopards. They are often found in trees but not the ones we looked at. Next time. We saw wildebeest, African wild dogs, buffalo, impala, giraffes, hyenas, mongoose, topi, unknown birds (until I came home and looked them up), and zebras. All incredible to see in their habitat.
That night we stayed at the Ngama Hills Tented Camp on the Maasai Mara National Reserve just a short drive from the Gate at Sekenani. This place was amazing. You’re in the middle of the wilderness yet our elevated, fancy tent has a double bed, flush toilet, even electrical outlets. Dinner and breakfast at the on-site restaurant. Only thing, walking to your tent watch out for snakes and possible predators. Staff was outside keeping watch and a well-lit path was greatly appreciated.
