Habari ya safari?



In Swahili, the word safari means long journey. But in English, it means something much more exciting - an expedition in search of wild game!  

A lion relaxing after a kill; water buffalo contemplating revenge.

The best and most well known place to go on safari in Kenya is the Masai Mara.  It's about a 5 hour drive from Nairobi, with the last 2 hours over bumpy dirt roads.  Masai Mara is named after the Masai people who traditionally inhabited the area.  Mara is the Masai word for spotted, which is how the Masai described this area of land as it looked from afar.  The Mara (as it's known for short) is the northern extension of the Serengeti in Tanzania.   Each summer or winter if you're in Kenya/the southern hemisphere, the great migration takes place.  At that time, millions of animals (mostly wildebeests but also zebras and gazelles) travel from the Serengeti to the Mara in search of water and grasslands.  Its considered the largest mass movement of animals on land in the world.   



A wildebeest hiding a gazelle.

Although I did not visit the Mara during the Great Migration, it was still an amazing experience!  We saw elephants, lions, giraffes, gazelles, wild dogs, hyenas, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, ostriches, warthogs, and many colorful birds.  I've tried to pare down my Mara photo collection as best I could, hope you enjoy!

Passing by a group of Masai people on the way to the Mara.



Heading to the Mara, giraffes in the distance.



Entering the Mara!



Our "tent" from the inside.




Our "tent" from the outside



A graffee bending down to drink.




A leopard! 



Our private safari vehicle.





The sun setting over the Mara.



The sun rising over the Mara.



Female lion



A lion pride eating their kill - a water buffaloe.



In the middle of the action!




Contemplating a second kill.



Secretary bird.



Ostriches

Cheetahs!

Hyena!



Hippos



Safari gear!

Acacia tree - very African!



Lion cub

 

Wild dogs, which apparently haven't been seen in the Mara in over 10 years!  They are nasty creatures, eating their prey while it's still alive!



We stopped at a Masai village near the entrance of the Mara.  This young warrior gave us a demonstration of how to blow the cattle calling horm.

Joining in on a Masai dance.



Discussing prices.

 After three days, two nights and four games drives, it was time to leave the Mara. What an experience!!

Tiwi Beach, Kenyan Coast

As I mentioned in my last post, Mombasa is the gateway to the beach towns along the Indian Ocean.  After spending the afternoon in Mombasa (and especially after the long journey to get there), we were eager to relax at the beach.  Our destination - Tiwi Beach - 17 km south of Mombasa. 

A coconut tree-lined beach awaited us at Sand Island Beach Cottages.  Paradise!  Aside from our snorkeling excursions to Star Fish Village (pictures below) and Map of Africa (a rock pool that actually resembles the map of Africa!), there was no reason to leave the beach in front of Sand Island during our  stay.  Needless to say, I was quite pleased about that!  In the morning, local fisherman headed out with their spears, gladly taking orders for lunch and dinner, and the coconut man offered up whole coconuts to drink; midday, Mama Mandazi came around with fresh samosas and mandazi (Kenyan donuts) balanced in a large container on her head, and local farmers stopped by the beach with their produce.  In need of a straw hat or bag? That too could be procured during from a local craftsman at the beach. 

Delicious coconut water and meat!

Such colorful fish - which one should we have for dinner?

Our home for the next few days.

 Amos, our fabulous tour-guide and able fisherman, who had just caught and was now filleting our dinner for that evening.

Amos took us by boat to one of the "must see" spots near Tiwi Beach...Starfish Village.  I have never seen such colorful starfish before!

 

 The starfish weren't the only colorful creatures that caught my attention - look at the local lobster!

Not quite as tasty as its Maine cousin.

The hotel's night watchman.  When asked why they carry bows and arrows, the men answered, "to shoot the thieves!"  Yikes!

Enjoying the waves and the warmth of the Indian Ocean!

If you find yourself on the Kenyan Coast, I highly recommend a stay at Sand Island Cottages on Tiwi Beach!