Kenya - Photos from the Masai Mara

One thing we've definitively learned in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar is that the East African Internet relies on some entity even more lethargic than the Nepali Donkey Train. Thus, getting pictures posted has been akin to technological warfare: Graeme vs. The Machine! However, as I write, it seems that slow progress is being made on my upload and there is a glimmer of hope that I will be able to share with you our experience in Kenya's Masai Mara.

To give you a bit of background, the Masai Mara is Kenya's northern extension of the East Africa Savannah which includes the Ngorogoro Conservation Area as well as Serengeti National Park, both of which are in northern Tanzania. The landscape brings to mind the true image of wild Africa with Acacia trees dotting the landscape which provide a setting for herds of Giraffe, Elephant, and Cape Buffalo. It has been almost four years since I last visited this part of the world, and I'm happy to say that it still takes my breath away.

SUCCESS! Photos = Uploaded (Some of them anyway...)

Traditional Masai women performing a welcome dance outside their village, set on the outer edge of the Masai Mara.

(I think this is my favorite from this set!)
Bull Elephant with baby and mother off to the side. This photo was taken while there was a herd of 10-12 elephants walking slowly past the left side of our truck.

Young Bull Elephant walking towards us through the tall grass. About a minute after this photo was taken we had to put the truck in reverse and retreat as the Elephant had decided to take a particularly aggressive stance against our vehicle.

Lazy female Lion lounging in the grass. This photo comes as part of a complete yawn series! Did I mention that Lions are freakin' lazy!

This is Phil's Black Rhino, and to be honest, it's probably one of the rarest animals we could have hoped to find in the Masai Mara. After the encounter, our driver told us that he had seen only two other Black Rhinos in the past six years.

Two Masai Giraffes grazing at dusk. Once we get to Botswana and Namibia I'll try to find some Reticulated Giraffes as well. They are supposed to have much more clearly defined patchwork... or so I'm told.

Lone Acacia Tree set against the sky at dusk. I don't think any East African photo collection would be complete without the signature lone Acacia... I like the next photo better though!

Sunset over the Masai Mara. It was a good day.

I hope you enjoyed the photos and that one day you may be inspired to visit this beautiful place.