Kenya | Day 10 Mara

As usual, another early rise. We had a pre-dawn breakfast and boy I was still sleepy! The day kicked off with an early morning game drive which was rewarding as the golden ray of sunrise was super beautiful. The regulation in the conservancy is to limit the number of vehicles per game drive as this is an effort to preserve the wildlife in its natural behaviours. Nothing interesting during this game drive and after making a circuit around the relatively small Mara Conservancy we returned to our campsite. We need to pull down our tent and pack up as we will continue our journey south to the Masai Mara.

Rise and shine from the Mara.

My first time seeing a lion in the wild.

Another wonderful view of the savannah. 

A wide-angle view of the wild animals found in Mara Conservancy.

The calf following its mum crossing the pathway. 

Reality is the drive was only a short one, however, the minibuses did a large circuit before arriving our destination – Riverside Camp. Along the way, we visited the Mara River Crossing – that iconic location shown in seemingly every documentary – BBC, National Geographic, Discovery about African wildlife where migrating wildebeest go splashing across the river amidst a frenzy of snapping crocodile jaws. However, we did not see this excitement as there were hippos soaking in the river. We managed to walk up front to witness it ourselves. Safety was assured as the university had hired armed guards to escort us along the river bank.

A bloat of hippos in the river cooling down. 

Can you spot the crocodile?

The famous Mara River where it's know for animal crossing.

We arrived at the Riverside late in the afternoon and after setting up the tent (starting to be experts after 10 days!) we left for an evening game drive. This drive was the most memorable as we were at able to spot cheetahs and witnessed a pair of lion napping in the sun where that nap turned into rounds of copulation. That for me was my National Geographic moment a.k.a. the highlight of my life!

The lion and lioness resting on the grassland. 

Spot the meerkats. 

A her of elephant - a juvenile and a calf. 

A stunning view to end the day.

Nothing much that night and I took the opportunity to slumber peacefully regaining my energy after a very mentally and physically challenging 2 days at the Mara.