Capturing the Moment

  Shot of the day. Finding the cheetah was hard work today, but Jackson prevailed. We got an up close look at two cheetah. This one gave us a brief look at its incredibly sharp teeth during this yawn. Luckily I snapped the photo right as it happened and captured the moment.    It was a tough wake up for everyone this morning here in the Masai Mara. And by 'tough' I mean our butler woke us up with coffee and biscuits at the requested time. We may be camping in tents, but here at Kichwa Tembo Luxury Tented Camp, it feels like glamping to the extreme. After the early morning pick-me-up, the group met Jackson at the vehicle, ready for a big morning game drive. Our plan was to cover a lot of distance, maybe searching for cheetah, and seeing if we got lucky with any lions on they way. I would say lucky was an understatement. Sunrise view from our camp.    Our first big find was three young male lions, sleeping and basking in the early morning sunshine. Shortly after, ...

   "Africa's Big 5: More Than Just a Safari Snapshot!" Hey fellow adventurers! Ready to embark on a wild journey through the heart of Africa? Well, pack your binoculars and sense of humor because we're about to dive into the fabulous world of Africa's Big 5! Imagine the sun painting the vast expanse of the Masai Mara in warm hues as your safari vehicle bounces along the rugged terrain. The air is charged with anticipation, and your heart beats in sync with the rhythm of the African landscape. Suddenly, as if the savannah has orchestrated a grand symphony, the regal lion saunters into view, its golden mane catching the sunlight. You're not just a spectator; you're a witness to the royal procession of the Big 5. The mighty elephant family parades gracefully, their monumental presence etching an indelible image in your mind. Buffaloes graze nonchalantly, seemingly unaware of the awe they inspire. The elusive leopard, a phantom in the golden grass, adds an air...

They get close here Lion in a Tree   When people go on their first safari one of the major goals is to find the 'Big 5.' This group of animals was nicknamed by the hunters during colonial times, not because of their size, but because if you shot one of these five animals and only wounded it then it could charge and kill the hunter. Hence there is no giraffe on this list. The Big 5 consist of Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Rhino, and Leopard. Cuteness factor with baby lion cubs   We were lucky enough to encounter all of the Big 5 here in the Masai Mara. While a lot of the major national reserves and parks in Africa house the Big 5, it can be quite difficult to see them, especially in just one park over the course of several days. We managed to see the Big 5 in just one full day here in the Mara.   We had several lion encounters including a family taking down and eating a warthog, which if you haven't read about the click here for a play by play. We saw another...