Capturing the Moment

  The Malachite Kingfisher is high up on most birder's list when they come on safari in Africa. Sometimes the smallest birds are the most gorgeous! Bird watching in East Africa is an unparalleled experience, offering some of the most vibrant and diverse birdlife on the planet. With over 1,100 species spread across habitats ranging from lush rainforests and savannas to coastal wetlands and arid landscapes, East Africa is a treasure trove for both novice and seasoned bird watchers. Iconic spots like Kenya's West Tsavo and Masai Mara, Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park offer incredible viewing opportunities. The region’s migratory corridors make it a prime destination to spot unique species, including multiple eagle species, tiny kingfishers, colorful rollers, and countless migratory birds from Europe and Asia. The diversity of East African bird species, including colorful weavers, majestic raptors, and rare endemic species, draws e...

  Our safari tents were situated perfectly so the sunrise would stream in. This was our view each morning after the butler delivered coffee and opened the flaps. 14 days, 5 different parks, an elephant orphange, giraffe center, 2 countries, and thousands of pictures later, we have come to the conclusion of our East African Safari. Each day has brought new experiences, from the excitement of seeing our first wild animal from the rooftop pool at the Hilton, to have mating lions a few feet from the vehicle. Everyone soaked up a ton of knowledge from James, Jackson, and Godliving. We were cared for, and led, so well throughout that it was easy to fall into the groove of morning and afternoon game drives, delicious meals, and chatting around the campfires. Yet we were still tired each night, as we lay down on our comfy beds out in the middle of the African wilderness. We listened to bird songs, zebra, elephants, hyrax, and hyena from our beds. After starting with very pleasant overcast ...

  We traveled for a while, soaking in the early morning misty plains of the Serengeti from our extended land cruiser safari vehicle. Our morning reverie was interrupted by a group of vultures fighting a hyena over a freshly killed wildebeest. It was the groups first fresh kill. Not everyone was into the gruesome action. You couldn't even see some of the heads of the vultures since they were neck deep into the carcass. But this is the circle of life. Pretty soon there won't be much more than bleached bones left, thanks to the vultures and hyena. We continued on after the vulture show, and quickly came upon two male lions and a female. As we hung out with them we were surprised to see a third male lion pop up, and then a little later a fourth male lion popped up! The mane male and female were the same mating pair we had spotted two days earlier. She now looked like she was pretty over it, and disengaged from the male every time he attempted anything. The mating pair, and two of b...