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, ...

  I wanted to start this African safari with a bang, and that we did, with one perfect day in Nairobi, Kenya. Sable Antelope art at the Hilton      After a hearty breakfast at the hotel we met our driver James, who I've been working with for years here in Kenya. We loaded up in our private Land Cruiser safari vehicle, and headed out to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage for our first stop.      The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, located just inside Nairobi National Park, is one of the most renowned wildlife conservation organizations dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her late husband, David Sheldrick, the orphanage operates as part of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The organization focuses on rescuing young elephants that have lost their mothers due to poaching, human-wildlife conflict, or natural causes. Once at the orphanage, these elephants are given round-the-cl...

  Rare encounter with a critically endangered black rhino. A lone baobob tree looks eerily out of place, while the typical red soil and mountain spines of Tsavo round out the scene. Tsavo National Park, located in southeastern Kenya, is a sprawling expanse of wilderness that beckons both nature enthusiasts and wildlife aficionados alike. Split into two sections, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, this national park is one of the largest in Kenya, covering an impressive 22,000 square kilometers. The park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, ranging from open plains and savannahs to dense woodlands and riverine ecosystems. The Athi and Tsavo rivers traverse the park, adding a vital water source that sustains the rich biodiversity within. It is always important to me to try and show as much diversity in landscapes and ecosystems as I can during my safaris. Not only does this give the guests a more complete understanding of the destinations, but it provides opportunities to find different a...