A Memorable Safari Adventure in Kenya
- Amelia Chambers
- Jan 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 1
Exploring the Wonders of the Masai Mara
Coming to the end of my safari, I was filled with excitement. I had a fantastic itinerary planned. A balloon ride across the plains, birthday celebrations, and the chance to see the Big Five: elephant, buffalo, lions, rhino, and the elusive leopard. My travel companions and I had already spotted four of them, but I sent a heartfelt plea to the universe for a glimpse of a leopard. After all, I had seen a couple in India and Sri Lanka, but this was different!
A Warm Welcome at the Masai Village
Before arriving at the Masai Mara National Park, we made a stop at a nearby Masai village. It wasn't far off the road, and we were greeted by a lively dance display from the young warriors. At first, it felt a bit intimidating, but soon they turned it into a friendly competition to see who could jump the highest. The winner would earn the admiration of the prettiest girl from another village!
We were guided around by Jack, a junior headman. His English was impressive, especially since he had attended school with just one other boy from the village. Nowadays, all Kenyan children go to school, but when Jack was younger—I'd guess he’s around thirty-five—only two boys from his village had that opportunity.
Life in the Masai Village
Currently, there are about 210 people living in the Masai village. However, I predict their way of life will change dramatically in the coming years. All the warriors had mobile phones, and many of the younger men spoke English very well. One man, who was married with twin daughters, was eager to practice his English with me. He openly shared details about his life, explaining that the women build the adobe houses while the men tend to the fire.
We were shown how to make fire using a piece of hard wood and a piece of soft wood, along with cedar bark as kindling. I shared that I usually light a fire in the evening using matches, small sticks, and even hair from my hairbrush as kindling. The men seemed intrigued by my method, but I was genuinely impressed by their traditional technique of creating fire without matches!
Daily Life and Community
In the village, children played, small dogs and cats roamed, and goats were kept in a wooden pen, providing milk and meat. Leopards, being major predators, could easily jump the fences, but the barking dogs served as a warning to the villagers. The women were busy caring for their children and crafting souvenirs for tourists. We purchased a few trinkets, thanked Jack for his warm hospitality, and wished the young men well.
A Thrilling Game Drive
After our village visit, we arrived at Mara Leisure Camp just in time for lunch. We were greeted by some friendly baboons before heading out on a game drive. The experience was nothing short of spectacular! We encountered herds of Thomson gazelle, prides of lions, dazzles of zebra, towers of giraffe, and herds of elephants. It was truly amazing!
The landscape here is drier than I expected, with sandy soil and shrub. It felt a bit hotter, perhaps by a couple of degrees, but the heat didn’t bother us. To cap off our first game drive, we were overjoyed to spot a leopard climbing a tree after catching an impala. We had now seen the Big Five!
Hot Air Balloon Adventure
The next morning brought even more excitement. Nicholas picked me up and drove me to an open area where Captain Muhammed was ready to take us up in a hot air balloon. Had I known how to get into a balloon basket, I might have hesitated! But sometimes ignorance is bliss. I managed to shuffle myself into the basket, lying on my back with my feet in the air. Once the balloon was upright, I sat up, and when we were above the ground, we were encouraged to stand.
The view was breathtaking! From above, I could see elephants, Thomson gazelle, and impala. We even followed a hyena as it lolloped across the plain, heading towards its pack. Did you know that hyenas, like elephants, live in a matriarchal society with an alpha female?
The flight lasted about 45 minutes, and landing was no more uncomfortable than navigating the potholes on Kenyan roads—just a bit bumpy! Afterward, we were taken to a lovely picnic spot, where we were treated to a glass of champagne and encouraged to indulge in a delightful meal. I found myself seated with some beautiful Kenyan ladies from Mombasa and Nairobi. When I mentioned that my birthday was the following day, they immediately burst into song, wishing me a Happy Birthday!
More Wildlife Encounters
As it was still early in the morning, we set off on another game drive. We were fortunate to see even more animals: a sounder of warthogs with piglets, elephants with a calf, giraffes, hippos, more zebras, Thomson gazelle, wildebeest, and a topi, an antelope I had never heard of before, related to the wildebeest.
We spent some time observing a cheetah hiding behind a shrub. I caught a glimpse of its ears twitching, and for a brief moment, it raised its head before flopping back down. I couldn’t blame it; the temperature was climbing towards 27 degrees Celsius by midday!
During our picnic lunch, we were entertained by scavenging malibu storks and lovely blue starlings hoping for a treat.
The Majesty of Lions
That afternoon, we encountered crocodiles and prides of lions. Towards the end of our drive, we spotted a male and female lion lounging by the side of the road. I’m not sure what a gentleman in the jeep ahead of us did, but it clearly upset the male lion. Suddenly, he jumped up and roared! The tourist was so shocked that he fell back into his seat, and I didn’t see him move again. It’s essential to remember that national parks are the territory of the animals, not the tourists!
We watched the lion pair for a while longer, wishing the universe would grant them many cubs. After leaving them, we spotted even more wildlife: a crocodile lazing by the river and a steenbok, a small antelope.
I must admit, I was a bit disappointed I didn’t see a dik dik, the smallest of the antelopes known for mating for life. It’s said that when one partner dies, the other often starves itself or puts itself in harm's way. In short, it commits suicide. Every day truly is a school day!
A Final Leopard Sighting
To wrap up our game drive around three o'clock, we returned to the tree where the leopard had been the day before. Sure enough, he was lounging on a lower branch, fast asleep. He had eaten his fill and looked quite content, with a lovely belly and deep breathing confirming he was very much alive.
Celebrating My Birthday in the Bush
The following morning was my birthday! We enjoyed breakfast outside in the bush. No champagne this time, but a delicious chocolate cake awaited me. The staff, for whom I am immensely grateful, sang Hakuna Matata from The Lion King, making it a fitting end to my safari in Kenya.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Charles, my guide, who went above and beyond to ensure I saw as much as possible. I also appreciate all the staff at Mercury Holidays and Sense of Africa, both of which are professional companies I highly recommend.
But an even bigger thank you goes to my two travel companions. It was a pleasure to share this adventure with them. We had a fantastic time together, and I wish them all the best for the future. They know who they are!
Kenya was a joy, full of surprises and pure delight. Thank you for reading, and happy travels!
My other blogs regarding my safari in Kenya can be found by clicking on the following links:
I also enjoyed a tiger safari in India, where I saw leopards too, along with a host of other animals and birds. Please click on the link to find out more about that adventure.
Chambers at Large: In Search of Tigers in the National Parks of Ranthambore, Pench, and Kanha, India
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