Day 23 - 4th day on safari part 1&2

This morning we started off again at 6:30, the mornings are actually getting easier. We are also acclimating to the high altitude so our return home should be a breeze.

Dennis and James took us to a hyena den where we saw their babies. One was just a few weeks old, still mostly black but the spots were starting to develop on its coat. 

The next stop was more lions. A different female with two male (half grown) cubs were dining on a topi. James figured they took it down around 4 or 5 am, we were now at about 8 am.  The hind quarters we gone and one cub was working on one of the ears. Their bellies were full and they were lazy.

Lions were next again. A group of 2 lionesses and 7 or 8 cubs were crashed out high up in rocks. While watching them we heard elephants trumpeting so we headed towards the sound. We encountered a herd of about ten, including two really small babies. Two teenagers entertained us with their tussling. Earlier in the morning we saw a similarB display from 2 young male zebras trying to bite each other's legs.

After a bit we went to see what the vultures were circling and found the remains of a gazelle. There wasn't much left of it. The guides told us it was a cheetah kill.  We carried on and actually found the cheetahs - a mother with two cubs.  They were full and lazy as well and let us watch them for awhile.  Home for lunch, a rest and we are heading back out just now for another night drive.

Part 2

Started out at 5pm. The guides took us where we have not been yet, a place called leopard gorge. No leopards but we did see a bunch of the elephants' cousins the Rock Hirax. Cute little rodent-like animals.

We came out of the gorge and headed uphill to find a spot to overlook the area and watch the sun go down while having a sundowner (cocktail).

However, James spotted a couple of lionesses and their cubs and had the nice idea that we have our drink while watching them.

It ended up that there were 3 lions and 7 or 8 cubs, some still pretty small. They belong to the Marsh pride of the Masai Mara that is featured on a BBC show. We watched them relax and play and tussle and nurse for awhile until we were all joined by a herd of elephants. There were 7 of them including 2 very small young ones. We stayed while eating our soup and sandwich dinner. It was a beautiful experience.

It was looking very much like rain so we started our night drive heading in the direction of camp. Saw hare and various little antelope and a field rat or mouse of some kind. It started raining so we pulled the canvas top over the land cruiser and brought down the windward side canvas as well. We carried on warm and dry. James wanted to show us a lesser bushbaby and knew what area to look in. I have no idea how he managed to spot it, but he did and we got a good look. Earlier in the week there was a Greater Bushbaby here in camp that we were able to take a look at - bigger and blacker than the small grey Lesser Bushbaby.

When we got home the girls were having dinner and a Genet (cousin to the civet we saw last night) was visiting so we got to see him too.

Another wonderful day and we are sorry we need to leave tomorrow. However, we will leave extremely satisfied with our experience.Read more