Rendez-vous Kenya
Maasai Mara Safari Photography
The chapters:
Getting there - Accommodation - Safari Drives - The Lion King and the Lionesses - Elephants and Rhinos - The Maasai People - Safari Wardrobe - Heading back home
Girl! I almost forgot to bring you along in this one.
This was my first safari. The Jeep picked my friend and me up from the airport, and on the way to our accommodation, right there along the way, a huge elephant, just chilling by the road. It took my breath away!
Oddly enough, instead rushing to get my camera out, I watched with my jaw open. I almost forgot to take pictures or record anything at all.
This gallery was almost an essay :)
But I did eventually get it together to capture the lions, the topi, and the zebras and giraffes who were determined to keep showing me their backsides.
The African wildlife came together - minus the leopards. I saw those in my second safari, at Kruger national park in South Africa.
So, come enjoy the sweeping landscapes that made Kenya one of my most unforgettable destinations.
Getting there was its own journey!
Three flights total. Yikes! First was the long flight from home to Qatar's Hamad International airport. I got there, tired, disoriented, and met a GIANT teddy bear :) That was unexpected! Then, there was the lush garden nearby. Finally, I made my way to the Al Maha Lounge and chilled until my next flight to Nairobi.
The last flight, (3rd flight), was to get in Air Kenya from Nairobi to Maasai Mara. Gotta be honest and tell you those toy airplanes are a bit un-nerving. But, I made it :)
Accommodation: Treehouse!
We stayed in a treehouse where monkeys would wake us up bright and early each, using the tent as their pathway. Our accommodation was provided by Kichwa Tembo from &Beyond. The staff was beyond: genuinely attentive, caring, accommodating. I give it 10/10!
The food was served buffet style. It tasted generic which I understand because they are trying to not offend anyone's taste. But, it wasn't to my liking.
Safari drives - It's all awe from here on!
"Talk to the cheeks" said all the animals as soon as I pull out my phone! I felt targeted LOL
I was so happy to capture this moment! This male giraffe crossed over to check out a couple of female giraffes on the other side. Then he checked to see if they're in heat. (What I was told by the guide).
The Lion King and the Lionesses
Our guide tracked a lion with his lionesses. And after all that searching, the rumors are true: all they do is sleep during the day LOL.
The lioness in the far right is thought to be pregnant.
Elephants, Rhinos, and Topi
The beautiful giants. Elephants were everywhere and each were so photogenic!
The rhinos couldn't be bothered! LOL The guide told us that they sun-bathe all day.
I had never heard of this guy before. Meet the Topi. It's part of the antelope family but a fashionable version with the colors on its legs...
The Maasai People
The Maasai People welcomed us with their dance and showed us their village, their way of life. They taught us that the women there are the architects and builders. All the mud houses are built by them.
Wardrobe I Wore
Different days, SAME CLOTHES. Thing is, when you go on a safari, you must wear colors to blend with nature as to not disturb the wildlife. So, beige, olive green, brown. The fashion was atrocious. & Beyond does provide dry cleaning services. Plus, packing was odd for that whole trip because mornings and nights were cold. Think 50F and colder. As soon as the sun is out, it's HOT; say, 80F and beyond.
The picture on the left is me standing at the border between Kenya and Tanzania. I saw an elephant just cross the border without a visa. Gotta report him/her!
Last Look
And just like that, it was time to go home. I spent some time in Nairobi but the highlight was the Maasai Mara. So, back to the questionable little airplane, two more flights and home. In the picture below on the right is the boarding gate... Yeah. The hut...
Maasai Mara left me in awe and I hope this gallery left a mark on you.
Wander through the other galleries and see where else will make you forget about your camera. Lingering is encouraged here.
And if you'd like to stay a little closer, come into the Voyage à nue Lounge. It's where you'll be the first to know when a new gallery opens, along with the letters from the journey.
Until we meet again,
Emi
