On Safari at the Masai Mara

On Sunday, 31st Jan, we began part 2 of our African adventure - we started our safari.

1st stop: Masai Mara National Park (in the west of Kenya, bordering Tanzania)

Departing Nairobi, we set off on a 6 hour drive to the Masai Mara. We arrived at our lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge, located inside the National Park. The lodge was so African in everyway and simply stunning. We enjoyed our 1st hot shower in ages and a nice mosquito net surrounded our bed. At sun set, we set off on our 1st safari.

We immediately spotted gazelles and zebras. The gazelles and the impallas are so graceful. And the zebra is just so funky looking against the wilderness backdrop. We immediately came upon a lion, resting in the shade.

 

There were impalas and gazelles everywhere; and we also came across a herd of giraffes just chillin' out!

   

The next morning, we were up at 4.30am to do a Balloon Safari over the Masai Mara. A few dramas with the balloon company later, we were gently floating above the national park and spotting more lions, zebras, warthogs, elephants and a ton of giraffes. The view from above was simply breathtaking, and definitely allowed for a very different view of the Masai Mara, as compared to the ground view. 

We wrapped up our balloon adventure with a champagne breakfast in the Masai Mara. Yep, a nice breakfast  right in the middle of the game park. I do appreciate that a herd of animals could have come upon us and had a nice breakfast of their own. But still, the experience was sensational!

Lastly, we wrapped up with a visit to a Masai village. They gave us a tour of their home, which is made of sticks and cow dung (yep, cow dung!). The men hunt and protect and the women build the homes. Very interesting experience walking through a home made entirely of cow dung.

  

Next stop: Lake Nakuru National Park.

~liz