A mere five hours drive from Nairobi brings one to this endless expanse of Savanna Grasslands. Pale green merges into a clear azure sky, with patches of dark green bushes springing out of nowhere. No description of the Savanna is complete without mention of the lone Acacia trees, with their golden barks shining bright. Zebras, Wildebeests, Antelopes, Gazelles, Elands, Topis, Warthogs grazing peacefully gives you a sense of calm and quiet. And then you spot those elegant Masai Giraffes taking dainty steps, head held high and that quiet look in their eyes, bending gracefully like ballet dancers to reach the leaves. Have you ever seen a mighty African Buffalo? They have what one might call “the power-packed” look. The ethereal beauty of Masai Mara unfolds.
No game drive is possibly deemed successful without a sighting of the Big Five. In Masai Mara, you see them at close quarters of a couple of feet as well. They go about their everyday chores…cheetahs climbing trees, lionesses feeding their cubs, the lazy King taking a nap under a tree, the wise elephants sauntering around the grasslands while their cubs play around, the grand rhinos often seen taking a nap in groups, if not grazing.
These sights would last for a lifetime in my mind. Mother Earth was created with this intent of peace and quiet, tranquility and bliss. I’ve been to Masai Mara twice. And I so hope, there’ll be more…
This is so vivid! The best bit is the description of the Masai Giraffe’s ballerina like stance when tearing away its food from the high boughs. Thanks making the tranquil wild come alive with your sensory images! Keep writing!
But seriously, the experience of this fortunate “brush with the wild” has lent me this perspective which until now I could only find from Wilbur Smith reads 🙂
Nice travelogue, crisp and passiomate. Loved reading it.
Thanks Nilanjan 🙂
Beautifully described! People who have never been to Mara will also get a feel of what it might be like out there.
May I also add that during your game drives, you might come across a lone Masai in their traditional dress, a spear in his hand and a knife tucked away in the waist, standing next to his grazing cattle who continue to munch peacefully oblivious to the fact that there are two lionesses just 200 yards away. Apparently lions don’t attack cattle when there is a Masai with them.
Lions and Masais have grown up together in the same Savanna they call home and from stories we have been told it appears that the latter is not afraid of the former. They can and do coexist peacefully.
Hey why don’t you pen down this experience of yours! I am yet to experience this myself. We will share in this space. Remember, this is a “together, let’s do this” initiative 🙂
They say go where you feel most alive! Gargee- you have brought your experiences alive to me and now I yearn to see the cheetahs, giraffes and the big cats in the free and wild, yearn to be one with nature Thank you for sharing this with us… keep writing dear friend, you have a gift!
Thanks dear.Brush with the wild here in Kenya is indeed quite unbelievable! More on this to follow 🙂
I have visited many national forests in India, last being chilapata but I could see only elephant, monkey and peacock. I have heard so much about masaimara but now I can see it in front of my eyes. Thank you so much gargee.
I now feel a great desire to visit and would look forward to your guidance.
So happy reading this and that it made your wish to visit Masai Mara stronger 🙂 Do read up on Amboseli’s elephants. That too was amazing!