TUE., OCT. 17, 2017, DAY #8 OF SAFARI, - MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE - Mara Intrepids Camp - This was the morning of the great balloon ride across Masai Mara, so we departed prior to sun up (6:15) on our game drive where we would also watch the balloons.  

[As Sylvia & I planned this trip from home we thought the balloon ride sounded very adventurous and would provide a really great opportunity to see the animals from the skies.  When our group of 6 were polled regarding the balloon ride, we were the only 2 who indicated any interest in the ride.  However, as time passed and we discussed it with Amos, asking questions about what we would see, we came to realized that we would not see animals to identify them.  It would just be an opportunity to experience the entire area from above.  Since this was a fairly substantial add-on to the cost of the trip (almost $1,000 for the two of us) we finally determined that we would prefer the game drive in the van over the hot air balloon ride.]

We found our first animals before the sunrise.  (note how the light bounces off the eyes of the oryx)

 And then it was the very small peep of sunrise; note the balloons

animals in silhouette

And, the wildebeest

part of the migration of the wildebeest

spotted hyena

one of the antelope species (we think the  eland antelope

And, the balloons, landing & taking off

Amos got the "word" that there was a lion "kill" and we made our way there as quickly as possible.
According to Amos, this was a group of young male lions who had probably made this "kill' sometime during the night. 

Noticeable is that some had eaten all the want and fallen to sleep. 

Others continue knawing. 

And, the hyenas gather for their "turn" after the Lions have all eaten all they want.  We were told in the situation of lionesses making a similar "kill" the lionesses will eat all they want, sleep, and then depart.  Or, should the hyenas move in, the lionesses won't challenge the hyenas.  However, the (male)lions will eat and eat, sleep, then eat some more, and should the hyenas move in before the Lions have departed, the (male) lions will attack and most likely make another "kill of a hyena".

And, behind the hyenas are the vultures who get their turn after the hyenas.

Our attention is diverted momentarily as we look at the following:

The ostrich with a background of wildebeests

And we begin to see The Great Migration.  The Maasai Mara and the Serengeti National Park together form what no other reserve or park in Africa can.  It is incredible; it is magical; it is indescribable and it is a must see!  Nowhere in the world is there a movement of animals as immense as the wildebeest migration, over two million animals migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the greener pastures of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya during July through to October.

The migration has to cross the Mara River in the Maasai Mara where crocodiles will prey on them.  In the Maasai Mara, they will be hunted, stalked, and run down by the larger carnivores where there is one of the largest densities of the lion in the world.

Back to the lions...

He marks his territory!

And rests

Cleaning his paws & face

 Meanwhile, one still eats.

And, the hyenas still wait...

  Amos then located a cheetah.  

Facts about a cheetah: 

cheetah is the fastest animal in the world, running at a speed of  75 mph.

cheetah has tan fur with simple solid round & oval spots;
cheetah is a daytime animal

how cheetah differs from leopard:

leopard has a more complex pattern of spots;

leopards hide out in trees; cheetahs don't climb trees

leopard is a nighttime animal who will take its kill up in a tree so other predators can't steal it. 

leopard has yellow fur

she made a "kill" of a hare 

and went to eat it. 

We returned to camp for breakfast and a break.  This swinging bridge was fun to walk.  Reminded us of the ones we walked in the jungles of South America.

Two hours later we prepare to depart.

In the drive to the Maasai village, we passed through this stream...

...and encountered this herd of cattle that belonged to the village.  The herder of the cattle was on the left of the picture (not shown).  We were not allowed to photograph him(had not yet asked permission & paid the fee) even though he was dressed in very colorful attire.  These are the cows that are taken inside the circle of homes at night along with the calves being taken inside the homes overnight.  All of the Maasai's needs for food are met by their cattle.  They eat the meat, drink the milk, and on occasion drink the blood mixed with the milk.  Bulls, oxen, and lambs are slaughtered for meat on special occasions and for ceremonies.  The by-products of the animals, skin and hides, are used as bedding while cow dung is used for building (it is smeared on the walls).  The Maasai's entire way of life truly revolves around the cattle.

Here, we arrived outside of the village...

 

...and are greeted by the people.

the warriors

mostly women

warriors

horn & player

women

huts

 The Maasai market was assembled for our group and some of our group made some purchases of the items offered. We then visited the native school and a classroom. (One of our group was a retired USA elementary teacher).  She found the school extremely interesting.

We returned to camp for lunch and a break.

After lunch when we returned to our room and sat on the porch that faced the river, I snapped these picture of hippopotamuses in the river.

The late afternoon game drive began with our seeing these cape buffalo.

Then, with the "word being out there" on the CB's, we found our way to this lion breeding. Obviously, they had completed a breeding or more before our arrival.  As we approached Amos told us to be very quiet and patient.  He said that when the lioness was in season, they would breed every 15 minutes until the season ends in about 4 days, up to 50 times a day & night for the 4 days.    He said that the lioness would soon awaken and let the lion know when she was ready.  So, we waited...

...and then she raised her head.

...and he soon responded to a typical male fashion.

and the coupling began.

Is he reflecting??

And, I assume he will fall asleep again and then the cycle will start all over.

By this time it was nearing the end of the day when Amos "got the word" that a leopard had been spotted on the other side of the park.  He told us & said that we could go if we agreed but that it would be a "wild ride" and most likely we would be in the park later than is allowed.

We all agreed and we started across the park.  IT WAS a wild ride, 1/2 hour of hanging on for all we were worth and then we arrived and found the leopard.

(extra large pic) didn't want you to miss the yawn

This is the elusive African leopard considered the most difficult of the big five to hunt because of their nocturnal and secretive nature. This leopard was, for us, the last of the Big Five Animals of Africa to locate & photograph.

It was almost night time as we departed from watching this beautiful leopard.  And, we had 1/2 hour of very rough riding to get back to the camp.  The last 10-15 minutes was in the dark and more than once Amos turned on a road to drive a short way and turn off.  (He might have been slightly lost).  Finally, he got us to territory that seemed more familiar to him , and then from there back to camp.

And to dinner.  And, after dinner, preparing for early departure the following morning.