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Caption: Kenyan Safari Ol Pejeta, Elmenteita and the Mara Triangle
Caption: Every so often there's a story about another animal that has become extinct, because we have hunted it into oblivion or decimated their habitats....
Ruins, monuments and the wonders of landscape have a greater chance of being around in 10 years time, so we packed our bags and headed off on Safari, to see these magnificent creatures before it was too late...
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Caption: Ol Pejeta After a very long day travelling from Nairobi to Ol Pejeta, we arrived in Sweetwaters
We were greeted by Rhinos and Zebra on the way in to camp
This large chap being kind enough to pose for a fantastic shot with the road trailing away into the distance
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Caption: Sweetwaters camp was a great introduction to Safari - even if it was a little cold at 1km above sea level.
like all the permanent tented camps, there was a large watering hole which everything was built around, attracting the animal in at various points throughout the day
It is a private game reserve, built around the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
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Caption: The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is under the shadow of Mount Kenya, and like many of the game reserves in Africa the park wardens patrol it fighting of the advances of poachers.
They have to strike a difficult balance between protecting these animals and not damaging the natural ecosystem. Only the Mara triangle now allows for migrationary behaviours; all other have had to add perimeter fencing.
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Caption: After spending the afternoon acclimatising, we set off on the first full day game drive at first light, and oh my we were not disapointed
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Caption: For the most part the animals were completely unphased by our arrival, only the smallest antelope gave a start.
We were a solitary truck slowly moving through the park, and even with the cold Kenyan winter wind ripping through the safari hatch, we were far too excited to care.
Caption: (Scroll to read it all)
I love the next two photos! And the 10 minutes either side of taking them!
It was our second day in Ol Pejeta Conservancy and we were desperate to see Giraffes (Kayley's favourite) or Lions (my favourite).
Talking to our driver, Peter, we asked what he wanted to see, what was his favourite animal.
He said Cheetahs, because over the last month or so he had been unlucky and not seen any.
As we turned the next corner these two were sat in the middle of the road, and naturally we think Peter has some kind of magic.... They slowly trotted across in front of us and jumped up onto these fallen trees to sharpen their claws and watch the herds of Waterbucks, Zebra and Antelope on the far side of the field.
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Caption: This big guy and his herd cut across our path as we were re-entering camp after a long day out in the park.
They had no interest in moving and it was a great way to end the day
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Caption: While the bigger elephants blocked the road ahead, this little one wasn't happy with us and let us know!
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Caption: We travelled South and West to Elementeita and Nakuru for our second stage of the tour.
The lakes provided a very different setting to the highlands.
We got an up close experience with Giraffes, met Lions for the first time, walked along the shore with Flamingos and so much more
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Caption: The Serena Hotel at Lake Elmenteita was a little bit of luxury!!!
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Caption: At Lake Elmenteita the park rangers have managed to get a tracker on to this Lioness; Sadly, poaching increases during mating season.
Caption: The last stop of our trip was the Masai Mara!
At the top of the Serengetti, the Mara Triangle is a focus for the Great Migration throughout August.
It is a wonder to behold!
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Caption: The African elephants, much smaller than their Indian counterparts, were grumpy and leaving the Mara triangle... Annoyed by the noise made by wilderbeast during the Migration
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Caption: This Lioness came off worse for a tussle with a wilderbeast and sat out the rest of the encounter, watching as the King very un-usually entered the afray!
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Caption: Our guide, Peter, took us to one of the Masai camps, where we spent a few hours learning about their traditions and lifestyles....
For instance being able to jump high is a sign of strength and is key to attracting a partner.
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Caption: Given everything we experienced, it would be hard to pick just one thing out, but if I had to... then the sunrise hotairbaloon trip over the Mara would have to be it!
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Caption: As we left the Mara and headed back to Nairobi we got one last little treat! Yoga for Giraffes - Pose one
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Caption: Thanks for flicking through.
For more photos and videos (along with notes on camera gear) from my adventures check out: Instagram.com/stewart_dickson
Thanks to Mark @ EscapeWorldWide.com for building the itenary
#EpixTrip #Safari #Travel #Wildlife #Adventure #nature #photography #balloonride #hotairbaloon #explore #kenya #africa #aerialphotography
