Kenya Day 9 Part I - Out of the Mara

Day 9 was to be a busy day for us, but not so busy that we couldn't take time for one last meal with the hippos and crocs. We also took a few last looks and last pictures.

Hippo overlook

Breakfast Hippos

This is where the firepit is at night.

Then, we paid the bill, and headed off an a game drive leading out of the park.

Tourmate Erin decided this should be called "Hakuna Matata"

Just before we left the park, we told John that we needed a rest-stop. He pulled in at the Sarova Mara. Next time, I want to stay here. It looked gorgeous!

 

Shortly after this, we exited the Mara and headed to the Maasai village, but that is a tale for another day.

Kenya Day 8 - the Maasai Mara

We were given the option of doing an all day game drive today, but were told that those are more useful during the great migration. Instead we elected for a morning and evening game drive.  So, after enjoying our breakfast with hippos, we headed out.

As you can see, the morning game drive was wildly successful. Lunch was delicious, and again we were watching the hippos as we ate.

We had a lovely relaxing afternoon, enjoying a frosty beverage, and an even frostier swim (the pool was very cold, I only managed 1 lap). Then we left on our evening game drive. I had been looking forward to this, since we would be going along the river, and getting to see some more hippos.

Us at a lookout spot

The sun sets high in the sky

The dinner menu tonight was African dishes, and we enjoyed it very much. After dinner there was the fire pit again, and a slideshow given by the Maasai warrior, telling us about his culture.

After this, it was time to return to the room to pack and go to bed. But, one last picture before we go.

Kenya Day 7 - to the Maasai Mara

The ride through the Mara to get to the Ashnil Mara is as bumpy as I have experienced. This made for a good deal of discomfort for poor Andrew.  However, he was rewarded with his first good glimpse of vultures.

The welcome ceremony at the Ashnil Mara was nice, and we enjoyed the hot wet towels very much after the dusty trail.  Our tent, it turned out, was attached to the tent of our tour-mate, forming a sort of suite, with a full tent with ensuite bath, balcony and main room for us, the same for Erin, and a connecting bedroom in the middle. It was a shame the balcony view was only of the foliage in front of the tent, it was nicely appointed.

The room  was spacious, with a full length mirror and a four poster bed.  I would like to add that it was also a shame that our room was again at the outer reaches of the camp; a good ten minutes from the main area of the camp.

After we got settled in, we enjoyed a buffet lunch. Our seating overlooked a river filled with hippos and crocodiles. We enjoyed this very much, including the hippo song.

After that, it was off down the path for a game drive. As always, the animals were plenty, and we got to see another of Andrew's favourites.

The evening buffet again saw us overlooking the hippos in the river. We were a little disappointed because there was no African food available this night.

After dinner, though, the lounge was very enjoyable, as we sat within view of the river, under the stars, enjoying a frosty beverage while a Maasai Warrior tended the fire.

And so... to bed.