Some where in Narobi-Kenya………What is this leopard doing going up on a lamp post? Your judgment! Is it to fix it or is it a new hunting ground?
Leopard on a Lamp Post
……..Comment, subscribe to this post and share this with friends…..and we will be back! to give you the story behind this amazing feet.
Courtesy Edge East Africa Safaris
Balloon Afloat
It s nearly dawn in the Maasa Mara and a cover of darkness is everywhere. The pilot fires up the burners and the red-orange flame from the furnace of the hot air balloon glow dramatically bright.
As the sun begins to rise behind the hills, the balloon is adrift in a wicker basket attached to a gigantic 100 foot tall balloon over the plains of the Mara.
It’s simply magic; the sight is awesome as peaks of light break and the wind carries us on course over the ridge over the Ngama Hills and towards the Talek River. Below a pair of silver-backed jackals running helter-skelter amongst the shrubs and a hare scurries into its underground burrow.
From our floating vantage position, we have an eagle’s view of the vastness of the Mara and Serengeti.
Burners firing
The plains stretch as far as the eye can see. It looks infinite; The Loldiando hills mark the start of the Serengeti Sprawl across the Tanzanian boarder. On a turn of 180 degrees in the basket, the heads of giraffes break through the canopy of acacia trees as they nibble on the tree tops, barely giving notice to the drifting gigantic balloon in the air.
North, east, west and south…wherever you turn the plains, the hills give a sight to behold with tens and hundreds of wild animals taking the pre dawn bite before the sun is too hot. The hour long ride ends far too soon and a bumpy landing brings us back to the ground as the basket topples on its side and we are braced against it, facing the sky. At this point we crawl out of the basket to a Champaign breakfast on the plains.
One thing that amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness, the silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara. And suddenly you are flown elsewhere and everywhere, you’ve seen nothing like this. The sounds below drift clearly upwards: a lion’s roar, elephants crashing through the bush, baboons perched in the tips of the trees startled and screeching to see something above them.
Champaign Breakfast
For an hour or so we drift wherever the air currents take us. If you’re lucky you’ll climb high above for the view of a lifetime. Then just as it started, the balloon safari ends with a flourish. In the time honored tradition of balloon flights the world over, we toast our return to earth with a champagne breakfast. The difference is that this breakfast happens deep in the bush, wherever you land, and it’s cooked as you see with the burners that minutes before kept you suspended in the air.
Hot air ballons came into fashion in 1976 when Alan Root used one to film wildlife” narrates the pilot. It was easier to reach places where a conventional safari vehicle could not be used to film stunning Arial views of wildlife. Alan Root and his wife, Joan are top wildlife filmmakers in the league of the late Jacque Cousteau, who filmed the first under water documentaries. Soon the enormous balloon in the sky attracted the attention of people ready to pay top-dollar for the once in a life time experience. It was the beginning of Balloon Safari in Kenya.
“The balloon is made up of 300,000 cubic feet of rib-stop nylon. It’s a woven fabric that will not run even if it gets a hole” explains the Captain.
It takes about 200 liters of liquid butane to keep the balloon afloat and the good thing is that the by-product is moisture and water. I think f it was seriously emitting greenhouse gases, I would not have clambered aboard.
“Every year there is advancement in hot air balloon technology. Today the burners are stronger and quieter than when balloon safaris started explains the captain. With the pounding of rains at the end of 2009, everything is lush green as we take a game drive back to our lodge. It is hard to imagine that these are the same plains that in November 2009 were yellow, dry and coarse. On the way we find a cheetah marking her tree by spraying urine. Finished she makes a chirping sound as she walks through the grass plains. Probably looking or calling for her cubs.
Elephants, buffalos, Topi, Wildebeests and other antelopes are just about everywhere and a lone rhino wanders peacefully in its garden of Eden. Masai Mara has 35 black rhinos. It’s the only place in Kenya where no rhino has been trans-located to. This is purely home grown population explains the deputy senior warden of Maasai Mara Game reserve.
Like all the parks in Kenya, The mara lost almost all its population of rhinos during the infamous poaching era – 1970’s to 1990’s – with an all time low population of 13.
Back in our lodge we reminisce this life time experience
Book your Balloon Safari now
Take advantage of our Cheap African Safari Holidays
East Africa is the home of safari and the most important thing you ought to know is the best time to go on Safari. African Safaris can be taken all year round (from January to December) but the seasons pose different challenges depending on whether it is raining or dry.
There are two main rainy seasons in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania). The first rainy season takes place between April and June (this is commonly referred to as the long rains) and the shorter season from late November through to December. Many game camps in the game viewing areas close during April and May, mainly due to bad road conditions.
Dry Season
Generally the dry season is the best to visit because of such factors as accessibility of the game reserves. Roads in national parks and game reserves are not all weather but just tracks made from vehicle tyres over time. However some months like August, September and October can be very dusty. The dry seasons are generally better for game viewing, as game concentrates around the water sources.
During The rains
During the rainy seasons, most of these roads are inaccessible leaving only the robust 4×4 land cruisers and Land rovers to snake through the parks. During the short rains, the rains are not very heavy and may not affect usability of the roads. There is sun in between rains and the temperatures can be humid but comfortable.
After the Rains
The period immediately after the long rains (after June) brings about an abundance of life in the national parks and game reserves because of the new grass which provide abundant pasture for wildlife. This is normally the peak season in most parks and visitors stream in to the parks to get the best experience. In the Maasai Mara, the annual wildebeest migration from across Serengeti in Tanzania is a sight to behold. Safari costs during this period are at peak and occupancy in most accommodation facilities is high. For this reason early booking for a safari between July and October is advisable. For those travelers who seek privacy, this may not be the best time because of the high number of visitors, however, at a higher cost you can book your safari and stay in one of the luxury tented camps available especially in the Maasai Mara. Luxury tented camps accommodate up to 20 people and most are located in less populated areas i.e. Conservancy Areas. A Safari Experience in one of these Luxury camps is a memory to behold. Click here to see some of the deluxe accommodation in Mara.
Take advantage of our Cheap African Safari Holidays
| Safari Season |
Dates |
Climate |
|
| High Season |
03 January – 05 April & 01 November -21 December |
Dry |
| Low Season |
06 April – 30 June |
Rainy |
| Peak Season |
01 June – 31 October |
Dry |
| Christmas |
22 December – 02 January |
Dry & Wet |
January is a fairly dry month for safari with a lot of pasture for wild animals after the short November – December Rains. Sometimes the short rains spill into the first half of the month. January is a high safari season and a good time to take a safari after the December boom. Parks are usually quieter and there is also abundant wildlife to see.
Weather:
Rainfall: Scanty or No Rainfall
Temperature: Hot to warm days (Max 27 Degrees Celsius)
Nights may be chilly (less than 20 degrees Celsius)
February like January is a fairly dry month. There is hardly any rain in February making it a good month for safari. February is a high safari season. Parks are usually quieter and there is also abundant wildlife to see. There is still a lot of grass for pasture and life for wildlife is good. Watch out for safari offers from the month of February. Safari Costs for February are similar to January Safari Costs
Weather:
Rainfall: No Rainfall
Temperature: Hot to warm days (Max 28 – 32 Degrees Celsius)
Nights may be chilly (less than 22 degrees Celsius)
Mombasa and Malindi are quite humid in February
Samburu is dry with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 34° C and chilly nights 21° C
Maasai Mara and Amboseli are dry and chilly at night
March like January and February is a fairly dry month. There is hardly any rain in March but sometimes the onset of long rains can be experienced late in March. March also is a high safari season. The three months of dry spell are coming to an end paving way for the onset of long rains. Animals can be seen frequenting watering holes and this is good for viewing and photography of wildlife. Like February, watch out for safari offers from the month of March. Safari Costs for March are similar to January Safari and February Safari costs.
Weather:
Rainfall: No Rainfall at the beginning of the month. Some rain may be experienced towards the end of the month when the onset of long rains is early.
Temperature: Hot to warm days (Max 28 – 32 Degrees Celsius)
Nights may be chilly (less than 22 degrees Celsius)
Mombasa and Malindi are quite humid in March
Samburu is dry with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 34° C and chilly nights 21° C
Maasai Mara and Amboseli are dry and chilly at night
April is a low safari season because it signifies the onset of long rains. The onset of the long rains may have been early or may be delayed by a week or two due to changes in rainfall patterns brought about by the climatic Changes. Some Camps close during this season because the roads may be inaccessible. Some Camps and Lodges also take advantage of the season to carry out maintenance and repair work. Though a visitor is able to see wildlife, movement is restricted to a few areas where there are all weather roads. However in the past few years rainfall patterns have greatly been affected by climatic change resulting in poor or delayed long rains and a visitor in April may still enjoy a good dry safari. During rainy days, game walks and sundowners are rare.
Weather:
Rainfall: Onset of Long Rains. East Africa rarely experiences torrential rains or storms, save for a few instances in the past where el nino rains have caused flash floods. It is also common for the sun to come out in between rainy days.
Temperature: cool or humid days (Max 15 – 25 Degrees Celsius)
Nights may be chilly (less than 20 degrees Celsius)
Mombasa and Malindi are cool and humid in April
Samburu is cool with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 28° C and chilly nights 15° C
Maasai Mara and Amboseli are cool and chilly at night
Clothing: A traveler is advised to carry some warm clothing for the chilly nights.
The long rains that started in April goes on into May. May therefore falls into the low safari season category. Much like April, Safaris in May are low key with limited activities in the game parks (no game walks and sundowners) because of the conditions of the roads. Some camps remain closed during this season because the roads may be inaccessible. Those camps/lodges carrying out maintenance and repair work will continue during this time. Game drives are still possible in 4×4 vehicles but it is common to see 4×4 vehicles stuck in a rut. Again, due to climatic changes, the amount of rainfall expected might fail giving the visitor a good chance for a great safari. It is greatly advisable to check out weather forecasts if you intend to take a safari during the rainy seasons to avoid disappointments.
Weather:
Rainfall: The rainy days continue from April
Temperature: cool or humid days (Max 15 – 25 Degrees Celsius)
Nights may be chilly (less than 20 degrees Celsius)
Mombasa and Malindi are cool and humid in May
Samburu is cool with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 28° C and chilly nights 15° C
Maasai Mara and Amboseli are cool and chilly at night
Clothing: A traveler is advised to carry some warm clothing for the chilly nights, rain proof boots can also be handy.
The long rains that started in April subside towards the end of June. June therefore falls into the low safari season category. Much like April and May Safaris in June are low key with limited activities in the game parks (no game walks and sundowners) because of the conditions of the roads. By mid June, most camps and lodges and hotels that were closed start reopening. Due to the rains, there is long grass in the parks sometimes making game viewing a challenge. Again, there may be variances in the rain period due to climatic changes as has been experienced in the past.
Weather:
Rainfall: The rainy days continue but subside in intensity and frequency.
Temperature: cool days (Max 15 – 25 Degrees Celsius)
Nights June be chilly (less than 15 degrees Celsius)
Mombasa and Malindi are cool and slightly humid in June
Samburu is cool with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 28° C and chilly nights 15° C
Maasai Mara and Amboseli are cool and chilly at night
Clothing: A traveler is advised to carry some warm clothing for the chilly nights, rain proof boots can also be handy.
The long rain season has ended and pasture is in abundance in the parks. Wild animals can be seen to roam freely and this is probably the start of great game viewing. In the Maasai Mara Game reserve, the pinnacle of a Kenyan safari, there is a stampede of a million wildebeests, Zebras and other animals crossing from the Serengeti plains of Tanzania for the abundant pasture. Rightly referred to as the seventh natural wonder of the world – the migration season is here and visitors stream into the Mara to get a glimpse of this phenomenon. Predators are also in abundance lying in wait for a quick meal. This is probably the best time to be on safari and catch all that mother nature has to offer. Equally in the other National parks life is abuzz with wild animals content . However in some areas long grass can be an impediment to getting a good glimpse of the animals. You can catch great photo’s during this period.
Weather:
Rainfall: The rainy season is over
Temperature: July is usually chilly with temperatures dropping to 10° C in some areas during the night a comfortable high of 25° C during the day.
Mombasa and Malindi are cool and less humid in July
Samburu is cool with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 26° C and chilly nights below 15° C
Maasai Mara and Amboseli have cool days and chilly nights
Clothing: A traveler is advised to carry some warm clothing for the chilly nights.
Like July Wild animals can be seen to roam freely and this is probably the start of great game viewing. In the Maasai Mara Game reserve, the pinnacle of a Kenyan safari, there is a stampede of a million wildebeests, Zebras and other animals crossing from the Serengeti plains of Tanzania for the abundant pasture. Rightly referred to as the seventh natural wonder of the world – the migration season is here and visitors stream into the Mara to get a glimpse of this phenomenon. Predators are also in abundance lying in wait for a quick meal. This is probably the best time to be on safari and catch all that mother nature has to offer. Equally in the other National parks life is abuzz with wild animals content . However in some areas long grass can be an impediment to getting a good glimpse of the animals. You can catch great photo’s during this period.
Weather:
Rainfall: The rainy season is over
Temperature: August is a dry month with temperatures hitting a high of 35° C in some areas.
The coastal towns of Mombasa and Malindi are hot and humid and ideal for sun basking
Samburu is hot with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 35 ° C and chilly nights.
Maasai Mara and Amboseli have hot days and chilly nights
Clothing: A traveler is advised to carry some warm clothing for the chilly nights.
September is a dry month and good for safaris in East Africa. Wildlife are often seen visiting watering holes and therefore there is a high likelihood of seeing the big five within a very short time. Like July and August, this is a peak season for safari and wild animals can be seen to roam freely around the game sanctuaries. All game parks record high numbers of visitors. In the Maasai Mara Game reserve, there is still a buzz of activities with thousands of wildebeests seen feeding in the plains. The action of the migration is still on with great spectacles at the crossing of the Mara river. Game walks and sundowners are great.
Weather:
Rainfall: There is no rain
Temperature: September is a dry month with temperatures hitting a high of 35° C in some areas.
The coastal towns of Mombasa and Malindi are hot and humid and ideal for sun basking
Samburu is hot with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 35 ° C and chilly nights.
Maasai Mara and Amboseli have hot days and chilly nights
Clothing: A traveler is advised to carry some warm clothing for the chilly nights.
Like September, October is a dry month and good for safaris in East Africa. The pasture in the parks have been consumed and the migratory species start moving in search of pasture and water. The instincts of wildlife for survival are high and there is a tendency to protect territories for both the predators and prey. In the Maasai Mara, the migration cycle begins yet again as the wildebeests start their journey back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Wild animals congregate at watering holes and fight for control. Like July, August and September, October is a great safari month and the end of the peak season. Again, the climatic changes across the world have affected safari seasons and it is common to see spill over in game activities long into other months.
Weather:
Rainfall: October is a dry month.
Temperature: October is a dry month with high temperatures during the day,hitting a high of 35° C in some areas.
The coastal towns of Mombasa and Malindi offer a great break away from a safari with a swim in the warm waters of the Indian ocean. Sun basking and tanning are also great at this time.
Samburu is hot with daytime temperatures reaching a high of 35 ° C and chilly nights.
Maasai Mara and Amboseli have hot days and chilly nights
Clothing: A traveler is advised to carry some warm clothing for the chilly nights in the parks.
November is considered a high safari seasons probably because of the spill over of the safari activities from the peak season which ended in October. The short rains are expected to start in November and may be early or late by one or two weeks. The effects of the three dry preceding months is evident at the beginning of November and watering holes are fast depleting with the precious commodity – water. With the clouds gathering and the first few drops of rain beginning to fall, there is a sign of relief among the animals as there watering holes begin to refill. The short rains are not heavy and there is a lot of sun in between rain spells. The temperatures are still quite high and there is a high humidity during the day. There are fewer visitors to the game parks at this time of the year. This high season extends way into mid December.
Weather:
Rainfall: Short light Rains
Temperature: Humid and warm days
Nights may be chilly (less than 22 degrees Celsius)
Mombasa and Malindi are quite humid in November
With the coming of December, the festive mood is on. Bookings for this month are heavy and most of the accommodation in the main game parks has been booked in the preceding months. Because of the heavy booking there is a soaring of the rates of accommodation with most lodges and hotels charging supplements especially during the Christmas season way up to 2nd January. There is still a good chance to take a safari between the first two weeks of December at good rates. The short rains that started in November are still continuing but December is still a fairly humid and hot month in most of the country. The rates indicated below apply only between 1st December and 20th December. It is advisable to book at least 3 moths before for a safari in December to avoid a last minute rush.
Weather:
Rainfall: Short light Rains
Temperature: Humid and warm days
Nights may be chilly (less than 22 degrees Celsius)
Mombasa and Malindi are quite humid in December
You can book your safari here
The Social Structure of the African Lions.
African Male lion
The African lion is the only enduringly communal (social), or group-living cat in the cat family. All other cats are introverted or alone. The lioness (female lion) and her offspring (cubs) are the main focus of the lion society.
The Pride
Pride of lions hunting
A pride consists of about 15 individuals. A typical pride usually comprises about five to six adult females, a set or coalition of adult males, and cubs. A small pride can comprise of just one female and her cubs. In rare circumstances a pride can number up to 40 individuals. The essential thing about pride structure is that all the females are related: mothers, daughters, aunts, cousins. Female cubs born to pride lionesses usually remain bonded for life to the group.
Males born in a pride regularly do not feature as permanent members. When a pride becomes too large, one or more males, with one or more females will break away to form their own pride.
The Female Lion
Lioness and cub
Lionesses form the basis of the lion society: they are the hunters; they rear the cubs, and defenders. Lionesses can survive on their own, but they only thrive well as members of a group of relatives. As a communal creature, the female lion has few equals.
The Male Lion:
The imposing male lion, long considered the symbol of ‘greatness’ by humans and potrayed as a loner, is by design only. Though the mane would be of help, intimidating as well as protecting, truth be told, in the wild, a male’s chances of survival alone are very slight. This is by default due to;
- Its all too visible mane is hard too hide and alerts enemies as well as prey.
- Also, a lone male’s chances of gaining access to and maintaining females long enough to produce viable cubs are slimmer than his chances of winning a fight all by himself.().
Territorial Habits
Once established with a pride, males are usually able to eat from the females hunt, but they also have pride duties: males have to patrol and mark their territory by spraying urine, rubbing secretions of glands on objects, and roaring. Territories vary in size according to how large the pride is and the concentration of game. Both male and female lions have a dominance hierarchy. Females outnumber males, usually by 2 to 1. Several different lions, both male and female may be a leader of a pride. Females who are leaders of their pride also urinate and roar to mark their territories.
Battles of Reign
Both male and female lions have to chase or fight off intruders to their, risking death or disability. Males only defend against other males while females defend against other females as well as strange males. Fights between male groups for access to a pride can be intense — female groups do not go unescorted for long. Membership in a pride is usually gained by a new group of males ousting any resident males and often this involves fights that are sometimes lethal. The larger the group of males the more successful they are. Any cubs sired by the previous resident males are quickly killed and the lionesses go into estrus immediately and become receptive to siring new cubs.
Once male cubs reach puberty (at about 18 months) they are forcefully evicted from the pride and they have to find their own kills. The two adult males that usually accompany a pride, occupy their positions by right of conquest: in some cases they may be brothers or cousins, but often they are unrelated. Their reign is generally short-lived however, and they are ousted by younger, stronger males during noisy battles of succession.
Although these battles of reign are often fierce, serious injuries are rare, and the ousted males often become nomads, wandering over large distances. By rolling over on his back, a male lion can avoid aggression from a stronger opponent. Although is uncommon for males to fight to the death, occasionally, defending males are fatally wounded or suffer disabling injuries, leading inevitably to a lingering death. Lionesses also fight each other as often as the males do.
Ousted Sub Adults
Sub-adult lions leaving their natal prides usually adopt a nomadic existence. There are, however, several restraints on their movements: they tend to follow game, and they avoid settled prides who often attack nomads. Nomadic groups may consist of lions of both sexes; they may be members of the same litter, or different litters from the same pride. Sometimes nomads meet up with other lions and form a pride. Most nomadic lions are now confined in protected areas in game parks and reserves. If they venture out of these areas they are often killed by humans who either hunt them as trophies or to protect their livestock as is the case with the Maasai tribe in East Africa.
Female Prides
Prides consisting of females only have been observed in certain places where prey is in plentiful. These prides share a few males who move between them. Being areas where prey species are plentiful, it is possible for males to exist n their own which means that it would be easier for these males to make their own kills. Another possible reason for these pride structures is that these areas have lower male-female sex ratios than normal. In normal lion populations, mortality is higher among male cubs than females, as male cubs are more adventurous and may stray or get lost.
A possible reason for the scarcity of adult males in certain regions may be that they adjoin areas where male lions are highly sought after as trophies, or cattle-ranching and settled areas where nomadic or wandering male lions are shot on sight. Most areas, however, do have the traditional pride structure of females with a couple of males.
Lion hunting a Bufalo
Hunting Habits
Lions are active at night, early morning and towards sunset, although they do sometimes hunt during the day. They are generally fairly sluggish: they exert themselves for short periods of time and then spend long periods of slow movement or relaxation. Despite their apparent obliviousness to their surroundings during resting periods, they can become aggressive quickly if suddenly or unduly disturbed.
It is wrongfully believed that lions attack mainly sick, wounded or old animals: this is not true, and animals in their prime are often hunted, with the notable exception of buffalo bulls in their prime or large male giraffes.
Lions are opportunist hunters, and, after a careful stalk, will take the closest animal regardless of its age, sex or condition: they do not test their potential prey for weaknesses, like other predators such as wild dogs do. Although Lions usually kill their own prey, they are known to scavenge food from other predators, and even eat leftovers when unable to hunt.
If suitable prey is available, lions eat every 3 to 4 days, but can go without food for more than a week. They average about 5 to 7kgs meat daily, but can consume about 25% of their body mass if necessary ( approximately 45 kg for a 180kg weighing adult). An adult lion will kill in the region of 15 animals per year. The norm is for African Lions to kill only enough to sustain themselves, but they have been known to kill excessively in the case of prey animals that are weak or young lions that go berserk.
As is the case with most of Africa’s predators, hunting habits do vary from one pride to another. In Maasai Mara and Serengeti (home to approximately 5000 lions) wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, giraffe and various antelopes are among the most kills.
The seasons will influence the age of the prey taken: during summer when certain species sire young ones, more calves will obviously be killed. Most antelope have an adult sex ratio that favors the female, as males usually stand their ground longer, and are thus more vulnerable to predation. Young bachelor males and older males that have been ousted from territories are also more likely to be killed by lions, as they occupy less favorable areas.
African Lions hunt primarily by sight. Although visual cues will trigger the hunt, their sense of smell and hearing will assist in alerting them to the whereabouts of their prey. Herbivores are untroubled if lions are visible, but get agitated when they smell or hear them without being able to locate their position, or when being stalked.
Most hunting takes place under the poor light conditions of early evening or dawn, and during the night. During daylight when prey animals themselves are better able to see, the lion is at a disadvantage, as its hunting technique depends on stalking within range of its prey.
African Lion have little stamina, and will usually get up close to the prey before charging. In about 10% of kills, the prey is ambushed. The lion’s final charge is usually made from as close as 10 metres, seldom exceeding 20 metres. Lions do not always hunt in a group and single lions account for about 50% of all kills.
Generally females kill more than males, but in the case of large animals, the greater mass and strength of the male is needed. The hunting technique is typified by: the pride either walks in single file, or fans out in a loose formation, searching for potential prey. Their body language is casual until prey is sighted: the lioness will then freeze or sink down into cover, and is emulated by the others. They then begin to stalk the prey, with one lioness leading: every scrap of cover is used, and the lioness will freeze and remain totally still if necessary. They then silently burst from their cover and launch at the animal, usually closely followed by the rest of the pride.
Lions are extremely powerful: by using only a grip on its rump, they can grab and throw a fully grown zebra. A heavy blow to the head of an antelope using a forepaw is sufficient to stun the animal. The lions most frequently used killing technique is a suffocating hold on the muzzle. Usually the kill is clean and quick, with little tearing or biting. Team co-ordination is important, particularly with larger prey: some lionesses may distract the prey while others bring it down.
The hunting technique for killing giraffe is highly specialised. The lanky animal is knocked off its feet and pulled down without getting in the way of its powerful front feet which will chop at the lion with dangerous accuracy. Lions frequently suffer injuries when killing dangerous game, and have been known to back down when the prey species stands its ground. A carefully placed kick from a zebra to a lion’s face can break a jaw or remove an eye.
Lions do kill and eat porcupines, and many have ended up with quills embedded in a paw or a nose. If a lion is injured slightly, it will be allowed to feed off the kills until it recovers, and so is supported by the pride structure.
Lions often drag their prey, sometimes over considerable distances, to a sheltered spot before eating it, which allows them to eat in shade, and also helps keep the kill out of sight of vultures, whose presence would attract other predators. Lions sometimes eat the intestines, but hardly ever eat the stomach of their kill, and sometimes gut the carcass before it is dragged away.
Regardless of who makes a kill, the dominant male will have first choice of a meal. Lionesses and cubs begin feeding on the internal organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs, whereas the male will more likely start feeding on the hindquarters. Small cubs are usually kept away from the kill until the others have eaten, as feeding can be a hazardous time.
Lions are the only cats that habitually feed whilst lying on their bellies: other cats will sit, crouch or stand. Feeding progresses from the body cavity and hindquarters to the ribs and limbs, leaving the head and neck for last. In the case of a small animal most of the bones are consumed, with only the head, feet and part of the vertebral column being left as pickings for scavengers. Springbok or impala lambs are eaten hooves and all. A pride of lions may spend three or four days eating a giraffe, rhino or large buffalo.
It is rare for human beings to be killed by lions, and if this does happen, the lion is tracked down and destroyed. Old or incapacitated lions are usually the man-eaters.
Other Facts
Size: Male lions weigh up to between 180 to 225 kg. Females are about 40 to 50 kg lighter than their male counterparts.
Colour: African Lions are mostly tawny, but their color varies from almost silvery yellow to ochre-tinted grey to dark ochre brown with paler undersides (female belly yellowish to almost white); yellow to black mane. Faint, leopard like spots on young sometimes retained into adulthood. Extreme colour variations sometimes do occur.
The African male Lions mane usually starts growing at about 6 months of age, and usually becomes darker with age or pigmentation.
Sounds / Calls: African Lions have a variety of different roars, with lionesses using grunts to call their cubs. A full roar only comes with adulthood. A female lion’s roar is only slightly softer than a males roar, making it difficult to judge the sex by sound only. Vegetation density, wind direction and force, affect the distance that a roar can be heard.
Communication: Lions use roaring as well as facial expressions, body movements and sounds to communicate.
Senses: Although their sense of smell, hearing and sight are very good, lions have difficulty discerning animals standing in unusual positions.
Habitat: African Lions can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from open savannah plains to semi-arid areas but never in forests.
Best places to see the African Lion in East Africa:
Maasai Mara and the Serengeti
Courtesy of Edge East Africa Safaris
Safari Animals
Did You Know? Wild dogs
· The markings on wild dogs aren’t exactly the same between individuals, making it easy to identify different individuals. Why such a pattern should develop, and how it serves the hunting dog, has long intrigued scientists.
· Wild dogs are usually on the move over a very large range, covering for example, some 900 square miles in search for prey. After a litter is born, however, they will limit their traveling and hunting to areas closer to the den.
Did You Know? Baboons
· Baboons are similar in appearance and the only difference s that nearly around 50% of adult males and females lack the male’s ruff (long hairs around the neck).
· Baboons use over 30 vocalizations (Voice Communication) ranging from grunts to barks to screams. Non-vocal gestures include yawns, lip smacking and shoulder shrugging.
Did You Know? Bongo
· The bongo is the largest and heaviest forest antelope. Hunting has eliminated bongos in some areas.
· Bongos are shy animals. They often are solitary, but sometimes accompany one another in pairs.
Did You Know? Buffalo
· The African buffalo is a member of the so-called “Big Five” group of animals, with the elephant, rhino, lion and leopard. It differs from the domesticated water buffalo found in other parts of the world, although they both superficially resemble one another.
· The buffalo is one of the most abundant of Africa’s large herbivores. It depends on water and does not live in regions with less than 10 inches of rain a year.
· They are unpredictable and can be dangerous if cornered or wounded.
Did You Know? Bushbuck
· Although the bushbuck’s hunched-up gait makes it a slow and a clumsy runner, it is a good swimmer and can jump 6-foot-high fences.
· Bushbucks can live in both moist and dry habitats.
Did You Know? Cheetah
· The name cheetah comes from an Indian word meaning “The spotted one.”
· The young cub has a long gray-blue coat and a black underbelly that rapidly lightens and becomes spotted as it ages.
· In the early days people trained cheetahs for hunting, and many civilizations depicted them in their art and in written records.
Did You Know? Chimpanzees
· Noisy, curious, intelligent and social, the chimpanzee is the mammal with the closest human behavior.
· Chimpanzees use large sticks and branches as clubs or throw them at enemies like leopards and humans encroaching their teritiories.
· Chimps supplement their vegetation diets with meat from animals such as young antelopes or goats. Their most frequent victims, however, are other primates such as young baboons, Columbus monkeys and blue monkeys.
Did You Know? Columbus Monkey
· The name Columbus is derived from a word meaning “mutilated one” because unlike other monkeys they do not have thumbs.
· The monkeys communicate with a songlike call, a warning call and a mating call. In local traditions they are used for weather forecasters because they become silent in the advent of bad weather.
Did You Know? Elephants
· The elephant is distinguished by its high level of intelligence, interesting behavior, methods of communication and complex social structure.
· Elephants seem to be fascinated with the tusks and bones of dead elephants, fondling and examining them. The myth that they carry them to secret “elephant burial grounds,” however, has no factual base.
· Elephants are very social, frequently touching and caressing one another and entwining their trunks.
· Elephants demonstrate concern for members of their families they take care of weak or injured members and appear to grieve over a dead companion.
Did You Know? Gerenuk
· In their courtship ritual, the male gerenuk approaches a female in heat and repeatedly taps her with one of his front legs under the belly or on the flanks. He may rub her with his pre orbital glands to deposit his scent before mating.
Did You Know? Giraffe
· Despite its long neck, the giraffe has only seven vertebrae on its spinal column, exactly the same number as man and most other mammals.
· Even though giraffes are often seen together in groups, they do not form complex social groups seen in many plains species. Theirs are loose associations, constantly changing in individuals.
Did You Know? Grevy’s Zebra
· The stripes on a Grevy’s zebra are like fingerprints to a human. No two patterns are identical. Researchers have used the uniqueness of stripes to identify individuals.
· Grevy’s zebras can reach speeds of up to 40 mph (64 kph) in full flight.
· Foals (newly born) can run with the rest of the herd within an hour of their birth. They can also recognize their mothers using their eyesight and their sense of smell.
Did You Know? Hyena
· Hyenas make a variety of vocalizations, including wailing calls, howling screams and the well-known “laughter” used to alert other clan members up to three miles away of a food source.
· Hyenas can eat a great variety of animal products, vegetation and, according to some reports from campers, even aluminum pots and pans.
Did You Know? Leopard
· The elegant, powerfully built leopard has a long body, relatively short legs and a broad head. Its tawny coat is covered with dark, irregular circles called “rosettes.”
· Both lions and hyenas will take away a leopard’s kill. Therefore to prevent this leopards store their larger kills in trees where they can feed on them in relative safety.
Did You Know? Lions
· Most lions drink water daily if available, but can go four or five days without it. Lions in arid areas seem to obtain needed moisture from the stomach contents of their prey.
· In the fight for dominance, when a male lion takes over a pride, it usually kills the cubs. The females come into estrus and the new males sire other cubs.
Did You Know? Mountain Gorillas
· Humans and gorillas are 98% genetically identical.
· Male silverback gorillas can weigh 50-100 pounds more and are about 10 times stronger – than the biggest American football players.
Did You Know? Oryx
· The Oryx that has successfully adapted to the harsh conditions of dispersed food, intense heat and little or no water among other antelopes.
· The female comes into heat soon after giving birth. The more frequent estrus cycles enable females to produce calves at 9-month intervals.
Did You Know? Rhino
· The rhino is prized for its horn. Not a true horn, it is made of thickly matted hair that grows from the skull without skeletal support. The major demand for horn is in Asia, where it is used in traditional medicine and ornamental carvings.
Did You Know? Topi
· Both male and female Topi like to rub their heads on the ground (to spread scent from facial glands), roll in earth and stir up mud with their horns. They smear mud on their bodies with their hooves.
· The gregarious Topi spend much of their life with other antelopes such as wildebeest, and with zebra and ostrich. Female Topi have developed the ability to stall the labor process in order to delay giving birth if they sense immediate danger. Topi are the swiftest of the ungulates, able to run at faster speeds than other similar antelope species.
Did You Know? Waterbuck
· The meat of older waterbuck takes on an unpleasant odor from the waterproofing secretions of its sweat glands, prompting predators to choose other prey.
Did You Know? Wildebeest
· Wildebeest are noisy creatures. Bulls have an array of loud vocalizations, from moans to explosive snorts.
For adventure lovers and animal enthusiasts, a good vacation begins with careful planning. Most people who take a safari vacation only plan for the necessary things that they need to take on safari. However very few prepare their expectations with first hand information about where they are going and what they are going to see. If you are an animal enthusiast you can take a peek at some of the profiles for safari animals. Their physical characteristics, habitats, diet and behavior
Giraffe
Map of the great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley is a geologic depression (rift) that extends from Syria in south western Asia to Mozambique in south eastern Africa. It takes the form of a series of valleys and bodies of water that are bounded by parallel fault lines. The Great Rift Valley is widening slowly but surely, in the process causing many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in the area. The Great Rift Valley is also visible from outer space as a rift of two parallel lines.
Some 20 million years ago, the earth’s crust weakened and tore itself apart creating a jagged rift, thousands of kilometres long, across the Eastern end of the African continent. The land on either side erupted creating great volcanic mountains, while the valley floor gradually sank into a low flat plain. This geologic phenomenon, dubbed the Great Rift Valley by the Scottish explorer John Walter Gregory, divides Kenya neatly down the length of the country essentially separating east from west. Today, The Rift Valley is characterized by uninhabitable desert and fertile farmland, flat arid plains and steep escarpments. The Great Rift Valley is also the home to millions of wildlife and hosts the worlds most renowned game parks and reserves (the Maasai Mara in kenya and The Serengeti in Tanzania)
In some places this natural divide is up to 100 km (60 miles) wide, while it reaches its narrowest point just north of Nairobi at 45 km wide. The valley floor is at its lowest near Lake Turkana where there is virtually no distinction between the Great Rift and the surrounding desert. As it heads south, however, the valley walls form sheer cliffs rising to 1,900 km (6,232 ft) at Lake Naivasha. After Naivasha, the valley descends again to 580 meters (1,902 feet) at the Tanzanian border.
Subterranean movement is common today as the Rift Valley is home to thirty active and semi-active volcanoes and countless hot springs along its length. This string of alkaline lakes and boiling springs northwest of Nairobi includes Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Magadi in the south. These lakes are unique because their water is highly concentrated in sodium carbonate. This situation is caused by the high alkalinity from the surrounding volcanic rocks coupled with poor drainage outlets due to the steep sides of the valley. The high evaporation of the surface lake water results in sodium carbonate which, in turn, creates an ideal breeding ground for algae. Several species of fish, tilapia in particular, thrive in this environment. As a result, millions of birds flock to these soda lakes to feast on the abundant food supply of algae and fish. Each of the lakes in the Rift Valley string have a slightly different water composition ranging from freshwater to extremely alkaline, highly saline to brackish.
Viewing game at the floor of the crater
Because the Great rift Valley hosts a large number of animals, Kenya and Tanzania offer great safari experiences with national parks and game reserves traversing these great safari countries.
Kenya, ‘the cradle of mankind’, across all of Africa, no other country can match the sheer range of scenery and landscapes found in Kenya, coupled with a great variety and concentration of wild animals and birds.
This is a land where the world’s remaining populations of big cats, big mammals and plains game still roam free in their natural habitat. A great spectacle worth seeing is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles from the great Serengeti plains in Tanzania and the crocodile infested Mara River to reach Maasai Mara grazing fields from July of every year. Check out our Kenya Lodge safari itineraries.
Tanzania on the other hand has an excellent collection of National Parks and Game reserves. They are highly populated with wildlife and like the Kenyan National Parks; they offer a very relaxing atmosphere and an awesome safari experience. A true East African safari is not complete without visiting the Ngorongoro conservancy area where you descend the steep walls of the caldera into the crater itself whose floor is a vast plain teeming with wild animals including the ‘big five game’. Check out our Tanzania lodge safaris itineraries.
Email us at info@east-africa-safari.com for more information
This 6 days walking and camping safari covers over 60 kilometres traversing the heart of Maasai land in Kenya. Experience the thrill of seeing wild life at close quarters while you experience the way of life of the Maasai’s in their natural habitat – Maasai Manyatta’s (homestead). Record and capture the memories of your safari with a video camera as you indulge with the local community.
The safari begins with a two hour drive through the farmlands at the edge of Ngong hills south west of Nairobi descending into the Rift Valley escarpment via Lake Magadi in the Great Rift Valley(famous for soda ash mining) with a sizeable number of bird-life including the lesser flamingos. Have lunch en-route. Pitch camp at Nguruman. Here you have a chance to visit the local Maasai community and the only health centre in this region. Dinner and overnight at Nguruman camp.
On day 2, depart early morning (at 8.00 am) for Njoroi and ascend the Rift Valley escarpment. The hike takes about 4-5 hrs. Vegetation varies from dry and lush bushes to equatorial forest. Take a visit ton a Maasai village. Experience traditional dances and take pictures of Maasai homesteads. Dinner and overnight at Njoroi camp site.
On day 3 take early morning breakfast and break camp at 8.00 am and leave Njoroi for an enjoyable walk through the forest known as ‘The Lost Child’. This is one of the remaining true forest wilderness areas in East Africa. On the way stop at Enkare hot springs and enjoy a hot bathe in the river. The walk takes 5-6 hours. Dinner, camp fire activities and overnight at Enkutoto camp site.
On day 4, leave Enkutoto camp early in the morning at 7.00 am before the sun is too hot and walk through through the scattered bushes for Narosora Market. Here you will get to visit the Narosora market where Maasai’s engage in batter trade. This walk will takes 5-6 hours. Dinner and overnight at Narosora.
-
-
On day 5, after an early breakfast (6.30 am) leave camp and hike for 5-6 hours via Narosora centre for Ndara Camp. On the way encounter some wild animals at close quarters including buffaloes, Antelopes, hyenas, Elephants, Jackals, giraffes, zebras, Ostriches and many others. Dinner and overnight at Ndarara camp site.
On day 6, leave Ndarara camp at 8.00 am after breakfast and hike for 4 hours to Maji Moto. Visit the hot springs for a bathe. After Lunch, you will be picked by a vehicle from Maasai Mara Game reserve and drive back to Nairobi.
Rates:
1 pax USD 90 Per day
2 – 4 pax USD 85 Per day
Above 4 pax USD 80 Per day
Note: This Programme can be done on reverse. After the walking safari you may choose to extend your safari into the Masai mara with game drives in the park.
About The Maasai Mara
Maasai Mara Game Reserve is located in the South West of Kenya (in East Africa) and as the name suggests – is the heartland of the Kenyan Maasai’s.
Ever heard of the tales of the Maasai morans (Young Men) who take on everyday of their lives in the wild grazing and herding cattle with no fear of the King of the Jungle – The lion?. And tales of the young morans fighting off and killing predators while protecting their herds armed only with a spear and a club.
The Maasai people are well known for their strong cultural preservation amidst modernisation. An independent people who still value tradition and ritual as an integral part of their everyday lives. They regard themselves not just as residents of this area but that they are as much a part of the life of the land as the land is part of their lives. Traditionally, the Maasai rarely hunt and live alongside wildlife in harmony is an important part of their beliefs.
Lions, big cats and Wildebeest play as important a role in their cultural beliefs as their own herds of cattle. This unique co-existence of man and wildlife makes this Maasai land one of the world’s most unique wilderness regions.
At the heart of these lands is the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, widely considered to be Africa’s greatest wildlife reserve. The Mara comprises of 200 sq miles of open plains, woodlands and riverine forest. Adjoining the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Mara is home to a breathtaking array of wildlife in their natural surroundings where survival is the most natural instinct.
The vast grassland plains are scattered with herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle, and Topi. The Acacia forests dotting the vast savannah abound with Birdlife and Monkeys. While Elephants and Buffalo’s co-exist in the wide Musiara Swamp, the Mara and Talek rivers are brimming with Hippos and Crocodiles.
Each year the Mara plays host to the world’s greatest natural spectacle-the seventh wonder of the world, the Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania. Due to the rains in the plains between May and June, a lush of pasture and grass promise an abundance of fresh life in the Maasai mara and brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest together and over 400,000 Zebras into a single massive herd from July to October. They trek hundreds of miles across the border of Kenya and Tanzania into the Mara, making a spectacular entrance in a surging column of life that stretches from horizon to horizon. At the Mara River they mass together on the banks before finally plunging forward through the raging waters, creating frenzy as they fight against surging and swift currents while waiting crocodiles pounce for a meal. The wildebeest migration brings new life to the Maasai Mara, not just through their cycle of regeneration of the grasslands, but for the predators that follow the herds. The Mara has been called the Kingdom of Lions and these royal and powerful hunters dominate these grasslands. Cheetahs are also a common sight in the Mara, as are Hyena and smaller predators such as Jackals.
The Mara is an awesome natural wonder, a place where Maasai warriors share the plains with hunting lions, a place of mighty herds and timeless cycles of life, death and regeneration. Visitor Amenities The Mara is probably the best serviced of all Kenyan Parks and Reserves with a wide range of accommodation; ranging from 5 star lodges and luxury camps to basic camping sites for the budget traveller.
The Reserve is a popular attraction with Safari operators. The reserve is ideal for game drives, and some lodges and camps offer walks and balloon safaris. Detailed itineraries for lodge Safaris and Camping safaris to the Maasa Mara are available.
Wildlife moves freely in and out of the reserve and through neighbouring Maasai lands. Outside the boundaries of the reserve there are many other small camps and lodges, some of which offer walking, horse riding and other safari options. The Loita Hills and the Nguruman Escarpment, both considered sacred to the Maasai, offer great forest trekking opportunities (walking safari) for the adventurous traveller…..
How to Get There
The point of road access to this region is Narok, a 3 hour drive from Nairobi. Some people choose to fly to the Mara, which is serviced by 2 airstrips. There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi and from Mombasa in the coast. Private Charters also use these air strips. Accessing the Mara area is difficult without private transport. Most visitors come to Maasai Mara as part of a Safari package from Nairobi or in a Hired Car. The park has well established internal roads and tracks. Accessing areas outside the reserve is only possible using basic public transport, and finding your way around can be difficult.
Edge East Africa Safaris (www.east-africa-safari.com) can arrange specialized tours, treks or hikes in this area.
Facilities/accommodation Lodges in Mara:
Mara Hippo Lodge – 3 Star, Mara Sopa – 3 Star, Sarova Mara – 4 Star, Keekorok Lodge – 3 Star, Kicheche Camp - 3 Star, Kichwa Tembo -4 Star, Little Governors -4 Star, Governor’s Camp – 5 Stars, Mpata safari Club – 5 Star, Mara Intrepids – 5 Star- Mara Safari Club – 4 Star – Ilkeliani – 4 Star, Mara Serena -4 Star, David Livingstone Safari Resort – 3 Star, Mara Explorer – 4 Star – Mara Simba Lodge – 4 Star, Mara Camp – 3 Star, Governor’s IL Moran – 5 Star- Governors Pvt Camp -5 Star, Bateleur Camp -5 Star, Fig Tree Camp – 3 Star, Siana Intrepids.
