Masai Mara : Finally that Elusive Leopard

 

We left for the first safari at Masai Mara in mid-afternoon - we descended the hill where our lodge was located down to the plains of Masai Mara. After passing through a few Masai villages - we started seeing the common animals - the zebras and wilderbeests in addition to the less common wild buffaloes and giraffes. Our driver-cum-guide suddenly received a radio-message that a leopard had been sighted and he immediately drove our jeep to where this elusive predator was reported to be seen. And true enough, we managed to come up close, very close, with a leopard sitting on a tree, oblivious to the increasing number of jeeps that kept arriving to the site where he was resting. 

 sweet dreams

 

 oh these people.....what a yawn.....

 

 did I see something interesting?

 

back for a snooze

 

The Masai Mara Sopa Village

 checking in at the Mara Sopa Village

The Masai Mara Sopa Village is a sprawling complex of Masai-design huts with modern amenities and comforts. It is built on a mountain slope which gave a commanding view of the savannah. Our hut was quite a walking distance away from the main building complex. It was quite a demanding walk up steep lanes through the rows and rows of Masai villas in a green and fully grown garden.

 

 

 even the main reception block is desogned after a Masai hut

the fireplace kept us warm during the chilly evening

 

 our villa was quite high up the hill thus requiring quite a long walk

 

 comfortable bed with modern comforts

 

have to be fit to walk up and down to the villa

 the mature trees made you feel like you are in a garden

 

 a swimming pool -but too cold for me

 

 a Masai craft stall at the fringe of the Sopa Village

 

 shopping and bargaining

and turned out to be quite reasonably priced in the end

 

We had lunch at the main restaurant, had some time for this shopping before going off for the afternoon safari at the Masai Mara National Park.

On To Masai Mara

 

lovely clouds on a bright morning

The next morning - immediately after breakfast, we checked out of the Nakuru Lakes Lodge and hit the road towards our final destination, the Masai Mara. It was to be another long drive, half of it on good mettaled highway but the remaining half on uncompleted roads still in its dirt-track.

 

 

Upon reaching the Masai Mara National Park - our first stop was to confirm the prior booking for an air-balloon ride first thing on the second day of our stay at Masai Mara. Once the booking confirmed and payment settled we headed for our hotel - the Masai Mara Sopa Village.

 

 

 a Masai kid as we entered the park

 

 

 Masai homes

 

 at the hot-air balloon station office

 

 the booking confirmed and payment made

 

finally at the Masai Mara Sopa Village

Hippos Up Close at Lake Naivasya

Lake Naivasya is famous because this is the site where the movie 'Out of Africa' was shot. A boat ride on the lake allowed us to get up close with the hippopotamus. And a stop on an island in the centre of the lake also gave us to be quite close with some giraffes, buffaloes etc. There are many nice lodges around the lake.

 

Cultural Show at the Lake Nakuru Lodge

 

Dinner and breakfast at the Lake Nakuru Lodge was a buffet of International, African and Indian dishes. After dinner, we were entertained to an almost one hour of a show featuring various tribal dances.