2-trip report masai mara- mahale
Aug 23rd, 2006, 01:59 PM
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2-trip report masai mara- mahale
5. – Where are the Hyenas? I can’t believe the amount of Lions
in the Mara proper. [Wildebeests beware]
Went to a Masai village, what incredible faces these people have- I was taking photos like crazy while Renee and Sandra shopped -I’m sure the Masai thought he’s out of his mind- how right they are.
Sandra spots a Hyena. I’m so happy, but the pictures are few-we see grand Elands and a huge pride of over 30 lions [as the sun sets in the Mara.] We saw was one of the female lions trying to carry this fresh killed Wildebeest off to a better hiding spot for some good eating –and the cubs jumping and playing over it –and taking a few bites themselves.
6. - Here are my thoughts on Wildebeests, they will cross anything- Today they were flying down a ravine with a stream at the bottom-
We got out of the rover to watch-
Hundreds tearing across- it was unbelievable. Sandra spots a Leopard,
This girl is good!
We follow it for a while; just how many photo opportunities can I blow? Oh well, there’s always another day to mess up. Large Marabou Storks were ominously holding court at the end of another day in the wild –
These birds are truly dressed to kill in black & white.
A Regal Secretary bird high up in a tree made a nice dark silhouetted shot.
My Epson P2000 adaptor for charging stopped working.
Afraid to store any more photos without the ability to charge the unit
[I know the units fully charged so I let it be and keep all the new shots on
the many memory cards I have.]
7. -One of the great things about a camp like the Explorer is you really don’t have to go out to see game and have an adventure. It’s all around you, we saw twenty or so Guinea Fowls from our deck. As well as Hippopotamus, Olive Baboons, Reed Bucks, and a cool Hamerkop all while reading from the deck. Today we visited our sister camp Mara Intrepid- it’s a much larger camp, better suited for families or those who would want a pool and a large gift shop. [It really is nice but give me small & secluded any day- great bar there!]
Today we got to see a large herd of Elephant and of course the usual stars of the day, Wildebeest and Lions!
8-10. It’s time to leave this great camp and terrific team who took such good care of us and made us feel like one big happy family. Ducan most be the name to have in the Mara- we had 2 -both great guys [Duncan in the dining room was a wild man and had us laughing all the time.]
The trip to the Mara Safari Camp was on some really rough and roads.
Thank god Dixon who may not be great guide is one fantastic driver and has the get-up and go spirit to get you in the just right spot to take a photo [no matter how many vehicles are in your way.] Go Dixon! We saw and stopped to help so many vans/rovers stuck in the mud.
We have 3 nights at Mara Safari Club. It’s an old established camp with a crew that cares and some great fattening buffets –We ate way to much!
The camp is under new ownership and is getting a major facelift soon-
Please, just don’t change the people! The prices I’m sorry to say will change.
I kept asking where are the Hyenas? Their here!
Everywhere…the babies are so alert they look up into the rovers,
They see YOU- not just the vehicle. They come running tireless with that strange
eerie wailing call at night- we saw them carrying legs and bones in there
mouths, just walking along.
This area was teaming with predators like Lepards, Cheetahs, and lions.
We even saw 3 white Rhino with a mountainside as a background.
These 3 were raised by humans and are returned to the wild during the day.
One evening we were driving along - I spotted the cutest Dik Diks
2 adults with a baby, we kept getting closer and they never moved.
I said they must think were a predator-A short time later we realized there were Leopards in the bush also- and we probably saved the Diks DIKS by distracting the Leopards. [Duh! Aren’t we dummies]?
No Honey Badger to be found on this trip- but what we all did see!
Perhaps another journey to South Africa for the Badger?
11.- Say Good bye to the Mara and all its charms!
Arusha here we come…we stop at the Cultural Heritage center but are to tired to shop [how can that be]
The Arusha Coffee Lodge is great just what the doctor ordered; I don’t ever want to leave this huge bed and big tub-amazing accommodations. As things are going to perfectly, our return to Arusha has us staying at another place. [what happened?] Many phone calls later
they tell me they will try to restore our booking at the Coffee lodge [but it’s is all booked up now - hope we can come back here- we love it!]
12-15 Transfer to Airport for charter flight to Mahale.
Looking out from the plane the arrival to Mahale is spectacular,
Lake Tanganyika is vast and clear as a bell.
We are greeted and meet the other travelers to this remote location.
[We wait for another plane with 2 more guests before we get on our boat to take us to Nkungwe tented Camp. Our new home has raised tents on the beach,
Beat the camp director is dry & darkly funny. Luck is to be with us, as the Chimpanzee’s seem to favor this camp over the others. Every day they came right behind the camp, once a big male was in front of our tent #3 under a lemon tree having a bite. Another time there were 15 in a tree next to tent #7. I can’t believe how beautiful the forest is here. One long trek in the forest had me alone with the hackers by a small lovely stream watching a fast mating. [I told the hackers I knew what was happening] Later our group watched as the Chimps went on a wild hunt for food! Yes, they eat berrys and leafs but sometimes a nice fat red tail monkey gets got too. The sounds of them going after there dinner was like nothing I have ever heard - WILD. They can be so gentle and sweet [just like us humans] then change in a moment to show you just who is in charge. And charge they do –right at you [sometimes with a stick] screaming so loud it shakes the trees. What’s really funny is they really seem to enjoy us watching them.
[Mahale truly was a highlight as is Nkungwe tented camp]
The tents are new, the food is good home cooking.
The crew is delightful and we couldn’t have been happier, Afternoons a large Warthog runs on the beach and shy Golden Baboons
come down to drink at the lakes edge,
And when the need to jump in the water came they took us
to a special spot for snorkeling
Under a gorgeous tree that hangs over the water.
Each night we sat around a bond fire and had our drinks & told our tales.
Further down the lake are about 10 Hippos
Beat says we have a Leopard
but the prints in the sand are all that gets seen.
The trekking can be hard but how rewarding it is.
When you come here you really have left it all behind- how very nice it is!
16.- One last trek a good breakfast and on the boat we go-sad to leave a place so very special. Beat surprised us with a packed lunch -
good thing our charter plane is late. Big Good Bye to Mahale!
Luck is still with us! Were back at the Arusha Coffee Lodge
for a great dinner & peaceful nights sleep. Off to the Heritage Cultural center
in the AM for Shopping with a capital S.
[Good stuff here and you can bargain with them!]
We have day rooms for our very late checkout and flight back home.
WOW! What a trip.
in the Mara proper. [Wildebeests beware]
Went to a Masai village, what incredible faces these people have- I was taking photos like crazy while Renee and Sandra shopped -I’m sure the Masai thought he’s out of his mind- how right they are.
Sandra spots a Hyena. I’m so happy, but the pictures are few-we see grand Elands and a huge pride of over 30 lions [as the sun sets in the Mara.] We saw was one of the female lions trying to carry this fresh killed Wildebeest off to a better hiding spot for some good eating –and the cubs jumping and playing over it –and taking a few bites themselves.
6. - Here are my thoughts on Wildebeests, they will cross anything- Today they were flying down a ravine with a stream at the bottom-
We got out of the rover to watch-
Hundreds tearing across- it was unbelievable. Sandra spots a Leopard,
This girl is good!
We follow it for a while; just how many photo opportunities can I blow? Oh well, there’s always another day to mess up. Large Marabou Storks were ominously holding court at the end of another day in the wild –
These birds are truly dressed to kill in black & white.
A Regal Secretary bird high up in a tree made a nice dark silhouetted shot.
My Epson P2000 adaptor for charging stopped working.
Afraid to store any more photos without the ability to charge the unit
[I know the units fully charged so I let it be and keep all the new shots on
the many memory cards I have.]
7. -One of the great things about a camp like the Explorer is you really don’t have to go out to see game and have an adventure. It’s all around you, we saw twenty or so Guinea Fowls from our deck. As well as Hippopotamus, Olive Baboons, Reed Bucks, and a cool Hamerkop all while reading from the deck. Today we visited our sister camp Mara Intrepid- it’s a much larger camp, better suited for families or those who would want a pool and a large gift shop. [It really is nice but give me small & secluded any day- great bar there!]
Today we got to see a large herd of Elephant and of course the usual stars of the day, Wildebeest and Lions!
8-10. It’s time to leave this great camp and terrific team who took such good care of us and made us feel like one big happy family. Ducan most be the name to have in the Mara- we had 2 -both great guys [Duncan in the dining room was a wild man and had us laughing all the time.]
The trip to the Mara Safari Camp was on some really rough and roads.
Thank god Dixon who may not be great guide is one fantastic driver and has the get-up and go spirit to get you in the just right spot to take a photo [no matter how many vehicles are in your way.] Go Dixon! We saw and stopped to help so many vans/rovers stuck in the mud.
We have 3 nights at Mara Safari Club. It’s an old established camp with a crew that cares and some great fattening buffets –We ate way to much!
The camp is under new ownership and is getting a major facelift soon-
Please, just don’t change the people! The prices I’m sorry to say will change.
I kept asking where are the Hyenas? Their here!
Everywhere…the babies are so alert they look up into the rovers,
They see YOU- not just the vehicle. They come running tireless with that strange
eerie wailing call at night- we saw them carrying legs and bones in there
mouths, just walking along.
This area was teaming with predators like Lepards, Cheetahs, and lions.
We even saw 3 white Rhino with a mountainside as a background.
These 3 were raised by humans and are returned to the wild during the day.
One evening we were driving along - I spotted the cutest Dik Diks
2 adults with a baby, we kept getting closer and they never moved.
I said they must think were a predator-A short time later we realized there were Leopards in the bush also- and we probably saved the Diks DIKS by distracting the Leopards. [Duh! Aren’t we dummies]?
No Honey Badger to be found on this trip- but what we all did see!
Perhaps another journey to South Africa for the Badger?
11.- Say Good bye to the Mara and all its charms!
Arusha here we come…we stop at the Cultural Heritage center but are to tired to shop [how can that be]
The Arusha Coffee Lodge is great just what the doctor ordered; I don’t ever want to leave this huge bed and big tub-amazing accommodations. As things are going to perfectly, our return to Arusha has us staying at another place. [what happened?] Many phone calls later
they tell me they will try to restore our booking at the Coffee lodge [but it’s is all booked up now - hope we can come back here- we love it!]
12-15 Transfer to Airport for charter flight to Mahale.
Looking out from the plane the arrival to Mahale is spectacular,
Lake Tanganyika is vast and clear as a bell.
We are greeted and meet the other travelers to this remote location.
[We wait for another plane with 2 more guests before we get on our boat to take us to Nkungwe tented Camp. Our new home has raised tents on the beach,
Beat the camp director is dry & darkly funny. Luck is to be with us, as the Chimpanzee’s seem to favor this camp over the others. Every day they came right behind the camp, once a big male was in front of our tent #3 under a lemon tree having a bite. Another time there were 15 in a tree next to tent #7. I can’t believe how beautiful the forest is here. One long trek in the forest had me alone with the hackers by a small lovely stream watching a fast mating. [I told the hackers I knew what was happening] Later our group watched as the Chimps went on a wild hunt for food! Yes, they eat berrys and leafs but sometimes a nice fat red tail monkey gets got too. The sounds of them going after there dinner was like nothing I have ever heard - WILD. They can be so gentle and sweet [just like us humans] then change in a moment to show you just who is in charge. And charge they do –right at you [sometimes with a stick] screaming so loud it shakes the trees. What’s really funny is they really seem to enjoy us watching them.
[Mahale truly was a highlight as is Nkungwe tented camp]
The tents are new, the food is good home cooking.
The crew is delightful and we couldn’t have been happier, Afternoons a large Warthog runs on the beach and shy Golden Baboons
come down to drink at the lakes edge,
And when the need to jump in the water came they took us
to a special spot for snorkeling
Under a gorgeous tree that hangs over the water.
Each night we sat around a bond fire and had our drinks & told our tales.
Further down the lake are about 10 Hippos
Beat says we have a Leopard
but the prints in the sand are all that gets seen.
The trekking can be hard but how rewarding it is.
When you come here you really have left it all behind- how very nice it is!
16.- One last trek a good breakfast and on the boat we go-sad to leave a place so very special. Beat surprised us with a packed lunch -
good thing our charter plane is late. Big Good Bye to Mahale!
Luck is still with us! Were back at the Arusha Coffee Lodge
for a great dinner & peaceful nights sleep. Off to the Heritage Cultural center
in the AM for Shopping with a capital S.
[Good stuff here and you can bargain with them!]
We have day rooms for our very late checkout and flight back home.
WOW! What a trip.
Aug 24th, 2006, 12:07 PM
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Glad you liked the report had fun doing it-the flight from Arusha to MAHALE was 3 hours [easy flying great viewing out the windows] once you get near the water is so beautiful and the air landing on the dirt road amazing. the boat ride is about 1 hour to the Nkungwe camp.They greet you at the end of the dock with drinks & big heartfelt smiles. If you go swiming on the beach right at the camp it would be better with some light weight water sandals/shoes it's rocky when you first walk in. [they do have jelly fish there also-that didn't stop us]-thomas
Aug 25th, 2006, 05:54 AM
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You saw lots in the Maasai Mara. I hope you were satisfied with the hyena volume in the Mara.
Mahale--Wow--chimps in camp! And hunting chimps!
We hear so much about Greystoke that your positive comments on Nkungwe are refreshing. Apparently the chimps like it. So how many nights were you in Mahale? Was the flight a scheduled one?
Mahale--Wow--chimps in camp! And hunting chimps!
We hear so much about Greystoke that your positive comments on Nkungwe are refreshing. Apparently the chimps like it. So how many nights were you in Mahale? Was the flight a scheduled one?
Aug 25th, 2006, 08:16 AM
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I did get to see Hyenas in the Mara Safari Club area. Amazing sightings there [they were in full force -babys and all-jumping out of the bushes] In Mahale -I had wanted to stay at Greystroke also...glad we didn't, they seem to prefer the Nkungwe camp to hang out at. And when we treked in the forest-[we had luck also, can you you believe I saw them mating twice]Oh, when they groom each other only in the Mahale area do they hold hands and raise their arms straight up -and groom with the other hand.
I must say the Greystroke camp did look great-with that cool looking big main hut.But looks aside it's the CHIMPS we go to see! Our plane was a charter.- Thomas
I must say the Greystroke camp did look great-with that cool looking big main hut.But looks aside it's the CHIMPS we go to see! Our plane was a charter.- Thomas
Sep 10th, 2006, 09:44 AM
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Mr Iggy,
I have loved reading your latest posts. Your trip sounded wonderful. We wll be at Mara Explorer same time next year, is there anything we need to know or do or try to arrange that will make our trip better? A person or tent we should ask for? I am so happy that you liked it so much. What other camps have you been to in the Mara?
Brenda
I have loved reading your latest posts. Your trip sounded wonderful. We wll be at Mara Explorer same time next year, is there anything we need to know or do or try to arrange that will make our trip better? A person or tent we should ask for? I am so happy that you liked it so much. What other camps have you been to in the Mara?
Brenda
Sep 10th, 2006, 11:00 AM
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MAra Explorer, is that Basecamp Explorer? I so I would really like hear more about it. And if so, we have just received information that tent # 4 an 5 have the best location with regards to views of the Talek River. Avoid tent # 7-11 if you can.
Enjoying your report, thanks
Siro
Enjoying your report, thanks
Siro
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