Hi

I was in the Mara 17 - 20th July and action was fantastic.

Highlight was seeing the Wildebeest crossing the Mara River. I had always planned my dates very carefully to see the migration and deep back in my mind I had dreamed of one day seeing a river crossing but never really expected it to actually happen for me so easily. I personally know several enthusiasts around the world who have spent many days trying to catch this action and not still witnessed this great spectacle. Godfrey our driver guide has to be specially commended for his skill and judgement. His confident insistence on seeing a restless herd massed at the river, delaying lunch with my hungry kids etc - however it all paid of very well finally. Wow what a sight to see the thousands of Wildebeest crossing and the huge Mara crocs in action. Actually saw two giant bus size brutes tear up a Wildebeest in to pieces, throwing the carcass 6 ft high in the air. May sound gruesome to some but that is wild nature in action. I have some nice pics which I like to share. Lions, Cheetahs on the hunt and also a rare Black Rhino added to the whole 3 days experience. I wish I had five days!

My driver told me the best dates for mara river crossings are considered 28th July to 5th August, however if one is lucky one can catch such action sporadically right through August.

Bon voyage and lemme know how you fare!

Regards
Mohammed Abidally
(Sri Lanka)

Lucky you ,Mohammed! We've got 2 more weeks to Africa. Will be in Mara on the 20th (our last stop)and we hope we are as lucky as you.

Where all did you go? Do send in your report and dying to see the photographs.

Have made a note re. 'Zanzibar Curio' Shop.

Whizforty

Hi Whiz,

I have managed to do a quick upload of some of my photos at Kodak Easy Share. The link is

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...l3x6t&Ux=0


Please do take a look.

I have more shots in the croc sequence and also lots more of the river crossing.

Hope the link works - this is the first time I am trying this!

Regards
Mohammed

Mohammed. Great pics!

Which tented camp are the photos of.

And where is the location where your family is walking with the giraffes?

Mohammed, fantastic photos. I'm really impressed with your bird shots! The lion yawning, the crocs, your cute daughters, etc., etc.

Mohammed,
Thanks for sharing your pics! Anything more you can tell us about your trip would be great. Where else did you go besides the Mara? I recognize the Aberdares and Nakuru and you must have been somewhere around Samburu? Is that Lake Naivasha in the latter pictures?

Mohammed,

Thanks so much for sharing your fantastic pictures! I especially liked seeing the hippos out of the water :) It looks like you and your family had a wonderful trip!


Jenn

Mohammed,

Very nice pictures!!! Lots of good crossing action!!! Also, you seem to hv had very good luck spotting my fav cat: The cheetah!!!

Hari

Just returned from 12 day Northern circuit safari and 2 day Zanzibar on July 20. No one has mentioned how hard it is to get on that final plane away.

We caught up with the tail end of the migration, lots of wildebeests and zebras, Tommies at the rear still making their way in the western corridor of the Serengeti. What a sight!! Our camp was atop the herds, Mbalageti, and we listened to the snorting and snuffling all night. When our plane took off from the Grumeti airport the next morning, the rangers had to make several swoops around to get the runway clear for takeoff. They're on their way to the Mara!!

Mohammed
Great snaps! You and your family sure had a wonderful time.

As I've said before, can't wait till we leave.

How much did your Masai village visit cost you? Any other informatioon that you have that could help us too. We are visiting Aberdare (Ark), Mt Kenya, Shaba, Lake Nakuru and the Mara!

Thanks

Whizforty

Mohammed,
You may want to start your own post so that others who may not be interested in the migration on this thread may see your wonderful photos. Just a suggestion - hope you don't mind.

Your pictures are great. I enjoyed the maribou stork(?) landing on the water sequence very much.
Thanks for sharing.
Sherry

Mohammed,
Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with your photos, I've looked at them twice already.[I really like the birds on the water.]What part of the trip was the most amazing? Did you miss seeing anything? We leave in 3 days and now I've come down with a cold- Well! nothing is going to stop my good time.

Thomas,

Hope you recover from the cold ASAP and enjoy Mara explorer!!! Pics when you return, please.....

Hari

Hi everyone and many thanks for all your you warm and kind comments. Sorry for my silence for the past two days, as since I have returned I have a mountain of work piled up at the office. Yes my trip was wonderful and we had a super time. Simbakuwa - the tented camp you see was the Sarova Mara Camp. Patty - you are virtually spot on with the identification of places I visited.

As suggested by Sherry I will shortly post a separate thread with a brief trip report for the benefit of all.

Regards
Mohammed

Mohammed,

Where were you in those photos of walking with the giraffe?

Looking forward to your report, Mohammed!

Hi

Simbakuwa- walking with the Giraffes was at Crescent Island which is at Lake Naivasha.

Patty - I have now posted a trip report as a separate post titles Kenya Trip Report 13 - 21st July 2006. Hope this helps you and others with their travel plans.

Regards
Mohammed