Mara north & Mara Triangle, Kenia
Day 1: Brussels – Nairobi
After a hassle-free 8-hour flight aboard SN Brussels Airlines, we landed in Nairobi in the evening. After a peaceful night in Nairobi City, we flew to the Maasai Mara on a charter plane the next morning.
Day 2: Nairobi – Karen Blixen Camp
Around noon, we landed at the airstrip of Karen Blixen Camp in the Northern Mara region. On our way to the camp, we were already treated to sightings of various animals, such as giraffes and herds of wildebeest with their calves. Upon our arrival at Karen Blixen Camp, a delicious lunch was promptly served. We enjoyed the meal and the splendid view of the vibrant Mara River, teeming with hippos. Post-lunch, we embarked on a game drive immediately. We encountered giraffes, spotted a Secretary Bird, impalas, zebras, Hooded Vultures, a herd of elephants with baby elephants, and even a solitary hyena. On the way back to the camp, we saw a cheetah resting on a termite mound and a pride of lions with their cubs. What a kickstart to our safari!
Day 3: Karen Blixen Camp – Northern Mara Region
On Sunday morning, we were up early to photograph the sunrise over the Maasai Mara – a photographic highlight not to be missed on your safari! With the rising sun, we noticed a Tawny Eagle in the tree right in front of us. Later, we encountered two young lions, basking in the morning sun. We saw plenty of giraffes and impalas again; predators surely don’t lack food here! On the way back to the camp, we observed some elephants and a troop of baboons drinking from the Mara River. In the afternoon, we returned to the spot where we had seen the lion pride the evening before. We hoped they would hunt in the late afternoon, but upon arrival, it seemed unlikely. The cubs were frolicking, providing opportunities for some beautiful photos!
Day 4: Karen Blixen Camp – Northern Mara Region
Leaving our tent, we were greeted by grazing impalas within our camp. After breakfast, we embarked on a game drive, but besides a few giraffes, elephants, and numerous impalas, we saw little that day. It seemed as if most animals were playing hide and seek with us.
Day 5: Journey to Mara Triangle Area
Post breakfast, we drove towards the Mara Triangle area and Serena Mara Lodge. The journey was anticipated to last approximately 3 to 4 hours and was expected to yield several interesting sightings. After an hour, we encountered some jeeps loaded with professional camera gear, hinting at possible nearby sightings. Turned out, three cheetahs were resting under a bush with a herd of grazing tsessebe nearby. We stayed with the cheetahs for about an hour, hoping they would spring into action, but they settled back in the sunlight. It signaled us to continue our journey towards Mara Serena Lodge in the Mara Triangle. After crossing the Mara bridge and driving a few minutes, we came across a family of three cheetahs. Shortly before entering the Lodge, we encountered five male lions. Four were together, while the fifth and older lion was a bit farther away. Minutes later, a fight unfolded between the older lion and the other four. Quite spectacular! The older lion eventually retreated, likely ousted by the group in a customary banishment ritual.
Day 6: Serena Mara Lodge – Mara Triangle Area
After breakfast, we immediately went to search for our group of five lions to see if they were indeed reduced to four. Unfortunately, we found only one of the five lions. Our guide informed us that the other lions had crossed the Mara River overnight. During our morning drive, we saw a hyena den with baby hyenas peeking out occasionally. We encountered a family of cheetahs, a serval in high grass which we witnessed catching a rodent – a unique experience! Further, we saw lionesses with cubs feasting on an Eland in an open plain.
Day 7: Serena Mara Lodge – Mara Triangle Area
During our morning drive, we immediately bumped into a lioness and a lion lying in the grass. We followed them for a while but let the couple go when we realized the lion did not appreciate our company. We saw two Black Rhinos, a mother with her calf! On returning to where the dead Eland lay the previous day, the family of lionesses with cubs were feasting again. The cubs provided several heartwarming photos.
In the afternoon, we encountered the family of cheetahs again, some ostriches, a Tawny Eagle, a herd of grazing buffaloes, and, to top it off, two leopards resting in a tree! At the end of the afternoon, we witnessed a cheetah narrowly miss a Thomson Gazelle!
Day 8: Serena Mara Lodge – Mara Triangle Area
On our last day in the Mara Triangle, we saw the family of hyenas leave their den in search of safer territories. We visited the family of three cheetahs and the lionesses with their cubs again; almost nothing was left of the Eland. In the afternoon, we flew back to Nairobi, marking the end of a beautiful journey!
