Close Encounters with Cheetahs in Maasai Mara

On August 5, 2021August 5, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Africa, Kenya6 Comments

Out of all of the places that we visited during our safari, Maasai Mara was the only one where we encountered cheetahs and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire trip. Our first sighting of a cheetah was actually on the evening that we arrived in Maasai Mara and they are truly beautiful animals. Obviously their coat is very distinctive and stunning, but their facial expressions are probably the closest to a house cat of all of the big cats that we saw. The first cheetah that we saw was a solitary cat, but on the first full day in Maasai Mara we encountered a trio of cheetahs and that is where the real fun began.

Everyone knows that the cheetahs are the fastest animal, but getting the chance to see them actually running was something truly special. We were one of four vehicles in a clearing when a trio of cheetahs made their way across the grasslands. Based on their behavior, it seemed to be a mother and two cubs that were basically equivalent to teenagers. The two younger cheetahs were tackling one another, chasing each other, and being generally playful. Then, at one point, the two came next to one of the Land Cruisers that did not have doors and the one cheetah literally jumped into the back of the vehicle. After a minute, the guide used a pillow to shush him out of the Land Cruiser and we looked at our guide and said “we hope he doesn’t jump into our jeep”.

They continued to run around and play seemingly oblivious to all of us. Then, one of them decided to jump onto the hood of our Land Cruiser. We all stayed relatively calm as he seemed fascinated with something on the dashboard and continued looking through the window. The roof of our Land Cruiser was open and at one point he looked up at the roof and contemplated climbing up there. Thankfully he decided otherwise and eventually jumped off of the hood, but then he jumped back on the hood a couple of minutes later. Eventually he got tired of playing with us and the three cheetahs wandered off and our heartbeats returned to normal.

Video of Our Encounter

Of all the close animal encounters that we had during our safari, this was certainly one of the most interesting. Our guide spoke to the guide of the vehicle that was next to us and the people sent us the video that they took, which gave us a different view of the encounter. We’re not sure if the cheetah found us as interesting as we found him, but it was definitely one of the most memorable moments of our entire eleven day safari.

Finally They Walked Away and We Could Breath Once Again

Hot Air Balloon Ride over Maasai Mara in Kenya

On August 4, 2021August 4, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Africa, Kenya9 Comments

One of the things that we had wanted to do during our safari was to take a hot air balloon ride over the amazing scenery of Africa. Three of the parks that we visited had balloon companies that offered balloon rides, Amboseli, Serengeti, and Maasai Mara. We decided to wait until Maasai Mara to do the balloon ride and it certainly turned out to be a magical experience. Watching the sunrise, seeing the animals, and simply gliding above the grasslands made for memories that we will never forget. Following the balloon ride was a champagne breakfast at the base of an acacia tree and then our guide picked us up to view the animals within the park.

We Started Out High Before Descending Over the Grasslands

Balloon rides are not particularly inexpensive as they range from $450 to $500 USD per person and we weren’t a hundred percent sure that we were going to spend the money on it. By the time we reached Maasai Mara, we had already had an unexpected expense of getting tested for COVID before we could re-enter Kenya. We were definitely glad that we decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and pay for the balloon ride. It is one of those experiences that is hard to fully describe, but one that is often treasured by people for a variety of reasons.

Watching the Sunrise

Just before the sun began to rise, the staff of the balloon company began to fill the balloon with heated air and we were treated to the balloon glow as it was slowly filled. Once the balloon was completely filled, we and the seven other passengers, plus the pilot and guide, all climbed into the basket. Then we slowly ascended to begin our balloon ride as the sun slowly climbed above the horizon. Since the course that the balloon takes is dependent on the winds, there is no guarantee as to what you’re going to fly over or what animals you might see. The basket of the balloon was divided into six compartments, so you aren’t able to move around, but we were fortunate enough to be facing the direction that the balloon was drifting for most of our ride.

Flying Over the Water Buffaloes

The pilot of the balloon provided information about the balloon as well as the animals as we flew over the grasslands. He purposely kept the basket relatively close to the ground so that the animals could be easier to see. Our favorite moment of the balloon ride was when we drifted over a male lion that was walking among the tall grass. Every time the pilot fired the hot air for the balloon, the lion roared in response, which was really quite fascinating to see and hear. In addition to the lion, we flew over a large herd of water buffalo, a pack of elephants, zebras, and antelopes. We also saw another balloon enjoying a similar ride as our own.

Before landing, the pilot prepared us for the possibility it being bumpy and even the possibility that the basket would get dragged onto its side. All of us took our seats and held onto the safety straps, but the pilot set the balloon down gently and we came to quick stop without any bumps. From there we joined our fellow passengers as we toasted with champagne and enjoyed a buffet breakfast right there in the middle of the park. It was an incredible start to what would turn out to be one of the most memorable days of our entire safari.

Driving Through the Towns and Countryside of Southwestern Kenya

On August 3, 2021August 3, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Africa, Kenya, Tanzania1 Comment

Most of our time on our safari trip was spent winding our way through the national parks and seeing the incredible wildlife. However, on the day that we traveled from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya, we spent the majority of the day driving through towns and the countryside. It was a wonderful opportunity to see how the people of Kenya live their daily lives. We made the trip on a Sunday, so people were out and on their way to the local markets to buy and sell items. Everywhere that we went in both Kenya and Tanzania, the people that we met were always very friendly and helpful.

No matter where you are in Kenya and Tanzania, you will see the young boys herding the cattle, goats, and sheep. Usually they would move them out of the way of the traffic and other times it was up the vehicle to push its way through the animals. There were also many different stands along the road selling fruits and vegetables of all kinds and at one point we saw many men on bicycles carrying bananas to the market place. There were also the traditional women carrying items to and from their homes by balancing them on their heads.

Most of the time was spent on dirt roads, but there were some times when there were paved roads in the towns themselves. In addition to the people walking on the sides of the roads in their colorful garments, there were always motorcycles buzzing along the roads. The people who owned the motorcycles used them as a form of a taxi and they would pick up and drop off people along the way. Since our drive would take more than six hours, especially due to the border crossing, we didn’t have time to stop at any of the markets, but they were certainly quite busy with all of the locals.

For us, as with any trip that we take, it is important to learn as much as we can about the culture and the lives of the people who live there. Even with the limited time that we had driving through these small towns, seeing the homes, stores, and people was something that we really enjoyed. Whenever the young children, those around five years old or younger, would see our Land Cruiser, they would always smile and wave to us as we drove by. As always, taking photographs from a moving car isn’t easy, but we try to do our best to capture our journey in its entirety.