In November I had a week free from work and headed to Kenya to see hunt some big game (with a lens, not a gun) and to get a bit of a rest too. My guide, David, met with me on the first morning in his battle-scarred Land Cruiser. Followers of Top Gear will know that these things are pretty indestructable, and his was no exception. On it's 3rd time around the clock and still going strong - unless you stopped the engine that is. It does start again, eventually, but needs rather a lot of encouragement.
My first two nights were spent at the Flamingo Camp, on the banks of Lake Elmenteita, a shallow soda lake surround by thousands and thousands loveley pink and white Flamingo.
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After departing Elmenteita I had a 5 hour drive with David to the Masai Mara. En route we picked up another 6 passengers and trainee guide Peter. The extras filled up the 'Cruiser and slowed things down considerably, but given the state of Kenyan roads we nobody complained too much.
The destination was a campsite on the edge of the reserve which was to become home for the coming days. Slightly nervous about what was considered camping in these parts, I opened the door of my permanently rigged tent to discover two single pine beds, complete with mattresses, ready to rest me after a day being bounced from floor to ceiling of the truck.
The subsequent days were similar in pattern yet extremely unpredictable in experiences. Some animals can reliably be found in specific areas: the giraffes tended to frequent one particular spot by the river. Others were harder to find, even with David & Peter's highly trained eyes. We were all regularly amazed when the truck would start heading rapidly towards an empty section of hillside, only to discover yet another animal lurking in the shadows that no-one else had spotted.
One of my highlights was going on a trek with Takuro, the leader of our camp. Takuro is a Masai Warrior who has killed Lions & Elephants to protect his family, with only his spear as a weapon. We walked up a hill behind the Masai camp and looked down upon market day, an event that happens once every 7 weeks. Masai walk for upto 4 days from their village to market, bringing cattle, grains, fruit and veg to trade with other Masai.
We walked down to join them - Takuro wanted to trade one of his cows for two sheep. The market was bussling with Masai dressed in fantastically bright clothing which contrasted starkly with their dark skin. Many of them drank Soda - always a brand owned by Coca-Cola, such as Fanta, Sprite, and Coke. As in many parts of the world the bottled water was also marketed by Coca-Cola.
Over the 4 days in the Masai I saw many, many fantastic animals, from lions to elephants via rhino and buffalo. I'd heartily recommend the trip, even if you have only a few days to spare.
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