The sunrise was even more fantastic this morning than yesterday as we started out on our morning safari drive. We took a different road this morning around some rock outcrops. Two Giraffes stood close together watching our Land Rover. One of Giraffes affectionately rubbed his face up and down the neck of the other. Several Elephants crossed the dirt path in front of us before we ended up by the river. Lying atop a rock all by himself was a lion cub sleeping peacefully. No doubt his mother was nearby but we didn't see her.
We got very close to some Hyenas, Silver-Backed Jackals, and an Elephant cub. And then we came upon three Cheetahs. The Cheetahs had killed a Thompson's Gazelle and several Hyenas were attempting to steel it from them. Several Vultures awaited the outcome. One of the Hyenas rushed towards one of the Cheetahs. The Cheetah retreated, then turned on the Hyena, chased it briefly, bared his teeth and then turned away. The Hyena ran to the dead Gazelle. There was another brief attempt by the Cheetah to scare off the Hyena but the Hyena held its ground. The other two Cheetahs watched from their lying down positions. They showed no interest in the dead Gazelle and seemed to be watching for the entertainment value more than anything else. The Hyena grabbed the Gazelle and began to lumber away with it. A second Hyena and all of the Vultures watched while the awkward canine tripped over her prize as she carried it up a hill. The Vultures would have to wait.
After breakfast we packed up and headed for the little clay landing strip. I have loved Kenya. Each of our hotels offered something different: the luxury of the hotel in Nairobi, the quiet, wooded Mountain Lodge, the tents of Sweetwaters, and the spectacular views from the Maasai Mara. We've seen more than 50 different species of birds, reptiles and mammals. I can't believe it's already time to leave. In just another week I'll be back in the U.S. I feel sad thinking about leaving Africa.
After several hours in the Nairobi airport we flew to Tanzania. It was 8pm by the time we finally got to our hotel in Arusha, Tanzania. We got a good look at the Milky Way on our way to the dining hall but clouds moved in while we ate. We were so tired. Airport travel is such a buzz-kill.
The "airport" at the Maasai Mara
