Masai Mara

After spending Saturday and Sunday in Migori, we drove east out of Nyanza province by a bush trail crossing the transmara toward Nairobi. Along the way, we stayed at the Mara Siria Tented Camp perched on the Oloololo Escarpment on the western side of the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Mom and Dad taking a coffee

break during our off road trek.

We were treated to some spectacular views of Kenya and the incredible wildlife that roams the Masai Mara and Serengeti parks. August is the height of the annual wildebeest migration between Kenya and Tanzania, and we were greeted by millions and millions of these great gnus as they wandered the open plains in search of good grazing.

Tristan and Erica taking a look

over the Mara from our camp

Outside our tent at night we could hear the galloping of zebra and the call of birds. Early on Monday morning, we left to explore the Mara only to discover a small herd of elephant walking along the hillside just below our tent. It was amazing!

A lioness finishing her breakfast



An unhappy elephant trying to escape the noise of nearly five million wildebeest crashing his peaceful home.

Emma meeting a very friendly Eland

at the Oloololo Gate into the Masai Mara

Emma with our Masai host

Emma celebrating her 8th birthday with cake at the Mara Siria dining lodge -- this was a birthday we hope she never forgets.

Cape Buffalo

A mother Zebra and her colt

A mother cheetah and her cub

Mommy and Emma cuddling by

the hippo pools on the Mara River

A family of elephant crossing the Mara River

A beautiful serval cat that we met just before we left the park for our long dusty ride home.