Today was my birthday and we were off to the Masai Mara after an early, 0600, breakfast hoping to see a crossing and plenty of wildlife activity.
As we drove the sunlight on the tall seas of golden grass made for spectacular views. We passed lots of wildebeest and could see lots of herds wending here way across the hillsides. We spotted three lionesses strategically distanced for a hunt but seemingly lying down and having a rest. Soon after they started to move towards the herd we were stationary in - however they soon spotted them as they were brazenly sauntering towards them - after staring at them for a while the wildebeest and zebra panicked and ran as they got closer running in all directions. We watched the lionesses running at them seemingly enjoying the panic they caused- their hunt though was fruitless - they were constantly outrun. One did have a good tactic which could have worked aiming at the middle of a running line but nothing worked today - they clearly wanted to hunt maybe this method would have flushed out weak or injured animals of which we had seen several - but not in this herd. With the lionesses drawing a blank we continued into the Mara passing more wildebeest these had flocks of wattled starlings hitching a ride in anticipation of catching the insects that they disturbed.
We wended our way to the Mara river but as we moved towards it the numbers of wildebeest noticeably decreased as did the quality of the grass- it became drier and more spartan and was not much of an incentive for the wildebeest to cross.
That said we did spy several herds massing on the opposite bank while the grass in the Lamai triangle looked equally bad so if the wildebeest crossed and made their way further east they would find better eventually. We were hopeful that some might cross but they did their normal trick of advancing and retreating and moving to different points on the river - consequently we did likewise. Eventually we did see some come to the waters edge, they clearly wanted to cross but couldn't make up their mind when to go and were no doubt put off by the thought of the menace beneath - crocodiles - and the menace above - the massed ranks of grumpy hippos opposed to infiltrators in their river. Eventually the weight of numbers meant the crossing started in a tremendous dust cloud as they kicked up the dry soil ( today's photo). However the exit was quite narrow and they crushed against the side wall - some turned back and returned from whence they had come numerous, most youngsters, perished as they couldn't get out and others squashed them, no doubt exhausted they drowned and then floated down stream.
The position we took on the riverbank, with others, enabled great views and photo opportunities. The whole crossing lasted about 15-20minutes and was a real wildlife spectacle - we then went up onto the plains and saw the exhausted wet herd making their way into the Mara plains.
It was a really dramatic crossing and a great birthday present!
Enroute back we stopped for lunch on a tributary river bank after which we headed to a hill top and watched a cheetah and cubs who were on a mini island of bush and rocks.
As we got closer to camp we saw giraffe unusually lying down - a dangerous pursuit as it takes a long time to get up but as the predators tummy's were full with wildebeest they were probably safe.
We also saw a white tailed mongoose.
Back at camp we had a massage each which was refreshing and relaxing; John was first which meant I could go for a swim first this time in the equally nice, but not as big, camp swimming pool.
Before dinner we had singing and dancing from the staff and local Masai warriors which was fun to watch and be part of.
As it was my big day dinner concluded with a rousing chorus of happy birthday along with a cake - it was great but after a wonderful meal we could hardly manage a piece.