Ok so a day in the Mara Encounter consists of:
6am: Breakfast during sunrise looking out to the bush!
6.30am: The start of the morning game drive!
10.30am: Brunch back at camp
11am till 3pm: Siesta time
3.30pm: Afternoon tea and cake
4pm: Evening game drive starts
6.30pm: Sunset drinks in the bush
7.30pm: Return to camp for showers
8pm: 'bush tv' :) drinks round camp fire
8.30pm: 3 course candle light dinner
10pm: Escorted back to tents

Yes getting up at 5.45am second day in a row was a killer, but totally worth it. Opening your tent and looking out to sunrise was truely breathtaking!

Our morning game drive started after we had all had breakfast, it was slightly chilly and certainly there was a cold wind while in the truck, but they had blankets for us all to wrap up in :) We saw 2 elephants, a giraffe with her young, another cheetah but this time with 2 cubs, mongoose and 4 spectacular zebra's!! along with the usuals like jackals, wildebeests, guzels etc.

We then went straight to brunch, where there was spag bal, veggie option, bacon and eggs, toast etc. The temperature was really high by this time, it was then siesta time! Where the 7 of us all went back to our own tents to chill, I lay in the hammock which was so relaxing, until it was too hot so had to come into the tent! (I'm calling it a tent but honestly it's like a 5* hotel room, in a marquee! You would never know its actually a tent!!) Had a wee siesta as we were told :) we had been up since 5.45am remember! I woke at 12.30pm and took some time sitting out in the 'tent porch' writing my diary/blog!

Following afternoon tea, we started on our evening game drive. Today was the warmest day so far, around 30-32 degrees!! So our evening drive wasnt cold at all. We saw 3 large male lions to start with, sleeping under a tree which were about 6yrs old! Lavina coughed and made them all stand up which was really funny and good for the photos :) Our next sighting was more lions and there was a group of 10 this time! Got some amazing pictures!! Next was a crocodile in the water then a huge croc lying in the shade. It was massive - hard to get photos of the crocs though! The first water we had seen in the last two days and it was a river full of hippos! Amazing! Even though they're pretty scary animals!

Then it was a dash for the sunset! Tonight was a beautiful clear sky with a stunning bright orange sunset! Chris got some amazing photos on her camera! Mosses our driver/guide did the same as last night and set up a table with drinks and snacks to have during the sun set! I had a double vodka and sprite tonight!! Hehe. It was soo good. (yes I know I thought id try give up alcohol for a month but I lasted 4 days whoops)

In the evening drive in the dark with the spot light we came across a herd of zebras, they were a lovely sight! Saw bush babies jumping from tree to tree and coke heartbeests!

Then it was shower time, I went first tonight because the bucket holds 40litres and Johanna went first last night, so had to be quick so there was enough water left for Johanna!

Bush tv and canapes was great tonight with a glass or two of red wine :) then it was our 3 course dinner under candle light, but tonight there was a difference! Instead of our table being in the small marquee it was out in the bush under the stars!! Definatly an experience I don't think I'll have ever again!! Menu was cream of pumpkin soup, followed by leg of lamb, mash tatties and veg then fruit salad and mouse!

Had a lovely meal and laughed so much my belly hurt!! It was such a giggle from catching moths, telling the Masai we weren't killing the moths (chris's special) and different sizes of wine glasses!!

Finally escorted back to our tent by our night guard (armed with the speer) and into bed with the hot water bottle :)

I will be sad to leave the Masai Mara tomorrow - it has been a one in a life time experience!!! xxx