East African Safari Odyssey continued II

No time to linger on an inspection trip, we head off promptly after lunch for our next African safari destination, Mara Intrepid, a Heritage Hotel property in the centre of the Masai Mara on the banks of the Talek River (which joins the Mara River.) Mara Intrepid, though rather large, is a beautiful camp and offers a multiplicity of activities (apart from game drives) for all ages (children included, for whom the fenced garden offers additional protection from the ubiquitous wildlife.)

At the start of our first African safari game drive from this location, had the amazing fortune to see a pangolin, the armoured car of the bush, who is more of a nocturnal creature (but maybe the heavy cloud had confused him into thinking night was fast approaching!)  Not long after this rather exciting sighting we came across an elusive and very shy caracal, easily recognisable by his Dr Spock ears.  After our exhilarating African safari game drive and a very long day, we arrive back at camp eager for a hot shower.  Unfortunately having wasted quite a bit of water, the hot tap continued to produce only cold water!  Now while John is much more robust than me, taking “authentic” African safaris, pub-crawls on horseback and other adventurous endeavours in his stride, he draws the line at cold showers!  Thankfully the response to his protest was immediate with the faulty tap being fixed instantly!  Recognising that it is unreasonable to expect nothing to go wrong on an African safari (or any trip for that matter) we consider the measure of competence to be in the timing and the adequacy of the response – so full marks to Mara Intrepid!    

Regrettably we must wave goodbye to Julian and Jenny the following morning as their African safari ends with their departure on one of the little aircraft that buzz around the airstrip adjacent to the camp like flies around a cow pat!  We abandon the afternoon African safari game drive as the rain and cool temperatures has sent the wildlife in search of shelter – other, of course, than the wildebeest (who don’t seem to have been equipped with a brain and would be better named the bewildered  beasts!  But then a brain would probably disqualify them for the job of “fodder for predators”!)  Brrrrr, the hot water-bottles will be very welcome tonight as I count my blessings that I took John’s advice to bring my ski jacket!

Just as we were about to depart from Mara Intrepid, the assistant manager rushes up to explain that he wants to show us one last thing – but it will require a short trip and directs us into the waiting 4WD.  A few minutes later we emerge into a clearing at a rapidly dwindling hippo pool and spread out in front is a breakfast setting fit for a king, complete with brightly coloured tablecloths flapping in the morning breeze and fully attired chef awaiting instructions!  Just as well we restricted our morning refreshments to fruit and cereal, conscious as we are of the need to pace ourselves on an African safari to avoid returning home as big as houses!  So watched on by wallowing hippos, contentedly back in the water after their night’s grazing, we enjoy a delightful open air African safari breakfast, bathed in sunshine – maisha matamu (sweet life) indeed!

Taking long winding routes between Masai Mara destinations gives us the impression that the National Park is much larger than its mere 1,510 square kilometers.