MosheR Loc: New York City

There are several ways one can get to Maasai Mara. The easiest and quickest by far, of course, is by air. The problem with this is that I hate flying, although since I like to go places and could not do most of them if I didn't leave the ground, I suck in my gut and get on the damned plane. As it happens, my late friend Ed was an esteemed aeronautical engineer with several very important inventions under his belt. He was a little guy, fourteen years my senior, whom I would not want to have to depend on in a gangfight or somesuch. But whenever I flew with him, for some reason I felt reasonably safe. I don't know why, because what could he actually do if there was a problem? But this was one of those times, so I felt fine.


We knew when we approaching the area because we flew over the easily identifiable circular settlements of the Maasai people. These settlements, traditionally used by the Maasai, are called "Manyattas." A Manyatta typically consists of a collection of huts made of a framework of branches and covered with a mixture of mud, dung, and grass. The circular arrangement of these huts helps in creating a secure enclosure for the community and their livestock. Manyattas are essential for their nomadic lifestyle, providing a temporary home that can be easily assembled and disassembled as they move in search of grazing land for their cattle.


Our guides and the staff of the settlement to which we would be going were waiting for us at the airstrip. They put us into a jeep and promptly drove us to our temporary new home. Along the road we began to see sights that, although we have seen them before in other parts of Africa, were always thrilling for us. The ride from the airstrip to the place in which we would be staying took a few hours, every minute of it a joy to behold.

One of the several Manyattas we flew over. This was not where we stayed.


Deplaning.


Our plane leaving. The large guy in the khakis was our guide, Rollex. We liked him so much we used him on several subsequent trips to Africa in the coming years.


Youthful goatherds excited to see us. This happens all over Africa. The locals have not all that much to do, so a jeep full of bizarre looking westerners is to them, the way the Macy's parade is to us.


The wildebeests were not as excited to see us as the kids were.


Neither was the zebra.


But as you can see, the elephant was thrilled that we were there.


Ultimately we saw many different kinds of animals during our little sojurn, including most of the big cats endemic to Africa.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Love the animals. Can’t say much for the “airport”.

MosheR Loc: New York City

I agree, except that the airport is indirectly what made it possible for us to get there.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Very nice!

MosheR Loc: New York City

Thank you.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

What a trip - to see the animals AND the culture all at once.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Love the Maasai Mara!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Nice, Moshe! So can we assume that this is part one? You aren't going to leave us hanging after the casual mention of big cats are you??

Stash Loc: South Central Massachusetts

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Fantastic set and great narrative as usual Mel. The zebra shot is a prize winner!

lnl Loc: SWFL

I agree. The zebra shot is special. Such a fascinating barren land. I’m glad you post your photos because I doubt I will see it in person.

HRoss Loc: Longmont, CO

On my trip, we drove from Nairobi to Masai Mara. The "paved" road was so badly cratered that we drove on the dirt shoulder. It's been 20 years and I'm still recovering from the bumpy ride. Nice shots, thanks.

MosheR Loc: New York City

All of Kenya was fantastic.