I am a huge fun of supporting local tourism. This country is so beautiful, from the coastal beaches to the unbelievable Rift valley to the lakeside resorts.
There is a reason however, that the wildebeest migration was named the eighth wonder of the world, in a heavyweight category amongst its peers. If safaris are your cup of tea ( I don’t see how they couldn’t be anyone’s) then the one adventure that will get your adrenaline pumping and leave your heart racing, is found in Kenya’s stunning Maasai Mara National Reserve. I think my weekend getaway there is going into my book of records as one of those trips I’ll never forget.
After booking with the Castel Mara Camp, situated right at the Sekenani gate to the Masai Mara, i could hardly keep calm as our vehicle raced up the Mai Mahiu escarpment, through Narok to Siana conservancy.
Like i said, the Rift valley is beautiful. Running through more than eight different countries in Africa, the Kenyan side of it is the most breathtaking, with a landscape that looks like something straight out of a nature documentary; sweeping savanna grasslands that go on forever, with acacia trees peppered sparsely across the plains.
The Castel Mara completes the African safari vibe in ways I cannot explain. It had come highly recommended by a friend. With a reputation that precedes it, the Castel Mara did not disappoint.
I arrived there in the early afternoon hours, and our group was greeted by our friendly hosts who checked us in, and made us feel at home instantly. What usually makes a vacation memorable? I usually ask myself. Personally, on top of that list should be the place I stay and how accommodative/ friendly the staff can be. Also at hand to welcome us were traditional Maasai dancers.
After a quick refresh in the cozy tents, we headed straight out to the restaurant. (The tents give a perfect “safari in the bush” experience that is hard to duplicate.) The restaurant is a rustic wooden building with ample decks that immediately announces to you that this is where you relax and reconnect with nature. Everyone deserves to get away from the rat race in the concrete jungles and reconnect with nature every once in a while.
We had a sumptuous lunch. Food is my weak spot and I always have to acknowledge a good meal when I come across one. The food here was made with attention to detail and was almost perfect to a fault. If only we had the time to fully appreciate it, but we had our first game drive to catch. We were almost like children, pulsating with anticipation.
Our guide informed us that over 1.5 million wildebeest were in the process of making their annual migration across the Mara and into Kenya from Tanzania. This massive movement of herbivores had drawn scores of hungry predators looking to make a kill. While the predators spelt trouble for the prey, it was good news for us because that is exactly what we were here for. That rush of adrenaline as the predator pounces on it’s prey. We were hoping to witness firsthand the dramatic battle for survival on the plains.
As we bounced across the terrain in our safari-top jeep, I tried taking pictures of dazzling birds swooping through the air and gazelles bounding through the grass. However, It took a while before we could catch our first action of the day. This happened after our guide took us off-road through denser brush.
There we stumbled upon a sight that made us catch our breath – a pack of lions feeding on a fresh wildebeest carcass. There is just something magical about that scene, with blood still dripping from the “king of the jungle’s” mouths, majestic even in their feeding hour. Threatening even.
As the lions turned to glare directly at us, their piercing eyes reflecting the vehicle’s headlights, I couldn’t help but feel a shiver run through my body. The sheer power and energy radiating from them was palpable. I felt like prey being sized up.
Elephants, warthogs, Zebras, Wildebeest, an odd rhino, impalas, Cheetahs – you name them. We saw almost everything that the Mara is famously known for. It was time to call it a night.
Driving back as the sun began to set, the sun cast a warm orange glow over the landscape, turning everything that we looked at magical. And as you all already know, I am a sucker for sunsets and looking at this one specifically almost had me crying for joy.
Later that night, we celebrated over dinner and cocktails, recounting the day’s events. We now had enough time to savour the meals. My taste buds were taken for a pleasant ride and I enjoyed everything. It was culinary pleasure through and through with fantastic presentation.
The team at Castel Mara setup a bonfire for us and we sat around with our drinks, in awe of the beauty nature has bestowed us.
We talked about anything and everything. We sampled cocktails, everyone had a chance to introduce their music of choice; but as usual, Amapiano carried the night. Everyone was happy and grateful to spend such a night out in the wild.
On our final morning safari, we set out at dawn hoping to witness the Great Migration river crossing. First animal of the day surprisingly being the ever so graceful but elusive Leopard ; spotted with a fresh kill (pun not intended.) We drove to a slightly wooded area on the edge of the swamp and right there – up the big tree was a leopard chewing at the carcass of an Impala.
A first hand witness to how survival for the fittest truly works out. Sprint or be killed. Kill or be maimed, nothing is ever predictable on these sides.
It was now time to witness our star attraction – the migration.
We couldn’t wait to make it to the Mara River and see thousands of wildebeest plunge into it’s crocodile-infested waters. Isn’t it amazing truly how all those animals know what lurks beneath the roaring waters, scared to death but with no alternative other than to cross the river? How amazing is nature, you cannot help but ask.
Here at this river, the weakest, the slowest, the sick ones and the dumb ones shall perish, used as sacrificial lambs for the rest of the animals to move across into the Serengeti, where they will cross majestically, regardless of whether they have documentation or not. Nature is no obeyer of authority. Hehe.
A fitting grand finale to an unforgettable weekend.
We parked at a raised point, we could see the wildebeest gathered on the opposite bank of the Mara river across from where we parked. The gnu were assembled at the riverbank, nervously nudging each other towards the river edge – sniffing in the air and pushing back – while the ones at the back pushed to the front. It was a nerve wracking sight.
Perhaps because they all knew that the crocodiles were lying in wait, ready to ambush and kill the unlucky ones.
It happened as we watched. Suddenly there was a big splash as the first row of animals crashed into the river almost reluctantly. It was now game on, as the smell of death hung heavily in the air. Mayhem, chaos and uncertainty all rolled into one in the river crossing, with some triumph for the animals that made it across. But we all knew it was just a matter of time before the first casualty struck. Even the animals knew it somehow.
The full circle of life and death in one fell swoop. A feast for the crocodiles in what is ultimately a death trap to the poor herbivores.
