From Nakuru to Maasai Mara

Kenya has rich wild life and is spread all over Kenya, in various national parks. We were to cover two of them for their ecological diversity. Lake Nakuru national park as the name suggests is settled around Lake Nakuru; in fact it’s confluence of three lakes. Lake Elmentaita and Lake Bogoria being other two. The set up actually is situated in Rift valley around 170 km North West of Nairobi. It’s famous for abodes of Flamingoes and White and Black African Rhinos.

There was a light drizzle before we set out on the evening safari. Naturally air was chilled and crisp, but not warranting woolens. As the sun has still not set, the Mother Nature had one of her rare surprises for us, immediately.

Though infrequent event but not rare, there were two rainbows on the eastern sky. Second one is always less bright. But you never see three rainbows! Which flight I don’t remember but I chanced to see Rainbow in entire circle! That was sight to watch!

As we approached marshy lands there were hundreds and hundreds of pink flamingoes frolicking in water. According to estimates at times the number reaches almost 2 millions. It’s so because Lake Nakuru provides them with their staple food in abundance, ‘Algae.’ Along with flamingoes Pelicans and Cormorants too visit the lake. Flamingoes are migratory birds and influx keeps on changing according precipitate.

Another noteworthy inhabitant of Nakuru reserve is Black as well as White rhinos, which constitute one of big fives of Kenya, rest being Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs, Elephants and Bisons.

We could see only solo black Rhino that too from afar grazing on grass through binoculars. It is herbivorous animal though looks ferocious. The pictures of such shy animals could only be taken with telescopic lens. Though apparently they seem to be near, they actually are far away. In one way it is cheating. I too had passion for such photography and I do own Canon DSLR with telescopic lens. But lately I have realized that Middle class person wants to be all rolled in one, Tourist, Photographer, Hitchhiker, Connoisseur, it tires me. Plus the weight of gear is so much that in the end you feel like throwing it away. Many a time I missed the event as I was engrossed in taking the photos. So I said enough, I am happy enough to be a medical professional and with this rate I cannot become professional photographer.  Moreover with smart phones everybody now is a photographer. So now I follow the majority! Actually the number of Rhinos is quite large but we were lucky (Unlucky?) to sight only one. In Kaziranga it rains Rhinos!

What grasped my attention more was the surroundings. It’s so

picturesque that every snap you shoot is picture perfect! Dead trees standing still in the waters remind you of Periyar Lake in Keralam.

Grey cloud laden sky trying to meet the earth was another poem! Sometimes landscape wants you to be in, and I did not object!

On the way back we could sight few zebras, wild beasts and occasional Giraffe. But actual picture still was to be unveiled in Masaai Mara!

Dinner too was sumptuous. Tried some pork and it was delicious.

We were supposed to reach Maasai Mara by lunch time, max 2 PM. It is around 200 km from Nakuru and takes around 3 hours.  So early wake up call, early breakfast and by 8.30 AM we were on the road to Maasai Mara. 

Maasai Mara is in southwest Kenya around 350 kms from Nairobi, bordering on the north of Tanzania with which it shares the border; but you can bi-pass Nairobi as it takes a different route. Road to Masaai Mara is quite good barring few kilometers at the start and in the end. It traverses through beautiful landscape. Vast lustrous green meadows running for miles and miles, lined with tall emerald may be cedar or pine trees. It goes up and down many times giving a feel of roller coaster ride. When you are up, the view absolutely is riveting. Only green and different shades of green with at times shades of golden yellow of drying hey thrown in., no human habitation around for miles and miles.

We did cross few villages and few townships but none was worth writing anything home about. We took Coffee/snack break after 2 hrs of driving. It was curio shopping center with attached Coffee kiosk. African artisans were carving African animals out of soft wood in the nearby workshop. There were other curios too like beads, key-chains and what not. In my house we absolutely don’t have any place and space for having more curios, so it was out.

The assistant of coffee vendor was young very smart African boy-man with sharp African features. He had beautiful smile and it showed his absolutely sparkling white teeth in wide grin. His eyes too were sharp and reflected that effervescent smile. Unfortunately he was very shy and did not smile when I had photograph with him.  

Masaai is well known tribe of the region with their distinctive features and culture. Mara in their language, ‘Maa’ is spotted. The vast grass lands with hardly any tall trees, when one is seen, it is Mara. These vast grass lands are also known as Savannah. Presence of very few trees allows sun rays to reach the ground level. The ecosystem is such that it is drought resistant, may be because of subsoil water.

Our second stay in Africa was to be, Mara Simba lodge situated surprisingly in deep forestation in savannah on the bank of a river Talek. We were received by very good looking African lass at the reception. She was exquisitely beautiful! With smooth deep mahogany complexion her skin was glowing. She was almost five feet and ten inches tall, svelte and poised with very pleasant face. Her 1000 watts smile showed her neatly lined sparkling white teeth accompanied by cute dimples on the cheeks. Her doe shaped eyes reflected her smile in very warm manner. Hair tied in a short pony tail, not like her African sisterhood.

I said, “You look like Deepika Padukone” It could have been good pick up line back home.

She rolled her already round eyes in to big saucers, posing a question, “Who?”

Oh my god! Deepika Padukone would have died of shame, on realizing that in this part of world she was a non-entity!

Leaving Deepika Padukone to nurse her bruised ego we turned to dining hall. Central dining area was really spacious and roomy and had guests from all over the world, that is Masaai Mara for you, very well known all over the world for its wild life. Spread for lunch was vast and varied. It was dilemma for me what to select.  I selected meat stew with ample pieces. It was yummy. Meat was luscious and was absolutely melting in the mouth. Shubha suggested lamb curry. Actually my plate was full but tried lamb curry too. It was also very good. Here let me boast about my coffee table knowledge. Lamb is not mutton as construed in India but comes from sheep while what we call mutton comes from goat! With our tummies full we set out for our first safari of Maasai Mara.