Lions, Giraffes and Gorillas Oh My

[Flying mermaid]

Jeremiah then suggested we go and see if the Wildebeest were ready to cross at another crossing point. Soon after we got there they started - thousands of them and zebra too. They came down both sides of the incline, with clouds of dust and massive leaping through the water.

 

[tgh]

Super pics...

 

[Flying mermaid]

Then we went to have a look at an elephant crossing, which was near where we had seen the wildebeest. Yes he was still there - 2 hours later, just standing there doing nothing.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Then things got bad - there is only so long you can stand in the water.....

 

[Flying mermaid]

and soon the poor wildebeest was in bits in various mouths

 

[tgh]

Where we crossed the Mara it was very rocky and the horses struggled a bit.
It was all a tad real for me, the hippos' lurked just out of whip range and the crocs were around.
One hippo decided to close in in and only retreated at a swing of the stock whip
A few months adrenalin store trashed in ten minutes.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Where we crossed the Mara it was very rocky and the horses struggled a bit.
It was all a tad real for me, the hippos' lurked just out of whip range and the crocs were around.
One hippo decided to close in in and only retreated at a swing of the stock whip
A few months adrenalin store trashed in ten minutes.

I bet - I read that hippos are responsible for large numbers of human fatalities in Africa!

 

[Milboo]

Wow. What an amazing series of photos - and to see the hippo helping, but all in vein. Poor guy

 

[kermatu]

What amazing pics and experiences. Nature in all its guises.

 

[Drakecula]

These are amazing photos and experiences. I love hippos. I liked how it tried to help out, but then the crocs got it in the end. All those wildebeest! Makes me want to watch the Lion King

 

[Flying mermaid]

These are amazing photos and experiences. I love hippos. I liked how it tried to help out, but then the crocs got it in the end. All those wildebeest! Makes me want to watch the Lion King

I always thought wildebeest were very boring, but I have developed quite an affection for them after this trip. Not a good thing, as they appear to be the krill of Africa.

 

[Flying mermaid]

After our hard day with crossings it was time for sundowners at the rock overlooking the Mara. We even had an armed askari with us - just in case.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Just some photos of the fire where sundowners are normally held at the camp, the swan towel, John our tent keeper did for us, some of the common areas at Singita Mara and the manager and our waiter Herman.

 

[Flying mermaid]

It was a short flight from Singita Mara to the private Singita Grumeti reserve, where we would be staying at Sabora and then Sasakwa. We had a pleasant surprise, as Jeremiah said he would be driving to Grumeti and would be our guide there as well.

We had paid for a private vehicle for the 6 nights at Grumeti, but Singita had decided to give us the same guide for all 9 nights and give us a private vehicle for all of it as well.

 

[craven morehead]

Some of Mr FM's birdsView attachment 138439 View attachment 138440 View attachment 138441 View attachment 138442

Wow ! Mr FM's camera must be something else , just beautiful.

 

[craven morehead]

However the hippo just seemed to want to help! With a lot of resistance from the wildebeest he managed to get him onto higher groundView attachment 139054 View attachment 139055 View attachment 139056 View attachment 139057 View attachment 139058

Simply fantastic !! I'm fast running out of superlatives for this trip

 

[Straubs]

Just amazing, currently living through you as a trip like this is likely many years away for me!

 

[Kelstarama]

Loving your report! Sorry you didn't get Calson as your guide. Looking forward to the next instalment.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Loving your report! Sorry you didn't get Calson as your guide. Looking forward to the next instalment.

Have a week to go - back home now and very tired, but hopefully Mr FM will let me have the rest of the photos tomorrow and I will be able to finish .

We got on really well with Jeremiah and he loves taking photographs, so Mr FM was able to spend time with him, showing him how to use his camera better. All went over my head, but it seemed to involve when you used “stops” and things like that. I thought you just pointed the camera and went click, but apparently there is a lot more skill than that

 

[LadyC]

Some fabulous photos you have - looks amazing!