Rain, Dust & Wildlife: A Few Weeks Around Camp

It’s been a pretty spectacular few weeks in camp. The Mara has been very dry and hot, but what little rain we did get seemed to fall right on top of us  –  and the wildlife followed.

Thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and zebra grazed on the fresh grass around camp, while herds of elephants wandered gently past or retreated from the midday heat into the forest that fringes our campsite. After dark, the predators took over. We heard a leopard calling, and one night it was spotted slipping quietly through the middle of camp.

Two sister lionesses and their super cute cubs made the most of  it, feasting each night not far from our tents. Never far behind were two big males, hangers-on hoping for a share of the spoils. One evening, as we sat around the fire, they strolled straight up to camp, close enough that we could see them by the glow of the firelight.

The birdlife around camp has been just as good. Grey hornbills, African blue and paradise flycatchers, red-headed weavers, and violet-backed and wattled starlings were all spotted flitting in the trees around the mess tent.

Here are a few snapshots, all taken in camp or within 500 metres of it.