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Showing posts from September, 2024

Tanzania: Ngorongoro National Park

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Exploring the Wonders of Ngorongoro National Park: A Tale of Two Journeys  Part 1: Driving Around the Rim Entering the gates of Ngorongoro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled me with eager anticipation. The morning was cloaked in fog, adding an air of mystique to our ascent along the narrow road that wound around the rim. The sounds of our jeep's engine reverberated in the mist, accompanied by the occasional glimpse of towering trees and the vehicle ahead. As we approached a lookout point, our guide opted not to stop, citing the thick fog obscuring any view. However, as if nature sensed our curiosity, a faint streak of light pierced through the clouds, revealing what appeared to be a mountain range cloaked in verdant forest. Gradually, the mist lifted, unveiling a vast expanse below adorned with a shimmering lake. Our guide mentioned that it was the Malanja Depression and informed us that this temporary water body was a result of recent rains. Nestled amidst this na...

Kenya: The Pink Lake

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Encountering the Majesty of Pink Flamingos at Lake Elementaita. Stepping into the serene wilderness of Soysambu Conservancy in Kenya was a journey filled with unexpected marvels. Just on my second day in this breathtaking country, I embarked on an unforgettable safari that would forever be etched in my memory. A Rough Journey to Serenity Leaving behind the bustling Rift Valley, our path to Lake Elementaita, where our lodge awaited, was not without its challenges. A rugged, unpaved road tested our patience with its deep potholes over a 7-kilometer stretch. Yet, as we ascended towards the lodge perched atop a mountain, the vista that greeted us was nothing short of spectacular. Before us lay Lake Elementaita, its shores seemingly adorned with a pink hue that beckoned us closer. Later that day, our guide proposed a nature walk within Soysambu Conservancy. Boarding a safari jeep, we ventured through the conservancy's gates, treated to a mini game drive where impalas, buffalos and an ar...

Kenya Safari: Masai Mara National Park

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Witnessing the Drama of Wildlife at Masai Mara  Venturing into the wilds of Masai Mara National Park in Kenya promised an adventure unlike any other. Having previously experienced the thrill of a safari in South Africa's Kruger National Park, where I encountered the famed big-five, I eagerly awaited a different spectacle this time: the great migration. Timing my journey for August, I hoped to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon firsthand, only to arrive a week late. Despite missing the migration, what unfolded was a safari filled with unforgettable moments of nature's raw drama and deep insights into animal behavior.  I saw lots of animals; from different types of antelopes, elephants, necking giraffes, leopards, mongoose, to gentle zebras and the so-called ugly-five (hyenas, marabou stork, warthogs, hippos & vultures) to birds (Marshall eagles, vultures & secretary birds that take off and land like an airplane.) Encounters with Lions Our first game drive immersed us...