Sadly we finished our last game drive today. We had a short drive and honestly didn’t expect to see much except a lot of wildebeests and zebras. However we saw a new mammal for us – a hartebeest. And we watched two 4-5 yr old male lions hunt and successfully kill an injured wildebeest. The wildebeest had a broken leg, had been left behind by his herd and really had no chance for survival. When he saw the lions he actually walked toward them. Thus this was an easier hunt to watch than the cheetah hunt for the wildebeest calf. The lions were fascinating. They were so patient, waiting for just the right moment; then one of them crouched down, slowly creeped up and then spring forward in a burst of speed. The icing on the cake were these were two new lions for us.
Our final count is 38 different species of mammals, 35 species of birds and 2 reptiles.
Our final lion count is AMAZING. We saw 121 different individual lions. This includes 42 cubs, 29 subadults (teenagers), 7 adult males and 43 females.
We have learned the pride structure here and know the names of the lions in each pride. We got to know the lions so well that we are very worried right now. Since we have been here two male lions have kicked two others entirely out of the conservancy. The females from those prides are on the run with their cubs with no male to protect them. Our guide has promised to update us as events unfold.
It has been fascinating following lion dynamics. I’ve learned to age lions quite well by sight and we can both recognize lions we have seen before.
We loved every minute here. Nothing went wrong. No problems. We just loved Africa and the people we have met. We have made a lifelong friend here and really want to return. In fact we have already laid the groundwork for our return trip in 2016.
I will miss Kenya.
Looking Out Seeing Within 