Good Company on the Road
“It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.” Rumi
An encounter with a male lion at sunrise. Lewa Conservancy, Kenya ©kathykarn
You can expect bumpy roads and tough driving conditions on safari. My Maasai guides often warn me “Maasai Rock n Roll!” or “Safari Massage!” as we approach rough terrain.
Maasai guide Joseph Metumi ©kathykarn
Game drives and nature photography involve long hours exploring wild habitats in the hope of seeing some of Africa’s iconic wildlife. A great guide, understanding animal behaviour, their travel routes, and being out at dawn and dusk when animals are more active improve your chances, but there are never guarantees of encounters with wild animals.
Lioness ©kathykarn
Sometimes we get lucky and animals share the road. Last January we had some great meetups: the time we came face to face with a “journey” (a traveling group) of giraffes strolling down the road and the lioness who stepped out from the tall grass into the golden morning sunlight to survey the landscape.
A “journey” of giraffes. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. ©kathykarn
Elephants crossing Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn
Established elephant trails often crisscross roads. Thanks to their size, we can see where elephants are heading and anticipate where they might traverse the road. Elephants always have right of way!
Matriarch, Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn
After most of the herd calmly crossed the road, this matriarch took a defensive position as a crossing guard before her calf was allowed to pass directly in front of us.
Follow the leader, Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn
Elephants are road savvy and very protective of their young calves. Tiny babies are securely wrapped inside a protective layer of larger limbs when crossing roads.
Elephant crossing, Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn
Kenya experienced unprecedented rains last January. The usual watering holes were vacant. Roads became a convenient and abundant water source for animals including this lovely group of common zebras.
Zebras, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya ©kathykarn
Elephants set the speed limit as we head back to camp. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya ©kathykarn
Our most exciting road encounter happened on our final game drive. Despite numerous reports of sightings of a leopard residing near our camp, we had yet to see one. Leopards are masters of invisibilty. I know for sure I’ve been seen by a leopard many more times than I’ve seen one!
We spent hours each day searching for an elusive female and her year old cub. The last evening, disappointed and unsuccessful, we gave up and headed home for dinner. Suddenly our guide slammed on the brakes and pointed wildly. There she was, the full reveal, mama leapoard, standing patiently looking over her shourlder as if to say, “I guess I have to make it easy for you, here I am.”
Leopard, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya ©kathykarn
Her son followed behind and the pair zigzagged back and forth across the road hunting a hyrax for their supper. What a thrill! Sometimes, when you least expect it, magic happens. Be prepared!
Leopard, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya ©kathykarn
