The African jungle has been billed one of the most picturesque in the world. Many travel enthusiasts are scared to venture out there and explore what the African nature offers. Here are some African adventure fun pictures captured in the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
If you have never been to the Maasai Mara, antelopes seem very common and friendly as well to visitors. However, this is not the scenario when it comes to their predators. Most carnivores target antelopes for prey, to these defenseless ones, speed is the game to survive in the wild.
Below is what you expect to see from a close range in the evening at most camps and lodges across the Mara at the backdrop of the sun set.
The Graceful Gazelles
Fun Facts about the Gazelle
• One conspicuous thing about these animals is they are thin and agile. This enables them run fast and for long hours when faced by the enemy.
• Gazelles can stay for long periods without drinking water. They can survive on plant sap and dew for long.
• A gazelle can do speeds of up to 80 km/h.
• They do not travel alone; their herds are composed of 8-100 gazelles at any given time.
• The males are the Bucks while females are Does and their babies are Calves and Fawns respectively.
• Their predators are purely the carnivorous animals including the Lion, Cheetah, Leopard and Hyena.
Having Fun in the Bush
If you are the daring type, you can book for a Hot Air Balloon Ride across sections of the expansive Maasai Mara Game Reserve. You can leave your base early in the morning, ride on the balloon and land only to find your breakfast ready in the “bush”!
Balloon rides give you’re the entire Savannah view with animals and birds below you. This is ideal for both fauna and flora lovers. The views are just out of this world.
First time on a balloon can be scary but fun at the same time. Once you are off the ground, you enjoy the cool breeze and amazing view of giraffes, zebras and the occasional lions and hyenas. The warmth, landscape and the natural lighting is a must capture through your camera lens.
Balloon safaris enable you get close to many physical features as possible. Below is a balloon flying over the Maasai Mara River; the great migration hot spot. It is always to ride a balloon and watch animals scattering under you; it is a real adventure and a spectacle.
Facts about Balloon Rides or Safaris:
• Balloon rides are done early in the morning or late in the afternoon
• The balloons are filled with hot air to enable them to float
• Its lasts approximately 1 hour and you get exceptional game views and a chance to take the best photos ever.
• Kids below the age of eight are not allowed in the ride for safety reasons.
• Breakfast/dinner is served on landing and you are driven back to the basecamp thereafter.
• Mornings and evenings are the best time to ride since most animals are feeding and the scenery superb.
Here you come face to face with the big five. They roam the wilderness at will. Do not step out of your tour van; you never know when they can strike. You have a chance of meeting some of the big cats in the Mara; the king lion is very common and you can come face-to-face at will.
The lion is the most respected and dreaded cat in the wild. This is a must see if you are good at spotting animals. These are usually in prides or alone and are easily seen when they are relaxing under trees and shrubs. The lion, as opposed to the lioness is the laziest of all wild cats.
Taking a close range photo of a lion takes courage especially if you know what they are capable of. The lioness or females do the hunting for the family. The lion has to geed first, the cubs and the lioness or mother last.
Lions and other big cats prey on gazelles, giraffes and the zebras. Watching these innocent animals fight for their lives can be quite a scene. Lionesses hunt as a pack, once they identify their target, they go for it.
Lions will go for any herbivore on sight once they need to feed. Zebras, antelopes, wildebeests are their targets. They hunt in grassland as well as near water points. These are areas where their prey frequent.
This is a short virtual African adventure of fun pictures captured in the Great Maasai Mara. However, you need to have a certified tour guide to experience the thrills. If you are self-driving; use due diligence and stay safe.
Stay tuned for more photos on African Adventure Fun Pictures!
Africa is very beautiful and I would advise those seeking outdoor adventure to give it a try. I recommend maasai mara in Kenya for the best safari ever. One of the wonders of the world (wildebeest migration) happens there :)
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