Day 8...full on S-A-F-A-R-I!

Early start (5am) but so worth it!! We drove about 2 hours into the Mara and started our Safari just as the sun was rising...what a magical day! I only wish I had a better camera. Darn, that means I will just have to go back one day! ;- ) Especially since we (only) saw 4 of the big 5....Rhinos, Elephants, Buffalo, and Leopards - just missing Lions :(

In addition to the animals I mention below, I also saw a pair of dik-diks - world's most romantic animals, they mate for life! They are also pretty rare to see since they are very skittish, I feel lucky to have spotted a pair...unfortunately, my picture didn't turn out.

I'll let the pictures below speak for themselves (click on a picture to enlarge them).

Forgive me if I've misnamed any animals

Sunrise over the Mara :)

 

First animals of the day...giraffes and zebras

Sneaky hyenas

So cool to be here during the great migration....wildebeests!

 

Leopard!

Leopard close up

 

While looking at the Leopards....the hippo was watching us!

Hippopotamus up close

Heron?

Zebras and Topis (they look like they're wearing blue jeans!)

Can't get enough baby zebra :)

And here come the elephants! 

 

Looks like the elephants have been swimming

 

Lone male elephant 

 

 Impalas

Zebra and waterbuck

 

Female waterbuck 

 

Buffalo

Old buffalo

 

Buffalo skull

Baboon

Lots of baboons!

awwwww baby baboon :)

Crocodiles

 

Swimming hippo

 

Hippo, baby hippo, AND crocs! Amazing

Me and the crocks and hippos :) 

 

Jackson photo-bombing my hippo pic

Birds.... 

 

More zebras....I love 'em!

Look at all them hippos and that big sucker! :-o 

 

Ahhhh, enjoying a Tusker in the Mara!

Too funny....James and a juice box! :)

 

A few more pics from Safari #1....just 'cause! Enjoy! :)

The rhinos together 

 

Majestic giraffe (and one drinking)

Best view in the house...I mean Mara!

 

Tusker time! (Being silly with the facilitators Amy, Alex, and James)

Definitely God's country...