Safari In Kenya

Awash with national parks and reserves, Kenya is unmatched as the ultimate safari destination. It is the scene of many a wildlife TV documentary and the Maasai Mara is famous with viewers, enthralled at the drama of the endless struggle for survival. And from Kenya your safari can cross the borders into Tanzania and Uganda.

This hub is a photographic safari through some of Kenya's safari parks.

The red elephants of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya get their hue from dusting themselves in the rust-coloured soil of the region. On safari, I captured the above photo of one in threatening display. This was a youngster who wanted to cross in front of our safari vehicle to keep up with the herd, on the way to their waterhole. The youngster hesitated, flapping her ears at us, stopping and starting repeatedly, until she finally dashed passed.

Also on their way to the waterhole, but much more sedate was this mother with her calf...

And the elephants finally reach the waterhole. To witness elephants drinking and bathing is one of the joys of safari and I was glad that our safari operator endeavoured to include this in our itinerary.

Your safari should provide you with some memorable events. Here, as though timed to perfection, we saw a herd of buffalo on the move and approaching our vehicle. Like the elephants, they crossed the trail in front of us - perhaps they were also on the way to the waterhole. I was pleased to capture a shot of a calf hurrying along after its mother.

Giraffes will stare at you every bit as curiously as you stare at them. Perhaps they're wondering how we got such short necks. Your safari should come across some giraffes at some point. To stand over a valley and watch a group of them in the distance is like watching a scene from Jurassic Park. Who needs dinosaurs anyway when we have creatures like these?

When on safari, it always strikes me how alert these animals are - always looking into the distance. Of course, they are on the lookout for prey, but they also have to watch out for their safety. They are vulnerable because, designed for speed, they are more lightly built then the other big cats, and less able to defend themselves. And lions can and do kill them.

Some digital editing here to combine a zebra with a Maasai Mara sunset. Why? Because I could!

The zebra was actually shot on a short safari in Nairobi National Park. If you're ever in Nairobi and don't have the time to organise a safari to one of the other reserves, the park is well worth a visit.

That's the end of my short safari adventure. I hope you enjoyed it.