I was fortunate to end my trip in Kenya with a three day safari.  I must say it sure beat visiting the zoo.  There is not much like viewing animals from their natural habitat.  Anyways, Grace and I were picked up in Nairobi by David, our tour guide, and Douglas, our driver.  We were spoiled to have an inclusive safari which included just us.  Typically the vehicle accomodates seven tourists, but we were lucky to avoid other foreigners.  However, Felippo (a Soteni intern from Italy) reported being on a safari with four japanese individuals who vaguely spoke english.  I think that would have added some more excitement to the ride.  Nonetheless, Grace, David, Douglas, and I embarked on a five hour bump fest to the Masai Mara National Park.  Our camp ground was exceptional consisting of 14 tents; 12 for visitors, 1 for eating meals, and 1 for social gatherings.  The camp ground was "eco friendly" and each tent actually had a shower, and a toilet, both of which operated remarkably.  

We went on four game rides, 2 in the mornings and 2 in the afternoons.  The first game ride I felt like a kid running downstairs for his first Christmas as I viewed the wildlife in total awe.  I witnessed many impressive aspects of the game rides, but the most amazing of all was the wildebeest migration.  Our tour guide, who has obviously been on numerous game rides noted how he hasn't seen the migration for five years.  I learned from him that in the climax of the migration there are over 3 million wildebeests!  I stood in the vehicle like aged photographer snapping countless pictures of these hideous looking animals run from one area to the next.  We all laughed because there were roughly 8 zebras who grazed in proximity to the galloping wildebeests and appeared to stare at the wildebeests moronic tendencies.  At one point the wildebeests were congregating in a brook cooling off from the hot sun.  A couple would make sudden moves and the numerous wildebeests would run chaotically out of the water, almost like a pack of lions were attacking.

I saw giraffes, cheetahs, elephants, antelopes, warthogs (pumba), meercats (timon), buffalos, gazelles, hippos, a hyena, a jackal, vultures, and countless other birds.  In fact, the second most fascinating aspect of the safari was learning about a bird with a unique relationship with the giraffe.  The oxpecker sits on the neck of the giraffe and not only eats the parasites and tics off the body, but also warns the giraffe of danger by making a distinct sound.  I saw hippos playing in the water, and felt uneasy when the tour guide and driver felt we were safe enough to exit the vehicle and watch from the edge of the hill.  At one point a hippo made an attempt to get out of the water heading right towards us, so I acted cowardly by darting back for the truck.  Turned out the hippo just wanted to give us a scare. 

On our way back to Nairobi we stopped and I able to get some pictures with the Masai tribe.  This tribe is the type most think of when they think of Africa.  The people consist of droopy earlobs, beaded necklaces and bracelets, holding spears, and wear bright red and orange lasos.