May 29: Masaii Mara safari

Kenya is known for its safaris and the Masaii Mara is supposed to be world-famous for spotting game – especially in July, when thousands of wildebeests migrate from the Serengeti to the Mara. Although we won’t be seeing any wildebeest, we’re all just excited to be going away for a relaxing weekend and amazing food. We’re going with the same tour operators who took us to Lake Naivasha, so we’re all certain that the food will be good.
At 8:30am, we all load onto the familiar safari truck – a monster of a vehicle that Heidi calls “embarrassing” to be seen in. The wind hit us violently in the face and we feel every bump and rock on the road. I regret not taking a Gravol in preparation for this six-hour drive.
By about 11am, we reach Narok, the last big town before the Mara, and have some chai. We eat a packed lunch on the truck and by 1pm, we’ve made it to the Mara. We waste no time and go straight for a game drive. Zarek describes all of the animals to us and I am amazed by our driver Charles’ eye in spotting animals. After a couple of hours, we go to the campsite, set up and eat dinner. It feels like we’re camping amongst the animals because we can hear the sound of hyenas at night and there it is pitch black. It’s a little unsettling, especially because the only thing separating us from the animals is a small riverbank. In fact, warthogs and gazelles are in perfect view.
I decide to sleep early, but I just toss and turn throughout the night.