Adventure in the Mara

I walk like a normal day of any Guide ready to go and pick my Guests at Olonana camp in the Western Edge of the Mara. I left my Village in Namelok–Narok County early to travel three and half hours to my next destination. The journey was adventurous, I was driving an old Land Cruiser Pick-Up that most of the parts seemed from outside not to be working but I diligently worked on every single part of it to ensure it reached the destination. Like any traveler I put my journey into the grace of God and so to the protection.

My 2 year old was awake at 4:00am and we had tea together before he waved and said “Bye Baba” – little emotions of love and loneliness touched my heart. Two hours later I passed through the Loita Plains. On the right are the great and history-filled Lekanka Hills known for the huge and beautiful male lions.

It was a short drive before I reached Nkoilale (Small Town) where I made a right turn to the gate into the Naboisho Conservancy which is one of the best Conservancies in the Mara region and probably to me in the whole country. I reached Leopard Hill Camp on the Southern Most End of the conservancy. The Manager (William) and the Guest relation lady (Maria) were so welcoming. I freshened up quickly and by this time I was worried my old car cannot make it.

Good and well-conditioned cars are essential for any freelance Guide. At this time I was in touch with Murunya (Enaidura Camp Driver) to connect to a game viewer. I drove toward the Direction of Ilgila Barrier and by this time nothing was working in my Old Cruiser (The brakes and Clutch were gone, it was overheating, the Fan belt broke )…..

I was stuck briefly but not long after, Murunya arrived. It was 8:30amm and still had an hour and half to Olonana. The game viewer was like day and night compared to my Pick-up, it was a smooth ride. I dropped Murunya next to a village and I took direction towards 9Kms to the Main road. Shortly I had an issue – the vehicle stalled and I checked whether everything was working nicely but checking on the battery, the holder of the right terminal was worn out and gone. I tried to contact Murunya and any other Mechanic in vain, so I decided to walk to the nearby village(3kms).

1 Kilometre away from the vehicle I saw an Elephant in front and as if they were calling each other; they started coming from every direction. This seems to be a dream but I had to act quickly. I checked the wind direction, my heart was beating fast and of course having been used to only driving I learnt the need for exercises (a few thousand steps everyday).

My pace picked up every step I would go away from the elephants and the car. Despite approaching it was becoming meters far!! I remembered the famous words of Mandela, “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” By this time I was closer to the road that connects Olare Orok Community and Talek Villages. I saw a motorbike coming and was relieved. By this time it was 10am and still one hour away from Olonana. I stopped the guys, they seemed friendly but alas they got a more serious issue than me. It happened after Mara Rianda to Talek in one crossings (tream) they got charged by a Buffalo and they fell down.

I hesitated to tell them my story but I asked “Can you take me to my car there (Pointing at Car)?” He answered “Yes”. We reached there and I pointed out the issue. He looked at me with a cheeky smile but with confidence and surety and said “….Hii ni kitu kidogo/this is nothing” I smiled……..I said for sure whoever who said that…“next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.”

The road to Olonana was recently paved and smooth and not advisable for beginners or new drivers. I passed through Mara Rianda Shopping Centre –which is the fastest growing shopping centre – it looks so new every time I visit and the fences surrounding some of the villages are well improvised (Built with rocks essentially blocking off Elephants from Compounds).

At 10:45am I arrived at Olonana. The camp is first class and very formal. I picked the guests at the Main reception and briefed them on our onward Trip and the timings for our trip to Naboisho Leopard Hill. The group was very enthusiastic and very excited about their upcoming adventures.

We passed through the Musiara marsh through Rhino ridge and came across over 32 Mammals of which our best sighting was seeing the Nashipae Cheetah cubs (Namelok and Ngao). They just left their mum and seem to be doing well in hunting – they just killed a Thomson Gazelle and on the side were over 60 Vultures (4 Species). We spent the shortest time possible as we had a long trip ahead. We crossed Smelly Crossing and headed East to the famous 9km and North East towards Naboisho Conservancy.

On entering we went to the Community conservation area which is well managed with three main divisions: “The core, Livestock and Dual areas”. At first when you enter it someone may feel that the whole area is deserted, no wildlife, but once you get into the Dual and Core Area you will get to see the best wildlife. The first thing we spotted was a cheetah with 2 daughters (1Year old) -this is a famous cheetah (Naborr Daughter).