Using a 300mm lens on an old Canon body, I got this close-up of a lion whose face was marked by scars of past battles. These scars likely originated from territorial disputes with other lions or from the desperate defense of its prey during a fight for survival.
On a clear day, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Aberdare Mountain Range. From certain vantage points, the stunning peaks of Mount Kenya are prominently visible, offering a impressive sight.
Three zebras found themselves on the wrong side of their usual Mara River crossing, where the banks plunged steeply into very deep water. After an arduous swim, with only their necks held above the current, they finally reached solid ground and immediately broke into a gallop with the water cascading around them.
The dense rainforest of the Aberdares presents a challenge to wildlife enthusiasts hoping to see elephants. This thick canopy of the forrest environment makes spotting any animal difficult, and even the large forms of elephants can disappear within forrest and the folds of the Aberdare mountain range.
The Galana River serves as the lifeblood of Tsavo East National Park, located in Kenya’s northeastern province. This vast park, characterized by its semi-desert landscape, owes much of its vitality to the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River. The river sustains a rich variety of wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles, as well as lush plant life along its banks. From above, the river cuts through Tsavo East with dense vegetation lining its shores. Yet, just a few hundred meters away, the landscape transitions to dry, barren semi-desert, highlighting the river’s role in this ecosystem.
Under the pre-dawn sky, we navigated the Maasai Mara tracks. The air was cold, and a thick fog clung to the landscape, creating a hushed, somewhat eerie atmosphere. Suddenly, nestled low in the tall, damp grass, we saw a lioness resting. Her pride was likely nearby, though hidden from view.
Returning from a late-afternoon game drive during the rainy season, the sun is setting on the horizon, and darkness begins to cover the savanna. Suddenly we spot a Black-winged Kite sitting high on a dead branch, its silhouette perfectly framed against the dark clouds.
Wildebeests, zebras, and other animals that migrate across the Mara River sometimes fall victim to its powerful currents, drowning in their attempt to cross. Their bodies are carried by the current to specific bends along the river, where the shoreline becomes clogged with dead animals. At these bends, hordes of vultures and marabou storks gather, feasting on the carcasses that drifted ashore.
The night before, a fierce downpour had swept across the savanna. As we set out on our game drive the next morning, the animals were just beginning to moving around on the soggy ground. And there it was—perched atop a tree, a majestic Secretary Bird surveying the landscape with a background of torn apart clouds.
The savanna was dry and parched but today a storm had been brewing all afternoon—the heavy clouds, sudden gusts of wind, and thick humidity were unmistakable signs. By late afternoon, the skies finally opened, starting with a light drizzle that steadily grew heavier. As the rain intensified, we began our drive back to camp, with the rain rejuvenating the parched savanna.
The Saddle-billed stork is truly striking, with its bold red, yellow beak and vivid leg bands. Here, it traverses the swamp, searching for frogs and other small creatures that make up its usual diet.
In the early morning, with mist still hanging heavy in the air, the Mara escarpment creates a magnificent backdrop for a lone giraffe as it moves gracefully through the frame, seeking its first meal of the day.
A beautiful, sunny day of diving at the pristine Kisite Mpunguti reef offered stunning views of the vibrant corals and fish beneath the surface. Although there was some current during our outing and the water carried a bit of sand, obscuring certain features, it was still a great dive.
In the hot, arid expanse of Samburu Reserve in northern Kenya, we came across a healty male lion standing resolutely under the scorching midday sun, framed by the parched, stony landscape stretching behind him.
In the Mara conservatory on an early morning, one giraffe mother and two giraffe cubs are standing relaxed in the foreground of this great vista.
We started our day at 5:00 AM with a quick coffee and a slice of bread with cheese before gearing up for the adventure ahead. With boots on, we packed the car—lunch boxes, water, extra fuel tanks, and, of course, the trusty toolbox (there’s always some issue, breakdown, or puncture during the Rhino Charge).
Once ready, we headed to the designated meeting point, preparing to drive to our starting post for the Rhino Charge. In the image, we’re en route to the start post, eager for an exciting day ahead filled with wilderness, blazing sun, and plenty of dust.
