During a game drive in the Maasai Mara, we encountered a strikingly fearsome-looking leopard mother with her small cub, hidden on the right side in a recessed area of the river. At first, we didn’t notice them, but a subtle movement caught our attention. Curious, we took out our binoculars and spotted the pair. It was truly an incredible sight to witness!

Sometimes life is both cruel and unforgiving. This juvenile wildebeest calf was tragically unlucky, falling prey to one of the massive crocodiles that inhabit the Mara River. The calf’s desperate cries echoed across the water until the crocodile clamped its powerful jaws around its head, silencing it abruptly. With its meal secured, the predator vanished beneath the waterline, leaving only ripples in its wake.

I can’t help but admire the cheetah—such a beautiful, agile, and graceful creature. Built for speed and agility, it is perfectly adapted to hunt the fastest and most elusive prey on the open African grasslands. Its long tail acts as a stabilizer, enabling sharp turns at full speed during intense chases. With powerful legs and a flexible spine, the cheetah can achieves mind-bending velocity, making it a true marvel of the savanna.

Two youthful cheetahs roam the sunlit savannah, scanning the open grasslands for potential prey. The bright sun casts a warm glimmer over the landscape as they search for an opportunity to sharpen their hunting skills on prey manageable for juvenile cheetahs.

When going on safari, it’s easy to focus solely on spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo. However, don’t forget to look for the smaller yet equally fascinating creatures of the grasslands: the Little Five. Next time, challenge yourself to find the elephant shrew, red-billed buffalo weaver, leopard tortoise, antlion, and rhino beetle. These tiny wonders add a unique perspective to your safari experience.