KENYA: A Buffalo Springs Afternoon

Our afternoon game drive along the southern side of the river in Buffalo Springs included the ubiquitous Rattling Cisticola; a pair of Verreaux’s Eagle Owls (below) roosting apart from each other, and a short distance away a Pearl-spotted Owlet; Eurasian Golden Oriole and a Kori’s Bustard in flight.

Working the drier slope towards the airstrip, Gerenuk (above), the slender long necked gazelles of these arid regions, were up on their hind legs browsing the mid level of acacia shrubs.  Bird wise it was slow, producing little other than a Pale Prinia, sandgrouse and a mixed pair of Gabar Goshawks, one black and one grey. It was good timing that we got word that a female Leopard had been spotted up a tree on the other side of the river.

When we reached the Leopard there were 13 vehicles ahead of us! (above)  She was standing on a branch high up in a toothbrush tree and in the process of turning around. She soon lay down facing away (below), where all we could see was her rear end and tail!

Returning at dusk, it was wonderful to have two elephants walk by our rooms, stopping to feed on an acacia, so close we could hear them ripping the branches and chewing on them.