Safari - Hatari, Teil 1
- Bernd
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
The Swahili word Hatari means danger.
Foto: P.L
The big meal: Masai Mara
The question of the best time to go on safari comes up again and again. In Kenya, I prefer the months of July to October. It is the time of the great animal migrations from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Millions of animals such as wildebeest, zebras and gazelles migrate in a spectacular spectacle. In July and August they cross the Mara River and reach the Masai Mara, where hungry big cats and crocodiles are already waiting. In September they migrate across the vast plains.
In October the heavy rains begin. The animals now begin their journey home to the Serengeti. The Masai Mara is located in the Great Rift Valley in eastern Kenya and is 1500 square kilometers in size, bordering the Serengeti in Tanzania. It is named after the Maasai people.
Did you know that the word "gnu" means "wild beast"? The Dutch colonialists in southern Africa called them "gnus" (wildebeest) because of their unkempt appearance, which means wild beasts. With a shoulder height of 1.5 m, a weight of 120 kg to 270 kg and a life expectancy of up to 20 years, gnus are a favorite food of lions, cheetahs and crocodiles. Hunting them, however, is not that easy. They reach an escape speed of up to 80 km/h.
Many animal documentaries were filmed here, in the Masai Mara. The accommodations with room service, laundry, bar and restaurant are very luxurious and exactly as we know them from the (animal) films: large, tastefully furnished house tents with an adjoining bathroom.
The terrace offers a magnificent view of the savannah. The camps' restaurants will spoil you with culinary delights. But that also comes at a price. Depending on the location and season, you will pay from €200 to €500 and more per person per night. There is no upper limit
Big Five
The Big Five include lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. Spotting leopards and rhinos in the wild is becoming increasingly difficult. Not impossible, but difficult. There are also all kinds of other wild animals: cheetahs, crocodiles, hippos, warthogs, hyenas, gazelles, jackals, baboons, zebras and many others make the game drives entertaining - at the right time.
In Africa, the last estimates for leopards are a long time ago. In 2008, according to the WWF, there were around 700,000 animals. The leopard is on the Red List and is considered endangered. They weigh up to 90 kg. The head-body length is 92 cm to 190 cm, the shoulder height is up to 80 cm. They run short distances at up to 58 km/h. The life expectancy in the wild is up to 17 years.
If you approach a leopard and it raises its head and stares at you, you should be careful. As a warning signal, the leopard bares its teeth and lays its ears back. At this point, at the latest, you should slowly begin to retreat.
Among the Masai in Amboseli
Amboseli is home to around 600 species of birds, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, wildebeests, elephants, buffalo, gazelles, black rhinos, zebras, gazelles, spotted hyenas... Amboseli National Park is also located on the border between Kenya and Tanzania and is around 400 square kilometres in size. From here you can see Kilimanjaro. Lake Kioko in the middle of the park often dries out during the dry season. Amboseli means salt dust. In Amboseli we visit a Maasai village.
The Maasai participate by offering guided tours and providing insights into their way of life. They share their knowledge and skills with visitors. Various WWF projects are trying to create a balance between people and nature. This requires alternative sources of income to reduce the Maasai's herds of cattle and prevent overgrazing.
If possible, take the time to visit a Maasai village. The people are very friendly and happy about your interest in the Maasai way of life. They have extensive knowledge of how to survive in nature. When I visited with Pearl, they showed us the art of making fire. Without matches or a lighter, of course. The Maasai people know the flora and fauna very well and know how to survive in the wild.
Foto: Bernd, 2013
If you're lucky, you'll even get an invitation to view the apartment. It goes without saying, but I'll mention it anyway: don't enter a hut without an invitation. That's not acceptable for us either, is it? Instead, you'll get an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life. These experiences have nothing to do with the tourist demonstrations of the all-inclusive hotels or the model villages in the tourist areas. Here, the residents really live, work, cook and sleep.
You're sure to find a souvenir or two at the market that has been opened especially for you. The Maasai make the goods by hand and at home. Negotiate a fair price. This way you can support the lives of the local residents directly and on site.
Oh, yes: Please don't be afraid to take part in the dance. The Maasai are known for their jumping from a standing position. You could almost think they have springs under their sandals. In my case, Mother Earth's gravity prevailed. At least I scored points with my height. But that's about it. What fun, for the Maasai! Keep your posture.
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