[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]In February 2019, Chuck and Nancy Bell began their exciting tour of Kenya which would take them to 3 iconic destinations and places that would leave them with a bevy of memorable experiences and inspiring images.
Filled with images captured by both Chuck and Nancy, these avid photographers are sure to sweep you up to live their journey with them!
Click here for the first instalment of Chuck and Nancy’s safari; Giraffe Manor & Meru National Park – Three Destinations In Kenya Part One[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Life of Predators Photo Tour
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The next morning, we flew with our group from Wilson Airport to the Masai Mara, passing over the edge of the Great East African Rift Valley.
We spent the next several nights at Alex Walker’s Serian Nkorombo mobile camp.
Our tent overlooked the Mara River, and we enjoyed the snorting of hippos at night.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38637″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right”][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38641″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Meals were served in a dining tent, which also served for our photo workshops.
The Masai staff served tea, coffee and delicacies every afternoon before we went back out on safari.
In the evening, we gathered around a campfire for drinks before dinner.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38681″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_column_text]Dinning room / editing room[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38680″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_column_text]Tea & coffee station with Jon[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38679″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_column_text]Relaxing by the campfire[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We went out before dawn each day to take advantage of the light.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”38666″ img_size=”1200×800″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_column_text]We photographed from open vehicles on the Masai Mara plains. Our Photo Tour Leader Penny is on the right.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38627″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_column_text]We always broke for a field breakfast around 9:30 am when the light became harsh for photography.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38642″ img_size=”1200×800″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38628″ img_size=”1200×800″ alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]ORYX Photo Tours billed this safaris as a “Life of Predators” photo safari. It did not disappoint. First and foremost are the Lions, which abound in the Masai Mara.
Most exciting was when we came upon two males, possibly brothers, fighting over a female in heat. It was a vicious and very fast fight.
The loser slunk away.
The victor turned and strode over to claim his prize.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38632″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38634″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38636″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38656″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Then he hung around for some portraits![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38721″ img_size=”800×1200″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38655″ img_size=”800×1200″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]A photographer’s dream on safari is to find some accessible Lion cubs. We looked long and hard and finally found some. We had a few minutes to photograph quickly.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38658″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38657″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38660″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38659″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38661″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Cheetah are also very much on our photographic wish list, and the Mara did not disappoint.
The Cheetah is classified as Vulnerable, with only about 7000 individuals left in the wild.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38664″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38662″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38667″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38663″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is heartening to see these lively cubs as each cub is critically important to the survival of the species. One hopes that these cubs manage to survive.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38678″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]No less exciting was when a smaller cat, a Serval, approached our vehicles. Our shutters started tripping wildly.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38668″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”38669″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38670″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We were there in one of East Africa’s rainy seasons, and we were presented with some dramatic skies.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38671″ img_size=”1200×800″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38672″ img_size=”1200×800″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38673″ img_size=”1200×800″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The green grass from the rains gave a nice background to a large den of the Spotted Hyena, where we spent most of one morning photographing.
The den had at least two young cubs, which are dark until they get a bit older. They were wonderful to photograph.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38674″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38676″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38726″ img_size=”medium”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space height=”84px”][vc_column_text]Females move their cubs around by carrying them by the scruff of their neck.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38677″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38645″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Like any good mother, they tried to keep them clean.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38643″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There were also some older cubs in the pack.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38647″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38648″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”38646″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We found a pack of Black-backed Jackal to photograph. They engaged in some mock fighting, giving us nice photo opportunities.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38650″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38733″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38652″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38651″ img_size=”800×1200″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38649″ img_size=”800×1200″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While the focus of this photo safari was predators, we also got some wonderful images of prey, like these Burchell’s Zebra, which were on the Masai Mara plains by the hundreds.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”38736″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38692″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38694″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38693″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38690″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Mara is home to an unusual ungulate, the Topi, a subspecies of the Common Tsessebe. It lives primarily in grassland habitats ranging treeless plains to savannas and is classified as “Vulnerable” due to population declines.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38703″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38695″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38696″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38698″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Similar to the Topi is the Hartebeest, also know as the Kongoni. The Subspecies in Kenya is the Coke’s Hartebeest. Its population is stable, but some of the other 7 subspecies are extinct in the wild.
While we were photographing, a few males started sparring with one another.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38699″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38700″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Common Eland is one of the largest antelopes. It is found in grasslands and plains through much of east and southern Africa.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”38719″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Three smaller antelope on the Masai Mara plain: Impala[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38705″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Grant’s Gazelle[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”54px”][vc_single_image image=”38707″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Thompson’s Gazelle[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”54px”][vc_single_image image=”38706″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Mara River has a good population of Hippopotamus. Since Hippos generally come out of the water only at night, when they graze, it was great to find one in shallow water of the river.
Even better was to find one still out in the bush where it had been grazing during the night.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38711″ img_size=”1200×800″ alignment=”right”][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38709″ img_size=”1200×800″ alignment=”right”][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”38710″ img_size=”1200×800″ alignment=”right”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Out on safari, we stopped whenever we saw a good photo opportunity. This included for some of the spectacular birds one finds in the African bush, like this Secretarybird.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”38713″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38750″ img_size=”800×1200″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Tawny Eagle[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38716″ img_size=”790×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Yellow-throated Longclaw[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38715″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Black-headed Weaver[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38684″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Little Bee-eater[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38717″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The endangered Southern Ground Hornbill[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38718″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Red-throated Longclaw[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On our last morning we had a lovely breakfast out by the river. Then, we headed to the bush airstrip for our flight back to Nairobi and then home.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38685″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38686″ img_size=”1200×800″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”38687″ img_size=”1200×800″ alignment=”right”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Thank you for following Chuck and Nancy’s epic safari; Three Destinations in Kenya. We hope you enjoyed it and that it brought some inspiring African scenes to you.
If you are on Instagram, be sure to continue the safaris with Chuck and Nancy below by following Chuck Bell’s journeys on Instagram.
Stay passionate and inspired![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_separator][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Travel with ORYX and Penny Robartes to Kenya
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Penny Robartes is a dedicated Private and Scheduled worldwide Photo Tour Leader for ORYX Photo Tours.
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Scheduled Tours
Every detail has already been arranged on these carefully-crafted Kenya photo tours. Simply select the tour that appeals to you!
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Custom Tours
Let’s create that custom Kenya photo adventure you’ve always dreamed about, tailored to your specific requirements!
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