I could talk today about cubs of all different creeds and colours. Alternatively I could wax about otherworldly downpours bruising, then leavening the plains. Conversely the discussion could dwell on six hours of five cheetahs hunting zebra.
However, meet Dan Heap, on his third Kicheche safari, I’ll leave it to him:
I am afraid to sound cheesy when I say each day this October has got better and better. However, impossibly, our days with leopards and cheetahs were ousted from the high table this morning, which was not only my finest morning with wildlife, but my finest morning ever (well since Stokes’ heroics at Headingley …Dan was actually there, in the Western Terrace!). Any day that includes the holy trinity of lion, leopard and cheetah is a good one (and throw in a serval for good measure) but these don’t feature in this particular lexicon: this morning, after a bold call, we arrived at the dusty coliseum of the Mara River.
There was an audience of only five vehicles and around 25,000 charcoal gladiators. Put simply: the wildebeest all crossed towards us, in huge numbers and from dizzying heights, for over an hour. As the last combatant staggered from the arena I was almost expecting a chiselled Maximus to appear screaming: ‘ ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?’
To 25,000 add many more greedily gobbling up the rich short pastures. Many more will crash over the fabled river then plunder the emerald larder. They all have to cross back. They need their audience which is why they have put on this late season show. Come and enjoy it, please?
I’m back, it feels good, I’ve missed it, but I’ve missed you all more. Come and join me, ‘Dan dared’ and look where it got him!*
* Sincere apologies for dangling forbidden fruits in front of those of you who are denied travel by nanny-state governments. We feel your pain, we’ll be here when this calms down.
