Cheetahs, Cheetahs, Cheetahs! (Masai Mara, Kenya)

I had a few requirements for our safari, or should I say interests or requests. I left the UK wanting to see cats -- lots of cats. When we were in Kenya, I was also struck by how adorable all the baby animals were. So ultimately, I was after cats and babies. And true to my interests there were tons of cats! We saw all the big cats, except the leopard. The leopard is a loner and well, blends quite well -- it was going to be a stretch to spot and ultimately, we never did. *Sigh* You've seen the pictures of the lions and I did think they were beautiful and big, brutish even! It was the cheetah, however, that sealed the deal.

A little background. Again, being tired of riding in the car, I had a bit of good fortune, well sort of. The husband of one of the couples staying in the camp with us had hurt his back prior to coming on the safari, meaning, long days in the car were out for him. So they were clever enough to organise nature walks. Late one night, they invited us on one of their walks. So the scene is: Me, Jason, Richard and Sarah (the couple), Piers (camp owner with the rifle), and two Masai warriors (David and I forget the other guys name) with large knives. At the beginning of our walk I asked Piers where we were going, he pointed to the farthest point on the horizon and said "there". I should have known better than to think a man with a rifle was joking. So off we set. At the end of this glorious walk we were to be rewarded with breakfast by a gorgeous stream (the guys from camp were going to meet us there with breakfast and the jeeps and drive us back to camp)!! How excellent.

So we set out. About half way into our walk, the guys in the jeeps radio that they have spotted a cheetah (probably hunting) and would we like for them to swing around and pick us up and take us to the cheetah. I am thinking, "Yes! Of course!" I was also thinking, it would be a bit of drive in the jeep! Turns out, the guys come and pick us up and drive us say a half a mile to the cheetah! I was stunned that in the middle of this charming walk, where I am learning about patters and foot prints, and little animals, that there is a cheetah hunting a half a mile away.

Cheetahs have extraordinary vision and let's face it, they can run roughly 60mph. Oh my, indeed! All I could think was in a minute, one minute, I could have been breakfast! It was breath taking to say the least!

There is nothing more beautiful than a cheetah. I was smitten. Where the lions are big lugs, cheetahs are graceful, elegant and deadly. This was a female. Her colouring, her spots and her black tears streaks all added to her beauty. I have to say, upon reaching her, no one spoke for many minutes! We were all in awe!

If you click on the photos you can see how truly amazing she was!

The end of the story: After watching her for awhile, the boys in the jeep took us back to roughly where we were! Gulp! And we set out on foot again. I must confess that was incredibly careful for next few miles to position myself between Piers (with the gun) and David (with the large knife)! And yes, breakfast was delicious!