Good Company on the Road

It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. Rumi

An encounter with a lion at sunrise. Lewa Conservancy, Kenya ©kathykarn

You can expect bumpy roads and tough driving conditions on safari. My Maasai guides often warn me “Maasai Rock n Roll!” or “Safari Massage!” as we approach rough terrain.

Maasai guide Joseph Metumi ©kathykarn

Game drives and nature photography involve long hours exploring wild habitats in the hope of seeing some of Africa’s iconic wildlife. A great guide, understanding animal behaviour, their travel routes, and being out at dawn and dusk when animals are more active improve your chances, but there are never guarantees of encounters with wild animals.

Lioness, Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn

Sometimes we get lucky and animals share the road. Last January we had some great meetups: the time we came face to face with a “journey” (a traveling group) of giraffes strolling down the road and the lioness who stepped out from the tall grass into the golden morning sunlight to survey the landscape.

A “journey” of giraffes. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. ©kathykarn

Elephants crossing Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn

Elephant trails often crisscross roads. Thanks to their size, we can often spot where elephants are heading and anticipate where they might traverse the road. Elephants always have right of way!

Matriarch, Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn

After most of the herd calmly crossed the road, this matriarch took a defensive position as a crossing guard before her calf was allowed to pass directly in front of us.

Follow the leader, Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn

Elephants are road savvy and very protective of their young calves. Tiny babies are securely wrapped inside a protective layer of larger limbs when crossing roads.

Elephant crossing, Mara North, Kenya ©kathykarn

Kenya experienced unprecedented rains last January. The usual watering holes were vacant. Roads became a convenient and abundant water source for animals including this lovely group of common zebras

Zebras, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya ©kathykarn

Elephants set the speed limit as we head back to camp. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya ©kathykarn

Our most exciting road encounter happened on our final game drive. Despite numerous reports of sightings of a leopard residing near our camp, we had yet to see one. Leopards are masters of invisibilty. I know for sure that I’ve been seen by a leopard many more times than I’ve seen one!

We spent hours each day searching for an elusive female and her year old cub. The last evening, disappointed and unsuccessful, we gave up and headed home. Suddenly our guide slammed on the brakes and pointed wildly. There she was, the full reveal, mama leapoard, standing patiently looking over her shourlder as if to say, “I guess I have to make it easy for you, here I am.

Leopard, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya ©kathykarn

Her son followed behind and the pair zigzagged back and forth across the road hunting a hyrax for their supper. What a thrill! Being on safari is an important reminder to stay open to outcome not attached to outcome. Sometimes, when you least expect it, magic happens. Be prepared!

Leopard, Tsavo East National Park, ©kathykarn

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