The East African Series photo album. With so many trip highlights, this post was going to be especially hard. I don’t count the number of photos I take on a trip but it is often well over 1000, especially as this one was 5 weeks long.
GORILLAS IN THE RAINFOREST AND LIONS IN THE MASAI MARA
This post is not to commend some of the sites and attractions I visited and only based on how much I liked the photo. So in any old order, here are only some of the photos of The East African Series I will never forget.
1. LION CUBS
A lion cub full of energy in the morning with its mother. See lion cubs is difficult, not because there are so few but because they are so small and trying to get decent photos can be impossible when they are running around the long grasslands of the Mara.
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4. ONE MILLION BRUTAL DEATHS
The Rwandan Genocide was the most brutal genocides in recent history and although this photo is not one that required much time or attention it will be special to me for the memories of this museum. Few rarely do I leave a place in tears but this had me running for the tissues.
The East African Series photo album
5. THE DANCING BATWAS
Being lifted aloft of these amazing local tribes’ people will be one of my favourite memories of the trip. There are very few times were I come away from an experienced shocked and humbled and this was one of those moments!
6. THE MINI CHEETAH
The Savannah is full of cats and we have been spoilt with the number of lions. However, a cat we have never see before is the Silver Cat, a cross between a domesticated cat and a cheetah cub. With the colours of these animals I can see why they can camoflauge so well!
7. GORILLA TREKKERS
The men that have absolute balls of steal to square up to 500lb monsters charging at them and to go back the next day to do it all over again! There were many times the habituation experience did not feel safe but these men never once took a step backwards, honestly incredible! 🙌🏻
8. ROYAL DRUMMERS OF BURUNDI
The most popular attraction of Burundi, the Royal Drummers go as far back as the 16th century and play at ceremonies such as births, funerals and special appearances for the King. You cannot visit Burundi and not visit the Royal Drummers!
The East African Series photo album
9. PROTECT YOUR ASSETS
I suppose the dead zebra was far from the jackal’s assets but the little animal done all it could to chase off 25 vultures so it could have a taste of what was left. Although a great experience to watch the animal kingdom in full flow, it was heart-breaking to hear the mother circle around with her family looking for her foal. It wasn’t long until she came to realise once she investigated the area of commotion.
10. MASAI MARA SUNRISE
The Acacia and red sunrise are quintessential of the Masai Mara. If you went on safari and didn’t see either of these, did you really go on safari?
12. THE CONGOLESE
Kids are often the most open and fun for tourists, especially when you are as off the beaten path as Masisi, The DRC. And like the children at home they won’t even think of telling you what you want to hear and instead will give the cold hard truth every time. 😆
The East African Series photo album
14. SAD REALITY
We often forget how a lot of the world live and poverty is more prevalent in the DRC than anywhere else I have been. Here I watched one guy wash himself in the dirty oily water of Lake Kivu while his friend took to the toilet just 2metres away!
15. BREAKFAST SPOTS
This spot, overlooking the plains of the Masai Mara has to go down as the best breakfast we had all trip. How easy would mornings be if this was the norm!
16. BUSY PHOTO
When you are confused and just don’t know what to do!
The East African Series photo album
FINAL THOUGHTS
Not often I can post an article like this and be spoilt for choice.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
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This post is part of The East African Series, for the entire series click here or for episode 1, click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
