In Tsavo West National Park we drive to Mzima Springs. Shortly before the springs an ostriche crosses our way.
We stop and can see it still in the thick bush. At the springs you are allowed to get out of your car. On a path you can explore the springs quite well. Up to 500 million liters of clean water each day passes through the porous volcanic rock, which collects in pools and ponds. It is believed that it originates 100 kilometers away, at Mount Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills. A path leads along the lake shore of the spring. And to an underwater observatory. One can observe crocodiles and hippos above and under water, but today we have no luck.
It’s getting late and we drive to the campsite. Along the way, we still see a Masai giraffe, in the light of the setting sun. At the campsite we make a fire for dinner and to keep wild animals away from us. When it got dark we could see lots of eyes in the grass around us, so we decided to better go into the van. You never know.
Only in the early morning is a good chance of seeing animals. We leave early, the scenery is great in the morning light, and we catch our first views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
A few kilometers from the campsite, we see a dead zebra. A leopard has killed it, he is still around.
Even the charkals are here and make use of the prey. The intestines are towed to a quiet place and consumed.
In the sun, the carcass is already bloated. Spotted hyenas are also waiting for their opportunity, but fear the leopard.
Meanwhile, the back part of the zebra is already missing and the vultures are waiting patiently in the trees until it is their turn.
We drive to a hill from which you will have a great view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Behind a hill, we see a herd of zebra, looking startled the distance.
On the lookout we have the magnificent view of the highest mountain in Africa. A beautiful sight with a cloud wreath below the summit. We can hardly get enough, no other tourists here, so we have Kilimanjaro for ourselves.
Poacher’s outlook the mountain is called, we now know why, because from here you have a wide view over the savannah, and may well spot for wildlife.
Then we have luck again. A safari van reveals the presence of lions. A male and female stroll into the bush. The lioness will soon be ready to mate, the male follows her.
We leave Tsavo West National Park, stop at a lava field, but still want to get into the Masai Mara today, the Kenyan part of Serengeti.