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African Safari NewsletterDecember 2007 SEASON'S GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES TO ALL! Kenya's Masai Mara is possibly the best place on the planet for watching and photographing African lions. Last September we were fortunate to see many lions. We saw them hunting, mating , playing and sleeping, but my favorite is always the cubs. They are so cute! It seems as though life, to the cubs, is simply a game they play with the whole pride. They seem to want to play constantly. Hide and seek, biting, crouching jumping, chasing, surprise attacks, all a part of learning survival on the African plains. They are such a joy to watch!!!
Thirsty Lion Cubs Lions are social animals. They are very affectionate with each other.
Family Time The pride females do the majority of the hunting and killing, but also have a warm fuzzy side when it comes to family. I think everybody loves watching lions interacting with each other.
Mother and Cub Of course lions need to get their sleep. About twenty hours a day! And I thought I could sleep almost anywhere!
LIons Resting in a Tree Upcoming Safari Schedule for 2008 -2009
Important Safari Information: • Prices for our safaris include airfare from LAX -most other companies do not include airfare. • We have only three passengers per nine passenger safari vehicle. You will enjoy plenty of space for you and your equipment! • We stay in luxury safari lodges. View lodges • You do not have to be a photographer but you must enjoy watching the wildlife because that is what we do! • I will be there to photograph with you and available to answer your questions. • Parks we visit on our safaris. View parks On the trips I am happy to share my photographic knowledge with my clients. You do not have to be a great photographer to go on the trips, however you should enjoy watching wildlife because that is our main focus. A good stretch after a big drink sure feels good.
Lion Cub
Stretching For their size, lions can hide amazingly well. In the photo below a large male lion is resting in the grass. If you look closely you can just make out his eyes and nose. They are the dark areas in the picture, with his is nose being about three fourths of the way down from the top.You are looking through approximately 4 inches of grass. I am sure glad I am not an antelope in the Masai Mara.
Lion in the Grass As good as they are at hiding and hunting, lions are successful in less than forty percent of their hunts. Their prey is always necessarily wary. This makes the lions job much more difficult!
Lion and Wildebeest Kill Lodges and Camps we use on our Safaris Our tours are limited to 18 people, including the leaders. We have only 3 passengers per 9 passenger vehicle giving us plenty of space for our photo equipment. We can photograph through windows on BOTH sides of the vehicle and also the top, which pops up to create shade so you are protected from the hot equatorial sun. As we leave the lodges, the vehicles separate and spread out, so we have six guides out looking for wildlife. They each have radios to let each other know what they find. This way no one misses out on seeing the wildlife. The herdsmen that protect the family wealth (cattle, goats and sheep), are usually the children in the family. They leave the safety of the village each morning and lead the herd to the healthiest pastures. Throughout the day they keep a watchful eye and protect the livestock from the possible predators. Each evening, just before sunset, they return with the herd to the safety of the village.
Bringing the Herd Home Occasionally during the day, they will come across a curious giraffe
Reticulated
Giraffe or a herd of zebras.
Common Zebras and Stormy Sky
The villages we visit on safari allow us great opportunities to photograph the indigenous people. We like to visit the Maasai villages in both Kenya and Tanzania and also enjoy a Samburu village in Northern Kenya. We have found the people to be very friendly and willing to be photographed. I especially enjoy the villages because it affords me the opportunity to speak swahili with the natives. I asked the chief at the Samburu village, "How many of the white guides who come to the village speak to them in Swahili?" I was surprised when he said "Not many, there was one here about a year ago." I am not sure if he was referring to me, but that was the last time I was there. I have found that the people are much more receptive of us when I speak their language with them.
Samburu Warriors Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 17-40mm Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images The children in the villages are very friendly and yet curious about what we are doing in their village. They enjoy digital cameras because they can see their photos on the viewing screens.
Samburu Children Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 17-40mm Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images Africa is famous for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Each day our morning game drive begins before sunrise. On our afternoon game drives, we return to the lodge just after sunset. This gives us the best opportunities to photograph this incredible beauty. Weaver bird nests hanging from the tree.
Samburu Sunset Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 100-400IS Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images I hope you will join me on an African Safari, for your adventure of a lifetime!!! For more information, prices and itineraries click here . Enjoy each day, For information regarding safaris and reservations call You may also contact Somak Safaris at 800-757-6625
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