An Easter Miracle

“Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected” – Faith Sullivan

Its that time of year here in Kenya! The Easter holidays were around the corner. Along with a couple of friends I decided to head to Tsavo East NP for the Easter holidays and what a trip it was! We left Mombasa at 4 am and reached the Bachuma gate at sharp 6. We were the first visitors at the gate and was excited to begin our safari adventure. Tsavo was just entering the dry season and we could see the water holes have gradually dried up. It was indeed a pleasure to be back in Tsavo experiencing the aroma of the red dusty soil and the chilly dry breeze grazing your skin.

Suddenly one of my friends shouted “Leopard! leopard!” It was barely 30 minutes after we had entered the park and there it was, the elusive leopard running along side us! What a sight it was! It ran up a tree and hid itself for about 5 minutes before disappearing into the dry shrubs. What a way to kick start a 3 day safari! It was only the second time in my safari trips to Tsavo East NP that I had spotted a leopard. What a special moment it was!

We continued our journey, we heard that the famous pipeline pride had taken down a giraffe and was in the open. The pipeline pride is perhaps the biggest pride in Tsavo at the moments with nearly 20 lions. We rushed to the pipeline area and there they were! Out in the open feasting on their kill and drinking water. What a sight it was! To see the entire pipeline pride together!

What a morning it was! We headed to Sentrim Tsavo our preferred lodge in Tsavo East and settled down. That evening we again encountered the same pride. After an eventful day we called it a night after an amazing dinner. Next day we left the lodge by sharp 6 for our morning drive. And then there they were! Two cheetah brothers! We were so lucky to encounter two cheetahs. They were bit shy though moment they saw us they made it into the bushes

As the morning progressed we encountered a few more lions. It seemed mother nature was being extremely generous with us in showing off the the big cats!

After another amazing morning drive, we headed back to the camp to chill. After getting some good rest we headed out for our evening game drive. And what a drive it was. The pipeline pride was by the side of the road and up close. We spent the entire evening with them. And then as the African sun began to disappear the pride began to retreat into the bushes with plans to take down a buffalo which was coming from afar.

As we ended our last night at Tsavo, it began to dawn on me what a special trip it was. It was a the first time in Tsavo where I had encountered a lion, a cheetah and a leopard in one trip!

As they say all good things must come to an end, it was time for our last early morning game drive. The pipeline pride had disappeared but we encountered a cheetah and a lioness.

And there it ended…… Thats what we thought!!! But as we were checking out from the lodge after breakfast, we heard that the Ashnil pride that taken down a giraffe and were feasting by the side of the road!

Talk about the cherry on the cake!! What a way to end an epic safari!!! As we headed out we reflected on the trip and what awesome encounters we had. This safari in definitely in my top 3 safari adventures to date! As the Easter holidays ended, I m indeed thankful to the almighty to granting me to witness such magical moments which only others see in their dreams!

“It feels like God visits everywhere but lives in Africa” – Will Smith