This Diwali was one I’ll never forget. My hiking mentor, MP Sreenivas Sir, made an impromptu plan that led us on an adventure beyond imagination. Years ago, MP Sir had mentored a young girl named Lakshmi, who grew up to become Nidhi Salgame, a renowned extreme terrain driver and the founder of Wander Beyond Boundaries (WBB). With her guidance, our hiking group took a flight to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to embark on an expedition into the wilds of Africa. In just a few hours, we packed our bags and headed out, eager to meet the famous Nidhi Salgame and explore the celebrated Maasai Mara.
Maasai Mara, named after the Maasai tribe and the Mara River that runs through it, is famous for the annual Great Migration. Though we missed this spectacle by a month, there was still so much in store for us. Our group of 15, ranging in age from 20 to 70, had flown in from Bangalore. After landing in Nairobi, we collected our self-drive vehicles—Scorpios and Land Cruisers—and set off. Driving in a new continent was thrilling, especially with the guidance of the WBB team. Fortunately, Kenya also follows left-hand driving, and our Indian driving licenses were valid there.
On our way to Ekereri Camp, we marveled at the mix of local culture and Indian influences, like the many factories run by Gujaratis who migrated to Kenya long before independence. Nairobians dressed stylishly in European and American attire. When I asked a shopkeeper about their fashion, she explained that they often wear second-hand clothes. After a stop to take in the stunning Great Rift Valley, we continued to camp. Our camp offered basic but comfortable facilities, including a kitchen, bathroom, and beds, and even the option to camp outside. The camp property manager, an Indian, spoke Swahili, which resembled Hindi.
Over the next three days, we explored the Mara Triangle for safari. One of our group members, 70-year-old Dr. Bala, drove our 8-seater safari jeep like a pro. Our guide, James, was like a walking encyclopedia, sharing fascinating trivia about the animals, making every moment feel like a scene from a National Geographic special. We spent sunrise to sunset spotting wildlife, learning to adjust our eyes to the landscape, and using binoculars to observe animal behaviors up close. The views of the Maasai Mara seemed like picture-perfect wallpapers, and I recommend anyone visiting bring a DSLR camera since phone cameras may not capture distant animals well.
One memorable moment was when we spotted a leopard lounging on a tree branch. I joked that my leopard-print jumpsuit had brought us luck. We got so close that we turned off the engines, watching the leopard intently as it relaxed, its long tail hanging from the branch. In Africa, people speak of the “Big Five”—the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo—and we were lucky enough to spot them all in one day. Even though I’ve seen elephants in India, watching them here in their matriarchal herds with their large ears was a different experience. We saw lion cubs, which looked like plush toys come to life, while the males lounged together, embodying their “bro code.” The love of mother lioness is so warm and beautiful , how she protects and feeds her cubs is so warm and comforting . Lions and lioness are cats we never grow tired to spotting. They always bring in surprises each time.
The diversity of herbivores was also a treat, with zebras, giraffes, and antelopes grazing nearby. We learned that grazers like topis and gazelles eat grass, while browsers like giraffes feed on tree leaves. Watching giraffes lift their long necks to survey their surroundings was mesmerizing.
We learned to use walkie-talkies to communicate while on the move. The guides described animals’ locations by the clock—“wild buffalo at 3 o’clock” and “wildebeest at 10 o’clock.” By the end of the day, we had mastered this system, adding a fun twist to our adventure.
One touching sight was a female cheetah hunting to feed her seven cubs. Forest rangers guarded her cubs, as they were vulnerable. We also saw ostriches performing courtship displays, warthogs defending themselves against cheetahs, and herds of gazelles with a vigilant guard keeping watch.
A secretary bird grounded hornbill waterbucks are other species to see.
At the Mara River, we observed hippos and crocodiles coexisting, their bodies blending seamlessly with the rocky riverbed. The camouflage of the animals in the Mara—the lions and cheetahs with the dry grasslands, the hippos with the river rocks—was remarkable.
A golden sunset stretching across the Maasai plains, with elephants casting striking silhouettes against the evening sky. Birds flying home add a peaceful touch, creating a harmonious close to the day. Maasai sunsets capture nature’s beauty in such a captivating way.
In the evenings, we returned to camp and cooked African rice. Nidhi and her team lay under the open starry night sky, telling stories by the campfire. James, with 20 years of experience, shared his love for life in the national park, a reminder to embrace life without worries. The local people seemed genuinely happy and content with simple lives.
We also visited the Maasai tribe, who live in harmony with nature. Eighteen brothers lived together, following polygamous traditions. They learn English at a nearby convent school, and Maasai women manage the home, cattle, and children while also creating and selling fine jewelry. Their eco-friendly lifestyle includes homes made of cow dung and mud and a diet of cow’s blood, milk, and meat. The tribe chieftain distinguished by their lion-fur hats, engage in jumping competitions to attract girlfriends. The Maasai women sell their handicrafts, which support the local school.
We also did spot double hump camels in the village near by. Some mongoose and baboons were great sight to see.
As we headed back to Nairobi, I took one last look at the white clouds and green pastures, vowing to return. This trip was unforgettable, and I recommend anyone with an adventurous spirit visit this beautiful place at least once in a lifetime.
Team Infornicle
Devleena Nath
