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We had saved the sunrise safari at Maasai Mara for the last morning…..Despite the full day safari (Read: Full-day Safari at Maasai Mara) the previous day, where the customary Big Five had been sighted along with scores of other precious experiences, we hungered for more. We reasoned, we hadn't seen lion cubs or a hunt, those that fire up TV screens when watching the National Geographic/Discovery channels…..As I said, we hungered for more….
Danielle smiled and nodded his i-know-what-you-want smile, told us to be ready by 5.15 am the next morning; he'd be waiting to take us back to the grasslands even before the sun woke up….
We were thoroughly excited – packed in a few cookies and bananas and water bottles in our knapsack, kept our jackets, sunscreen, camera and lenses ready, before we hit the bed. Not before setting an alarm for 4.30am. We couldn't be late for our last date with the Mara!
Next morning, we set off for the sunrise safari at Maasai Mara when it was still dark. Danielle explained that permissions need to be taken separately for the sojourn in the dark since the Maasai Mara Park officials are very strict about not disturbing natural life in the park. Minimum sound and no strong lights too.
Slowly, it started brightening in the Mara. We soon spotted the old rhino that strolled around aimlessly, giving a free ride to the sparrows perched on its back; the vulture that must have woken up early; the antelope giving us a good look as if to go back to its herd to report about the morning visitors. And then Jayant noticed some action in a faraway bush. As soon as he told Danielle about it, Danielle spun around and drove uphill of about 200 meters…and we chanced upon one of the biggest treasures of the Mara — five little lion cubs and their mothers. Four of them. Dumbfounded. And soon so ecstatic that we could scream! Danielle shooed us down. Not a sound, he said, else they will hide inside the bush. No no, we didn't want that. We contained our joy. Actually, stuggled to. For, soon the five cubs came to check us out instead!! Beat that! Five cubs around our jeep trying to figure out who we were, while the mothers lay lazily in the grass. By some miracle we didn't lose our minds, I tell you!
And in a little while, when the sun rose in the distant horizon with the cubs playing with their Mammas right in front of us, we felt like kneeling down and thanking God for the morning.
We didn't want to come back from the sunrise safari at the Maasai Mara, but then, there was a flight to catch from Nairobi in the evening. And so we bade the Mara goodbye….hoping that it stays rich and diverse forever….
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Looking for a book to read? Check out our list!
To celebrate Read a Book Day tomorrow, we have put together a list of our favourites for you to choose from. So instead of switching on the TV in the morning, why not curl up with a good book instead? There really is nothing better!
Watermelon by Marian Keyes
This is the book that shot Marian Keyes into a bestselling author. It's hilariously funny, but also deals with some pretty serious issues – you can't go wrong!
State of the Union by Douglas Kennedy
This book is about the life of Hannah Buchan, daughter of a famous radical and painter mother in 1960s America. It was written by a man but he seems to be able to get into the mind of a woman without any bother at all – you've got to read it!
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Quick! Before the film gets here! The book is ALWAYS better, and this one will have you hanging on the edge of your seat. It's a cliché, but you really won't be able to put it down!
The Wrong Knickers by Bryony Gordon
A true story by UK journalist Bryony Gordon. In this book she tells you all about her life so far, from snorting cocaine every night of the week, to finally getting her life on track. It's really funny and brutally honest.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling
Maybe you've read it before, but who cares? It's one of the greats! Any of the Harry Potter books are always a good choice!
The Nanny by Melissa Nathan
Sadly, Melissa Nathan passed away from breast cancer in 2006. She wrote this book while battling the disease and when reading it, you would never know what she was going through. It's really funny and easy to read.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
This is a classic, and while you might not be able to make head nor tail of her poems, this novel is actually really easy to read. While she said it was a work of fiction, she clearly took inspiration from her own time in a psychiatric unit and her battle with depression.
The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy
Maeve Binchy was possible one of the best Irish writers ever, and this book is a firm favourite. It's kind of spooky and eerie too, you'll just HAVE to get to the end!
To Kill a Mocking-Bird by Harper Lee
Hopefully this book hasn't been ruined for you by the Junior or Leaving Cert, because it really is one of the best. If you haven't read it yet, get to it!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Even if you saw the film first, you need to read the book. It spent a year on The New York Times Best Seller list, so if that's not a reason to give it a read, we don't know what is!

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This charming ranch home is a must see! It features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, private pool and so much more. Hurry this will not last long at this great price.
Listing courtesy of Realty Exchange.
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