Walking Safaris ….
A walking safari is a great experience in Kenya. We enjoyed two on our last trip to the Masai Mara where we stayed in two excellent Porini camps. The first walk was just the four of us at Mara Porini, the second was a group of 8. We had two Masaii guards, a game warden who has a gun, but has never had to fire it, and a first class guide. Wilson said to us “you all come to Kenya to see the big five, today I am going to show you the small five” He then picked up a small snail called an ant lion. The small five are the elephant shrew, the buffalo weaver, the ant lion, leopard tortoise, and rhino beetle.
In advance, the thought of walking in the open with lions, buffalo and other big cats round every corner, could have put me off, but remember the Masai have been walking with their cattle and defending them against all predators for centuries. These people are experts at understanding their environment.
The walks gave us our first chance to interpret tracks and droppings. Wilson our guide also told us about interesting Masai use of dung and plants for medicinal purposes If you have stomach problems you cannot beat elephant dung tea. Well you can, the most saught after potion is black rhino tea which is very good for internal problems. We didn’t try that either!
We became experts in various forms of dung from the tiny droppings of dic dic to the large friable heaps of elephant dung. You can tell hyena dung from its grey chalky colour. The hyena grinds animals bones with its powerful teeth.
Hare droppings were dry and not very easy to find because the hare sucks the moisture from them after he has deposited them.
As we walked we found tortoise, we got to know plants that were natural insecticides. We found another plant that was used as sandpaper by the masai to smooth their arrows.
You can only do a walking safari in a conservancy. You are not allowed out of your vehicle in any of the National Parks except at a few picnic stops. Porini camps are located in conservancies so it is here that you can enjoy this treat. Africa Sky sell a number of different safaris including all Porini camps.
