Lokenjen on tour

The greatest wildlife show on earth (August 2009)

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The show is breathtaking as ever: the annual Great Migration when millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti plains into the Masai Mara. Crossing the Mara river is part of their journey – one long stretched procession of wildlife, an impressive sight.

Kili shows off (July 2009)

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Facing the effects of half a year without a single rain drop, Amboseli is dry and dusty.

An uncommon sight in July, the Kilimanjaro in its full beauty. Usually the top is hidden behind clouds this time of year.

East meets West (June 2009)

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A room with a view: buffalo grazing against the backdrop of the Kilimanjaro in Tsavo West.

Strike a pose: a male kudu in all his beauty.

Hard to capture: a giraffe taking a sip of water.

The elephants in Tsavo East are usually covered in red dust. With their trunks they create dusty showers for themselves. Bathing in Africa’s red soil is a way of cooling down.

A playful elephant is challenging a lioness. It looks spectacular, but it is not even a serious charge. Eventually the elephant decides that he is no match for the lioness and her pride and takes off.

Both Tsavo East and West are renowned for their maneless lions. Theories vary on why the males in this specific area barely have manes – a definitive scientific answer is yet to be found.

High spirits (May 2009)

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The tsetse season is giving the cats high spirits. In order to escape the nasty bites of this fly, all lions in Serengeti can be found high up in the trees.

Hunting tactics of a crocodile: just being patient with its mouth wide open against the stream.

Good news for the fans of the "Greatest wildlife show on earth": the Great Migration is on its way to Masai Mara. Millions of grunting gnus can be found in the Western Corridor of Serengeti.

Giraffe meeting (April 2009)

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A spectacular view: a large crowd of giraffes is gathering in Masai Mara.

Two adolescent males are engaged in the lion’s favourite way of passing time: resting & relaxing.

Chasing warthogs (April 2009)

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Lake Nakuru is an excellent place to spot flamingos and rhinos. Capturing them together in one picture is sheer luck.

Trees and shrubs in Masai Mara form the perfect cover for leopards, only for the very keen eye to discover. Makes you wonder just how many leopards you might have passed unnoticed!

Giraffes are extremely vulnerable once they lie down. That is why it is rare to catch them while resting. Even this giraffe’s mate in the background seems to be surprised.

Another unusual encounter, also in Mara. A pride of lions decides to put a whole warthog family on their menu. Unlike their normal behaviour, when they hunt as a group, this time each lion chases its own prey. And all succeed.

Serengeti symphony (December 2008)

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An itching elephant in Serengeti has found just the right rock to scratch herself.

The Great Migration, the large herds of zebra and wildebeest, is residing in Tanzania around this time of the year. They are keeping a keen eye on the pride of lions passing by.

Mara’s jingle bells (December 2008)

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It is Christmas in Masai Mara.

Two youngsters are exploring their territory.

Their mother is going into quick hiding. It looks like she has not been successful in securing a prey recently.

Little ones (December 2008)

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Elephants are experts in protecting their young ones. Their babies and toddlers are usually well hidden, in the centre of the group, invisible for outsiders. But sometimes the little ones get a bit more exposure.

Only to proof just how adorable they are, like this little jumbo in Masai Mara.

Just as cute, this young giraffe. Staying close to her mother is her best chance for survival.

A heart warming display of a mother’s love for her offspring: nursing one cub, while tenderly grooming the other.

Slightly older, this trio of adolescent cheetah brothers. Cheetahs are usually solitary animals, though it is not uncommon for the males to stick together for a while once they have left the nest.

Preying time (October 2008)

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A male lion covered with insects is enjoying his prey in Masai Mara.

As always, Mr. Hyena is not too far away, waiting for his chance to steal some leftovers.

More cats with their cubs (September 2008)

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A leopard is hiding her cubs amidst some rocks in Serengeti, Tanzania.

The Serengeti plains are kind to a trio of cheetah brothers: they have secured a kill.

Masai Mara the place to be (August 2008)

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The Great Migration is still around, turning Masai Mara into the place to be for safari lovers.

Predators are having the time of their life – food is now abundant for them.

Great migration in Masai Mara (July 2008)

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Excitement is in the air: when will they arrive? The annual migration of wildebeest and zebra, one of nature’s wonders, is on its way to Masai Mara. Their actual arrival is unpredictable, a secret only known to nature’s instinct. But soon the Mara plains are filled with millions of wildebeest and zebra. The sight of them anxiously crossing the Mara river and other waters is the highlight of the Kenyan safari season.

Tree climbing lion (June 2008)

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The Samburu scenery is breathtaking as ever. A group of elephant crosses the Ewaso Ngiro river towards Buffalo Springs. In their wake a herd of buffalo follows.

In Nakuru a trio of lionesses is feasting on a prey. The young cub amidst them gets one of its first bites of zebra meat.

Meanwhile a white rhinoceros is enjoying a pool of water.

Masai Mara unfolds several unique encounters. Spectacular is the young lion climbing a tree.

Though it has a little trouble getting on the ground again…

Many more lions are waiting to be discovered. Or, actually, discovering them requires a keen eye, as the long grasses provide the perfect hiding place for their dozing.

A couple of lions are panting on an anthill alongside the track. This time their hunting efforts have been without result.

Hyenas are meeting in great numbers. A sign that something is about to happen: the arrival of the annual Great Migration.

Babyboom in Amboseli (March 2008)

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Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain of Africa, is in superior shape. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon the clouds around the summit resolve, revealing clear views of this famous snow-capped peak.

Amboseli has been blessed with rains recently and the scenery is green and lush. This favourable environment triggers the natal season, with many wildlife species giving birth.

Witnessing the early start of many young animal lives is simply touching.

A newborn wildebeest is getting on its feet for the first time.