At this time of the year, the "ral" migration happens in the Mara: the birds who spend the cold European months in Africa, are in Southern kenya before their long flight home. The species that e are meeting on game drives with guests Tanya and Ron Fasol are the Abdim's stork, the common cuckoo, the Klass' cuckoo and the European bee-eater. The other remarkable sight is the breeding of the Jackson' widow bird, dancing in the long grass with long tail to attract the attention of the female. Today we spend almost one hour watching this performance. And we were the only ones in the middle of the Mara enjoying this!

A month before they are officially due, the rains have started in the Mara. Road are muddy, rivers and streams are difficult to cross, animals are happy. Except for a lioness of the "Aitong pride", who has jut had two cubs and has been disturbed by the fact that new males lions are trying to take over the pride. With so small cubs, she knows that they are in danger to be killed by the new bosses. So yesterday she decided to leave her sisters and go solo, followed by the two meowing babies. She's on her own now, and life will be difficult. But she is nicknamed "mama kali", the tough mother, so hopefully she'll make it!

Kenya has gone through a difficult moment, but Kenyans never cease to surprise for their witticism and intelligence. The same day that x UN secreary general Kofi Annan landed in Nairobi to start the pace process between government and opposition, a baby rhino landed in the Mara. After a year and half of waiting, in the rhino sanctuary next to Saruni a fourth member has joined the resident family of white rhinos. Kofi the veteran diplomat is an element of hope for Kenya. Kofi the baby rhino is a sign of hope for the Mara and especially for this endangered species. The normally grumpy father, Madaraka, is now guarding his baby ay and night. But visitors are allowed!

Mothers are known to never give up on their small ones when in danger. But the elegant mother Grant gazelle that we saw a few days ago in the Aitong Plains, just below Saruni, produced an extraordinary show of bravery and endurance. On a morning game drive, we came across this distressed Grant standing by the remains of her new born, killed by two jackals. With amazing determination, for 45 minutes she chased the two killers, running up and down this rocky environment to make sure that the baby would not suffer further indignity. Jackals are clever hunters, often unafraid of much bigger animals, but in this case they had to give up. Mama Grant managed to chase them away and then decided to cry next to her baby. Our guests filmed the scene and promised to publish the video on YouTube!