The Masai Giraffe

Last summer, I was lucky enough to visit Kenya and see many majestic animals in the wild. One of the most memorable was the Masai giraffe. 

Masai giraffe is one of the nine subspecies of giraffe (according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature) or one of the four species of giraffe (according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation). Scientists are still not sure about the classification of giraffe, since the GCF, through new DNA testing, found that there are four species of giraffe and five subspecies, but the IUCN still officially recognizes one giraffe species and nine subspecies. Regardless, Masai giraffe is the largest species (or subspecies) of giraffe. They can be distinguished by their irregular shaped spots which extend down their legs all the way to their hooves.

We got to see many Masai giraffe in the game reserve of Masai Mara. Most of them were in small groups, although we did see a few lone giraffes. It was truly fascinating to watch them in their natural habitat as they ate and walked calmly. They reached their long necks up to get to the leaves, which they slowly chewed while wandering from tree to tree. 

Giraffeworld.com says that Masai giraffe live in small groups with strong bonds between the members, especially the females. Calves form nurseries with females taking turns to look after them. Males do not usually interact with each other unless they are fighting for the right to mate.

They spend most of the day grazing and eat about 75 pounds of food per day.  They eat twigs, fruits, and flowers, but they like the leaves of the acacia tree the best.

Lions and hyenas are their main predators, targeting vulnerable calves. They avoid the adults, since their powerful kicks can break a lions spine or skull. Masai giraffe can also run at speeds up to 35 mph (or about 56 km/s). Their kick and their speed are their only defenses. These might work against their natural predators, but they cannot protect them from poachers or from the loss of their habitat because of human activities. 

According to the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, poachers and habitat loss are the reasons why the Masai giraffe has been recently declared Endangered. There are only 35,000 mature Masai giraffe left in the entire world. Giraffes have been listed as Vulnerable since 2016, and their numbers are only decreasing despite conservation efforts by the GCF and other NGOs.

Seeing the Masai giraffes was one of the highlights of my visit to Kenya. I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to watch them in person. It was a remarkable experience, and one I hope many future generations will get to enjoy. This will only be possible if we work to save giraffes. We need to act now before it's too late, or the iconic giraffe will be gone forever.

Click here to find out what you can do to help.

An Evening at Ambesoli National Park

A while ago, my family and I took a trip to Kenya. We visited many places and had an amazing time. We made loads of great memories, but one that stands out the most is simply watching the sunset on our first day in Amboseli National Park.

We were staying in a small, pretty lodge just outside the park when we decided it was a good idea to go out for a while to look at the sunset and take pictures. Our sweet and friendly guide, Muya, drove us out and we stopped when the lodge was out of sight. Even during the very short drive we could see many pretty birds flying about and playing with each other. 

He cut the engine and we got out of the car. It was silent except for the sound of birds and insects. Yellow - green grass grew on the sandy ground. Small bushes and the occasional tree dotted the landscape. In the distance, we could see the shadow of Mount. Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa. The sun hung low in the sky and cast an orange glow over the landscape. The beautiful scenery and quietness of the moment made it very peaceful and serene. I think this memory stands out so much for me because of how happy I felt there.

After the sun set, we went back to the lodge and had some food. Then we went to bed still feeling peaceful and contented.

Wadi Lajab

Wadi Lajab is a stunning valley 130 KM North-East of Jizan. The drive there from Jizan is equally amazing. Mountains surround you and the road snakes through them, steep and treacherous. You can’t see what’s coming after those hairpin bends, and that adds to the thrill. If both the car and the driver are good and know what they are doing, you will enjoy it. You will notice the green mountains and the small picturesque houses and villages. They make this drive one of the most beautiful I know.

You exit the road and enter the valley through a small opening that is very easy to miss. 

High mountain walls surround you as you drive on a narrow gravel trail through what looks like another world. 

Flowing seawater appears under your wheels as you go further, and keeps increasing. The gravel eventually turns to big stones, and you have to stop and continue on foot.

You follow a stream, walking in what is one of the most beautiful places in Saudi Arabia. 

The high mountain walls still surround you, and green trees and vegetation appear, fed by the flowing water.

The stream forms pools, where tiny black fish dart about. Sometimes it gets deep, and you have to wade in it and get wet.

The boulders get very large at places, and you climb them, until you finally get to the end of the valley. 

The valley becomes narrower and the two mountain walls meet. Cold water cascades down into a pool where you can swim for a while and relax before returning.