A Lion so close I could pet it

There’s a Lion in the Masai Mara and we’re on safari to see it.

Lion - Kenya Safari - The Hall of Einar- photograph © David Bailey (not the)

Four of us are in an open-sided vehicle driven by our skilled guide Gladys. The other four are in another car.

This particular Panthera leo is a male with a large mane. He’s not ideal for photography as he’s a little scraggy and covered in flies.

They’re all over his face.

And what a narrow face it is.

Lion - Kenya Safari - The Hall of Einar- photograph © David Bailey (not the)

It’s nearing the end of our day out and the sun is heading directly downwards. The clarity of the air and the brilliance of the colours are marvellous.

Lion - Kenya Safari - The Hall of Einar- photograph © David Bailey (not the)

This Lion decides that our two vehicles are in its way and decides to walk directly towards us. It passes next to me as I film it on my phone. There’s one point at which it almost exchanges a glance with me.

I could have reached down and petted it. I don’t think my petting would have lasted long, though.

Astonishing.

So was the sunset:

Sunset - Kenya Safari - The Hall of Einar- photograph © David Bailey (not the)

More adventures on safari in Kenya

African Harrier Hawk - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) The double-jointed ankles of the African Harrier Hawk It's the tiny head which first strikes me; and then the bare face with the orange skin. It's an African… read more
Zebras at sunset - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Zebras at sunset and a vision of heaven My guide, Johnson, here at Governors' Camp in the Masai Mara, has been brilliant. He's responded to my every wish,… read more
Village Weaver - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) The Village Weaver As we head back to camp, I can see birds bathing in the pools of water left by the ruts… read more
Zebra - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Go on, bat those eyelashes at me I love how playful and how brown and fluffy the young Zebras are here in the Masai Mara. They're still… read more
Lion - Kenya Safari - The Hall of Einar- photograph © David Bailey (not the) Lion’s mane Isn't this big male Lion's mane fabulous? Lionesses prefer male Lions which have a dark bushy main. It's a sign… read more
Cheetah - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Cheetahs in the Masai Mara Gladys is driving us towards a pair of Cheetahs. "Oh yes! There". We're an excited group of four. A pair… read more
Black-Backed Jackal - Kenya Safari - The Hall of Einar- photograph © David Bailey (not the) Black-Backed Jackals Those cunning tricksters, the Black-Backed Jackals are back. Their ears are so pointy, and so are their noses. What a… read more
Pied Kingfisher - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Pied Kingfisher This is my first view of a Pied Kingfisher. They are massive compared with the Common Kingfishers we see in… read more
Topi - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Topi There's a fast antelope called a Topi here. They often like to stand on hillocks, looking like sentinels. The only… read more
African Wattled Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) African Wattled Plover No sweat. That's the problem with being a bird. Humans have sweat gland which act to produce water which cools… read more
Sundowner - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Plunge pools, Superb Starlings and sundowners Here at Mara Ngenche Safari Camp the luxury is embarrassing. A beautiful two-room tent with outside shower and private plunge… read more
Lion - Kenya Safari - The Hall of Einar- photograph © David Bailey (not the) Close to Lionesses I've already had the experience of a male Lion getting uncomfortably close to me on this safari. This time it's… read more

Feel free to leave a Reply :)