Glynis Redford and Harry & Joan Vaughan came on safari with us towards the end of September for 9 days, followed by a few nights on Lamu Island on the Indian Ocean coast. Their time in the bush was spent first at Mutamaiyu Mugie, a private 50,000 acre ranch on the Laikipia plateau, and then in the Masai Mara, where they stayed for a glorious 5 nights.

The water hole in front of Mutamaiyu House is always a busy spot...	...as are the gardens surrounding the luxurious rooms. This was one of the many black-headed orioles whose beautiful liquid song served as a gentle alarm clock every morning.

Stays at Mutamaiyu Mugie are seldom ordinary - this trip coincided with the arrival of a new pair of nomadic male lions, who had wandered in from the vast wilderness that surrounds Mugie. We were fortunate to be present when one of the pair was darted and collared for the ongoing predator research project.

Another collared lioness looks on as the recently darted male recovers from his forced sleep - Mutamaiyu Mugie

Children at the Ranch School - Mutamaiyu Mugie, Laikipia Plateau

Pokot women building a new hut in a nearby village - Mutamaiyu Mugie

Camel trekking accross Mugie Ranch, being watched by an inquisitive crowned crane.

Hippos in the Ol Keju Rongai River - Masai Mara

This eland male was a handsome example of the largest antelope in Africa - Masai Mara	Yellow billed stork fishing in the Talek River, in front of our tents in the Masai Mara

This young male leopard, christened "Chui" by the "Big Cat Diary" TV series, can often be found near the Talek River, which passes in front of our tents.

Sopia, our Masai tracker, with Glynis, Joan & Harry	A woodland kingfisher in the Masai Mara

An adult hyena near lookout hill in the Masai Mara	A hyena pup in its den in the Masai Mara

A young elephant showing interest in us as its family group passed around our Land Rover in the Masai Mara

Mother cheetah and two month old cub on Paradise Plain in the Masai Mara

Cheetah mother and cub in the Masai Mara	Baglafecht weaver in the Masai Mara

Glynis's favourite - a white backed vulture half way through its main course -Masai Mara	Sunset over the Masai Mara