This safari turned out to be a rhino and lion safari! February 2006 saw Kenya experiencing its worst drought for 50 years, but athough it was hot, dry and sometimes a little dusty, game viewing, particularly of the "King of the Beasts", was exceptional. The herbivores loss was the carnivores gain, as grazers and browsers, drawn to the limited water sources, made easy pray for the preditors. Jessica, Chantel, Laura, Reg and Doug set off with Tim by road, first to the Aberdare Mountains, then Lake Nakuru National Park, and finally to the Masai Mara National Reserve. This was a cultural as well as a wildlife safari, and we were as keen to see what life was like outside the wildlife reserves as in them.

Solio, a wildlife sanctuary just outside the Aberdare National Park, is famous for its rhinos, both black (here with Baisa oryx) and white, as well as for its backdrop of Mt Kenya.

Bushbuck, a shy and beautiful forest dwelling antelope, are readily seen in the Aberdare National Park, along with buffalo, elephant, hyena, giant forest hog and duiker.

The Aberdares are as much about scenery as wildlife, with impressive rolling forest, numerous waterfalls ...

...and amusing sign-boards!	Driving between the Aberdare Mountains and Lake Nakuru National Park, we gave a lift to kids making the long walk home (up to 10 Km) from school.

This lioness, with 4 others, was sitting looking through the fence at our rooms as we awoke for our day in Lake Nakuru National Park!	Caroline joined us for our visit to Lake Nakuru National Park - drafted in deliver fresh coffee and to spot leopards - she succeeded with the coffee.

Lake Nakuru has around 100 rhinos, evenly devided between black and white. The white rhinos seen here are bulk grazers and are easily seen on the open grasslands of the park - this baby was born after a 16 month gestation period, and is roughly a year old.

In the Masai Mara we met up with Sopia, a Masai guide who has been working with me for almost a decade. Times are tough for the Masai right now, with the drought killing many of their cattle - this one was making a brave last stand.

Aitong School, on the northern edge of the Mara, has around 450 students, and 12 teachers. Lack of resources are compensated for with enthusiasm.

During our three days in the Mara we were lucky enough to see around 50 different lions, many of them cubs - fat, happy and playful.

When lionesses give birth around the same time they allow their offspring to suckle communally, only half-heartedly favouring their own offspring. As all the females in a pride are usually closely related, this is in all their genetic interests.

Lionesses give birth to 2-4 cubs, but many die before reaching independence from their mothers. With the glut of food ironically caused by the drought, cubs are doing well this year, hopefully arresting the downward trend in the regions lion population.

The rump of a male Masai giraffe - his hide has darkened with age.	The tusks of an elephant are a multi - purpose tool, and often break or become damaged.

A Martial eagle, one of Africas biggest eagles, and the lilac breasted roller, arguably its most beautiful.

Hippos give birth on land or in shallow water after an 8 month gestation. The calf can suckle under water, surfacing to breath every few seconds. When resting calves sometimes climb on to their mothers backs, as this one has.

While the other big carnivores of the Masai Mara rest in the middle of the day, cheetah are often active - this male was hot but hungry.