Giraffes visible from the airstrip where we landed on the Transmara Conservancy. This conservancy abuts the Maasai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya.

Maasai escorted our press group onto the grounds of Sanctuary Olonana, a tented camp on the Transmara Conservancy. The welcome also included singing and jumping displays.

Zebras seen on the Maasai Mara in southwestern Kenya. They were likely on the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, which abuts the Maasai Mara National Reserve. A Great Plains Conservation guide/driver conducted our game viewing in the conservancy and the national reserve, which look much the same, given they are within the same Maasai Mara ecosystem.

An example of the landscape on the Transmara Conservancy.

A Thomson’s gazelle, which seemed to be curious about us — or something nearby, seen on the Maasai Mara plains.

As frequently happens, impalas, at front, and topis, at the back, are seen together while grazing on the Maasai Mara.

A leopard, accustomed to tourist vehicles, walks among us on the Maasai Mara seeking a high point. She eventually ensconced herself in a tree. Our guides said the animals view our vehicles as boxes that are not particularly meaningful to them.

Wildebeests marching — and munching — on the Maasai Mara under the spectacular sweeping skies of southwestern Kenya.

Maasai women, brightly attired and adorned with traditional beaded earrings and necklaces, were among villagers welcoming our group to their home near Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya.

This dikdik, one of the world’s smallest antelopes, grazed outside my room on the grounds of Tortilis Camp, on the Kitirua Conservancy adjacent to Amboseli National Park.

A pair of elands seen in the tall golden grasses of the Maasai Mara.

Wildlife viewing also included many birds, including this crested crane seen as we drove to an airstrip near Amboseli National Park.

A cheetah walks toward us, as we gawk and remain safely in our vehicle, on the Maasai Mara. Our guide, who works for Great Plains Conservation, had almost magically spotted and brought us within photo range of a leopard and this cheetah within a little more than two hours.