African Safari au Bout

Jambo! Our accommodation on Monday night was such a wonder. Jennifer described it as an Adirondack African Lodge. The Serena Mount Kenya Lodge is a 42 year old wooden structure and the only tree hotel, built on the slopes and overlooking a natural animal watering hole.  When we arrived, there were 20 plus Water Buck, grazing and drinking. 

As the afternoon progressed the animal population constantly changed as did the bird species. Towards sundown, following our afternoon nature walk through the forest (with our guide and armed warden) which was followed by tea and brandy in the forest setting, it was back to the water hole for more viewing. We found approximately 15 Cape Buffalo who had descended to take up residence. 

 

Just as we were taking our traditional afternoon beverage in the outside bar observation balcony, came the arrival of 13 elephants including a baby. This herd later swelled to 21 as the evening progressed. After dinner it was back to our room and balcony to continue the evening viewing as the water hole was lit up all night.

The following day was an early rise and shine for our 8 am departure for the Milewa Lodge with a stop and photo op at the equator. Our game lodge consisted of individual adobe huts with straw roofs. Very large, well appointed and unique. An afternoon nature walk was followed by a sundowner tour and drink, a night game drive, dinner and bed finally as we were completely exhausted.

Today’s adventure was to take us to the 184 sq km Lake Nakuru National Park. Though we were there for the animals, it was the fabulous bird population which grabbed my attention though the Rhinos were quite the spectacle. Especially when our driver suddenly put our safari truck in reverse as he was concerned about a Rhino charge as one of the Rhinos was nursing her young. Quite exciting! It was a beautiful National Park and you could really take it all in with the view from our picnic area high atop the hills surrounding Lake Nikuru.

Every day seems better than the next. Hopefully a good night sleeps and not too early a wakeup call as the Hippos outside our hut in the river are very loud at 5 am.

 





 

 

Mount Kenya

 

DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE VIDEO LINK TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC WHILE YOU READ AND LOOK AT THE PICTURES :)

Jambo! We left Nairobi heading north with our new found travel companions. A couple from Saskatchewan and two women from Los Angles. Three and a half hours later we found ourselves at the equator surrounded by the Mount Kenya Safari Club. After checking into our room which had a commanding view of Mount Kenya from our balcony, we set out to spend a wonderful afternoon at the animal orphanage. Fortunate enough to be present at feeding time we had a vast array of animals, including ostrich, hippopotamus, birds and monkeys, literally perched on us and feeding from our palms. The highlight without doubt was when our guide invited us into the cheetah compound to pet the cheetahs while they ate. Quite unnerving to say the least. The most pleasant surprise that evening was to crawl into bed to find a hot water bottle warming our bedding, while a fire had been lit in the fireplace of our room. The curtains were drawn back and a clear night of sparkling stars was the back drop to the second highest peak in Africa.


Today we embarked on our first game drive into the Sweetwater Animal Reserve and Chimpanzee Conservancy which was founded by Jane Goodall. We were not to be disappointed. This 90,000 acre protected area is apparently just a teaser of things to come. It reminded me of Donali National Park in Alaska where all the animals are left to roam in their own natural habitat. I don’t know how to start when trying to express how it felt when we first encountered our initial animal sightings. I’ll expand upon it further in a future blog but today our appetites were whetted with sightings of zebras, elephants, giraffes, gazelles, rhinoceros, impalas, wart hogs and many other different species too numerous to mention. What a day!! Truly remarkable and which I had envisioned prior to our arrival. It will take some time to absorb what was experienced today

I Once Had A Farm in Africa

Jambo ( Swahili for hello) from Nairobi, Kenya. One equipment failure, two delayed departures, three airports and 24 hours later we arrived exhausted but safe!

Prior to our arrival, the thought of terrorism had crossed my mind, but only for a fleeting moment. However the precautionary steps to prevent terrorism are prevalent everywhere. Taxis are searched and trunks are opened. Telescopic mirrors are used to look under all taxis approaching hotel drop off points and the vehicle barriers to entry points are formidable enough to keep out a Sherman tank. Armed guards, xray machines and metal detectors prior to entering a hotel reception lobby are standard issue. Somewhat intimidating but the reality of the situation is underlined by our taxi driver, taking us by the former US Embassy site which no longer exists due to a terrorist attack in 1998 which killed 300 people and leveled the building which is now occupied by a memorial park.

On a brighter note it was off to the farm which Karen Bixton of “Out of Africa” fame, established in 1917 after having arrived from Denmark three years prior. A fascinating life story of how she and her beloved Kikuyu people tried in vain to establish a coffee plantation with little success. Robert Redford and Meryl Streep starred in this film classic which was filmed on location with the gentle and soft spoken people of Kenya.

We meet our four travelling companions today and start our two week safari tomorrow.
Kwaheri (Swahili for goodbye)