Kenya part 1

Nairobi

8/9/13

We arrived in Nairobi late in the evening after a flight from Barcelona via London to catch a British Airways flight to Nairobi.  It didn’t seem the most direct way but it worked. We sat next to a very interesting American man who runs a Non Government Organisation (NGO) delivering water by digging wells to villages in the Sudan. Of course he and Bob had a lot in common and Bob may do some work with him in the future.

We had heard about the recent fire at Nairobi airport and were prepared for long delays but this was not the case. There were several tents around the airport where we were processed by customs and immigration with relative ease.

We were met by staff from Safaris Into Africa – the tour group we had chosen to use and taken to our Hotel – The Norfolk in Nairobi.

Safaris Into Africa is owned by Clive and Ann Arnold who are originally from Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. They left during the troubles there and resettled in Australia. They now live in Toowomba in Queensland and run tours all over Africa. They are both expert photographers and passionate about African wildlife. We were lucky to see Ann briefly when we arrived before she returned to Australia.

Clive is a larger than life – Steve Irwin type character – who has had several adventures in his life ranging from being shot 3 times to motorbike accidents and close encounters with animals. He has had photos in National Geographic. He is writing a book about his life which will make interesting reading when it comes out. Underneath he’s a big softie and we grew very fond of him and now count him as a friend. He is utterly committed to everyone in the group experiencing Africa and the animals and does all he can to make this possible. His knowledge of African wildlife is amazing.

9/9/13

We had a day in Nairobi before the safari started so we took the opportunity to go on a tour with another couple from the group who had also arrived early. We started by going to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Centre. Some of you may have heard about this place where they bring baby elephants who are abandoned, for various reasons and care for them. Often their mother has died because of poaching or illness. They keep the elephants and care for them until they are about 2 years old and then take them into wildlife areas and try to assimilate them to the wild. This can take up to 5 years. They are kept in an enclosure and let out during the day. They need to integrate to another elephant group and be accepted by them before they can be freed. It was lovely to see so many small animals together and they sure knew where to come for their food!

                    These school girls enjoyed watching the young elephants like we did.

We went to an African tribal dancing centre in the afternoon. It was the first time we had heard African drumming which is good but in my book only for a few minutes!

The dancing was from different Kenyan tribes. It was again interesting at first but a bit of authenticity was lost when we realised it was the same people dressing in different costumes and not actually real representatives from the tribe!

That evening we had a safari briefing and dinner at the Norfolk Hotel.

11/9/13

We left Nairobi early in the morning on day 1. Normally we would see flamingoes later in the trip but because it’s been a very wet season the flamingoes are not where they would normally be as the lakes are too full. Flamingoes need shallow marshy water so they can get small crustaceans and algae.

Our plans were changed and we went to Lake Naivasha on the way to Lake Nakuru Park and Lodge. We went out on small boats of 5 each and went around the edge of the lake. We saw thousands and thousands of lesser flamingoes. The boat driver drove them so we got them flying and in every position possible. 

                         We also saw hippos with their eyes looking at us above the water.

Then to lunch at Joy and George Adamson’s house from Born Free. It is much the same as when they left although it’s changed hands a few times. 

                              This is the car George Adamson was in when he was shot.

We sat outside under the trees with the black and white Colobus monkeys in the trees and incredible bird life.

We then drove to Lake Nakuru and almost immediately went out on a game drive. This park was a cattle farm previously. During the Kenyan civil war most of the game parks in Kenya were destroyed and the government is now recolonizing areas with wildlife because they know it is good for tourism. This area is fenced off so the animals are enclosed. It’s supposed to be good for cats – leopards and lions. It has become over populated with buffalo. There are no elephants as the eco system would not support them.

We had a couple of false alarms about wild cats being sighted and hurtled through the countryside after them to no avail. We ended up seeing giraffes, zebras, impala and buffalo in abundance but no cats.