On to Ambroseli




This morning we arose early and walked down to the jetty. Two of the staff were there to talk to us about the animals as we walked. The waterbuck were asleep on the lawn outside our room again which was neat and were up and grazing as we started out. Just over the bridge, the first giraffe appeared. Then there was a mama and baby that was about 6-8 months old. It was so amazing to stand that close and watch them move around so freely. There probably were 8 or 10 around in the area this AM and these are the Masai giraffes which are darker and smaller than the ones we saw in Botswana. We moved on down to the jetty and watched the birds and zebra and other animals that were moving about early in the AM.

We left the lodge which was just a superb lodge. Then we stopped around the bend and took a two hour boat ride and nature walk on Crescent lake. We saw pied kingfishers galore and comorants and pelicans and yellow billed storks. There were hippos everywhere and we would go a little farther and there would be two eyes peeking above the water checking us out. The neatest pod we saw had a baby sunning up on the rock and most of the others were laying in the water all over each other. The mama hippo was in the water nearby watching her half grown baby. The boat driver picked up some fish and we rode over near the fish eagles and he called them down by whistling and throwing them in the water. The fish eagle would swoop down and get it. It was neat to see and we did a pretty good job of capturing it on camera.

From there we got back in the van and took off for the Nairobi airport. Today was a huge holiday because of the new constitution that passed in Kenya. Everyone was off work and roads were closed. So we had to go a longer way to get to the airport to check on our luggage. It is very interesting to drive and see the way of life. It is very different but the people seem happy and to enjoy life. They stay outside and are so active physically.

We got to Nairobi airport about noon and Omari took Jim and me to the security office where we had to hand over our passports and they gave us badges to wear through security as we were going through the staff entrance. We had to go through security just like we do when we go through it ourselves to fly. That put us coming in right at the baggage place where we were the other night. I spotted the orange duck tape right away and knew it had arrived. We presented our paperwork and claimed our two duffel bags and left happy campers! We returned our badges and got our passports back and considered it all another discovery event as OAT likes to call things.

We got back on the road and some of the back roads were REALLY rough with potholes that were so big you had to go offroad to get around them. The seatbelts in the van don’t work so we hold our breath a lot. Again, cars passed on both sides and in short distances. We made a couple of stops for a box lunch and to use the bathroom, such as it is.

It was a long drive on into our lodge but along the way, we did see some animal-giraffe, impala, zebra, and camels! Yes, there was a camel farm along the way. We arrived at Amboseli but on the final stretch of the dirt, bumpy road, there suddenly appeared two dozen or so elephants right by the road. It was so dusty and they were not terribly happy at us stopping to watch. One even did a mock charge! There was a mama and baby and several just huge old guys! Two safari vehicles joined us shortly and after a nice time of watching, we moved on and got to our tented camp-Ambroseli Sentrim. It is very nice. The bathroom especially is more modern and bigger than any we have stayed in. No electricity between 11-5 so this will be a big test. Before the evening was over, we killed two scorpions in the tent. That does not make me feel good. The restaurant is open air and so nice. All in all a very very good