KENYA
|
|---|
| Map of Kenya |
- Eight day wildlife safari organized through Travel Connections Ltd (safariafrika.com) by Felix Koskei.
- Accompanied by my wife, two daughters (with their husbands) and four grandchildren.
|
|---|
Adventure J1. Samburu National Park
From the Nairobi Serena Hotel we drove north past Mt.Kenya, stopping at the equator just south of Nanyuki. Then on north to Samburu National Park and the Samburu Serena Safari Lodge (0.530417oN 37.106722oE) where the open check-in area overlooked the Ewaso Ngiro river complete with elephants and other wildlife.
The following morning we embarked on our first game drive. The Samburu National Game Reserve extends for an area of 105sqkm north of the meandering Ewaso Ngiro or Brown river. It is part of a lava plain that includes a varied landscape of red dirt, thorn scrub, broken volcanic rock, dried river beds, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings, some large enough to be called mesas. Following the river curves, a riverine forest of doum palms, acacia, and tamarind is a magical contrast of cool green. It is attractive to the wildlife of the region and visitors alike. There are elephants, hippos, crocodiles and leopards, as well as plains game, other small mammals and birdlife. The region is home to the rare Grevy Zebra with large furry ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with their distinctive blue legs, and the shy oryx beisa.
 | 
| |
|---|---|---|
| Elephants | Cheetahs |
|
|
|---|
Adventure J2. Mount Kenya National Park
After breakfast we drove 40km to Isiolo on a rough dirt road, heading back towards Mount Kenya passing large wheat farms before arriving at Nanyuki town. From there on to the foot of Mount Kenya arriving at Serena Mountain Lodge for lunch. Serena Mountain Lodge (0.31682oS 37.1523oE) is located in the indigenous forest 7200ft up in the foothills of the Mount Kenya National Reserve. The lodge is a four storey box-like structure built in 1970. It overlooks a natural waterhole and salt lick surrounded by dense forest. On a clear day, you can see the jagged peaks of the summit of Mt. Kenya through the trees. Each of the bedrooms faces directly over the waterhole. You can view the game in the comfort and privacy of your own room, no need for a midnight dash to a public area in order to see the animals. Each room has a private bathroom and either an open balcony or a large picture window.
Game most frequently seen include: buffalo, elephant, rhino, forest hogs, suni, red duiker, spotted hyena, genet cat, and if you are lucky, a leopard or the big male lion who makes his appearance every now and then. Since the lodge was deliberately located beside a route animals travel between Mt. Kenya and the lowlands, it is not uncommon to see very large herds of animals. At night the waterhole area is lit by floodlights.
 | 
| |
|---|---|---|
| Watering Hole | Elephant fight |
|
|
|---|
Adventure J3. Lake Nakuru National Park
We drove along the Aberdare range to Thompsons Falls at Nyahururu for a short break. Then on down the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru Lodge for lunch inside the Lake Nakuru National Park. Created as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru National Park features more than 400 species of birds, many from Europe and East Asia. The park includes a large savanna area to the south. A shallow blue-green alkaline lake famous for its flocks of pink lesser and greater flamingoes. The tilapia grahami fish were introduced to provide food for the pelicans who also call Lake Nakuru home. The blue-green color is because of the presence of blue-green algae called spirulinga. The level of the lake goes up and down with the amount of rainfall and the color is dependent on the conditions for the growth of algae. There have been up to two million flamingoes on the lake at one time. When disturbed the birds lift gracefully into the air in a solid moving pink carpet. Nakuru is also excellent for viewing the Rothschild giraffe, the black rhino as well as hippo, reedbuck and defassa waterbuck. We stayed overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge (0.31682oS 37.1523oE).
 | 
| |
|---|---|---|
| Hhinoceros | Buffalo |
|
|
|---|
Adventure J4. Masaimara
After breakfast we drove via Narok to Masai Mara National Reserve to arrive in time for lunch at the Sarova Mara Camp. In the afternoon we drove to Mara Serena Lodge (1.4022oS 37.0262oE) late in the afternoon. This popular lodge is set high on a ridge within the reserve. It commands magnificent uninterrupted views down across the Mara plains and over two water holes. The Mara Serena Lodge architecture and decor suggest a fantasy Masai manyatta, rounded spaces, earth tones, natural furnishings and tribal touches. A swimming pool has been positioned to take advantage of the wonderful view.
The following day we enjoyed game viewing in the vast Masai Mara National Reserve. The Masai Mara is the most popular game reserve in Kenya. It is an extension of the Serengeti plain in Tanzania, and offers the best game viewing in Kenya. On the wide open rolling grasslands you can see an incredible variety of different animals at one time. Perhaps a cheetah mother sits on a termite mound with her punky-looking cubs, while beyond, gazelle, antelope and zebra placidly graze. Giraffe might peer curiously through the trees, while elephants pass on silent feet and vultures circle above. Every year millions of wildebeest migrate north from the Serengeti to the green grass of the Mara. This exciting spectacle usually occurs sometime between July and August. Even when animals are not highlighting the scene, the views by themselves are worth the trip.
 | 
| |
|---|---|---|
| Zebra | Wildebeast |
Last updated 3/18/13.
Christopher E. Brennen