Day Ten and Wrap-up

A few things I forgot to include: on our last game drive, we saw some lion sex, not all that interesting (a few seconds then quit, wait, try again), and a race to see another leopard. I wasn't able to get a good photo, but we did see it. One time another vehicle got stuck in a rut; our driver gave it a shove and away we all went. We had rain most afternoons in Naboisho, but it never caused us any problems. We enjoyed seeing it coming across the horizon.

At Saruni Eagle View we got acquainted with a British Indian couple who arrived and left at the same times as we did. On the second day, they got engaged in a special setup out in the bush. They also had a fancy dinner at a table moved into a lounge area. They were euphoric and we all enjoyed watching them!

Our last day was spent in Nairobi. We flew by a chartered plane from an airstrip on the conservancy (air traffic control: a man on a motorcycle rode to the far end and waved) and landed at the domestic airport in Nairobi. It was nice to be met by an Asilia agent and guided to the car that took us to the airport hotel.

The pilot gave us the security talk; we were the only passengers

On our last full day, we had a tour of several places in the city. The first was the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant and rhino orphanage where the babies are raised and reintegrated into protected wilderness. We were looking forward to it, but found there were so many people it was difficult to see, and the man who gave a lecture spoke for a long time and was very difficult to hear and understand.

We watched some of the little ones coming to the center ring

We found a bench slightly raised and could see some of what was going on

Next stop was a place that helped Maasai women earn a living by making beads and doing leatherwork. Shopping opportunity!

Our next stop was the Giraffe Center where endangered Rothschild's giraffes are raised. I loved it! We had an interesting lecture after the feeding. I learned that giraffe bones have no marrow so they can support their immense weight.

They gave us food pellets to feed the giraffes, who obviously knew what to expect.

Love this photo of the long narrow neck!

We had lunch at the Madbronze art gallery and cafe. A lovely table was set up for us in a gazebo.

Panoramic photo of our location

Restroom sign!

One of the many bronze works on display, love this family of warthogs

Our last stop was the Karen Blixen house, where the author of Out of Africa lived (pen-name Isak Dinesen). We toured the inside but no photos were allowed.

This was an amazing trip and I feel so fortunate that I was able to go. Lucy's reading of  Born Free at age twelve was the impetus for planning it.

We did learn a very little bit of Swahili:  Jambo = hello, often said twice; Asante = thank you; and Karibu = you're welcome. And, yes, hakuna matata = no worries, is commonly used.

Africa Adventure Days 8-9

The two full days at Saruni Eagle View were wonderful. Because it was so small, our meals offered two options and were served at the table, rather than the lavish buffets we had before. Again, the waiters and other staff were outstanding. Because the Conservancy is owned by the Maasai, many of the employees were members of that tribe.

We continued to have morning and evening drives and saw many more animals. This area did not have as many zebras as we'd seen before in the thousands, but there was plenty of wildlife to enjoy.

Thompson's gazelles near grazing Maasai cattle

A jackal in a hurry

More lazy lions!

Some lions getting ready to go scouting

We saw these three giraffes standing together. The lions also saw them and began stalking. They were able to cut one off from the others and the giraffe, sensing the danger, began to run. We saw the lions chasing her and saw her fall down but get up again (not easy when you have such long legs). They all disappeared into the bushes so we didn't see the kill. But our driver knew where to go and we sat for a long time watching the lions feast. It was horrible (giraffes are my favorites) but also fascinating. We saw the "law of the jungle" in action.

Later we learned that the giraffe had been pregnant; some of the other watchers saw the evidence.

The Thompson's gazelles' tails never stopped wagging; perpetual motion!

Mongooses standing up like meerkats (a relative)

More warthogs

Elephants and giraffe together

Our driver, Alex, while we waited for our flight to Nairobi

Yes, our bags got on board!

Africa Adventure Day 7

The following day we left Ashnil Mara in the Maasai Mara Reserve and drove to the Naboisho Conservancy. We were still in the same type of country, but the Conservancy is privately owned by 800 Maasai families. They are allowed to continue to take their cattle out onto the land; the locations change in order not to disturb the wild animals. We were driven to the gate between and transferred to another vehicle just like the one we had been riding in. Our new lodge was the Saruni Eagle View and it was wonderful (they all were!). This one is a tented camp with only about ten tents. They are elevated with views out into the bush. There are no fences, so the animals can move about the property freely. During the day they stayed away, but in the night a number of them were around (we saw the evidence). Before light and after dark we were required to walk to our tent with a guard; they patrol all night.

Great photo of us (!) at the Talek Gate between the Reserve and the Conservancy

We drove through a town and saw many Maasai homes, some stockaded like this for the cattle.

Looking out from the main lounge area of our camp

The tent for Lucy and me; Barbara had her own

The view out the front from inside; the screens were zipped closed

We just got settled in our room when it was time for our first game drive in the conservancy. For the first time, we had others in our vehicle; a Norwegian couple. We stopped for snacks and drinks about 5:30, the only time we did that.

The next two days we did lots of game drives and saw many more animals. Next up: yes, more animal pictures!

Africa Day 6

Even though my pictures are dated and therefore should be in order, it is hard to remember exactly what happened when. I think the majority of these pictures took place on day 6.

Dead hippo in pool, hyenas feasting (horrible but fascinating)

Lazy lions; we waited quite a while and they didn't move

Here we are in front of our truck with our driver, Danson.

Cape buffalo

Secretary bird; we saw several but it was hard to catch a picture

Elephant family

Helmeted guinea fowl

Hippos in the river

Hippos returning to river

River banks showing hippo paths for going up and down.

In the Serengeti

Giraffes, my favorites

Impala and zebras

Wildebeest and zebras lined up for migrating; my videos won't load ☹️

Africa Day 5 Evening

After lunch and a little rest time, we headed out again. This time we saw giraffes, below is a mother and child crossing the road. (By the way, this is one of the best roads!)

Danson was in constant radio contact with the other driver/guides and he heard there was an impala killed by a leopard, hanging in a tree. We drove to the site, along with many other vehicles, and sat to wait for dusk and the leopard's return. Eventually, she came back with her cub. We never saw the cub, as she stashed it carefully in the shrubbery. We saw her climb the tree and go to her kill. She picked it up to move (not sure why). Finally it got too dark to see and we left. 

When we returned to our room, we found these cute towel elephants on one of the beds.

 

Africa Day 5 Morning

We were happy that our lodge offered tea and coffee to go so that we could take cups with us on our 6:15 drive. This morning was the only day we had a meal served to us out in the open. Danson had brought folding chairs and a table and packed breakfasts (far too much food!). It was a beautiful morning and we loved eating out there in the wind. This was also the only time we needed to use the female urinary devices we had brought along. An interesting experience!

A note about photos: I am not a particularly good photographer and I took many pictures. Some may have been shared from Lucy or Barbara. I realize the quality is not the best.

Starlings we saw often; most pictures only showed black, but they were very colorful

Lions lazing in the morning

Impalas at sunrise

Iconic African tree at sunrise

Topi; we saw many many of these, also known as blue jean/yellow leg

Another lion, this one a young male

Another stream crossing

A kill with hyenas feasting; the vultures must wait their turn

The Kenya/Tanzania border; there is nothing distinctive to tell where you are

A cheetah!

The cheetah a bit clearer

View from the back row with Danson driving, Barbara in first row and Lucy in second

Another cheetah!

Our only rhino on this trip; he was trucking across the land

A better photo of the rhino