Kenya 2011
Map from Intrepid Travel
The oldest posts are at the bottom of the page.
December 23rd 2011
Today is my last day in Africa! I got to spend the day in a very memorable way. Urban Adventures hosted me on their Giraffes and Karen Blizen tour in Nairobi. A group of 6 people
were on the tour. We started in the Nairobi National Park for a game
drive. We then headed to the Elephant Orphanage. It is the home of 18
elephants ages 4 weeks to 30 months who were found without family. The
center is open for one hour per day, when the elephants are fed. We
watched them be fed milk from large bottles and saw them playing in the
mud. We got to touch any that came close- they are very greasy!
After lunch at a local restaurant, we headed to the Giraffe center. This is the home of a conservation project focusing on the endangered Roschild Giraffe. The giraffes have a large compound, with a small viewing platform open to humans. The giraffes come over to be pet and fed pellets when they want to. One of the giraffes, Kelly, licked me on the face, twice!
There was a quick stop at the Karen Blixen museum, before heading to the airport for my 11:40pm flight. Ill be picked up in Montreal at 3:30pm on the 24th.
This is the end of my dream!
After lunch at a local restaurant, we headed to the Giraffe center. This is the home of a conservation project focusing on the endangered Roschild Giraffe. The giraffes have a large compound, with a small viewing platform open to humans. The giraffes come over to be pet and fed pellets when they want to. One of the giraffes, Kelly, licked me on the face, twice!
There was a quick stop at the Karen Blixen museum, before heading to the airport for my 11:40pm flight. Ill be picked up in Montreal at 3:30pm on the 24th.
This is the end of my dream!
December 22nd 2011
It's our final drive! A drive to Nairobi!
We dropped off the truck and moved into a hotel.
A group of 10 went to Carnivore restaurant. We had beef, chicken, zebra, pork, lamb, ox testicles, ostrich, camel, and crocodile. It was DELICIOUS!!!
We dropped off the truck and moved into a hotel.
A group of 10 went to Carnivore restaurant. We had beef, chicken, zebra, pork, lamb, ox testicles, ostrich, camel, and crocodile. It was DELICIOUS!!!
December 21st 2011
We had a quick drive to the town of Navaisha.
We visited Elsemere, the home of Joy Adamson, who wrote 'Born Free'. We
watched a documentary about her and then had high tea.
We had our last dinner as a group tonight. Liv and I made dinner for everyone and then we played games. It was a really great last night with the full group.
My dream is coming to an end, what a dream its been!
We had our last dinner as a group tonight. Liv and I made dinner for everyone and then we played games. It was a really great last night with the full group.
My dream is coming to an end, what a dream its been!
December 20th 2011
Today was a Relaxing day. We had wood fire pizzas for dinner, after spending the day reading and watching movies.
Living the dream!
Living the dream!
December 19th 2011
We spent the day on a Game Drive in Nakuru National Park. We saw water buffalo, lions, zebras, hippos, flamingos, black and white rhinos, hyenas, giraffes, heaps of baboons, antelopes, dik-diks, warthogs, and tons of different kinds of birds. We took a four hour break in the heat of the day, which we spent by the pool at the lodge.
What a dream! I really can't believe it's happening!
What a dream! I really can't believe it's happening!
December 18th 2011
Today we did a Drive day to Nakuru. We are
camping in a really nice site. Liv and I made steak and potatoes for
everyone for dinner.
Living the dream, at the Equator!!
Living the dream, at the Equator!!
December 17th 2011
Another day in Naro Moru! We signed up for a
horse riding trip and I was placed with Chris and Kelly, advanced
riders. We cantered through the National Park (much to the
dissatisfaction of the elephants in the area) to a waterfall. We took 20
minutes each direction, while the other group took over three hours. I
really enjoy horse back riding! I hope to do much more once home.
December 16th 2011
We drove to the beautiful area of Naro Moru.
We stayed in a great campsite that had a hotel on the grounds. They were
hosting weddings all day. The setup stayed the same, but 7 different
couples passed through the alter. The weddings were very similar to
North American ones.
Continuing to live the dream!
Continuing to live the dream!
December 15th 2011
Today we entered Samburo National Park! We
spent all day on a game drive. We saw lion, giraffe, elephant,
impala, crocodile, genet cat, and a zillion different species of bird.
We got stuck in the sand at one point, but the boys were very quick to
dig us out for fear of lions.
In the evening we went to the lodge for dinner. They had a 5 course dinner that was excellent. On the way back we saw baboons turning on a tap to drink out of it. It was extremely clever! Marek was walking along carrying a soda bottle, which was ripped out of his hands by another clever baboon. The gutsiest baboon stole a chocolate bar off our table.
In the evening we went to the lodge for dinner. They had a 5 course dinner that was excellent. On the way back we saw baboons turning on a tap to drink out of it. It was extremely clever! Marek was walking along carrying a soda bottle, which was ripped out of his hands by another clever baboon. The gutsiest baboon stole a chocolate bar off our table.
December 14th 2011
It happened suddenly; sand paths became paved
roads and those classic green road signs showed up. The armed guards
left our truck as soon as we reached that point. It was like someone had
drawn a line as if to say 'welcome to civilization'.
We drove to a village owned by the Samburo tribe. They are a group of nomadic people who herd animals. They hosted us in their village for the night. They are polygamous, having many wives and children. Half the children take care of the animals, while the other half are sent to school. The woman are married after age 14. The boys raise animals until they are 15-17 years old at which time they are circumcised. They mustn't cry, blink, or show any signs of pain. If they succeed they are covered in elaborate beads created by their mothers and sisters. This is a sign that they are now men. Until the age of the 30 the men are known as warriors. They protect the village. They are not allowed to eat inside the village and must hunt all of their own food with other warriors. After the age of 30 their parents choose a wife for them and they are married. Any additional wives are chosen by the man. There is a council of elders who makes most decisions for the tribe.
We started our time with them by going to the river to bathe. We stripped down and headed into the crocodile infested waters with the locals. It was very refreshing in the heat.
When we came back, meat stew had been prepared for us. The Samburo only eat meat, blood, and milk. After we ate we were privileged to watch a traditional dance show. We were covered in beads and involved in all of the dancing.
Tonight was an absolute highlight of the trip. We were one of the first groups to ever visit this tribe, so it was very authentic, rather than touristy. The people were so warm and welcoming; they wanted to share everything that they could about their culture.
We drove to a village owned by the Samburo tribe. They are a group of nomadic people who herd animals. They hosted us in their village for the night. They are polygamous, having many wives and children. Half the children take care of the animals, while the other half are sent to school. The woman are married after age 14. The boys raise animals until they are 15-17 years old at which time they are circumcised. They mustn't cry, blink, or show any signs of pain. If they succeed they are covered in elaborate beads created by their mothers and sisters. This is a sign that they are now men. Until the age of the 30 the men are known as warriors. They protect the village. They are not allowed to eat inside the village and must hunt all of their own food with other warriors. After the age of 30 their parents choose a wife for them and they are married. Any additional wives are chosen by the man. There is a council of elders who makes most decisions for the tribe.
We started our time with them by going to the river to bathe. We stripped down and headed into the crocodile infested waters with the locals. It was very refreshing in the heat.
When we came back, meat stew had been prepared for us. The Samburo only eat meat, blood, and milk. After we ate we were privileged to watch a traditional dance show. We were covered in beads and involved in all of the dancing.
Tonight was an absolute highlight of the trip. We were one of the first groups to ever visit this tribe, so it was very authentic, rather than touristy. The people were so warm and welcoming; they wanted to share everything that they could about their culture.
December 13th 2011
Well, we've made it! Accompanied by two armed
guards we traveled on the 'Worst road in Africa'. The guards needed to
be hired, as the area is controlled by bandits, who shoot at unarmed
vehicles. The last Dragoman truck to go through the area came out with a
bullet hole through the windshield.
There was no such drama for us today. For ten hours we listened to music and played cards. The time flew by, especially considering it was our longest drive day yet. We didn't see any game, with the exception of a few ostrichs.
We are staying in a hotel tonight (with showers!!). The now familiar sensation of watching my dirt tan wash down the drain was a welcome feeling after so many days 'roughing it'.
Even better? Dinner was beef stew; not injera or spaghetti! We must be out of Ethiopia!
There was no such drama for us today. For ten hours we listened to music and played cards. The time flew by, especially considering it was our longest drive day yet. We didn't see any game, with the exception of a few ostrichs.
We are staying in a hotel tonight (with showers!!). The now familiar sensation of watching my dirt tan wash down the drain was a welcome feeling after so many days 'roughing it'.
Even better? Dinner was beef stew; not injera or spaghetti! We must be out of Ethiopia!
December 12th 2011
Zoom, zoom, zoom, time to make our way to
Kenya! The border proceedings were fairly simple, But I won't bore you
with that. We are now on the Kenyan side, sleeping in a police station,
as the area is very unsecured. This is bandit territory, and petty theft
is also very common. We have a 5am start tomorrow, so we are heading to
bed right after dinner.
