Kenya is a Republic, (that is suppose to be Democratic), but I don't think it is! The Area is 583,000 sq km and that is about the size of Texas in the USA or Alberta, Canada. The Population is over 30 million People and there are 42 Tribes, (22% Kikuyu, 14% Luhya, 13% Luo, 12% Kalenjin, 11% Kamba, 6% Kisii, 6% Meru). They only count the Natives and not the East Indians, English...etc. The Official Language are Swahili and English. The People belong to the following Religions: 40% Protestant, 36% Roman Catholic, 16% Muslim.
We were in Kenya at the time of the ''small migration'', (the Animals are moving South). This happens ever year from January to March, (I was here in January).
THE WILLIAM HOLDEN GAME RESERVE:
After we left Nairobi we travel North and stopped for lunch at the William Holden Game Reserve.
We were shown the Bedrooms, and both the Private Dinning Room & the Public Dinning Room. Then we had lunch on the Patio.
The Animals and Birds stroll by you as you are eating. I loved the Peacocks who spread their tails.
This was the first time I noticed all of the Waiters wore white Gloves and we were being serves like we were ''royalty''! (This continued at every meal we had until we returned to Nairobi).
Then we were back on the Coach and driving towards the Mountains.
THE ABERDARE MOUNTAINS:
The Aberdare Mountain area is Ranch Country. It reminded me of the ''foothills'' in Alberta, (the Mountain's weren't all that tall). We saw herds of Cows and Sheep grazing on the Slopes.
Just before sundown we stopped at the Aberdare Lodge. We went on a tour of the rooms and facilities and then were served a drink on their large Patio.
Below us were the Valleys and we could see the Ranches. Above us was a ridge of Mountains. We sat and watched the Sun drop quickly behind the Mountains.
Then we were off to go to a very special place.
THE TREETOPS INN:
The Treetops Inn is a wooden Lodge that has long wooden stakes. There is a feeding ground and pond below it.
This is where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip learned that her Father had died and she had to return to England to become Queen.
Our Bedrooms were tiny because we wouldn't be sleeping much this night. The point of stopping here was to be able to take pictures of the Animals at night.
We were served a five course banquet Dinner and then were allowed to go down to the ''viewing room'' to take our pictures. It is rate to take picture of Animals during the night.
SAFARIS:
You go on two Safari Tours a day. The first is before the Sun rises and the second is a half hour before it goes down. These are the best times to see the Animals who come down to have a drink of water.
In the morning you will have juice, tea or coffee before you go and breakfast when you return. Before the evening Safari you will be asked what beverage you would like to drink while you are Touring. When you get back you have Dinner. In between the Safari's you can do what you want. That's why most places you stay will have swimming pools or offer side trips,(for an extra charge).
THE SAMBURU AREA:
We arrived here the next day and stayed at the Samburu Serena Lodge. We would spend two nights and one day here. This is where the Masai Tribes live.
The Dinning Room and Bar are above a Crocodile Pond. Each of us had our own Rooms. The Bed had a net covering it. Before we went to dinner I went into the Bathroom to put on my make-up. I turned on the light and suddenly the room was filled with Butterflies. They covered me and the mirror. I had to turn off the light and use a small flash light to put on my make up.
When I went back into the Bedroom I saw that there was an opening between the walls and the ceiling. That's how the butterflies had gotten in to my room!
After Dinner we went to bed early because we were told that we would be woken up at 6 a.m. to go on our first Safari. I snuggled into bed and pulled down the netting. As soon as my body warmed up my feet began to itch. It was so bad I went into the bathroom and sat on the top of the toilet and put my feet into the sink and ran cold water over them for a few hours, (I know now that gnats had bitten me). I suddenly remembered I had some Deet Insect Repellent and after I put it on the itch went away. I managed to sleep for a few hours.
Samuru National Park connects onto Buffalo Springs Park. We only saw the Sambur Park and it is like you are in a Desert.
Some of the things we saw were huge Termite hills, Ostriches have pink or light grey feathers and blue legs, the Elephants are a reddish brown, the Zebras have thinner stripes, (they are Grevy's Zebras), the Gerenuk, (a long necked Gazelle), the Reticulated Giraffe, (have long curly eye lashes), Monkeys and a lot of bright Birds that I had never seen before.
During our free time we went to visit a Tribal Village. The homes were covered were clay. We had to pay the Head Man some money to be allowed to take pictures. The Men and Women in this Tribe are very tall and are beautiful looking People. They have long necks and wear a lot of beaded necklaces.
After our morning Safari and Breakfast we where we were taken to the side of a road to wait for some small Planes to come and pick us up to take us to the Masai Mara.
MASAI MARA:
We landed at the small Wildson Airport in the Seregeti Wilderness. From there we were taken to the Abercrombie and Finch Tour Company Tent Camp in Masai Mara.
This Park is the largest in Kenya. The Masai Tribe owns the land. The Camp is near the Talek River, close to Lake Victoria and in a Forest.
We were here during the ''small migration'' and we got to see a lot of Animals that don't make their home in Kenya.
The most exciting things we saw were:
1) A Lioness trying to teach her Cubs to sneak up on an Eland, (small Deer). They were so clumsy they kept tripping over their paws and the Eland was long gone before they reached it.
2) Lions mating. They do a dance before they mate.
3) The Cheetah is the fastest Cat on Earth and we saw one rush up and kill a Wildebeests.
4) We saw two Rhino's eyes peek up from a pool.
The other Animals we saw were Elephants, Giraffes, Hyaenas, Leopards, Monkeys and Zebras.
The birds we saw were Ostriches,(with brown legs), Peacocks and Storks.
There were a variety of Snakes and other ''creepy crawly things.''
FLYING BACK TO NAIROBI:
We flew over the Great Rift Valley. This is where the Steppe that begin in Russia.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
The water is not safe. I even mean the water in the Rivers and the Lakes. If you are caught in a rain storm put on a slicker and high rubber boots. Don't drink any water, have a beverage with ice, eat raw or partly cooked food, eat dairy products, (unless they are imported) or eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
You will need both a valid Passport, (if it will expire within 6 Months it's not valid any more) and a Visa.
You will have to take Malaria Pills, (there are many types now so follow your Doctors Orders).
I had five immunizations shots and I suggest you visit your Health Clinic before you go.
Bring a lot of Bug repellent.
A light Camera will make it easier for you to take the pictures you want and lots of film.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS:
Safari's can be found to fit your budget. The cheaper ones are Walking or Bike Tours. There are Coach Tours that let you stay in 3, 4 or 5 Star Accommodations.
I loved Kenya and if you can afford it I highly recommend this wonderful Country to you.
Comments are always welcome.
©LL2003
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