Now they must survive the current.As far as we can see there is only one poor casualty who doesn’t make it.Quite an amazing sight and we’re all relieved to the troop on the opposite horizon.Suppose we should make a move.We’ll climb this hill – oh, there are lots of vulture over there, looks as though they’re about to clean up after a kill.“Do you want to stop?” asks Richard.“No, it’s ok we’ll carry on.” “Hold on” says Benjamin.
We look again and see an animal tucking into dinner in front of the vultures – hallelujah it’s a cheetah, a beautiful cheetah and the first we’ve seen in Kenya for 15 years.That’s it, we’ve seen our cheetah and can go home happy.Benjamin (benjaminkisemei@yahoo.com) is brilliant, he’s led us directly to the right places and we’ve seen loads of animals along the way.His knowledge is incredible and bronze guiding skills excellent.
where's the road gone
cheetah with kill,masai mara
lunch over,cheetah at masai mara
lets walk off lunch
potential evening meal?
scrub hare,masai mara
18th August
Our stay in Massai Mara is nearly over.Benjamin kindly accompanies us to the gate, leading us through neat little maasai villages, not to mention a pond.He points to a hill where he had a close encounter with a lion on a recent walking safari.We’d love to do that next time we visit (mad or what).Ooh, there’s a hare, just in front of those eland, cute.Taking a leisurely drive back to Nairobi and stopping on the way for a cup of coffee.We hook up with Stefan and Inge.Stefan is a colleague of Agy’s who was due to go on safari but it wasn’t working out.Fortunately Steenbok were able to sort them out so after a great night on Lake Nakuru they are on their way to Base Camp. Back on the road and about to arrive in Nairobi.A lot of wheat is grown around here and this is the way they dry it.We’ve arrived safely at Safari Park hotel and dine at Nyama Choma, excellent place for meat.We’ve tasted ostrich, camel and crocodile this evening.The meal is followed by a colourful African dance show.
safari park hotel dancers
fantastic cabaret
19th August
Time to leave the bright lights of Nairobi and mosey on down to Tsavo East for part two of our safari adventure.It’s a lovely morning and we clear Nairobi easily, we’re getting good at this.Oops, spoke too soon.Police are calling us over.The officer asks for Richard’s driving licence and says he doesn’t really need to see it but could we change a damaged five-pound note?As we live in Brussels we tell him we can’t so he sends us on our way and we live to tell another surreal tale.
Great journey again.Mount Kilimanjaro is looking particularly good this morning and peaks above the clouds.Passing through a town called Sultan Hamud where, according to today’s paper, a gang has been arrested for manufacturing some illegal brew.I love Kenya.Stopping to buy some lovely baskets on the roadside for only 250 shillings (3 euros) a pair, bargain.
Entering Manyani gate in Tsavo East, back home again.It’s much drier and more rugged than Maasai Mara and sums up Kenya as a land of contrasts.We take a hike up Mudanda rock where we were with Veerle and Bart last month.Quite shocking to see that the waterhole has completely dried up and the only wildlife is a solitary vulture.Never mind, we see plenty of elephant, zebra etc on the way. At our favourite place, Kanderi Swamp.Lots of animals around and the light is wonderful.Nearly at destination Ndololo camp to catch up with Ben and the gang.Delighted to see Selemon, the maasai askari.He’s usually at Ngulia Bandas in Tsavo West so it’s a lovely surprise to see him.Forgot to tell you that the rarest animal in the Park today was me – a woman driving a bus.Think I got more attention than the lions as most of the other drivers did a double take when they saw me, keeps them on their toes.
20th August
A bit lazy this morning so get up at 7.00, enjoy breakfast (pancakes, bacon and honey, yum yum) then leave, armed with picnics, for a day safari.The park’s extremely busy at the moment and not a bad idea to leave a bit later.Paid off as a maneless lion, of which there are many here, is galloping along beside the van.We’ve heard that there’s a pride of them over at Aruba dam so hot foot it over there.By the way, Richard wouldn’t allow me behind the wheel today – spoilsport, quite fancied myself as a rally driver.We get to Aruba and once again can’t believe how dry it is.Last month hippo were happily doing whatever they do in loads of water.Now it’s only a trickle.Nothing doing here so turn around and go back.There’s a van over there and looks like they’ve seen something.Yes, it’s a pride of about five lions under a tree.
We’re heading for Dika plains via Satao Camp.Some very strange white animals over there, what are they?Cattle.Don’t think they should be in here.There’s a herdsman with them too.This is very fishy.
tsavo east elephants
21stAugust
Look who’s popped in for breakfast.Last bit of safari before cruising back to Watamu.We say goodbye to everyone and have a photo shot with the maasai boys, got to be done. We’ve learned so much about their culture over the last few days, amazing people (don’t worry, not ready to be carried off like the White Maasai yet).Time for one last safari as we head for the gate.I’m driving, yes!Oops, elephant in the road and as you know we do not argue with elephants. Gentle ride around Kanderi swamp. “Stoppppppp”, hisses Richard from his look out position.I obey, immediately. Look. Thanks to eagle-eyed Agy we’re witnessing our first cheetah kill.Must be one of the top moments we’ve ever experienced on safari.Cheetah are not often successful when they hunt.Yes, they may be the fastest creature on earth but they quickly tire and find turning difficult at speed.This beautiful creature is exhausted and must rest several times between dragging its prey to the safety of a bush, away from other predators and finally tucking into breakfast.
agy's mum and dad with selemon(r) and friend
masai askaris with jayne
elephant at kanderi swamp loop
cheetah kill at kanderi swamp loop,tsavo east
kill at kanderi swamp
here's looking at you kid
We head home to Watamu via Mombasa and pop into Mnarani Club in Kilifi for a cuppa.Again Shirl’s in her element, can’t beat a lovely cup of Kenya tea.
Back home at Turtle Bay and Richard and I pop to Ocean Sports.They’re doing a lot of renovations and it’s looking very pretty.I fancy a glass of white wine for a change.Very nice but big mistake, think I’ve just been talked into playing rugby.Now the big boys will definitely have nothing to worry about, mind you if I drink a bottle of bubbly beforehand they might.
