Sep 6, 2017 - Almost home

We left Amboseli yesterday (Tuesday) morning at a decent 9 am and while heading out of the park did a bit of a game-drive. It then took us until 4 pm to reach Nairobi, having a "picnic" boxlunch on a blanket just off the main road!!!! As our flight didn't leave until midnight, and our US companions at 11:30 pm we made a deal with Moses our driver suggesting we take him for a nice dinner at the Eka Hotel. He agreed and prior to the dinner we went to a very neat and well known bead factory, employing somewhere around 340 women making and...

Sep 4, 2017 - Amboseli National Park

Although we were up early today, we were not able to see Mount Kilimanjaro, which btw is 19,450 feet high. The park is known for its wildlife, especially the prolific elephant herds. We went on an early game-drive and we indeed saw lots and lots of elephant herds. The male in one of the herds, crossing in front of our vehicle, was huge with long tusks. Very majestic! There were also a lot of baby elephants while teenagers gave us hilarious warning signals. African elephants are the largest land animals on earth. They can grow up to 13 feet...

Sep 3, 2017 - Tarangire national Park

Sorry guys, I couldn't post yesterday as the Internet was not friendly to us. We arrived at the Tarangire safari lodge were the main areas were absolutely fantastic and the view incredible. We were a bit surprised that our accommodation was a permanent tent, but so much better in every aspect than Mawe camp. Again it was totally open to wildlife, so escorts in the evening were a must. The layout of the tent was well done with spectacular views, and......we had lots of light in the tent.......... Again an early start with young Simon for a...

Sep 1, 2017 - Photos - camp and crater

We spent two nights at the Mawe camp, which I will describe. Large tents are situated in an open area not protected by fences and wildlife roams around and through the camp easily. There are about eight individual tents for nightly accommodation, actually very large. Each tent contains a queen and a standard bed, shower, toilet, washbasin and a small area with a desk. there are separate tents for a kitchen, a dining room and a bar/sitting room. Electricity is supplied via solar panels and hot water is only supplied at certain times. Neither...

Aug 31, 2017 - A day of cats and elephants

As usual we started out early and very soon we encountered two cheetahs in preparation of a hunt. We followed them for some time and watch their strategy. One cheetah to our right and the other to our left. We were also amidst oodles of Tomson gazelles and Impala so it was a pretty sure thing that the cheetahs were preparing breakfast. This actually happened when one cheetah made her choice and the chase started. Unfortunately she was unsuccessful but for us it was a wonderful experience again. In short during our day we saw a total of six...

Aug 30, 2017 - Good day - bad day - good day

Again departure at 7 pm from the beautiful accommodations. On our way to the Tanzanian border we did a short gamedrive and were rewarded with some lions. We continued on at a good rate, bouncing up and dawn for a road massage. We had a blowout front left tire, which was completely shredded. Fortunately the van carried two spare tires so George used the last one to get us moving again. Kids gathered and I gave them a Canadian pin as well as nuts and crackers, little knowing that my own lunch would be so poor. We continued on the the border...

Aug 29, 2017 - The great migration and Masai village

Again on our way at 7 am. Encountered a male lion having wildebeest for breakfast. Further on we noticed another huge male lion next to his recent kill. He was so full, having consumed forty kilos of meat so that all he wanted to do was rest. We proceeded to the Mara river, passing hundreds of wildebeest scattered throughout the Mara. Upon reaching one of the river crossings, there were hundreds of zebra lined up to attempt the crossing, being very aware of the large crocodiles. Some ventured close to the water to have a drink, all the...

Aug 28, 2017 - Rita asks and nature supplies.......

We didn't think we could top yesterday's excitement of the cheetah kill, but today turned out to be an excellent day as well. Left the Lodge at 7 am for a full day gamedrive with a nice box lunch for each. I forgot to mention that we are traveling with two nice people from the US (sigh of relief𤘈) a brother and sister team. We're all getting along well. We first spotted two Jackals, easily mistaken for dogs by some, and sightings of Cape Buffalo, zebras, crocodilles and wildebeest. Noticed a lioness next to a recently killed zebra with...

Aug 27, 2017 - an unbelievable day

I can't believe what happened today. We left Lake Nakuru early in the morning and although it was a very long drive on a lot of bumpy roads, in the end what we experienced made it all worthwhile. During the drive we saw the regular big herds of cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys. Entering the Masai Mara, where we were inundated with ladies selling their beaded goods at the gate, we were immediately welcomed by Masai giraffes, enormous herds of wildebeest, zebras, cape buffaloes. Watching the Mara river where the big migration happens...

Aug 26, 2017 - Lake Nakuru

Well, well what a day we had for all of us, especially Rita's first safari day. We left Nairobi at 8 am and didn't get to Lake Nakuru until 2 pm. We did stop at Lake Naivasha for a great boat ride on the lake, where we encountered hippos, waterbuck, cormorants, pelicans and had a magnificent show put on by the Fish eagle. Perched high on top of a tree their eyesight spots fish from far far away. Our boat driver/guide whistled at the bird and threw a fish (telapia) in the water. The eagle 脾 spotted it, swooped down and retrieved the fish,...

Aug 25, 2017 - Nairobi time and elephants

You'll all be glad to know that our hotel in Nairobi provided us with some much needed sleep, even though time difference was responsible for cutting it down to about four hours. Today we are looking forward to some great experiences and we'll tell you about that after our busy day. Nairobi lies at an altitude of 5,500 ft above sea level and has no real variations in the climate. Average temps range from 21C in January to 16C in July. We have been blessed with a nice sunny day which has provided us with a lot of good memories. We started...

Oct 20, 2016 - Last Day in East Africa

Lazy day today. Mary & I go up for breakfast around 9AM, but Donny & Polly pass because of last night’s “beast of a feast” at Carninvore. We verify we’ve got a late checkout until 6PM, and head to the Masai Market (which is held in different locations in Nairobi based on the day of the week. Even though it is a National Holiday today, the Market is being held at its regular Thursday spot ... the Junction Mall. Last minute tee shirts & trinkets are picked up, and we head to the Food Court for lunch. The pizza was pretty good! We got back to...