At Diani Sea Resort, Kenya, an all inclusive beach resort by the Indian Ocean, just south of Mombasa where drinks and food flowed freely beneath a hot Kenyan sun
Days 12, 13 & 14
Pretty much the same as each other. Brian and I went in the sea, I did stretching and aqua aerobics, Fiona stayed in the pool till she was wrinkled, books were read, drinks drunk and food eaten. Three nights was definitely enough for us, but this is where Fi&J are in their element. The predominant nationality at the resort was German, so although it’s a cliche getting a sunbed (or 4) wasn’t that easy, though we wanted them in the shade so perhaps that worked in our favour. Our rooms were good (far enough away from the main building to be quieter) once we’d got our AC sorted. Fortunately it stopped working early in the evening, on the first evening, before we went to dinner rather than in the middle of the night which would have been horrible. More gas was put in and I was promised all would be well, and so it was, thank goodness, it really was needed here. Amazingly it is the only AC we have had since our first night in Nairobi. There was entertainment of an evening, two sets of acrobats and a really not very good trio. There is something a bit off putting watching the band sing the words from their mobile phones. The food was another buffet, and really was ok, but having had buffet for all meals (bar 1) for a fortnight it had all become a bit samey. Our biggest gripe was the time it took for drinks to arrive once ordered, and how often they had run out of things, like gin, tonic or white wine!
A familiar sight for us from sun loungers in the shade, Fi relaxing in the pool (all day!) with a drink in hand, James nearby, usually with a drink
It was good to relax and talk over all that we have seen and experienced with a few drinks, though actually not as many as might have been expected, and suddenly it’s all over and we are awaiting our 2pm collection for transfer to Mombasa airport. This was painless and we were very early. Ice cream then, think we were stung, $29 for 4 ice creams! Warnings that flights were being delayed due to huge rain in Nairobi, fortunately ours was only half an hour late and we had 3 hours before our Heathrow flight. What we hadn’t accounted for was that although luggage was going straight through we weren’t, we had to go through security between domestic and international terminals which was painfully slow, as it had been on our arrival in the country. We did just manage to grab a burger (not wanting to do anything but sleep on our 22.40 flight) before going to the gate, only to find that we had to go to another gate just to confirm that we wanted our bags to also go to Heathrow! Never had to do that anywhere before, but it was all ok.
It was a dramatic change after 10 days of early mornings of action packed safari drives and travelling around the country, but the relaxation was very welcome
A relatively painless flight, with us all getting a bit of sleep, before James driving us up the motorway. We were home by 09.00, unpack, first load of washing in, breakfast, food shopping. Brian has been for a run, I’ve done some gardening, both showered, blogged and I’m now feeling perhaps I didn’t get as much sleep as I thought I did.
The tranquil pool at night
We had an amazing trip, saw and experienced so much, but not everything. We saw no hunt or kill, so there is still something for next time. It was fun to go away with Fi&J, we did have a laugh and seeing things through their eyes as well as our own was a joy. We know they enjoyed it, but we haven’t converted them to our way of travelling, James was looking for their next all inclusive while relaxing by the pool! We on the other hand have a few days Housesit next week where more planning will be done for our South America trip.
This photo was taken at Best Memory Safaris office just before we arrived at the resort by Isaac. The lady (whose name we have forgotten) works with Isaac and does all the reservations and organisation. Without her it wouldn't happen
What Jackie failed to mention in her write up was this spider. Unknowingly we chose an outdoor table after our evening meal in the corner of the patio area to watch the evenings acrobatic show. It was by a tree and I did feel things crawling on me in the dark but thought nothing of it. It was only when a group of people came over with torches and cameras to take photos of this big girl on a web less than 2m away from us. You don't really get an impression of its size here but we would guess it was about 7 to 8cm across its legs. We think its called a red legged golden orb, which can grow up to 10cm and can give a nasty bite
A little bit of video of it just to show it was real
Last photo sitting by the ocean before we left for our first flight from Mombasa airport back to Nairobi for our overnight connecting flight back to Heathrow
Monkeys at Mombasa airport! Its a small airport and was open to the outside so they could come in and out as they wished. We just made sure we had our possessions close, they are fast and you might not get back what they take
The look on Fi&J's face when Anthony said we were having a 9.00 start, it's like all their Christmas's had come at once. It was still quite a quiet night though as we had WiFi available in the rooms for a change and James is on antibiotics. He had root canal treatment a week before we came out which had just started niggling. We stopped on the road at a pharmacy, Fiona refused to get out of the van so I went in with James. I'd googled antibiotics for teeth so said what I thought we wanted, but obviously I wasn't a pharmacist. He considered and came back with a combination pill, which seems to be doing the trick.
With views of hippos from the restaurant...
It was lovely to wake up in our own time, which for all of us was earlier than necessary, so chill and read all the comments on our Facebook posts. I got a message from Fiona to open the front door, I'd like it. She's right, James was bringing us coffee, what a star!
And crocodiles, fortunately on the opposite bank
Three hours down a mostly dirt track to our next tented camp, but this place was a cut above. The tents are lovely, the restaurant was right on the lake with hippo and crocodile and we were seated and presented with a menu. A beautifully presented lunch in an amazing setting. A little break before meeting with our Maasai guide, Steven, for a bush walk. It was hot and dusty but such a different experience to be out on foot and getting quite so close to crocs! See our Relive video of our walk with photos: click here. Every day feels different with something new and today a second new thing, a night drive. It was sadly disappointing, but that's the luck of the draw. Possibly it was due to all the laughter coming from our van, but that's a different story!
On our walking safari with Stephen our Maasai guide
Back for dinner right by the lake where we shared a nice bottle of wine at a reasonable price. Steven came by for another interesting chat before we all toddled off to bed.
Past a very large crocodile with half his tail missing after an encounter with a hippo
Day 9
Another easy start after a good night sleep. We had all woken at times to noises but had all snuggled down and gone back to sleep. No fan or Aircon, but cool enough to enjoy the little duvet on the bed, inside our mosquito net. It's amazing how much breeze a net can block out, at the previous camp, we had had all the many windows open, because it was warm, the curtains had been blowing all over, but within the net, sadly, very little. I did have my two best nights sleep there though.
Elephant footprints, but we felt safe with our guide who was aware of other animal alarm sounds around him so knew nothing was near us.
A short ish drive, on a proper road, to our penultimate safari night where Anthony has promised Fiona a dip in the pool before lunch. The roads have been something else, this is probably the best we've been on, proper tarmac in good condition and no lorries. We've had tarmac before, on the main Nairobi Mombasa route nose to tail with lorries and safari vehicles taking our lives in their hands weaving in and out. Closing your eyes is definitely the best option! And then we've had dirt tracks, a Kenya massage apparently. With no AC in the van the windows have to be open to avoid roasting, but obviously closed when we pass another vehicle, the dust is unbelievable!
The added reassurance of a man in the bush with a gun gave us added confidence
We have all been pleasantly surprised by the weather, although warm the evenings have been cool and we've had a lot of cloud. Fi and I are not good in the heat so obviously it was probably the sunniest it's been yesterday when we had our walk, but we survived. We've even had a downpour causing us to postpone our boat trip. I have never seen a Google weather forecast like the one I had the other day for by lake Amboseli, 28° and snow. We'd moved on that morning so sadly didn't get to see this miraculous phenomenon.
Walking through African landscapes. The animals didn't seem to mind us being there
The promised swimming pool was beautiful, but what we hadn't realised was that this was where we were having lunch, but not where we were staying so with no shower or room for Fiona's hair we opted for a short game drive. So glad we did as we shortly came upon a cheetah just lying on a little mound right by the road. We had seen cheetahs but all lying together sleeping so this was exactly what we wanted, we stayed with it over an hour! Finally, a picture to send to our neighbour.
And finally, going out on our night safari the cloud cleared enough to give us a view of Mount Kilimanjaro, just across the border in Tanzania
After lunch we went to our hotel to check in. I can't tell a lie I was very disappointed with our view, we had none! I went straight to reception who did manage to move us, so we got a view over the water hole, though not Fi&J, so for the first time we were away from our noisy neighbours! The bar however did have a view of the water hole so we met there, and there we stayed. Not drinking huge amounts, there was tea and coffee, but we weren't sure we could better the view by going out in the van. We were joined by Anthony and spent a lovely afternoon watching the interactions coming and going in front of us. Our position was perfect for elephant viewing. They took about 2 hours to slowly make their way towards us, arrived at the waterhole and continued the next 15' to the artificial river flowing past reception, directly below where we were sitting. We couldn't have had a better vantage point. Shower, dinner and bed at the end of another successful day.
On our way to Saltlick Safari Lodge we stopped in the bush to get a quick, brief photo with Anthony
Day 10
Back to normal, alarm at 05.15, coffee at 05.45, safari 06.00.
This little tortoise was lucky. He was crossing our track, but Anthony saw him and managed to avoid him. Here is is scrambling to safety
We hoped for cats and we did find a couple of lionesses sleeping on lion rock. We were happy to see them but they didn't do much so we moved on. We didn't see much more before returning to the lodge for breakfast, but this coincided with the elephants arrival and they just kept coming. I got to 40 and they were still coming so we went to breakfast where we managed to get a table at the window. What a way to start the day!
I think this is a Brown Snake Eagle
After breakfast a short drive through the park, an hour along the road to our last park, and here we are.
A 4.00pm game drive didn't fill any of us with excitement, as it was very hot. With not many opportunities left though we went out in the search of cats. Looking in bushes and under trees we were most surprised to spy a dozen or so on a small rise in full sunshine. We watched for a bit and although there was lots of fidgeting there was no real movement. This combined with fidgeting from Anthony so we headed off to the water hole where we were entertained by the elephants having a mud bath. Anthony obviously didn't want to go back to the lions but we told him that's what we wanted so off we went. We had been one of two vans, we were now one of many, just as well there was lots of space. The pride had spread out a bit, so we were now certain there were a dozen including at least one young male. With the light fading fast and the 18.30 deadline for return to the lodge fast approaching there was some movement. Four of the lionesses made their way towards us to cross the road. It had been worth the wait.
As we've gone further east the temperature has risen and lizards have become more common. This is a Red-Headed Rock Agama lizard, currently eating a frog. We saw this one at the Taita Hills Safari Resort, but they are everywhere here
Day 11
Same timing as yesterday, coffee, safari, breakfast, exit the park on our last game drive. Elephants, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, water buck, and gazelle came to say goodbye to us as we now head to Diani beach, for our last three nights at an all inclusive beach resort.
Our first game drive from Saltlick lodge was mainly taken up watching this cheetah. He/she was alert and looking round and we were hoping it would take off hunting at any moment. Unfortunately no prey came within range but he remained alert the whole time. We ended up watching him for about an hour and a quarter, all of us quite happy to forfeit the rest of the drive for this rare sight
Stopped at the Best Memory Safaris office on our way to the resort to say hi to Isaac where we were given safari hats. Very sweet but we were so hot we didn't really care.
Needless to say, I took many, many photos and selecting the best was very difficult
We just wanted to get in the pool to cool off, so dumped all our stuff in Fi&J's room, went for a snack and then to the pool. Started on the drinks and that's going to be it for the next few days.
Even when he was asleep he was photogenic
Meanwhile Anthony had a snooze while waiting not believing how long we wanted to take looking at a cheetah!
On to Saltlick Lodge and its excellent position in front of a manmade waterhole in the middle of the bush. It meant that animals came here from miles around to take the water. As we had such a commanding view from our rooms and the bar we could while away hours watching them all come and go
We cancelled our afternoon game drive and invited Anthony to join us for a drink to watch the animals come to us
I can't put photos of all the animals on, but here's a few. This warthog wandered up...
Zebras took their turn
A proper African scene from the bar at our lodge. Why go out on a game drive when they come to us?
Elephants arriving at our lodge to take the water. We waited two hours for them to finally arrive with us
One of the two lions sitting on Lion Rock on our game drive the following day
Arriving at the gate of Tsavo East National Park, our last park, on our way to Ashnil Aruba Safari Lodge
In addition to the usual animals we are used to this monitor lizard wandered across the track in front of us
And a now very familiar, but always lovely to see, elephant crossing in front of us
These, I think are Vulture Guinea Fowl, very pretty
On our very hot game drive the next day, nothing was stirring until we saw this pride of lions sitting on a distant bank. Zooming in we counted at least a dozen of them, but the heat meant that they were going nowhere until it cooled down
They relaxed, shuffled around and generally lazed the afternoon away
We had driven off, watched a herd of elephants have a mud bath and returned as it went dark to see then finally making their move
On our final afternoon game drive James managed to snap this fabulous photo of a male elephant who came over to our jeep to study us. It was a profound moment for all of us, he stood looking at us and us looking deep into his eyes for probably 30 seconds before finally turning and walking away. It was a magical connection and one a photo cannot convey
This is a little out of order (due to slow wifi here), but this is a video of two male giraffes we saw on our walking safari having a fight. It was brutal and, apparently Stephen told us it can often result in the death of one of them. On this occasion the loser walked away to fight another day
Leaving the park and our last safari and pausing for a photo with Anthony at the gate
After a brief stop at a shopping centre in Diani to buy Fiona a new suitcase as her old one had fallen apart, we arrived at the offices of Best Memory Safaris and here we are posing outside for the last time with our excellent guide Anthony. We'll miss him!
This is Isaac, the owner of Best Memory Safaris and the man who arranged the whole thing for us. He is the man to contact for a fabulous Kenyan safari
So finally we said goodbye to Anthony and embarked on the final part of our journey, a three day all inclusive stay at a beach resort on the Indian Ocean, the Diani Sea Resort and here we are dipping our feet in the Indian Ocean. More on that on the next and final blog of this holiday.....
Our tent in Masai Mara. They are not bad are they, don't know what Fiona was moaning about. She'd better get used to it, we have two more tent camps on the way!
Day 4
Masai Mara, today.
Up and out at 07.00. after Fiona's first night in a tent. It's not camping as you would expect but she claims not to be a tent girl. There will be more however! Elephants ordered for today and almost within minutes of entering the park Anthony was off down a little side track, on our own, away from the masses. He says he has a good nose, and we believe him as suddenly there they were. It is amazing how something so big can appear and disappear, but what a first sighting.
This could easily turn into a wildlife photo blog as we saw everything. When asked what else we wanted to see we were struggling to thing of an animal we hadn't seen. This photo of elephants, which we found and saw on our own with no-one else around not only completed our sighting of the Big 5, it was also special to hear not a sound except the ripping of vegetation as their trunks wrapped round their local delicacy
Out on the plains there were wildebeest and zebra as far as we could see, though apparently this wasn't many. The wildebeest did their thing of one walking off to be followed, in single file, by the rest of the herd. We've seen it on the TV, and now really seen it.
Great to see the Wildebeest on their Great Migration. Here they are gathered at a river crossing summoning up the courage to cross the crocodile infested river. We waited half an hour and nothing happened and it may be that they still haven't crossed yet. This is at the south of the Masai Mara and the border with Tanzania and south from here is the huge, open Serengeti, giving the animals one of the largest wildlife areas in the world for their 3000km migration
We drove to the Mara River, close to the Tanzania border where the Masai Mara becomes the Serengeti with the hope of seeing all the wildebeest crossing. They weren't up for this, but we did see hippo, masses of hippo along with a few crocodile, but amazing numbers of hippo.
The hippo and crocidile infested Mara River. We gave up trying to count the hippos, there were hundreds if not thousands
Lunch was a packed lunch, seated under a tree, in the middle of the plain, what an experience.
How many hippos? Don't bother counting, this was only one pod, there were hundreds more pods
Afternoon was the hunt for cheetah as we hadn't seen any yet and this was the place apparently. Anthony has 100% success rate apparently and didn't want to lose it so was very happy when we came upon a nest of 5 all spark out under the trees. The odd head movement, and we knew they were there, but we didn't get a good enough photo to make our neighbour jealous. (Cheetah being the only thing they wanted to see that they didn't on their honeymoon). I however was actually more excited by the serval that I spotted, me, not Anthony, just sauntering along minding it's own business. Absolutely beautiful.
Lying in the sun and then deciding a swim was in order
As ever there will be many more pictures than words, but another splendid 11 hour day. Bedtime is getting earlier and earlier, as morning is too. Bed by 20.30, up at 03.50 for our dawn balloon flight!
There's a big crocodile lazing in the river along with a least six of his mates, all waiting for Wildebeest to make their break across the river. There was even a dead Wildebeest close by that no-one touched. Food is obviously plentiful at this time of year
Day 5
Did start very early, made worse in that we weren't coming back to the hotel after the flight so we had to get all the luggage out too, but hey, now we've convinced Fi&J that they can't unpack every night it's getting better! We had been told that we might get zebra wandering past the tents in the night. I'm not sure I believed them though there was two sorts of poo as we walked about, but I take it all back, there they were in front of me as I towed my bag to reception.
Lunch in the bush
An hour and a half drive to the launch site, by balloon driver Peter, for not just us but 20 or so other balloons of 16 people each! Not a toilet in sight, but fortunately it's still dark. Easy for the men and an absolute no no for Fiona! It will be interesting to see if she lasts the whole holiday without using a ' bush toilet'. Fi&J had both been unsure about the balloon flight, Fi just in general and James because he has a real fear of heights, their FOMO overrode it!
We have sooooo many really good photos, trying to decide which ones to put on here is incredibly difficult. This is a Serval cat and apparently they are very difficult to spot as they are shy. Not a problem for Jackie as she can spot a cat at 100m. Stop! she yelled and we managed to take lots of photos
Briefing by Captain Spencer, from the UK, allocated our area in the basket, 4 per compartment , and in we got. Perfect take off, amazing view of the moon and the sunrise, a romantic proposal for a very surprised girl in the compartment behind us (tears from her, and from James who is the biggest softy I know). All we need now is a good landing, one bounce, two bounces and a very slow topple over and there we all are lying on our backs laughing.
What else can I put on? Here's a young male lion, but I have photos of hyena.... oooh, cheetah, lets put one of those on....
In to the jeep with Peter who along with all the other drivers, and tractor and trailers had been following us as we floated along. To our champagne breakfast, this is the only thing that kept Fi going and it was worth the wait. Set up in the the bush the full buffet breakfast, omelette stations everything, and fizz.
Sleeping cheetah in the shade of a bush on a hot afternoon. How many? We think possibly 5 but it was difficult to count and they didn't really move while we were there
An amazing experience, agreed by all, Fi&J have both said they loved it and would do it again, so that's good.
And we were there loving it all
Peter took us to meet Anthony so now a few hours drive to lake Naivasha.
Animals have right of way!
A boat ride with an island walk was the schedule for today but we've had a minor rebellion. Thunder and rain put us off a boat ride. We know we've got an 8 hour drive tomorrow but can we chill (in this very nice hotel) this afternoon, do boat ride and walk at 07.00 tomorrow and forego chilling tomorrow afternoon?
Difficult to see in this photo, but there is a lioness just to the left of that little hump of grass towards the right. She had the full attention of these zebra and the huge herd of them off to the right along with a massive quantity of Wildebeest.
Hurrah, the answer was yes
She didn't seem in any rush to hunt though so just rolled over and lazed in the sun. No shortage of food if she wanted it, why not enjoy yourself! I could go on and on posting fabulous pictures but I'm going to move on now to our balloon flight the next day
Late addition by Brian:
I'm chilling in the room while the others go on the boat ride on Lake Naivasha, something I ate last night didn't agree with me so I've been up and down in the night. Enough said about that, but I'm starting to get myself together now and will hopefully be OK for the 8 hour drive in an hours time. Fingers crossed! So while they are away I thought I'd add a few things and try and get this posted.
So many photos of this amazing trip. But I put together a Youtube video which I invite you to watch. Its about 6.5 minutes long and has some great footage in it with some Wildebeest and zebra migrating
It was a fairly uneventful journey here, Anthony driving on tarmac roads so we weren't being bumped around too much, apart from the odd sections of potholes and the frequent speed bumps as we passed through towns. It did turn into a two kitten day though. The tiny kitten James found hiding behind some cabinets at one stop he managed to coax out while Jackie was looking in the shops. By the time she came back it was confident enough to be picked up and cuddled by the two of them and finally passed on to another couple as we were leaving. A second stop and James found another kitten that didn't mind being picked up, so they were both happy.
Here it is, give it a watch, I think you'll enjoy it
The hotel we are staying in, Lake Naivasha Country Club is right on the lake and has extensive grounds spreading down to the lake with cottages spread around and a very nice main area with a restaurant that had tables outside on a balcony overlooking the grounds and lake. Nice place to have a drink and Fionas first experience of the lightning speed of the monkeys when one swooped in and grabbed the orange slice from the top of her drink. Good job her mobile phone wasn't on the table, it might have had that instead and she had to be reminded again and again not to leave it out, particularly as they were always lurking waiting for an opportunity. Apart from the monkeys, the first sign we had that things were different here was when the reception staff advised us to ring zero on the phone if wanting to leave our room after dark at 6:00pm as we would need an escort as hippos usually get out of the water and graze on the grass outside our rooms.
Early morning start and our balloon is half filled with a powerful fan to blow air in which is then heated
Sure enough, straight after darkness there they were quietly munching all over the lawn. Not one, but more than half a dozen along with their babies, minding their own business. Not only that, but lots of zebras, deer and finally a big group of giraffes munching the foliage. The security guards were happy to escort us as close as they dared take us to allow us to take lots of photos and, with good wifi, Fiona could have a video call with her kids (adults!) to show them back home.
Fabulous views from up here. To see many more, have a look at the Youtube videeo above
A surreal evening meal, drinking and eating with hippos and wild animals and we had to leave our table on several occasions during the meal when a great photo opportunity occurred. Definitely a meal we won't forget!
And a lovely moment where a man from Hong Kong proposed to his girlfriend. She said yes!
Back to Jackie writing:
Day 6
After the excitement of last night we still had early nights. I did hear a noise about 01.30 and looked out to see a giraffe stripping the bark from a tree just outside. That's not normal! That was pretty much it for the night as Brian then woke up feeling not very good! He didn't come out on the boat, and we are now half way through the 8 hour drive to Amboseli and he seems to be on the mend!
A great champagne breakfast in the bush afterwards
It was just 3 of us for the boat which was a big fibreglass canoe. James doesn't like the water but he manfully got in! It was so still and calm, at 07.15, it was beautiful. A bird and hippo spotting trip, successful on both, a hippo pod or blot (or nest if you are me) and much entertainment from the fish eagles as Moses our guide would whistle and throw a fish for them to swoop in and snatch from the water. Obviously without Brian we are down to phone camera pictures though Fiona did get some great video of the eagles.
First kitten stop on the drive to Lake Navaisha
Again, without Brian, we didn't go on the walk as we had to get back to the hotel to collect him. We knew it was on Crescent Island, but didn't know that the animals had all been imported for the filming of Out of Africa with Meryl Streep in the '80's. So although it would have been interesting it was also a bit artificial, though safe as they know what is there and that there are no predators.
Second kitten experience with James
A long drive got us through Nairobi and out the other side to Amboseli our home for 2 nights. We stopped before checking in at the Maasai village where we were welcomed, danced with, shown around and ripped off for some curios. We knew we were paying over the odds but it was impossible to say no and we'll treat it as a charitable donation. I do like my elephant though.
Our hotel at Lake Navaisha suggests you are on your own if you go outside after dark!
Day 7
After breakfast out at 7.00, it's funny how alarm at 05.45 is acceptable to us all, already! Many many elephants in Amboseli, an absolute joy to see. Some beautiful birds, but no predators and no view of Kilimanjaro, so rather than lounge by the pool we are out again at 16.00. The upside of no view of Kilimanjaro is that it's cloudy so although it was horribly dusty, it wasn't as horribly hot as we were expecting.
And for good reason, the hippos come out of the lake at night and graze in the grounds of the hotel
Not only hippos, but giraffes too. You can see them in the distance on the left
Here's another photo of the giraffes next to the zebra who all came to munch on the vegetation. It was a memorable evening!
Just found this photo of everyone on our balloon flight. Our captain Spencer is kneeling in the front centre
Early evening at the hotel on Lake Navaisha and a monkey has just stolen the orange slice from the top of Fiona's drink
Nearing our camp at Amboseli NP we visited a Maasai village and met the chief to be, named Ben
We had a welcome dance, for just the four of us, where they got us involved dancing
They live in fairly basic houses, replaced every 7 years. They are made of wood with cow manure for plaster and grass roofs
Inside one of the huts with a Maasai
Before we left Lake Navaisha yesterday James, Fiona and Jackie went on a boat ride to an island while Brian nursed his upset tummy. Here's James on his way to the boat
Hippos lounging in the lake amongst trees. This island was used for the 'Out of Africa' film starring Meryl Streep
The are no predators on the island so the giraffes, zebras, hippos wildebeest and deer can live in peace and safety
Being shown to our 'tent' at Amboseli. The walls are brick, the roof is canvas but thats covered with a tiled roof
Next to our tent was a walkway leading to a viewing platform for Mount Kilimanjaro, just over the border in Tanzania. Unfortunately cloud has covered it since we arrived
Today we went into Amboseli NP which would have amazing views of Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop to all the wildlife, but unfortunately cloud covered it. This was our first sighting in the park, Africa's smallest antelope, the dik-dik. Cute little thing, this one's a male as you can just make out little horns
Today was a mammoth day for elephants, the park is famous for them and they really put on a show
I took this video of a group of elephants crossing the track in front of us
Fiona wanted her photo taken in front of an elephant
And birds too. This one's a Lilac Breasted Roller
These are Bee Eaters who always seem to fly around in pairs
This is a grey headed kingfisher
Lots of flamingoes, I think these are lesser flamingoes (they are pinker)
But you don't often see Wildebeest paddling with flamingoes, particularly as the one on the right appears to have three flamingoes on his head
Why did the ostrich cross the road? Or, as James calls them, Emu's (native to Australia). Even Anthony mistakenly called them Emu's today!
An unmistakable African landscape, elephant reflected in a lake with a Wildebeest ambling by
Giraffe with elephants, another African landscape
Elephants with hippo
This old male elephant was on his own and waited patiently to cross the road as all the tourist vans were blocking his way. We moved away and, eventually all the others went and he immediately crossed the road to get to this watering hole. He looked a sad old boy
Unlike these much happier female elephants with their young playing together
One having his milk off mum
I caught this Bateleur eagle just taking off
Here's a wallowing hippo with a couple of birds on his back
This was a big family of elephants wallowing in a marsh but I focused on this mum and baby as baby was almost out of his depth
I'm going to force myself to stop posting photos now, I have taken an average of 250 photos a day of which 90% I think are fabulous, these are just a few examples.
Just to finish, I wanted to post this Youtube video of the four lions we saw on our first day at Lake Nakuru I tried to post it on the last blog but the wifi was not good enough. Have a look, we think its fabulous.
