Nov. 13th, 2008

I arrive in Nairobi with no problems. However the line to get my visa was long and slow, luckily they opened a third line and I was able to get over there quickly. The hardest part is waiting it takes only a matter of minutes to process. Note they no longer accept any bills that are older then 2000. I was also thankful that they passed out the needed forms 30 minutes before the flight landed so I was able to fill it our on the flight and have everything ready right then and there.

I was also thankful to see my luggage made it all the way to Kenya. I was able to find Warren and the rest of the group rather quickly. We were then immediately rushed over to Safari Park Hotel.After breakfast we left for our drive to Mount Kenya Safari Club, this is suppose to be a 2 ½ hour drive. I enjoyed looking out on the transfer to Mount Kenya; you get to see coffee plantations, tea plantations, pineapple plantations and people.

We arrive at Mount Kenya, slightly later then expected. We were immediately rushed over to the dining room for lunch. Around the property there were signs explaining that they are currently under construction. The food was very good, tons of variety. I think my favourite was the fruit it was so fresh over there. When lunch was finished they took us out into the courtyard to demonstrate the turning of the water on both sides of the equator since the main lodge is built directly on the equator. After the demonstration we did a ceremony to commemorate us crossing the equator and we all received certificates.

When the ceremony was finished we took a tour of the property, which is still under a lot of construction making it hard to really picture the complete set up. But the renovations are really nice. Philippe, the general manger, told us about how they plan to have a bar for tasting of wines, scotches, whiskeys, and rums. Then there will be the Z-bar which is their loud music, dancing bar. Next to the Z-bar will be the fine dining, for ages 12 and up, guest must wear dressier clothing. Such as a sport jacket for men, ties are not required and jeans are ok, then for women nice pants or skirt. Philippe then took us to where their standard rooms will be, which is right next door to the main lodge. These rooms are not finished and do not look like they will be finished till January, the earliest. This is where the honeymoon suite will be located; the honeymoon suite will have private plunge pool and sauna. We then moved on to look at the presidential suite which is located in the main lodge and comes complete with two bedrooms, an office, and living area. This room is also located directly on the equator. Next we were shown to our rooms, we stayed in the cottages. There are 12 cottages on the side we stayed and 15 cottages that spread down the other side into the forest. The cottages are two bedrooms adjoined with a common room. Each bedroom has a semi-private veranda, separated by wooden screens. The veranda’s have any amazing view of Mount Kenya and is directly located in front of a very small tea and coffee plantation (yet to be completely planted).

We meet in the out side bar tent for drinks before dinner and then was transferred down into the bush for dinner. The set up was really beautiful. Not to mention the full moon really added to the experience. Before dinner Kikuyu dancers and “Masai” Dancers preformed for us. Then they had me dance with them since it was my first time being in Africa and I was single (they said that this is the dance where they find me a husband). This was my favourite dinner! I had so much fun dancing and the food was delicious. After we were finished eating we sat around the fire and got to know each other a little better.

Nov. 14th, 2008

Today we were woken up at 7am and were to be finished with breakfast by 8:30am so we can get on the road to Shaba early. I got ready quickly and had some fruit, eggs and pancakes for breakfast then headed to the Animal Orphanage before we left. The Orphanage was really nice, kind of peaceful. They actually had a lot of animals here, such as cheetahs, ostrich, bush pig, bush deer, red-haired monkey, colobus monkeys, porcupines, and much more. We didn’t get to see the whole orphanage because time was so strict.

I left the Orphanage at about 8:15 so I could proceed with check out. Checking out took a while since everyone had to settle their bill for drinks and the credit card machine was so slow. Luckily I paid with cash, which made it a quick check out for me. As soon as everyone was finished we were on the road to Shaba. The first ¾ of the transfer is smoother then the last ¼. But I enjoyed the scenery, we passed through several different villages and the kids were so cute waving at us as we passed. This time there was no car trouble, thankfully. The transfer time is close to 3hrs. We arrived just in time for lunch, lunch was pretty good.

Shaba Lodge is nice but not for our cliental. But the pool is the main attraction to the property. It has a waterfall and a little concrete island that you cross a bridge and can hang out on. The water is cold but nice after a long hot day of game drives. After lunch we had a short siesta before we met for tea and coffee. Once we were all gathered together we left for a short afternoon game drive of Shaba. The landscape in Shaba is breathtaking, everything is so green! On this game drive we didn’t see a lot of game, a few dik diks, Oryx, impalas, and a gerenuk eating out of the tree. We watched the sunset and headed back to the lodge for dinner. When we got back a few of the employees were throwing down chickens to the crocodiles. Dinner was quite good, I really enjoyed the soup.

Nov. 15th, 2008

Today we have an all day game drive of all three game reserves, Shaba, Samburu, and Buffalo Springs, plus inspections of several properties. We started off by heading through Shaba to Buffalo Springs first. Buffalo Springs is known for the clear watering hole that was made by a German bomb; apparently they thought they were bombing Nairobi. En route to the spring we saw loads of grevy zebras, impalas, Oryx and giraffes. We reached the spring around 11:30 am. By this point it started to heat up and most of us decided to take a dip. I was told the water was most likely going to be cold but when I got in it was pretty warm. We hung out at the spring for about 45 minutes just taking a breather and relaxing. When everyone was done with the spring and had cleaned themselves up we head on towards Samburu lodge, famous for the lioness that took on the baby Oryx as her own.

At Samburu lodge we had lunch and this delicious drink that is made up of fresh juice and sprite with tons of fresh fruit cut up and tossed in the cup. After lunch we took a tour of the property. Samburu lodge is a rather large property and quite spread out. The dining area is attached to a veranda where they serve tea and coffee. Below the dining area is the bar area and is often flooded when the river rises. The rooms are simple and the pool area is nice. It is not unlikely you will see elephant when leaving and entering this lodge, a matter of fact we saw a huge herd.

After we had a tour we were giving the option of have a short swim or lay by the pool. Most of us napped. I stopped in the gift shop to see what they had, there was no electricity in there and it made it hard to see. I did however find a few goodies to get for a few people from there. After our little break we were back on the road to see Larsen’s Camp. This camp is absolutely stunning. There are 17 tents situated along the river and are all facing the river for viewing from the comfort of your veranda. The dinning room is set that you usually sit along a huge table and share dinner with other guest, although if requested they are happy to seat you alone. Breakfast and lunch are a la carte. After the inspections we head back to the lodge for dinner, with a game drive along the way. The landscape here is really beautiful I spent majority of the ride back to camp on the roof of the land rover watching it all pass me by.

On the way we ran into a couple trying to find their way to their lodge. They were doing a self-drive vacation. It has become very apparent to me that Africa is not a place you want to be doing a self drive trip. None of the roads are marked and the conditions of the roads are not great. Richard had directed the couple the best he could but they didn’t speak English very well, which makes it that much harder for them if they get lost.

Nov.16th, 2008

Today we woke up had breakfast and headed to the airstrip for our light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. I was slightly nervous because I have never been on a small plane and I am not very big on flying but I kept telling myself that people do this all the time and if it wasn’t safe then it wouldn’t be an option. Almost everything any of do in life has risk.

We waited for an hour till finally Richard called the pilot. He told Richard he was at the airstrip waiting for us which we then found out he was at the wrong airstrip. The pilot showed up 15 minutes later and we all began to board the plane. Take off and landing was a lot smoother then that of a jet and the flight wasn’t bad at all. The flight to the Masai Mara from Shaba is approximately an hour and a half.

When we arrived we had cars from the camp waiting with our two Masai guides William and Francis. We all piled in and hadn’t gotten far from the airstrip when we spotted a cheetah. Warren informed us that she must have giving birth recently and is out looking for nourishment to feed them. As a car we decided to follow her and see if we would see her in action. It wasn’t long till she spotted some tommy gazelles grazing near by we parked far enough away to not disrupt the tommys and the cheetah. We sat there for about 30 minutes waiting. She kept creeping along the grass getting closer and closer. Then the wind changed and the tommys smelt her scent and spotted her before she could make her move.

We decided that it would be best to head on to camp for lunch. We arrived just in time for lunch and meet the staff at Mara Serian. Lunch here was delicious, the best by far. After lunch Marina took us around and showed us the 8 tents they have. Each tent is different, in style, set up and location. All tents are in order except number 8 because where they were originally going to have the tent a mother leopard had her litter there and they decided that since she was there first that it was her home and not theirs. The camp is an old hunting camp, owned by ex hunter Alex Walker. There are two camps, the main camp, Mara Serian and the little camp Ngala Serian (Serian means peaceful). In order to get to get to Ngala Serian you must cross this rickety looking bridge that is made out of metal. This bridge is directly over the Mara River. Having the two camps separate creates a more private intimate experience, virtually guest don’t ever have to know that there is another camp. The Honeymoon tent is on the side of Ngala Serian, and is the furthest tent away. There is even a spot for Honeymooners to have a private breakfast or dinner right next to their tent. There is no electricity in the camp, as far as lights. Everything is done by candle, kerosene lanterns and flashlights. (I liked this part the most because it creates the feel and sense of old safari meet new safari.)

We then retreated off to our rooms for a short siesta or freshen up. I spent my time sitting on my veranda writing in my travel journal and watching the lone hippo that hung out in front of my tent. I was a little nervous to being staying by myself in the tent in the middle of the wilderness but I kept assuring myself that this was no big deal and that there are rangers that patrol the area at night. At about 5pm we met to go on a sundowner. I liked this also because they set up a fire and chairs, a rug with pillows, a little bar and have appetizers. The appetizers were delicious, corn with chilli sauce, potatoes with a salsa and nuts. We watched the sunset, the sky turns this blood red as the sun dips behind the mountains.

On the way back to camp for dinner we see bush babies, African hares, and a few other nocturnal animals. Also along the way our car got stuck in the mud but it only took about twenty minutes to get us out. We arrive back at camp very late close to 9pm. Dinner is prepared over at Ngala Serian and we sit at long table boy girl boy girl. After dinner most head back to their tents with an armed ranger while a few of us and the employees sit by the fire and chat. I have never seen the stars so clearly before and it was fun to point out the constellations.

Nov. 17th, 2008

Today we have a bush breakfast right along this cliff. We sat around and had a leisurely breakfast and talked about our fist night in the bush. Afterwards we had the choice to either game drive, walk back to camp or to drive back to camp. I opted to walk back to camp. Along the way we saw hippos eating and tons of tracks. Warren quizzed us to see if we could identify which animals the tracks belong to. We even found a tail to a wildebeest. The walk back to camp was calming and beautiful. It was very insightful as to a way of living over there. 45 minutes later we were back at camp. I returned to my tent for a dip in the bath and a nap before we reconvened as a group. At about 1pm I woke up and walked over to the main camp for lunch. After we all had eaten, we head off for an afternoon game drive.

After the game drive we head back to camp for dinner. I sit next to Alex and we talk about what made him decide to open Mara Serian, which happened after he had terribly bad malaria. He also told me about his hunting stories. I enjoyed talking to him because he lived such a crazy life.

Nov. 18th, 2008

Wake up call was at 630 am, so we can have full day of game driving in the Masai Mara. Before we make it in to the park however we see a wagon of elephants, signifying a new baby being born. We didn’t actually get to see the baby drop but we did see it stand and then fall over then get up and start walking. Very exciting!

We entered the Mara around 9:30 am. Immediately Francis spotted lion. As we get closer Richard tell us it’s a lion called one eye because she has one eye but is the best hunter in all the Mara. She has a pride of about 14. They were all over this little hill taking a nap. About 5 ft away there was a small herd of elephants. We then continued on in search of the four brother cheetahs and Kiki the female cheetah.

We then see a few vulture flying above and head towards them. When we arrive there is about a 20 hyenas circling this spot but before they can get to it a tawny hawk scoops whatever the piece of meat was into its mouth and flies up the tree. The hyenas continue to circle and we begin to think that they might be heading down for the eland at the bottom of this escarpment. We wait for about 20 minutes before realize that they aren’t have retreated off in another direction. We then begin to head in the direction where our picnic lunch is going to be. Along the way we see an ostrich doing its mating dance although there was no other ostrich in sight. Also a little further we saw impalas and a few dik dik mating.

We arrive at lunch and Alex and Marina had set up a rug and pillows along with lunch for us. After we ate we sat around and some napped while other told jokes. Finally we decide it is time to head back to camp but along the way we encountered a mother elephant and her baby. At first it appeared as though the mother was sleeping but as we approach closer we see she isn’t moving. The baby nudges his head against here, she lays still. We move in closer but cautious not to get to close because if the mother is only sleeping she could be up within second and very dangerous plus a 2 ½ year old bull elephant is also very dangerous. We notice that it doesn’t appear that she is breathing; the baby at this point is in complete distress. Our Francis tells us that there have been a few elephants that have died in the Mara recently. It seems that they have been eating poisonous mushrooms and sometimes they live and sometimes they don’t. He said that could have been the case here or it could have been a snake bite. We can’t get close enough to tell because the baby is just too big. As we sit there calling the ranger we see the leg begin to move, Alex says he thinks it could be a stroke. The leg shakes harder and you can her breath heavily and shallowly. The baby tries hard to get his mother back to her feet, and trumpets in distress. Alex tells us normally they would try to carrel the baby to a herd but there isn’t a single herd insight. Finally we see the ranger and we head back to the lodge since a crowd began to form.

We are surprised with dinner in the bush but before we reach the site we come across a leopard pulling an impala in the tree. Below there are hyenas beginning to circle. The leopard gets spooked and head down the tree into this ditch. We decide its best to leave. Just before we turn off to head to our bush dinner we encounter a honeymoon lion couple mating. The lions are named Caesar and sugar. Sara, another lady who works at Serian, informs us that this is sugar’s second time mating. About a month ago sugar gave birth to her first litter of cubs but they ended up dying because she was a bad mother. This is common amongst many lionesses.

We enjoy our last dinner in the bush and talking to each other as we know we have one night left. We head back to camp around 11 pm. I cross the bridge to head to my tent (which is hard at night you can’t really see even though the rangers try to help by lighting the way from both sides). When I reach the other side however you can smell this awful smell, I asked the ranger what it was and he told me that is a dead hippo that has washed to shore. This is a smell I will never be able to forget.

Nov. 19th, 2008

Today is the last day of safari. Wake up call was at 8 am and we take a bush walk to the tree house. This tree house is also used for honeymoon couples, vacationing couples, and anyone else who just wants to sleep out in the bush. The walk is long and hot but well worth it. We stopped along the way for the Masai Warriors to demonstrate shooting arrows and throwing spears. I even tried, I wasn’t very good. Francis told me that men are suppose to use the spears and bow & arrow while women are suppose to call them in for dinner. I told him that I could definitely do that!

After the demonstration we then head up this mountain to the tree house, it took about 20 minutes. Just as we reach the tree house we spot a journey giraffe running across the plains. We sat around looking across the savannah enjoying the view for about 30 minute before we headed back since a few people got altitude sickness. The tree house is at 5,700 ft above sea level.

When we get back to camp we have brunch and then a little over an hour to shower or pack or both. I packed my bag and head to the gift shop to see if there were any last gifts I wanted to get. I cross the bridge one last time. I was a little sad by this because this bridge was a huge accomplishment for me. At first I was completely freaked by the bridge, it sways when you walk and there are hippos and crocodiles below. I use to hold tightly to the railing and walk slowly looking ahead the entire time. By the end of our stay I was running and jumping across the bridge. It can with stand a ton of wear the British Army actually designed it.

We all meet around 3 pm and head over to Governor’s camp for dessert and a quick tour. The location of the camp is perfect since it is right in the Mara. The camp is huge, 39 tents. At 4 pm we meet the airplane at the airstrip back to Nairobi. This flight is only 45 minutes but was very bumping. I felt a little nauseated which I have never happen to me while flying before. I was thankful to be back on the ground. We were transferred to The Stanley Hotel. The traffic was horrible it took close to 45 minutes. When we arrived I set all my stuff in the room and then headed over to the market with Joseph, our driver, to buy some coffee and tea. We all meet for our last dinner at 7 pm. We had Italian food at a place called Ostarich. It was very good and fresh. A few of us then headed over to the Moroccan dancing bar that is connected to the Italian restaurant for drinks and dancing before we head back to the hotel and have to say our goodbyes.

Nov. 20th, 2008

Today is my flight home; we arrive at the airport at 9 am. And our flight doesn’t leave for another hour. We have no problems with lines and the wait wasn’t bad, even though the airport isn’t the nicest in the world.

At about 10 am our flight is called, due to the message Obama had received there is extra security. We had to take off all jewellery.