Our Safari

 I started writing this the day after our return and was trying to insert pictures along with the text.  But because I had so many pictures it became cumbersome.  Instead this blog will summarize our feelings and perspectives of the trip With some specific photos added and the link at the end of the blog lead to a cache of pictures that I trimmed down from the 1100 plus I took to a relevant say 150 plus.  I hope those who read this enjoy it as we enjoyed the trip and enjoy the photographs as well.  Although as I wrote this and culled the pictures, I realized that you cannot or seldom can - capture the moment.  Still, I hope you enjoy.

Linda and I just returned from our Safari.  Our first and likely our only because it was expensive as we chose the 'Custom Safari' to provide us the best experience possible and flew business class because we are 71 and its a 21 hour flight with a 3 hour layover in Frankfurt.  We chose to take this trip for a number of reasons:  To celebrate our 51 years together, renew our vows and because I just found out I have leukemia and while the odds of remission are very good it is my 3rd bout with cancer.  Finally, because it is a dream of Linda's (and therefore mine) since she was in high school.  

It was not a vacation but an adventure, an adventure filled with memories.  But I digress and I will start at the trip's beginning.

We flew Lufthansa business class because the flight was in two 9-hour parts with a 3-hour layover in Frankfurt enroute to Nairobi and at 71 years old sitting in economy for that duration is probably not a great idea.  It was such a wise choice.  The seats were roomy and turned into flat beds where you could stretch out and really sleep.  Excellent food on the flight with real china and a great menu selection.  Because we flew Business Class we had use of the Lufthansa lounge during our Frankfurt layover.  It had all the accommodations one could require, spacious and comfortable seating, various sodas, beer, liquor and food galore - all part of the experience - no cost.  Our flight both to and back from Nairobi was in a 747-8 upper deck.

Upon arriving at the Nairobi Airport, 10pm Nairobi time, we were met by a Natural Habitat representative who whisked us through customs and onto our limo to the Emokoko Lodge located on the 45 square mile Nairobi National Park.  We would spend 2 nights there before embarking Maasai Mara.  The Emokoko is located on a cliff and overlooks the park which has a number of Rhino, Giraffe and other non-predatory anmials.  The very next morning as coffee was delivered to our room Linda noticed the rhino just off our balcony only 20 feet away.

The day at the Emokoko was arranged to allow us a visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.  As Linda has sponsored an for over 9 years we were permitted to a private visit as they had the morning feedings and Linda, and I were able to walk among and pet the baby through toddler orphans.

We spent the day in Nairobi and after our 2nd night we took an early plane to the Maasai Mara.  It was Linda's first time flying in such a small aircraft.  It landed on a clay runway where we were met by our guide (Judy Noya) and driver, Kim (Kimanthi Makanyanga).  They would be with us our entire time.  Judy is Maasai and 'Kim' Swahili. There are no roads away from the runway and all subsequent travel during our safari would be off road.

Our trip was direct to our campsite along the Oloololo River.  

There we would cross this bridge to our tent.  We would cross this many times during our stay.

The river in this location is a rapid and has crocodiles and hippos as you will see shortly.  The rapids allow for us to be right alongside the river as crocodiles do not like rapids.  It didn't seem to both the hippos.

While the tents are lovely... they are tents - with only canvas separating us from all of the outside.  We were located right on the river and over the next several days would awaken to the grunting of the hippos right outside our tent on the other side of the river.

Everything is open to the outside.  It can (and will be) closed at night but the top has gaps, and the mosquito netting is necessary.

The bathroom is adjacent to the bed area and totally exposed to the outside even at night, so you shower (and everything else) exposed to all of nature.  I think the hippos found the view interesting.

This was the view from the bed area...

Over the next few days, we would be awakened at dawn.by hippo grunts then proceed accross the bridge to meet Judy & Kim. From there we would go on daily drives having breakfast and lunch on the Mara.  We would gather with other campers in the main tent at 7:30 for a 4-course dinner and tell of our sightings and adventures.  At this point I will stop "chatting" and simply post a few of my favorite pictures of all the lovely animals we saw roaming free over the miles of terrain unhampered and unthreatened by people.

Leave me a note and I will send you the link to more photos.
Thanks for reading and being interested.