Blogs from Rift Valley Province, Kenya, Africa - page 51

24th July Monday DAY 3 KENYA, ELDORET - UGANDA, JINJA Had to get up for 6am to leave at 7am and it was hard. All I wanted was a quiet lie in for 5 minutes but Robin was making so much noise shuffling around in the tent with her sleeping bag and I ended up snapping at her. Today was our first border crossing day and all we had to do was give Helen our passports and $US30 and we were through. It did take a little time but we were plenty entertained with the locals, swapping magazines for bananas. I wanted to swap a book that would have gotten us a whole bunch but Julia cracked the shits. But you should have seen the pleasure they got from looking at the magazine, it broke my ... read more

Unbelievable!!!! We saw the starting half of the Great Migration today complete with hordes of wild Antelope, Zebras, Water Buffalo, Wildebeasts (sp?!?), Vultures, and Fish Eagles that the eye and soul could only imagine or even gleen on the Discovery Channel. When we happened upon our driver's self described "Hippo Pool" we couldn't believe that the animals were that massive or that abundant. Hippos are evidenatlly the most dangerous animal in Kenya, amounting for about 10% of the annual deaths of the natives there... Hippos do have a nasty disposition and kill indiscrimianatley as they are highly territorial and want to be left in peace... and I highly suggest that you do. Something that is nearly a ton in weight is nothing to mess with as they have the power to snap a human in half ... read more

On our final day at Brakenhurst the caravan met early to get out and about for another day amidst the life of the Kenyans, most notably with historical significance. We took a quick if not harrowing ride through the outskirts of Nairobi and headed east and north to the county of Karen, home to the Giraffe park and Karen Blixen, author of several books but most famous for Out of Africa, of which many of you may have seen the movie staring Robert Redford and Merill Streep. The journey took us through some of the wealthiest areas that outer Nairobi had to offer, complete with armed guards at every glance. These homes ranged in size from mansion to palatial to compounds. Most had stables, chauffeurs, multiple Mercedes’, and a host of other amenities that your average ... read more

Have just had the most amazing time on safari in the Masai Mara, yes I know you're all well aware where I am, I just had to rub it in again. It's been fantastic, I have seen bucket loads of zebras, gazelles, umpalas, lions, giraffes, elephants and wilderbeast. It is really hot here, but pretty cold at night, and I haven't been brave enough to get up in the middle of the night to go to the loo, even though there was a Masai warrior to escort us, it was still too scary! We went to a Masai village and had their beer, which was actually not as minging as I thought, and I have started shopping already (need another backpack to bring all this stuff) and am incredibly bad at bartering so the Masai women ... read more

"Privileged are those who get to travel to Kenya. Blessed are those who get to share the adventure with their children". We were quick to rise and prepare for our new day in the Mara. The lodge served pastries, coffee and hot chocolate before the game drive and it was appreciated. We would bring to-go cups in the van to warm our hands and sip. The kids are not ‘morning’ folk, but somehow the game drives wakes you up in a really good mood. I just loved watching the boys and their reactions to the day and the adventure. How lucky they are I thought, and how lucky I am to be sharing this with them. What a very special memory and a very special way to bond our family even closer. It is day ... read more