Start of our tour.

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After arriving 2hrs later than scheduled due to the planes previous journey getting in the way of a lightning bolt we headed to our hotel for the night, The Silver Springs (sounds nicer than what it was). We got to Silver Springs at about 00.20 local time and dropped our bags in the room and headed straight to the bar for a much needed cigarette, diet coke for chelle! We knew that we had to be up and ready to meet the Oasis crew at 7am the next morning so by the time we finished our drink and got a shower we mannaged approx 3 hours sleep!

Day 1 of the tour: Nairobi, Kenya

After being collected from Silver Springs we were taxi'd to Karen Camp, a more basic and from our impression friendlier place to have put our heads down, this is where we had the orientation meeting (annoying in as much that it was supposed to be at the Silver Springs but they changed it, wish they told us so we didnt spend the 70 quid staying at the hotel!). The first stop was a Giraffe Centre only about 10 min away from Karen Camp, this place had about 9 'rothchild' giriffes and allowed us to feed, take photos and even get a cheeky kiss (with tongue, giraffes are easy!). After speding about an hour here we moved on to our next stop and home for the next 2 nights, Lake Naivasha.

On the way to Naivasha we stopped at the Great Rift Valley for a photo stop, absolutelly stunning, so much so that Mike was sold an ashtray by a local trader for 1,000 kenyan shilling (about 10 pounds), think he was too mesmorised by the view to think about currency!

Lake Naivasha was unlike any camp site we've seen.. so far, columbus monkeys in the trees, hippos in the lake next to us and a constant background noise of wildlife, this was definately africa! After setting up tents and having a few drinks in the bar it was time for a dinner of Rice and Burgers, rice will pretty much be our staple diet over here, graciously prepared by our tour leader Andy and crew Benny (driver), Carol, and Cole.

Day 2 : Lake Naivasha, Kenya

We decided to go to Crater Lake for the day. On the way there we spotted loads of Zebra, Gazelles, Buffalo, Cows and Donkeys at the side of the road and stopped off at the "small lake" to see the Hippos and Flamingos.
Once we arrived at Crater Lake Park we had a 3 hour trek to reach the lake. There were tons of Giraffe, Zebra, Gazelle, impala, eland and Dung Beetles. Finally we got to the lake all knackered and smelly and enjoyed a drink while looking over it all. The lake was beautiful, in a mountain that had fallen into itself. There are rooms there for $250 p/n!

We made our way back to camp all wanting to sleep but we still had more to do. We visited Elsamere where Joy Adamson used to live of Born Free fame & we had high tea and cakes (not even sure what high tea is? we were up a mountain?!?) It was a boat ride there and back and we got to get quite close the all the Hippos in the water.

Day 3: Kampala then Bush Camp

We packed up camp and headed up to Kampala, Kenyas 4th biggest city. Thats where i write this now. We will travel over the equator today on our way to the bush camp and Uganda which we will reach tomorrow. Today is just a driving day with this stop for a few hours so we get to rest and not spend much money (Mike is banned from spending anything today!!

two terrible, cold nights sleep down, lets hope tonight is better!!

We will put photos on soon, theres so many amazing ones already but this computer wont let me. in the mean time if you are interested in seeing where weve been just google it, im sure it will come up.

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Comments

[Dad.]

ashtrays
Mike, you will need a bigger rucksack if you buy everything on offer or give up smoking to save on ashtray space. all sounds great take care.