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Published: October 15th 2006
White Rhino in pink
Our first big 5 spotted. And how beutiful with the flamingo in the background. While grey this rhino is called white taken from the Dutch 'weit', or wide mouth. Lake Nakuru National Park“When the beauty of one multiplies to thousands and that beauty is overwhelming, you are at Lake Nakuru”, Nelda
Day 2: Leaving Nairobi and traveling to the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in Lake Nakuru National Park: As we left the hotel and traveled through the city of Nairobi I was surprised by the number of professional looking women walking through town on their way to school or work. There were cars everywhere but a lot of people walking as well. Similar to San Francisco minus the yellow cabs and hills. The many official looking vehicles with gunmen got our attention. I was told not to photograph the people, especially any official building or person. Since I'm a goodie-two-shoes and I am the ultimate teacher's pet, I obey. We all had a good laugh at my expense, as I was shocked to see the driver of our van completely turn around and talk to us as we were zooming down the street. Only moments later to realize he was not the driver it was his cohort sitting next to him on the right side of the car. It's not that I did not recognize we were driving
Children of Kenya
I only meant to get the sheep skin but captured this lovely shot on opposite sides of the road compared to our American system, I just.... forgot that the driver switches sides as well. Besides I had been sleep deprived. Okay now that the family has had a big chuckle at mom we can get on with things. I had recently read an article in National Geographic on the slums of Nairobi. We did not see anything like that. The city was well kept, seemed like everyone was well dressed and well fed.
It did not take long before the city was behind us and we were traveling on rough roads passing farms and just a few cars. Everyone walked or rode bikes. We passed men with donkeys pulling carts. School children in uniform. Sheep skin hanging on wooden sticks. Lots of cattle grazing on the roadside. We would drive through small towns and spot outdoor lumber yards and markets. Most of the people had blank looks on their faces as we drove by but if we waved and smiled their faces lit up like a sunny beach. The brightest, widest smiles I have ever seen. Gleaming white teeth and eyes that said "welcome, we are happy to see you too". It
Farmland
Farmland while traveling from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru became a game to wave and give a thumbs-up to the kids. They were the greatest. They would chase after the van and jump up and down. The young women were precious. They would wave but soon lower their heads and giggle in a shy gesture as if getting all this attention was embarrassing. Most men did not overly acknowledge our waves, perhaps just a small grin or a nod of the head. The people in general just seemed happy. Maybe it is difficult to miss a washing machine or X-box if you have never had them.
Our driver had arranged a bathroom break at a novelty shop selling woodcarvings and souvenirs. No obligations to buy but the bathrooms were manageable compared to the long-drops we would soon discover. Spencer bought himself a handmade spear and Pat bought a hand carved stick used to bump the backsides of cattle to get them to move-it. All the cattle farmers carried them. As a few of us climbed back in the van we were confronted by some local young men asking for pens or any magazines from America. They explained that they learned about us through reading our publications. We had
Three Rhino at Lake Nakuru
White rhino gather at lakes edge with flamingo in background. They are more social than the black rhino. a People magazines and gladly handed it over. I protectively thought to proof read the magazine making sure we (Americans) had not done anything embarrassing lately. But I giggled at the thought that these magazines would have anything else except the “Hollywood types” embarrassing themselves.
We still had not seen a “Big 5” animal but we were now on our way to Lake Nakuru, where the real fun should begin.
As we pulled into the gates at Lake Nakura National Park there was a gentle anticipation in the air. Everyone sort of seated themselves upright and we started getting the video camera out. It kind of reminded me of scenes out of Jurassic Park where you know you are going to see something really cool at any time. The road very quickly became bumpy and very dusty. Only adding to the excitement. We could see the lodge up ahead on a small hill but our driver, Peter, said he had to show us something. We pulled off the main dirt road onto another side dirt road. We worked our way through a bunch of trees and could see the lake through the trees. There it was a White
Rift Valley- Lake Nakuru Buffalo
These large savanna buffalo seems peaceful but have been known to attack. Rhino, just grazing at the water’s edge. His color was striking in the soft green grass and the water speckled with Flamingo was breathtaking. There were actually several Rhino. I think it all started right there. The beauty I mean. Everywhere you looked was deserving of having it’s photo snapped. So I just didn’t stop taking pictures. I did peek up for a moment and made eye contact with Peter who just looked at me with this soft smile, as if to say, “yes, my gift to you, enjoy”. And we did. I’ll never forget Peter’s face. It had a look of confidence and peace and kindness. A gentleness that I imagine comes from having a job like this and living in a place like Kenya. The next 24 hours my eyes absorbed more beauty than I thought possible. However, from the Rhino sighting Peter said we must get over to the lodge and check in and have lunch. He suggested we rest up and meet at 4:00 for the evening game drive. He backed up, hit one of the many potholes and Pat whacked his head a good one. Lesson one; brace yourself while on Safari.
The Sarova
Grounds at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
The kids and I out to explore the sites at the lodge. Lion Hill Lodge is situated on a small hillside nestled among yellow fever acacia trees. We stumbled out of the van and looked at the view below. What were we seeing? The entire lake was outlined in shades of soft pink. It didn’t seem possible but there it was right in front of us. Thousands of flamingo. When the beauty of one multiplies to thousands and that beauty is overwhelming, you are at Lake Nakuru. I suddenly wasn’t tired, wasn’t hungry, had no sense of time. I just stared and took pictures. If it were not for the family tugging at me to check in I would probably still be there taking photos.
Our rooms were lovely detached dwellings connected by stone pathways with lovely natural landscape. Our lunch was delicious. We sat out on the dining patio with perfect views of the lake. I kept glancing around at each of the kids and we would end up just shaking our heads in disbelief that we were actually here. As we all settled into our rooms for a rest before our afternoon Safari I noticed a small baboon out our front door. Within minutes a colony of baboon had
Baboon in tree
Baboon visit us at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. About 25 walked through our lodge. meandered onto the grounds and were climbing trees and watching us. Of course Pat runs out there and calls out to the boys to come and see. I am yelling for them to stay back assuming the beasts will attack. Well we kept our distance and thebaboons behaved as well. Got some great pictures.
The second animal we saw was a giraffe, followed by Thompson’s gazelle, zebra, impala, waterbuck, monkey, water buffalo, more rhino and hundreds of birds. Okay now we were on Safari. The Rift Valley would prove not to disappoint. We drove to a larger edge of the lake to see this pink wonder up close. White and pink lesser flamingo with pelicans were the pixels that made up this masterpiece. We followed the lakes edge and finally took a trail that led us, in the van, up the side of a steep hill to Baboon Cliff. From there we felt like we were on top of the world with spectacular views of the lake below. The colors were unbelievable. It was like a living Kincaid portrait. I did not want to leave. I could have stayed for hours. If you ever go I would suggest telling
Spencer and Brittney
Lake Nakuru National Park at the lakes edge with flamingo and pelicans your driver to spend more time up there and not so much just casually driving the lake. We also learned these birds travel from soda lake to soda lake so be sure you know where the birds are likely to be before booking your trip. Well our adventure had just begun, as we had to use the lavatory. We got real familiar with “long drops”. Never knew they existing. It’s a small room like a port-a-potty but with no toilet. Just a poured cement platform with a hole in it. You better have strong thigh muscles if you’re a girl as squatting is necessary. But I was on such a natural high I didn’t mind that much. On the drive back to the lodge we passed all the same animals and I marveled at how the setting sun continually altered the appearance of the vegetation and meadow grassland and water. The flamingo and pelicans were spectacular. This is, if truth be told, one of those sights that language cannot describe.
Peter kept us out until the sun was setting, park rules. It was not long enough and until I return our pictures will have to suffice.
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Ludia
non-member comment
These pictures just make me want to pack my bags right now and fish around for a "one hour flight" to Kenya. Am so proud of my country. The pictures are really beautiful and hold lots of memories, especially the sheep skin and egerton University sign board. I used to pass through Nakuru going to school several times a year. Enjoy yourself na "Karibu kwetu Kenya". (Ask the locals for the meaning)!