Advertisement
Published: August 5th 2006
Jambo! (hello in Swahili)
Arrived in Nairobi fine after an emotional farewell at Heathrow. Felt like there was a washing machine of emotions rolling around my stomach on a spin cycle for a day, but as soon as I met up with the rest of my tour group I was fine. The group I am travelling around Africa with is mostly made up of Aussies and Kiwis, bar one Canadian and a couple of Brits. Having travelled across Kenya, I'm now in Uganda on the world's slowest computer. Here's a brief run down of my safari travels so far...
Day 1: Monday 31st July
Nairobi is a strange city. It's not particularly picturesque, in fact there's not much to see at all. The population is vast and everyone seems to be busy getting about their business. The people seem friendly enough, but they do seem to stare at us like we're a whole different species, not just white. We left the hotel early and met Makako, our truck (punishments to be had for calling it a bus/lorry or anything else!). It's pretty comfortable with no windows, just tarps on the sides. There are lockers for all our valuables on board and the seats are soft and springy - very important as we soon found out Kenyan roads are incredibly bumpy!
We went to a giraffe sanctuary where we fed Daisy, a female 15 year old giraffe, and got covered in saliva in the process! They were breeding the giraffes to be released into the wild. Next stop was Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage, the place where the BBC filmed "Elephant Diaries". All the elephants had been rescued from the wild as orphans and were being reared ready to be released into the wild. They were all under the age of two and brilliant - so playful and mischievous - just like human babies.
After a short stop at the BP garage for lunch, we had a 195km drive ahead of us, mostly on metal roads! While gazing out of the truck, I had a sudden feeling of euphoria, inspired by Bryan Adams! "These are the best days of my life - the summer of '06" Finally I had shaken off the homesick feelings, was feeling so happy and relaxed and was determined to make the most of this trip.
Tonight we had our first camp. Sophie and I are staying in 3 man peg less tents which are pretty easy to put up, which was lucky as it was absolutely heaving it down with rain! Thought Africa was supposed to be sunny! Nothing could dampen our sprits though - bring on the bevies!
Day 2: 1st Aug
Getting up at 6.45am was a bit of a struggle. Breakfast was good though. There's a rota for duties to be done and all the cooking is done on open fires. They did a good job of scrambled eggs this morning.
Went to Nakuru town this morning for shopping and got hassled to buy stuff loads! A bunch of kids, mostly boys, were begging and would grab your arm, insisting you give them money and food. They were high on glue too - so sad. Instead of sending them to school, their parents send them begging to bring money home. Their future looked so bleak.
Generally, the people are lovely though, so friendly, and not just because they want to sell you stuff! As we drive past in our truck, people wave and flash their bright white smiles at us. The children are particularly friendly; they run and call out with such enthusiasm. Many people are so poor. The only clothes they own are the ones on their backs but yet they are still so happy. Genuine proof that material possessions really don't make you happy.
Went to out first National Park (NP) today. We ate our lunch and got attacked by Ververt monkeys who stole any food you could, even out of your hands - madness! You had to be armed with a stick to beat them away! After lunch, we went on our first game drive. It was amazing. We saw lions, buffalo, impala, ostriches, zebras (my favourite!), flamingos (3 million of them!), colobus monkeys, baboons (v nasty, vicious creatures), eland, warthogs and gazelles...think that's it! It was amazing seeing them all in their natural habitat. Bit disappointed the zoom's so rubbish on my camera.
Camped in the open by Makaria falls in the NP itself. It's not fenced off so I really wasn't even contemplating any toilet trips at night! I was quite apprehensive but excited too. Used ear plugs so missed the noises of the hyenas - shame!!! Romy, our tour leader, told us that one time when bush camping, she opened her tent to find an elephant standing directly outside, eating the leaves off the tree above - crickey!
Day 3: 2nd Aug
After not much sleep and sharing stories about what creatures were heard snuffling around the tent last night, we went for an early morning game drive. So yes, it meant up early, with the sun! Apparently I have to get used to this...oh dear!
It was definitely worth getting up early though. Saw three lions fighting - two were trying to push the 3rd out of the pride. They came right up to the truck so they were almost touching - I got some amazing video footage. We saw some giraffes too. They have to be the most graceful animals in Africa.
We then went back to Nakuru to pick up some more supplies and to get hassled again. Am getting used to it though and the people aren't too full on and are actually great to talk to.
Drove a long way to Eldoret where we stayed in a lovely campsite with warm showers and long drop toilets - pretty good compared to what we've had. How I long for flush toilets! Another night drinking beer, although we went a little more up class and actually went to a bar. It was awesome - have to show you the photos.
Day 4: 3rd Aug
We spent the whole of today driving from Eldoret to Jinja, where we'll spend the next 3 days. First person went down with the dreaded diarrhoea today - apparently we can all look forward to that at least once and it can last for days, even weeks!!! We left Kenya and crossed the border into Uganda, which was interesting, to say the least! It was pretty strict for us, but I can imagine anyone and anything can actually get through. Still pretty daunting though. Morgan, one of the Aussies on the trip just had to make a trip to the loo at the border, something we were warned against doing. Apparently, it was worse than the Trainspotting toilet, with maggots all over the floor by his feet. He came back looking traumatised!
Day 5: Aug
Still in Jinga today.
Had the best day yet today. Went White water rafting down the Nile over grade 6 rapids. It was AWESOME!!! Flipped the boat on so many rapids - was only a little bit scary! Went swimming in one of the ponds and found out afterwards that there were crocs - ooops! Finished the day with a banquet and drinks at the bar. An absolutely brilliant day, and only a few cuts and bruises! Think I might ache somewhat tomorrow though!!!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.061s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 6; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0377s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
sarah curnow
non-member comment
wow!
What a time you are having Claire! Sounds amazing! I haven't been in touch for ages but after reading your blog, felt compelled to say how proud I am of you for doing such an inspiring life changing thing!! Keep the blog going i'm loving hearing about your trip! Lots of love to you Claire and please no more swimming with the crocs!hehe!! Sarah xxx