Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley soda lakes located at an elevation of 5,755 feet. It lies south of Nakuru, Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park. We arrived after a 4 hour drive from Nairobi and lunch. It was a big day! Some highlights...

Water Buck

Zebra

Saddle Billed Stork

Pumba - Warthog

Impala

African Darter

Pink-backed Pelican and Marabou Stork

Vervent Monkey

Baboons

African Cape Buffalo

Grey Crowned Crane

White Rhinos

They let us get out of the truck and walk... accompanied by armed guards!

Pink Flamingos 

Sad Lion... looked as if he'd been in a fight

On the Road...

We had breakfast and said goodbye to the Heron Portico at 7:30am. Our group consists of our guide, Antony, our driver, James, and six tourists... half from the US and half from Australia... June, KJ, Sarah, Dale, plus Rouse and myself. We had a four hour drive ahead of us, but plenty to look at along the way. First, heading out of Nairobi we saw lots of people waiting for buses and starting the day. There were many plant nurseries along the roadway. As we left the city, we began to see people tending flocks of goats and sheep and fields under cultivation. We drove through busy villages and towns.

Urban Adventure - Nairobi Experience

After another hearty breakfast at Heron Portico, we met our local guide, Phillip, for a walk about town. We made arrangements for this tour prior to leaving home with Intrepid's Urban Adventures tour company. It was great to have a local person escort us, answer our questions, educate us about the city, and give his unique perspective.

First, we hiked up to a vantage point where we could overlook Uhuru (Freedom) Park. This park was built on the site from which prison inmates were released after serving their time. From there we had a nice view of Nairobi's cityscape, including many new high rise buildings.

We walked down and through the park, which was filled with all kinds of amusements for children and their families. Many people come here, especially on weekends, to enjoy kiddy carnival rides, paddle boats, picnicking, and relaxing outdoors.

Next, we walked past the National Parliament Buildings and the mausoleum of the first president of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. No photos allowed in this section. Anti-terrorist measures have been in place since the bombing of the US Embassy in 1998. In fact, we visited the August 7th Memorial Park located on the site of the obliterated embassy building. 213 people, mostly Kenyans, were killed in that attack. 5,000 were injured.

We visited the Kenya National Archives building, where we had a guided tour of many interesting and beautiful artifacts representing the different peoples of Kenya. Interesting to learn about the influence India has had on the culture and why.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and there were many people out and about. Dancers and loud music attracted a crowd. We were told that soon the preaching would begin!

We took a brief walk through the colorful Maasai Market. Overwhelming attention here. Everyone was ready to make a sale!

Rouse was pleasantly surprised to find lots of birds living in the city, and our guide patiently waited out many bird stops. We ended our tour with lunch at a local restaurant... butternut squash soup, baked chicken, turnip greens, sweet potatoes (less sweet, more dry than ours at home), rice, chips (French fries). Very homey food. Tasted real!

We arrived back at our hotel at 2:00pm, hot and tired after our 5 hour urban adventure!

Day Full of Firsts

The first day in a new place is always exciting. Our first day in Nairobi was no exception.

After a good night's sleep and a full breakfast at the Heron Portico Hotel, we made arrangements for a tour to Nairobi National Park. Just south of the city, electric fencing separates the wild life from the metropolis. We got a look at the dirty, contemporary city from the roadways.

First stop was an ATM. We were escorted by Ann, the tour agent. She warned us not to handle money or display iPhones or any valuables in public. Someone might come out of nowhere and snatch the goods! Even in a vehicle, keep windows shut. Security is indeed an issue. We are told not to walk anywhere. Our hotel is fenced and gated, and embellished with electric wire, separating the wild city humans from those within. People and luggage are checked with metal detectors. This is our home compound.

Seems inhospitable, yet all the people we have encountered have been pleasant and friendly. Benson was our driver / guide. He safely maneuvered the heavily trafficked streets of Nairobi and took care of details at NNP. Plus, he was very patient with this couple of birdwatchers, stopping at our every whim. What a great introduction to the African safari experience! (We must learn the names of these gazelle / antelope animals) We identified over 40 species of birds, and saw lots more we couldn't ID!

Lioness

Giraffes

African Cape Buffalo

Zebra w/ Ostrich in background 

Golden Backed Jackal

Impalas w/ Red Billed Ox Peckers(I'm not kidding)

British Airways - First!

We're ruined now.

We flew British Airways First-Class for the 7-1/2 hour flight from London-Heathrow to Nairobi on a classic 747 airliner. It felt so good to stretch out and sleep! We each had a private space. Our chairs adjusted down to a bed. We were supplied with pajamas and a toiletry kit. Food was gourmet. I had a spicy lunch of lamb stew with peppers and okra, while Rouse enjoyed a fancy chicken pie. The alcohol flowed freely. Later in the day we enjoyed tea with a variety of little sandwiches and sweets. It was a deluxe way to go when traveling 24+ hours straight.

We arrived at the airport in Nairobi just after 10pm local time. Intrepid Travel representatives met us and set us up with a driver to The Heron Portico Hotel. After a brief moment of confusion ... not sure they actually had a room for us, even though reservations had been confirmed through Intrepid ... we were shown to our room, 11:15pm November 9.

Nairobi is eight hours ahead of North Carolina time. We left home on Thursday, the 8th at 1:15pm. Flew overnight from Charlotte to London on American Airlines. After a bit of a layover there came the British Airways flight to Nairobi. That makes 26 hours in transit from home to hotel. Whew! Glad we are here! Let the adventure begin...

Intrepid Travel

Here's a link to Intrepid's website, with full description of our trip:
Kenya & Tanzania - Safari Under Canvas

Itinerary

 11/08       Depart Charlotte 6:15pm

11/09        7 hours 55 minutes later, arrive 7:10am  London

                  10:10am London to Nairobi

                    8 hours 40 minutes later, arrive 9:50pm

                  Lodging:  The Heron Portico Hotel

                 

11/10      Nairobi

                  The Heron Portico Hotel

11/11 Day 1           Nairobi Experience - day tour with Urban Adventure

                                   6:00pm Meet the INTREPID TOUR for trip briefing

   The Heron Portico Hotel

   Here we go! "Glamping" all the way!

11/12 Day 2             Lake Nakuru Ntl Park

11/13 Day 3             Lake Naivasha

11/14 Day 4             Lake Naivasha

11/15 Day 5             Masai Mara Ntl Reserve

11/16 Day 6             Masai Mara Ntl Reserve

11/17 Day 7             Masai Mara Ntl Reserve

11/18 Day 8             Nairobi

11/19 Day 9             Lake Manyara Ntl Park – EXIT Kenya ENTER Tanzania

11/20 Day 10           Serengeti Ntl Park

11/21 Day 11           Serengeti Ntl Park

11/22 Day 12           Ngorongoro Conservation Area

11/23 Day 13           Ngorongoro Crater

11/24 Day 14           Tarangire Ntl Park

11/25 Day 15           Arusha – last day of tour w/INTREPID TRAVEL

                                      Kibo Palace Hotel

11/26       Arusha – 6:30am Mt Kilimanjaro full-day hike

                   Kibo Palace Hotel

11/27       Depart 6:30pm Kilimanjaro to Nairobi, 1 hour flight

11/28       Depart Nairobi 12:15am, Arrive London 6:15am

                   Depart London, Arrive Charlotte 2:45pm