Days 3, 4 & 5 - Masai Mara

Day 3. Sorted.

We left Lake Nakuru at 7:00am and braved the rough road of the Mau Escarpment. Imagine a deeply potholed dirt road that streches on for 60 miles up and down through rain and dry heat, creating a thick layer of muck on the car. Then imagine it's twice as bad as that. This was the worst road up to this point in the trip. Notice I said "up to this point"? We'll get to that later...













Eventually we arrived at the Mara Sarova Tented Camp in the Masai Mara. It was really exciting to be staying in permanent tents in the Mara, sort of upscale camping.















After we checked in, we went on our first game drive in the Mara. It was absolutely incredible.













Elephants crossing the road. These pictures should be viewed side-by-side.


On the drive into the park, we could see several manyattas from the road. These are small circular villages in which the Masai live and keep their cattle. On Day 4, we visited one and met a few Masai.

Photos from Days 1 (The Ark) & 2 (Lake Nakuru)

The gang at the Ark

So many elephants at the water hole

The viewing area was a perfect place for a cup of tea

Cutest little elephant

The equator

At the Lake Nakuru Lodge, site of Lord Delamere's estate

A third of the world's population of flamingos live in Lake Nakuru

Our first game drive. Woo-hoo!

The rare white rhino

Safari: Days 1 & 2

Internet access has been sketchy at best this past week, and we haven't been able to update the blog as much as we would like. Getting the photos up was a Herculaean effort! After a week and a half of game drives, buffet food and early mornings we are now relaxing by the pool overlooking the Indian Ocean in Mombasa. Yesterday we went swimming in the Indian Ocean after a day trip to Old Town Mombasa where we were the only tourists. It was muddy and it rained hard whilst we were there, making it a very authentic experience, and the staff at the hotel were horrified that we went alone. BUT - it was easy, everyone was friendly and the worst part was the muck. Amy and I bought Kangas!

But, so far, need to give details on our amazing experience up to now.

Day 1: Road trip up to Aberdares Country Club where we boarded the bus to The Ark, an ark-shaped hotel stuck up on the side of a hill in the middle of the jungle. A herd of 40 elephants were awaiting us at the water hole outside the hotel!! They were 10 feet away from us and we could hear them breathing!

Day 2: Left The Ark and drove on to Lake Nakuru. First game drive. Sorted. One third of the world population of flamingoes live in Lake Nakuru. Amazing sight. Also saw Black Rhino (one was VERY close), White Rhino, zebra, impala, elands, cape buffalo, baboons.

More days soon, with more photos to come.