Animal Photos from Kenya

Impala with Cow Birds Picking Ticks

Hippopotamus in the Water

Jackal

Cheetah

Cape Buffalo Family

Elephants Crossing in Front of Us

Termite Home

Of Course I Love You

Cheetah and Kittens

Baboon

Bull Elephant

Hippopotamus

Girraffe

Elephant Mother and Baby, and Zebra

These are some of the amazing animals that we have been privileged to see in their natural habitat.  The most thrilling were the cheetah and her kittens, the lions, and the elephant families. The bull elephant pictured above was very close to us, and he walked perfectly silently, as did the entire herd.  Our guide knew where to find the animals in each of the parks, and we were very fortunate to be able to see them so close to our van.   Most of the time, the animals were close enough to us that we didn't need binoculars.  Our guide was watching to ensure that they were not being disturbed, and that they would not charge the van.  The top of the van opened up so that we could stand to have an unimpeded view of the entire landscape.

The number of these animals in each of the parks was incredible.  We saw hundreds of most of them every day.  In Ambosili, the landscape is almost a dessert, because of over-grazing and drought.  The watering holes are very small, and the elephants have knocked down all of the trees in order to find enough food.  This park is overgrazed because the Masai people who live next to it have pressured the government to release a large portion of it back to them for grazing their cattle.  There is also a problem with poaching in this and other parks, and while we were there, a giraffe was killed for "bush meat".   Hunting of wild animals in Kenya is illegal, but the survival of many of them continues to be threatened because of poaching and crowded habitats, as well as inadequate vegetation  and diminishing sources of water due to global warming.  

Many of these factors are also threatening the survival of the Kenyan people. Currently there are 10 million in danger of dying of starvation due to drought.  50% of Kenyan people live in poverty, and are defined this way because their income in less than $1 US per day.  100,ooo Kenyans still live in IDP camps (Internally Displace Persons), since the violence around the election in Dec., 2007.  The new coalition government is barely holding together, in light of continuous disputes over corruption.  

Nigel has completed two interesting reports for his school projects - "Poverty in Kenya, and "Threats to Wild Animals in Kenya".  He has gained excellent insights into these and other issues, and has demonstrated a good understanding of the plight of the Kenyan animals and people. 

Watch for more pictures as we conclude our trip over the next few days.  

Corliss, Gordon, and Nigel 

Places and Scenes from Mombasa to Ambosili

Baobab Tree in Tsavo East Park

Pool at Serena Whitesands Beach Hotel in Mombasa

Nigel and Gordon at Pool Bar

Our Tent at Flamingo Hill Tent Camp at Lake Nakuru

Nigel and Corliss Inside the Tent at Lake Nakuru

Nigel in Pool at Tented Camp in Ambosili Park at Foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Dining Room at Rhinosceros Hill Tent Camp in Tsavo West

Rhinosceros Hill Tented Camp in Tsavo West Park

Sun Rising over the Foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Our stay at the Serena Hotel near Mombasa was decadent and relaxing.  Nigel spent much of the four days in the pool, and we all enjoyed swimming in the ocean, which was as warm as a bathtub.  Nigel had his own room at the hotel (adjacent to ours), and he enjoyed the independence.  He played volleyball on the beach, and squash lessons with a trainer, as well as other games with the other tourists.  We enjoyed the "down time" which this resort afforded, and it was amusing to watch the mother and tiny baby monkeys playing on the lawns during the day.

The tented camps were very luxurious (not like our tenting experiences on canoe trips in the Yukon).  We slept under mosquito nets, and were careful to use repellent, although we were never bothered by many mosquitoes (certainly nothing like the population in the Yukon!).  We are still taking malarone as a precaution, though.  We always had our own private shower and washroom in each camp, and the tents were well appointed with furniture, luggage racks, etc. Some were finished in a very natural style, although elegantly.  In two cases, we had a 360 degree view of the valleys below, and could see to the horizon on all sides.  

The last three safaris that we did in Tsavo East and West, and Ambosili were amazing, as was the Masai Mara previously.  The animal pictures will follow.   

More of the Masai Mara

Topi

Impala

Serval Cat

Cheeta

Masai Children in School

Baboon

Lion Cubs Fighting

Giraffe

Cape Buffalo

Warthog

The safari to the Masai Mara was incredible.  We were able to see the animals up close, and there was no problem finding them all.  These are only a very small selection.  Our accommodation was in tented camps, which were very comfortable, and in some cases, elegant. Nigel was very excited about the animals, and our guide was impressed with what Nigel had learned previously about them.  

Nigel is doing two school projects while on this trip, and we spent some time gathering information from the guide and from the Masai people, about issues of poverty in Kenya, as well as human-animal conflict which is resulting in decreased populations of many of the species in Kenya.

Today, we'll be adding pictures of our trip to Mombasa and of the last three safaris, so stay tuned! 

Corliss, Gordon, and Nigel

On Safari in the Masai Mara

The Lion King 

Elephants Family

Zebra with Colt

Hyena Pair

White Rhinoceros

Baboon Family

Wart Hogs on the Run

Masai Woman

Massai Man & Gordon in Dung Hut

Nigel with our Masai Camp Guard

We stayed in tented camps in Nakuru and in the Masai Mara.  It was a great experience, and our guide on the game drives was very knowledgeable, so we learned a lot about the animals, the people, and their environment.  It was interesting to visit a Masai village, and to tour a Masai school which was funded by a Red Deer AB Rotary Club.  A couple from Lacombe AB provided funding for a cistern, used by all of the Masai villages in the area.  The pump which provides clean water to 26 villages, was donated by Albertans as well, and the school headmaster explained that the incidence of typhoid fever and many other water born diseases has declined dramatically since it's installation.  As a result, children are surviving longer, and adults are leading productive lives free of sickness.  The staff quarters displayed a picture of Malign Lake in Banff, given to them by other donors from that area.  Nigel said, "It makes me proud to be a Canadian".    

Nigel has been very excited about the game drives, and knows a lot about the animals, as he has had a keen interest in them for many years.  He is doing two special projects for school credit - one on poverty in Kenya and one on threats to wild game.  He is doing a great job on them both, and has been reading relevant newspaper articles and conducting interviews with people who can provide some insight into these topics.   

These are only a sampling of some of our animal pictures - more to come.  We're off to Mombassa tomorrow, where we will have 4 days on the beach and then 3 more safaris before returning to Megan and Pat's home for our last week in Kenya.  

Hope this finds you all well and happy. 

Corliss, Gordon, and Nigel

New York to Nairobi

All of us enjoying Megan and Pat's pool

Pat and Jacques

Nairobi Vegetable Market

This is Margaret, Jacques' nanny feeding him at his home in Nairobi.

This is Jacques, Megan & Pat's home in Nairobi.

Megan & Jacques 

 

Nigel and the Statue of Liberty

While Corliss was at her AA interview for Class A (non-alcoholic World Services) Trustee and weekend meetings in New York, Nigel and Gordon toured NY.  On Fri., we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, and Sat. attended an AA delegates' banquet.  Nigel was impressed with the AA speakers, and interacted with everyone like a pro.  

Our flight to Nairobi was fine, and it was exciting to see Megan, Pat and little Jacques.  We've been enjoying our time with them, playing with Jacques, swimming in the pool, touring the National Museum, and shopping in the vegetable and crafts markets.  

Next on our list is to go off on Safari and we will include the results in our next posting.