Trip to Kenya, part 2

So, clearly that whole resolution to write in the blog every week is not gonna happen. Oh well. Maybe next year. I did at least manage to keep up with a paper journal so far this year, so there’s that I guess.

Let’s finish up that whole Kenya vacation thing.

We moved on to our safari in the Masaai Mara next. We went with Oltome Mara Magic. The price was one of the lowest for a mid-range tented camp safari, so we went with it. It ended up being a good experience. We were group with 2 guys – both from California, I think. One was a theology student in Nairobi and the other was his friend, a reverend or something, visiting. They were pretty nice guys. Almost every conversation they had with each other was about something to do with religion, but they didn’t insist on talking to us about religion at all, which was nice.
The drive from Nairobi to Narok was such a change from the last time I went on safari in the Masaai Mara (again in 1999). The highway is quite nice now and several hours are shaved off the trip. Included is the obligatory stop at one of the overlook areas along the Rift Valley with the gift shops. Didn’t mind though, because Mama Lucy packed us a big bottle of homemade passion fruit juice and it was very much time for a potty stop. The last bit of road after Narok (about 70km) is still seriously crappy though. That part took 1.5-2 hours. Bounce bounce bounce bounce, dust dust dust dust. Unfortunately, Scott had come down with a nasty cold (poor guy always manages to pick something up on airplanes), so he was struggling for a good portion of the safari. He’s a trooper though and still managed to have fun.

Camp was nice. Small – only 7 or 8 tents. We were the only 4 people there. Our tent was nice – big bed, decent bathroom, desk, table and chairs, lounge chair, porch with more chairs. Electricity and hot water only for a few hours a day in the morning and evening, but that’s all you need to recharge cameras and shower. Big difference from the last safari – regular tents with sleeping bags, pit toilets across the camp. A bit of a step up. Dinner in the main house. Also a bar there. A little weird with multiple people serving just 4 of us, but they were very nice.
On our first game drive, we watched a cheetah kill and impala for dinner. Kinda cool. Kinda creepy. We managed to get it on video.

The next day involved a drive all the way across the reserve to the Mara River for a picnic lunch by the hippos and crocodiles. Lots of lions, giraffes and elephants. Lots of baby lions. Beautiful day as well. (lots of other animals as well, of course). The one disappointment – despite looking for quite some time, our guide was unable to find a leopard. Thus, in 3 trips to Kenya, I have not seen a leopard in the wild.

We had one final game drive the next morning before breakfast. Very pretty sunrise. Not a whole lot of animals, but still worth going. Unfortunately, it was then my turn to get sick. Upset stomach and chills for the whole day, including the ride back. I blame it entirely on myself. I know better than to eat salad in Africa, but I was tired and hungry the day before and forgot to remind myself. I shall not be forgetting again.

We got back to Mama Lucy’s house in the mid-afternoon and repacked for the next adventure.