Thursday, May 30, 2013

On safari: On the road to the Samburu Game Reserve

We left Aberdare National Park for a three-hour drive to Samburu Game Reserve. We'd been in lush green hills and were headed for a lower, drier, warmer elevation.

Our first stop was at the equator, where we were greeted by enthusiastic vendors beckoning us into their shacklike shops. I spent a few minutes with a man who showed me, from 20 meters north of the equator and then 20 meters south, how water swirls clockwise in one spot and counterclockwise in the other and not at all on the equator. I could have bought a certificate that I'd been there, but I gave him two dollars instead and thanked him for his demonstration. I knew this, but I'd never seen it demonstrated.



We stopped for lunch at Mt. Kenya Safari Club, quite an upscale resort where I enjoyed the lunch but felt gratitude we wouldn't be staying there. I'd need to be thinner and more elegant. Nearby was the William Holden Wildlife Education Center which includes an animal orphanage.

Gold crested crane (national bird of Uganda).


Lynx.



Can't remember the name, but it's related to the elephant! Ah, HYRAX!


Cheetah.

Porcupine.



Black and white colobus monkey.


We didn't get a picture of the bush pig who fostered an orphan warthog. The orphanage staff is looking for a mate for each of them.

We arrived at Samburu Intrepids Club at dusk. We'll be spending three nights, with time for game drives and some relaxation along the Uaso Nyiro River.











6 comments:

Chris Loehmer Kincaid said...

The rodent-like critter is a hyrax. Isn't it hard to believe they are more closely related to the elephant than to the gopher?

Linda Reeder said...

I'm glad you're not staying there either, if that resort made you feel like you didn't fit in. You are on safari. You don't need to look elegant. You came to see animals!

Simone said...

Wow those are cool animals!!! I am loving the pictures!

Perpetua said...

Sorry, I don't have much computer time at the moment, but these posts are fascinating. Super photos and it sounds like the trip of a lifetime.

Arkansas Patti said...

How neat to get up close and personal with the creatures.
BTW, I am really enjoying that live feed at the water hole. I check in now and then to see what is going on.

DJan said...

I am loving the animals and the pictures, too. I love that last one with your new "hat." :-)