Into Africa

Day 17: Nakuru, Kenya

I finally made it to Kenya! The people here are incredibly warm and friendly. I had no problems finding my hostel in Nairobi and meeting up with my tour group. I have booked a 73-day overland truck tour from Nairobi to Cape Town with Oasis Overland. There are only 11 of us in the group now, but we will pick up more people when we return to Nairobi in a few weeks. The weather has been great, although we did get some rain. I just had my second night camping last night, and I'm starting to get a routine down. At our campsite on the shore of Lake Naivasha, we could hear hippos grunting during the night just feet from our tents. There is an electric fence between the campsite and the lake, but I wasn't entirely convinced that a couple of wires would keep out a 4,000 lb highly aggressive beast. In fact, the hippopotamus is the most dangerous animal in Africa.

Yesterday we toured the area around Lake Naivasha, viewing a huge flock of flamingos on nearby Lake Oloidien, and doing a game walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. I was able to see tons of zebras, giraffes, impalas, and other wildlife. Everyone has seen these animals at zoos, but it's so exciting seeing them in the unpredictability of the wild. I was able to approach within fifteen feet of a giraffe. I would elaborate more, but I am in an internet cafe and this computer is excruciatingly slow. I have to get going so I can buy some groceries before heading back to the Oasis truck.

A flock of lesser flamingos on Lake Oloidien near Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Impala sparring in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary near Lake Naivasha, Kenya

A reticulated giraffe and two Masai giraffes in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary near Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Three plains zebras in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary near Lake Naivasha, Kenya

The truck is awesome, by the way. It has open sides and two rows of seats that face each other. There is also an open area at the front called the "beach" with soft cushioning. It is an awesome feeling to just lounge up there with the refreshing wind blowing in my face and the gorgeous landscape of the rift valley spread out in front of me.

We are bush camping tonight (no facilities) and will be entering Uganda tomorrow. So far, Africa has been amazing, and I can't wait to see more!