What an amazing and unique experience. After spending the first few weeks in Nairobi, it was also crazy to see how "un-African" going on Safari felt, yet the whole time I was here it was the first time I actually felt like I was IN Africa. Our guide (Ochieng through Tekko Tours) was absolutely amazing. My roomies (Vanessa, Gretchen, Danielle and Allison) and I were in one of the safari vans together and we got to see Hyena's and two Lions and a cheetah eating their prey. We also got to see elephants playing in the rain against the backdrop of the first African sunset I have seen. It's been amazing. This morning we went on a 6AM drive and saw a family of 11 lions playing together (well the dad, wasn't but the rest were). We watched them for about 10 minutes. That, mixed with the amazing sunset last night made me understand why people travel across the world to be here.
Animals we saw today:
Warthog, Water Buffalo, Gazelle, Dik-dik, Hyena, Wildebeest, Hippo, Leopard, Cheetah, Giraffe, Lion, Lioness, Elephant, Jackal, Vulture, Secretary bird, Antelope, baby Elephants & Lions, Ostrich, Thompson Gazelle, Impala's, Zebra, Lilac Breasted-badup-badup-dah-da (sometimes it is very difficult to understand what he is saying).
The Ochieng Facts:
"When we are on safari we are on a game drive. It is called a game drive because it is a game. Sometimes the animals win, sometimes we do."
"Buffalo heard in 2 groups, the bachelor group and the family group. The bachelor group are older males who rarely move around."
"Elephants life expectancy is longer than that of the Kenyan's."
"The "Secretary" bird walks around like a secretary in heals wearing black trousers, a gray blouse and a nice hairdo."
"Elephants moan for 1 week when one of their own dies."
As a lioness is approaching our van "Don't worry it won't kill you."
"Rhino's are very elusive, have poor eyesight and we will not see one."
"When god was creating the animals the Wildebeest got the leftovers. The hind legs of a Hyena, the head of a horse and horns of a cow."
I heard you saw a herd!
ReplyDelete1434!
so jealous.
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ReplyDelete"badup-badup-dah-da" — Those must have been the fireworks going off. ;)
ReplyDeleteBut, seriously, what a vivid description you're sharing of your experience. Thanks for letting us travel along with you.
Dad... Thanks for paying attention.
ReplyDeleteAaron, I would have LOVED to have had your camera! MY pictures are terrible!
Rob, thanks for following!
i can't believe all the lions you saw! that's awesome.
ReplyDeleteBadup-dah-da...! Oh that made me laugh so hard! Wait till mom gets back from China and reads this; she'll know exactly what that lilac breasted thingamagijig whichamacalit is... Haha!
ReplyDeleteScary lion...can't believe you got that close! I would be peeing in my pants. What an amazing trip, love reading all your posts. We missed you today celebrating the 4th but it looks like you're doing just fine:-) Xox
ReplyDeleteYou actually took those pictures! They are amazing! You could sell them to a postcard company and be rich!
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