Back to the beginning. . . . . . . . . . .

We're home again. 

Another long journey for the return. Left Nairobi at 11 PM, arriving at Heathrow, 

London 8 hours later just at sunrise. A layover of several hours prior to the

 almost 9 hour flight to Raleigh, arriving here at 2 pm.

Unpacked  and did a ton of laundry and odds and ends.

Now want to get going with posts and share so much more about this

 fabulous trip. . . . . . . . . . so I'll start at the beginning again, leaving Nairobi

in a small 12 seater prop plane, crossing the escarpment of the Rift Valley

and the flat bush plains, heading west.

Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya, is famous for having the world's

 only game reserve - Nairobi National Park - found within a major city. 

The name Nairobi comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nairobi, meaning

"cool water".  Situated at 5,889 ft above sea level, it is 87 miles south of the equator.

 This city with a population of approx. 4 million, has changed so much since its

 founding in 1899 by the colonial authorities in British East Africa as a rail depot

 on the Uganda Railway. During Kenya's colonial period, the city became a center

 for the colony's coffee, tea and sisal industry.

After the fun visit to the Giraffe Center and Karen Blixen House
both just outside the city, we were driven to the small Wilson Airport for the
 hour long flight to the Maasai Mara and our camp named Mara Plains.

This was the airstrip for our camp - just a flat area of bush on the top of a plateau. (This

 plane was actually ours landing to pick us up when we left).  Pilot, co-pilot, 12 passengers

 and a stack of duffel bags and back packs, with several flights coming and going daily 

back and forth to Nairobi.

Our friend Paula, and guide Tirian, met us for the drive to camp, Paula having arrived

 earlier in the day from her side trip to the Mt. Kilimanjaro region. I thought I had

 ridden over some pretty rough roads in my life, especially on former trips to Africa,

 but the road to the camp was even rougher. 

That big safari modified Toyota Land Cruiser really took a beating on the

 ride. . . . . . . . and all the others in the days ahead!

All I can say is, someone was looking out for me and my back, Bob's too, and we

 survived the rocks, gullies, boulders, river crossings (not a bridge to be seen!) hills,

 valleys etc., with dear Tirian calling out H.O.T. - hang on tight - so we were prepared

 when the roller coaster rides became unbelievably tough.

On the ride to camp that late afternoon we were thrilled to see animals immediately.

The fighting pair of Hartebeest (above) was amazing, it was over territory - and

 thankfully it was not 'to the death'. Eventually they ran off, a little bloody and very tired.

Paula and Tirian tricked us by saying they knew we were hoping to see

 the Great Wildebeest Migration, which this year has been unusually late

 due to the grassy areas remaining green because of rain.  Before cresting a hill
 they said we may just see a few, but suddenly the plains surrounding us came
 into view and there were hundreds of thousands of those odd looking animals
 (also known as the Gnu) everywhere, it was amazing.

  Did we see one of those long-awaited river crossings?  I'll keep you guessing for
 a little while!

 Wildebeest and Hartebeest - living in harmony.

As we reached camp the sun was low in the sky and our beautiful accommodation was

awaiting us - more on this with pics later.

. . . . . . . . and the sunset was perfect over the bush with a visiting lion to liven up

 the scene. What an amazing evening to get settled in, meet the staff, kick off

 the dusty boots and relax.

Daytime on safari is full and exceptionally busy, a lot of energy is required.

 The evenings are all about what was viewed during the daylight hours, sipping

 drinks and enjoying a tasty dinner.