Nairobi Kenya, Nairobi Area, Kenya9/18 Zurich - Long day today for the trip to Nairobi. Woke up at 5 am; left hotel at 7. Arrived at airport two hours ahead of flight. There were no people in line and going through security was very easy.
8-hour flight on Swiss Air. Even the food was pretty good--snack, then lunch (pasta or chicken), & then dinner (pizza and ice cream)
8-hour flight on Swiss Air. Even the food was pretty good--snack, then lunch (pasta or chicken), & then dinner (pizza and ice cream)
NAIROBI
Arrived on time. Big thanks to African Adventure Company, who arranged our safari in Kenya and made our arrival so easy.
A girl from Airport Services with sign for us walked us through visa and customs to baggage, which took a while. She walked us to James, the driver/guide from Emakoko, where we are staying. James, the driver/guide from Emakoko met us at the airport.
"Jambo" (hello in Swahili)
A girl from Airport Services with sign for us walked us through visa and customs to baggage, which took a while. She walked us to James, the driver/guide from Emakoko, where we are staying. James, the driver/guide from Emakoko met us at the airport.
"Jambo" (hello in Swahili)
Drive from the airport to the resort was about 45-minutes. By this time it was dark, and it was sort of scary when we turned off the main highway onto a very rutty dirt road.
A bit surprised coming to an armed guard at the locked entrance gate of the Nairobi National Park. The Lodge we're staying borders the park. No problem through; he opened the gate Wow, exciting driving through the park at night on the way to the lodge. Saw several giraffes that turned their heads and looked directly at us. Our first game drive and animal sightings!
A bit surprised coming to an armed guard at the locked entrance gate of the Nairobi National Park. The Lodge we're staying borders the park. No problem through; he opened the gate Wow, exciting driving through the park at night on the way to the lodge. Saw several giraffes that turned their heads and looked directly at us. Our first game drive and animal sightings!
EMAKOKO - Totally blown away by the Emakoko and the welcome!
Anton, the delightful owner, and about five staff lined up to greet us with wet towels and a drink. This magnificent lodge borders the Nairobi National Park.
ROOM was in a separate building with a spectacular view from the cliff overlooking the valley. The luxury was so much more than expected.
Anton, the delightful owner, and about five staff lined up to greet us with wet towels and a drink. This magnificent lodge borders the Nairobi National Park.
ROOM was in a separate building with a spectacular view from the cliff overlooking the valley. The luxury was so much more than expected.
Since we arrived so late, everyone else had already finished dinner. The food was like going to a gourmet restaurant--mouthwatering good.
A perfect place to begin an African Safari!! So glad we spent two nights here.
A perfect place to begin an African Safari!! So glad we spent two nights here.
9/19
MORNING GAME DRIVE - NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
James, the guide, was wonderful!!! He made the game drives so enjoyable with his quiet manner. Can't believe he showed us so many animals this close to Nairobi.
James' explanations of things we saw were always so interesting.
- East African Ostrich-the neck is pink; male is black/white
-Baby Giraffe 3-4 months old with hair on top of its ears. The hair will disappear on males; this is the time they start fighting (called necking) and will join a bachelor group.
James' explanations of things we saw were always so interesting.
- East African Ostrich-the neck is pink; male is black/white
-Baby Giraffe 3-4 months old with hair on top of its ears. The hair will disappear on males; this is the time they start fighting (called necking) and will join a bachelor group.
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SHELDRICK ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE in time for the feeding that takes place from 11:30-12:30 each day. Really something special to be so close to these baby elephants, most of whose mothers were killed by poachers. They run in from the bush to their handler for a bottle. So much fun watching them playing, especially the one with the shovel as its toy.
SHELDRICK ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE in time for the feeding that takes place from 11:30-12:30 each day. Really something special to be so close to these baby elephants, most of whose mothers were killed by poachers. They run in from the bush to their handler for a bottle. So much fun watching them playing, especially the one with the shovel as its toy.
- FACTS about the the orphanage: Established in 1977, the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage is a small, flexible charity that rescues and rehabilitates orphaned baby elephants. When the calves are strong enough, they are gradually introduced to Tsavo National Park to the David Sheldrick elephant sanctuary. The younger the orphans can be exposed to older elephants in the sanctuary, the easier the learning and transition back into the wild system will be. Therefore, most calves can feasibly be introduced to the sanctuary between the ages of six to eleven years old.
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GAME DRIVE on the way back to the Emakoko for lunch
Weaver (such a pretty green with yellow belly), Dark-Chanting Goosehawk, and quite a few other beautiful birds that were very difficult to photograph.
Weaver (such a pretty green with yellow belly), Dark-Chanting Goosehawk, and quite a few other beautiful birds that were very difficult to photograph.
Can't believe how many animals we saw.
So strange to be among all the wildlife with the Nairobi skyscrapers looming in the distance.
So strange to be among all the wildlife with the Nairobi skyscrapers looming in the distance.
LATE AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE
Lois had a major migraine and didn't go. Lucky Randy, he saw a Lion plus lots more.
Lois had a major migraine and didn't go. Lucky Randy, he saw a Lion plus lots more.
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9/20 Flying to the next camp today. 6 am wakeup with coffee and light breakfast brought to the room.
Had to leave early in order to get to the Wilson Airport because the Nairobi traffic is so horrible this time of day. Stop & go entire way.
James drove us to airport, and we were sorry to say good bye to this delightful young man who introduced us to the African wildlife.
When the airport weighed our bags, they said we were 20# over (at home they were 7# over). Paid $48 extra so we didn't have to leave anything here.
Flew in a 12-seater plane with only five other people.
9/20 Flying to the next camp today. 6 am wakeup with coffee and light breakfast brought to the room.
Had to leave early in order to get to the Wilson Airport because the Nairobi traffic is so horrible this time of day. Stop & go entire way.
James drove us to airport, and we were sorry to say good bye to this delightful young man who introduced us to the African wildlife.
When the airport weighed our bags, they said we were 20# over (at home they were 7# over). Paid $48 extra so we didn't have to leave anything here.
Flew in a 12-seater plane with only five other people.
2025-05-22