Samburu, Kenya, Samburu, KenyaMORNING GAME DRIVE: This morning two other people were in the truck--a lady and her 24-year old son from New York city. We like it much better when it's just with Michael and Johnathan.
--Elephants right next to jeep - leader of group tagged with neck collar
--Ostrich - beautiful male black/white fluffed out tail
--Cheetah - had a hurt foot and looked very skinny. Michael notified the rangers.
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--Ostrich - beautiful male black/white fluffed out tail
--Cheetah - had a hurt foot and looked very skinny. Michael notified the rangers.
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Breakfast by river--sausage, eggs, fruit, pancakes--delicious!
--Vervet Monkeys in the tree nearby. So much fun watching their antics
--Vervet Monkeys in the tree nearby. So much fun watching their antics
--Elephants with the baby crossing the river
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GAME DRIVE CONTINUES
--Leopard - first time seeing one; so thrilling. As the leopard walked, Michael kept moving the truck so we were able to get great views. What a beautiful animal.
--Quite a few Giraffes by the water. Interesting to see how they have to spread their front legs enabling them to get a drink.
--Leopard - first time seeing one; so thrilling. As the leopard walked, Michael kept moving the truck so we were able to get great views. What a beautiful animal.
--Quite a few Giraffes by the water. Interesting to see how they have to spread their front legs enabling them to get a drink.
***** This area is noted for the SAMBURU 5 (instead of the Big 5): *****
species that are rare and endemic to the Samburu ecosystem. Saw all five all
ORYX: One of the most elegant antelopes. The Bisa Oryx has black markings around its face, flanks and upper legs resemble the body patterns of a traditional dancer. Both males and females have long, slender horns that are dangerous weapons when put to use.
species that are rare and endemic to the Samburu ecosystem. Saw all five all
ORYX: One of the most elegant antelopes. The Bisa Oryx has black markings around its face, flanks and upper legs resemble the body patterns of a traditional dancer. Both males and females have long, slender horns that are dangerous weapons when put to use.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE: InKenya only found in northern part. The most distinctive of the 8 giraffe subspecies with the big blocks resembling a net.
GREVY'S ZEBRA: Different from the Plains Zebra. The black and white vertical stripes are much narrower and persist until above the hind legs where a chevron pattern occurs. The horizontal stripes on the legs remain distinct all the way down to the hooves, and the tall, upright mane is also striped in a pattern that continues on from the neck. A wide black stripe along the back is very distinctive and is bordered by white on the rump. The muzzle is tan-colored muzzle with white edges. The large, rounded ears have one thick black stripe on the back with white tips.)
GERENUK: Long-neck antelope; so weird seeing them stand on their two hind legs for a long time eating the tree leaves.
SOMALI OSTRICH: Blue legs and neck. Male is beautiful black/white with a fluffed out white feathered tail.
*****
This is a fantastic park with the river attracting so many animals in close proximity. The cheetah, elephants, and giraffes really cooperated and were near the road every day.
This is a fantastic park with the river attracting so many animals in close proximity. The cheetah, elephants, and giraffes really cooperated and were near the road every day.
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NGUTUK VILLAGE 5:00
Michael and Johnathan drove us to this Samburu village. Michael translated so we were able to ask questions and communicate.
The women and children came out to greet us putting a necklace around Lois and inviting her to dance with them. They look stunning with their traditional bright red material and multi-beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Jonathan even took the video camera and filmed. They love looking at the pictures and videos of themselves (they have no mirrors).
The women and children came out to greet us putting a necklace around Lois and inviting her to dance with them. They look stunning with their traditional bright red material and multi-beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Jonathan even took the video camera and filmed. They love looking at the pictures and videos of themselves (they have no mirrors).
SAMBURU PEOPLE are closely related to the Maasai. They are known for their traditionalist lifestyle, which includes religious beliefs, rituals, and tribal clothing all largely unchanged by Western influences. Traditionally men look after the cattle and are responsible for the safety of the tribe. Women are in charge of gathering roots and vegetables, tending to children, collecting water, making the huts, and taking care of the home.
ANIMALS are extremely important to the village. The goats were herded into their pens by the boys in charge of them. In addition to goats, cattle, sheep, and camels are of utmost importance to their culture and way of life; cattle equates to wealth.
HUTS called Manyattas are made with sticks, mud, and dung. A fire is built in the center between the mother's and children's areas. A thorny fence surrounds the village huts for protections from wild animals. They do sometimes move their huts when they have to go to a different location for grazing the animals.
ANIMALS are extremely important to the village. The goats were herded into their pens by the boys in charge of them. In addition to goats, cattle, sheep, and camels are of utmost importance to their culture and way of life; cattle equates to wealth.
HUTS called Manyattas are made with sticks, mud, and dung. A fire is built in the center between the mother's and children's areas. A thorny fence surrounds the village huts for protections from wild animals. They do sometimes move their huts when they have to go to a different location for grazing the animals.
FOOD: Their daily food is usually tea or milk, and sometimes blood from their cows. Maybe porridge in the morning; usually only one meal during the day. Roots, vegetables, and tubers might be made into a soup. Meat is only for special occasions.
CHURCH & SCHOOL: The church and school are down the road; Sunday no kids. Children go to school M-F from 8-5 until 8th grade except the boys that attend the animals. The school is extremely basic; sayings written on the chalkboards very inspirational. Most do not continue their education because it's extremely expensive unless they get a scholarship. There is a Christian church; they combine Christianity with their culture, such as sacrificing a goat if there is a severe drought. They are polygamists and each wife has her own hut. Whatever hut the man is staying in that night, a spear is put outside so the children know to go stay in one of the other wives' huts.
Interesting seeing the school house and its very basic room.
Interesting seeing the school house and its very basic room.
WARRIORS: We also learned so much about this ancient culture from asking Michael and Jonathan a thousand questions about life as a warrior. When a boy reaches the age of 15, he becomes a warrior. His mother fixes him meat and that is the last time a woman can see a warrior eat. The warriors all eat together in the bush. They are warriors until the age of 30. Johnathan is going to be married soon; parents arrange the marriage and agree on the dowry--usually an agreed upon number of cows are given to the girl's father.
These warriors were not inside the village. We encountered them along the road going to and from the game reserve.
One of the reasons we came here was to learn more about the local culture. This was a wonderful, worthwhile visit. A highlight of the trip!
These warriors were not inside the village. We encountered them along the road going to and from the game reserve.
One of the reasons we came here was to learn more about the local culture. This was a wonderful, worthwhile visit. A highlight of the trip!
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Dinner at the lodge--Steak--yum! New arrivals were an interesting couple from Australia; retired from the British Royal Navy and loves American history. Great fun; lots of laughs.
The Genet came again for it's dinner.
The Genet came again for it's dinner.
2025-05-22