Three Days at Lake Nakuru

Up early (5 am) Fri June 20^th, we all packed in to the van including Dr Stanley’s team, for the drive to the Kisumu airport.  Fran, Ruth and Rosemarie met up with Jennifer and Pat for the short flight to Nairobi.  Luckliy we were met by two drivers and vehicles for the trip to Lake Nakuru for a couple of days of R&R.  We were driven by Samson and midway we ran into problems with the car.  The 3 of us then bundled in to the van with Pat & Jennifer, leaving Samson to wait for Jackson to arrive and then go on to fix the car.  Began to see animals as we approached Lake Nakuru National Park including baboons, zebra and gazelles.  We finally arrived at the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, a beautiful oasis of lovely gardens and buildings.  Rooms were quite luxurious as opposed to previous accommodation and hot water was much appreciated.  Meals served in a large dining room.  We sat around a bonfire and watched native dancers and then went in to an excellent supper.  Mosquito netting around the beds was very inventive, on tracks and didn’t make you fight with them trying to get out of bed.  Getting caught up in the netting has proved quite amusing at times over the trip.

Vehicle Breakdown.

Piling into van with Jennifer, Pat and Michael (driver, known
as a speed demon!!!)

Entering Lake Nakuru National Park,

famous for it's flamingos,

however flooding over the past few years has severely reduced
their population here, as their food supply has diminished.

Wonderful lodge, in the Sarova chain.

Our cabins.

Innovative mosquito netting.

Innovative bird feeder at the lodge, hollowed out log.

Up early Sat June 21^st for a hearty breakfast with many choices.  We were then met by Jackson and in to the van for our first game drive.  Weather was overcast with sporadic rain, but not a deterrent.  Saw many animals-zebra, gazelles, water buffalo, baboons, monkeys, black rhino, a large group of giraffe and flamingos.  Also saw lions who had made a kill overnight.  One of the lions was protecting the carcass from two jackels and buzzards, who were lurking nearby.   Visited Baboon Cliff where we met up with Jennifer and Pat.  Prior to getting up the hill we heard screaming on the two way radio, and Ruth said she wondered where that was coming from.  In fact a very aggressive baboon had jumped in to Pat & Jennifer’s van through the open top and they were terrified.  He was obviously looking for food, of which there thankfully was none, and gradually left the way he had come in.  The girls were left shaking for quite some time.  After the game drive we arrived back for a late lunch and rest, followed by a glass of wine and another generous 

dinner.

Lioness guarding kill, with jackel behind.

Other two lioness' lounging around, while their sister was
hard at work.

Bad, bad Baboon!!!!!!!!

Came across a group of twenty giraffe, they couldn't wait to
move away.

Rhino, very solitary animals.

Up very early, Sun June 22^nd, for another game drive, this time taking another route within the park.  Again saw hundreds of animals of all varieties.  We came across three lions sleeping, and waited quite some time to see if they would raise their heads.  Finally the two females raised their heads to see what the noise was about and then the magnificent male roused.  Later in the drive we came upon white rhino, at a very close distance.  Usually they are lying down or quite far away, being very solitary creatures.  Rosemarie and Ruth spent the afternoon by the pool, Fran having come down with the usual GI upset.  Enjoyed another marvellous evening and then off to bed.

Beautiful birds.

Our group on game drive.

Crown prince.

Finally this gentleman raised his head!!!!!