2 August -- Nairobi to Amboseli (by Caroline)

We left Nairobi early this morning and flew thirty-five minutes to Amboseli National Park. This is the beginning of our Kenya itinerary. I had no idea that the 18 seat plane would actually be flying into the park with zebras and wildebeest all around us. The small airstrip is cleared of animals every time that a plane arrives or departs. We are staying in the beautiful Ol Tukai Lodge smack in the middle of the game park with Mt. Kilimanjaro and wild life outside our door. It is kind of odd but very cool. Ol Tukai is a Maasai word that means “palm tree.”

We had morning and afternoon game drives lead by a knowledgeable and superb driver, Lamomo, a Maasai. Amboseli National Park is surrounded by endless plains. The landscape is very flat and dry. Dust devils, created when hot and cold air meet, dot the horizon and look like little tornadoes dancing among the wild life. The roads in the park are in good shape and the ride is not so bumpy, but we are perpetually covered in a layer of dust. We saw some beautiful birds including a spectacular Saddle-bill and pairs of Crested Cranes that mate for life. We are very close to animals here and got especially close to a herd of elephants entering a swamp. These majestic giants migrate every morning to feed and share the wetland with cape buffaloes and hippos. It is one happy, all you can eat, salad bowl.

The late afternoon drive brought a sighting of a lioness and images of mixed herds of wild life. This is the first time we have seen so many animals co-existing together. We saw the elephants leave the swamp followed by wildebeest. The elephants were headed back to the forest for sleep and protection. It was a wonderful sight – elephants leaving the muddy waters and wildebeest following – all in several single file lines. Fascinating! Elephants are fast becoming my favorite game animal. There are over 1,300 elephants in Amboseli and can often be seen in large herds.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, over 19,338 feet, is Africa's highest peak. It is often shrouded in fog during this cool, dry season, but we are hoping to catch a glimpse before we leave. Roger swears he can feel Mt. Kili's presence, but David and I can only feel it's absence. After this exchange with Roger, David said to me, "Let's go pee, Caroline" and I responded "Then let's go shopping". We are all bonding in our own special ways. All of us are taking turns not feeling well today except Roger. He has a steel stomach I suppose.