Oct. 13, 2010
Wed.
Left Amboseli Porini Camp and boarded a 1995, 12 seat, Caravan Cessna. The co- pilot seat was empty and I asked to sit there, “ no problem” the pilot said.
I was greeted by Samburu tribe members in traditional dress. They are still semi nomadic and similar to the Masai warriors as they are strongly connected to their traditions and culture.
We drove two hours to Saruni Lodge with 2 elderly couples from Belgium.
We arrived and I was brought to my villa!! It is a 5 star deluxe grand home. It is over the top in every way. Two large separate bedrooms with 2 outside showers, living room dining room combo, all room open to the outside with decks. Furnished elegantly with wrought iron, wood, hand woven carpets, leather studded tables etc…The Power in the camp is generated by solar panels. There is a swimming pool and Spa, one complimentary massage per room. In the evenings the rooms are prepared and the screens are pulled down to enclose all the rooms. Large mosquito nets hang over the king size bed.
The vistas are breathtaking. We are perched on top of a mountain with all round views of Northern Kenya.
The land is owned by the Kalama Wildlife Conservancy in 240,000 acres and is 3 miles from the Samburu National Reserve, an elephant sanctuary.
After a wonderful lunch with delicious African red wine we were off for our first game drive…it was THE most amazing day… There we were in the middle of the reserve our guide, Sam, points to 3 female lions resting under a flat top Acacia tree. We sat and observed them for sometime. Sam reads their body language and says they are getting ready for a kill. What an experience!! This was survival at its best. As we watched and positioned the opened sided jeep the suspense was incredible. As the 3 females positioned themselves around a family of warthogs, timed it just so and then went in for the kill… It was extraordinary. We had front row seats as I barely took my finger off the shutter release of my camera. Just as the 3 females were enjoying their conquest, a male lion runs in a steals the dying warthog.
On safari people talk about the big 5, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. I am just shy of the leopard. Heard it just have not seen it. “No worries,” as the Brits say. I have one more week.
The Samburu 5 are zebra, giraffe, gerenuk, Oryx, and the ostrich……check!
It is now Thursday. Went for a hike this morning. Relaxed…. it is now just about time for my massage…bye for now…..
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