August 2013 – RosandDensTravels

Amboseli to Maasai Mara

The drive to the airports are a mini game drive and this time was no exception. On the way we spotted amongst many animals, a massive African Rock Python crossing the road. This did delay us a fair bit so our driver received a call from the airport to see where we were. The was there so it was a mad dash to the plane where we were driven straight to it, no security or baggage checks, just straight on board. The only way to fly. There were 4 on board and the hour flight was very smooth with a young guy at the controls. The airport was very busy when we arrived and we were met by our new guide called Moses. On our way to Rekero Camp we were lucky enough to spot a leopard. The camp is situated on the Telac River with great viewing of a crossing just down stream and an altitude of 2500 mtrs. The Mara is known as home to the cats and we were not disappointed. We saw Rhino, Hippos, Cheetahs, Lioness with cubs and the male as well. You very rarely see the male with the others, only at feeding and mating. The lioness does the killing and looking after the cubs. There were also plenty of Zebra, wildebeest, Giraffe, Elephants, Antelopes, large birds like the Malibu Stork,Secretary Bird, Egyptian Geese and the clean up crew which include Jackals, hyaenas and vultures, to mention a few.

Friday 9 Aug – Up at 4.15 for our 1 1/2 hell ride to the balloon launch pad. It lasted 75 minutes over the plains where we had a birds eye view of a lion feasting on a wildebeest, a giraffe and her baby to mention a few. After the mandatory champagne breakfast we traveled via the Mara River and right on kew witnessed a crossing. It started with 2 wildebeest plunging off a 50 foot cliff to survive and then swim the river. The others found an easier way and they all made it safely across, much to everyones excitement. We arrived back to camp in time for lunch. Ros spent the very hot afternoon under trees overlooking the comings and goings of the crossing near camp before a gully raker cooled us down and freshened the place up. On the dive that afternoon we saw a Rhino crossing over the plain, a Cheetah that just killed a little Thompson Gazelle and a lone lioness with 3 little clubs. By this time it was very late and she was looking for a safe camp for the night.
Saturday 10 Aug – We woke to elephants feeding on the other side of the river then not long after that a Leopard walked along the river bank. Breakfast was had on the lawn overlook P1020717 ing the river while a bunch of mongoose cruised by. The parade never ends. Christine arrived at 10 to take us to Naboisho camp which took 3 1/2 hours. The road was very rough and we passed by many Maasai villages. We arrived for a late lunch and time to catch our breathe for our afternoon game drive which also turned out to be a sundowner as well. We spent a fair bit of time watching a pride of lions play and generally resting before the nights activities. The next morning it was an early start to catch up on the lions and came across then feeding on a wildebeest. The males had already eaten and were on there way to rest for the day much to the horror of all the gazelles and other prey in the general area. It was Ros’s birthday and we went to the camp fire to watch the sun go down and had drinks with the manager as most of the camp were still out on their afternoon drive. As we were heading off to dinner with everyone else we were headed off back to our tent for a special birthday bash, complete with champagne and cake, it was beautifully done. Ros was very touched by the whole event and we had a great night. Unfortunately we are at 35000 ft on our way back home and am unable to upload pics, I will however do it when we arrive back home.

Onward to Amboseli and Tortillas Camp

Another early start. Most days in the bush start around 5.30 to 6, in order to catch the animals munching on their overnight kills. A nice casual trip to Amboseli turned out to be a hell of a day. The road was a mess most of the way and took 8 hours. We were very warmly welcomed at one of the best places we had stayed, to be told that we were leaving on our first game drive in 1 hour. It lasted 2 1/2 hours which made it a big day. Very cold and plenty to see, our guide Joseph was fantastic and made a long day very worth while. The next day 2 more drive starting with a bush breakfast and a trip to a Maasai village. Our last day finished with what is known as sundowners. This is where they take you to the highest and most scenic spot to watch the sun go down over a few bevies, very congenial.

Ros and another member of our party with Maasai women

Ros with Maasai women after she had a little dance lesson

Maasai hut made out of twigs and cow manure

Bargaining a reasonable price for our desert treasures

Mother and baby having lunch

Cheetah resting after a kill. They have explosive speed on a pursuit and take a while to get their breathe back

Kenya – Black Spots and Black Dots

Communication in this part of the world is at best, hopeless and a part of the trip which had more adventure to talk about. After an email to the boss at Rawandair about our treatment at Jo’berg and the lost bag, we were treated to the business lounge at Kigali before we boarded our flight to Nairobi in business class. On arrival we were picked up by our driver and taken to the hotel. The trip to the hotel took 2 1/2 hours in peak hour, a trip any other time would have been 20 minutes. The hotel was in the middle of town and under heavy security with large gardens and a country feel about it. The next day we were picked up by Ken to take us anywhere we wanted to. We visited Karen Blixen’s house (Out Of Africa) before the bead & pottery factory and then a lovely lunch. Dinner that night was with out travel agent from Nairobi with his mum and brother, who owned the restaurant. Saturday 3 August – Nairobi to Ngorogoro Crater. The day turned out to be an epic trip. Late departure out of Wilson airport for Kilimanjaro we were met and whisked through customs and escorted to our waiting plane for Arusha. We were the only passengers on a 12 seat Cessna with a local at the wheel, who started the take off on the taxi way. It was the best roll start I have ever seen. The flight was short and on arrival we were transferred on the tarmac to our final flight to Lake Manyara. The pilot was this gorgeous 23 year old German woman called Hanna, the plane was choka and she dropped us in on a dirt uphill strip like a true professional. Our guide Samson picked us up for the 2 1/2 trip up to the Crater. The roads were horrendous and as it was late in the afternoon we were meeting all the traffic coming out of the crater. There were many near misses. We finally arrived at Lamala our first of many tented nights. A few drinks around the fire before the whole camp dined on one big table. The next morning was an early start and we were the first into the crater. We had breakfast with the hippos and were fortunate to see a Rhino very close. It was not as good as we expected but was still very enjoyable with plenty of animals. That afternoon we did a bush walk with a local Maasai ranger.

Ros and in front of the Karen Blixen House

Our pilot Hanna talking to two elderly admirers

Bush breakfast with the Hippos Ngorongoro crater

Vic Falls to Kigali

It was good to farewell Victoria Falls, we had seen most of the attractions and we found the Zimbabweans the unhappiest of the people so far. We meet more people from Rovos on the flight to Jo’berg and finally farewelled them. The hotel was right at the airport and very handy for our overnight stay. The airport was very confusing and as we had an early start the next morning with taxes to claim we had a dry run before dinner. The next morning it was up at 5 for the long haul to the gorilla camp in Rwanda. We arrived without my luggage which had most of our cold weather hiking gear in. We were an hour late and we had a 3 1/2 road trip to the mountain. The lodge was fantastic and we were pampered like never before, to the point that every time we entered our beautiful cabin the fire had just been lit. The afternoon talks in the lounge around the fireplace were very interesting with everyone swopping stories from the days activities. The next morning with borrowed clothes we set off early in search for the mountain gorillas. Unfortunately there was a little rain at the start but fined up for the main event. We spent over an hour with them before the trek back down and back to the lodge. After dining out dressed in some of Ros’s clothes, the bag arrived that night just in time for our next leg to Nairobi. Sorry about the photos, but could not upload with shaky reception for Wi Fi here overlooking Mt Kilimanjaro.