The hippos failed to keep me awake, despite their best efforts and it is birdsong which wakes me with the dawn. Today we have a lie in, a leisurely cooked breakfast and a gentle amble in nearby Hells Gate National Park, walking with the animals.
Breakfast heaven IS scrambled egg on buttered fried bread. Then we’re off in our little matuto. First stop is the lake, where we see Greater and Lesser Flamingo (guess which is biggest). We approach slowly to get as close as possible without disturbing them. Then 2 more matutos arrive, their passengers discharge and rush over to the lakeside, forcing the flamingo to take flight immediately. Thanks guys. We, at least, got some great pictures.
Then we head off to the Park itself. As we pull into the park, there are buffalo and zebras only a few metres away. Walking between the acacia trees, there is a herd of impala just hanging out under one particular tree. Behind, some dikdiks scatter as they hear our footsteps. The colours and the image is surreal. I feel like we’re in some sort of Disney movie and Bambi is just about to appear.
Zebras and Thomson gazelle wander past in groups and pairs, the foals prancing and posing for the cameras, less than 20m away. Exiting the trees for some scrubland we suddenly spot 2 young male giraffe peering at us between the trees, less than 10m from us. They stare at us and blink with those big doe eyes before casually tearing another branch from the tree next to them. They wander round, occasionally sparring necks with each other before resuming their munching.
We stroll around the park, just enjoying the close proximity of the animals and then up a hill, scrambling up a little rock at the top. From the top we have a fantastic view over the Green Crater Lake and the fancy lodge accommodation on the other side. The trees on the hillside frame the picture perfectly.
Scrambling down the hillside track we walk round the lake to the lodge, keeping our eyes peeled for the lonely old hippo which had wandered there accidently recently and hasn’t found his way back home.
Back in the matuto and I’m looking forward to a lazy afternoon back at the campsite and some evening fun down in the bar. What a bunch of lightweights. Three days into the trip and we’re all knackered and in bed by 11pm. All except Irish John, who ends up partying the night away with the locals down the disco.
Breakfast heaven IS scrambled egg on buttered fried bread. Then we’re off in our little matuto. First stop is the lake, where we see Greater and Lesser Flamingo (guess which is biggest). We approach slowly to get as close as possible without disturbing them. Then 2 more matutos arrive, their passengers discharge and rush over to the lakeside, forcing the flamingo to take flight immediately. Thanks guys. We, at least, got some great pictures.
Then we head off to the Park itself. As we pull into the park, there are buffalo and zebras only a few metres away. Walking between the acacia trees, there is a herd of impala just hanging out under one particular tree. Behind, some dikdiks scatter as they hear our footsteps. The colours and the image is surreal. I feel like we’re in some sort of Disney movie and Bambi is just about to appear.
Zebras and Thomson gazelle wander past in groups and pairs, the foals prancing and posing for the cameras, less than 20m away. Exiting the trees for some scrubland we suddenly spot 2 young male giraffe peering at us between the trees, less than 10m from us. They stare at us and blink with those big doe eyes before casually tearing another branch from the tree next to them. They wander round, occasionally sparring necks with each other before resuming their munching.
We stroll around the park, just enjoying the close proximity of the animals and then up a hill, scrambling up a little rock at the top. From the top we have a fantastic view over the Green Crater Lake and the fancy lodge accommodation on the other side. The trees on the hillside frame the picture perfectly.
Scrambling down the hillside track we walk round the lake to the lodge, keeping our eyes peeled for the lonely old hippo which had wandered there accidently recently and hasn’t found his way back home.
Back in the matuto and I’m looking forward to a lazy afternoon back at the campsite and some evening fun down in the bar. What a bunch of lightweights. Three days into the trip and we’re all knackered and in bed by 11pm. All except Irish John, who ends up partying the night away with the locals down the disco.
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