Started this day by rising at 5:00 AM and setting off shortly after on our day long (emphasis on long) trip through the Great Rift Valley and onwards to Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is only about 160 kilometers from Nairobi and the add on to where we started would make it close to 200. This translates to about about a 3-1/2 hour trip with traffic, diversions and sometimes quite terrible roads.
The road climbs quite rapidly after leaving Nairobi topping out at about 8,000 feet above sea level. En route there were probably about 8 police check points...most of which we were waved through. One we were waved to the side of the road and when the policeman checked Pauls Kenya drivers license decided that his signature was partially obscured by a red mark which occured when the license was wet and the outer color bled through. He eventually was satisifed and we were allowed to continue our journey. We stopped enroute at a scenic overlook and took some pictures and video of the rift valley including the semi active volcano Mt. Longonot a mountain that I had climbed in my youth. The road continued past Lake Naivaisha and Lake Elemtitia finallly depositing us in Nakuru Town and thence the National Park.
After paying gate fees we entered the park with high expectations and were not disappointed, as we found a Spotted Hyena who cooperated with some photogenic poses. On just a bit and fairly large herd of Cape Buffalo and in their midst a White Rhino. Out to the edge of the lake for a close look at some of the spectacular bird life including Greater Flamingo, Sacred Ibis, Great White Pelican and many more. Lots of plains game, a scenic overlook, lots of dust and we decided to stop for lunch at one of the local lodges. The price seemed a bit steep Ksh 1800 which translates to about $25.00. Anyway, we were hungry and it was a buffet style with Beef, Red Snapper, Turkey with cranberry sauce as well as many different types of vegetables. There was also a fresh pasta bar where your pasta with choice of sauce was prepared by a chef, a portion just for you. Then there was a dessert table with tons of fresh fruit as well as several pastries (8 or9). Finally a cheese platter with about 6 different Kenya cheeses & crackers. Did I mention fresh dinner rolls, some sprinkled with parmesian cheese? Maybe $25 was not so bad after all.
After lunch another hour or so of game viewing. Actually I nearly forgot, shortly before lunch we saw a pair of lionesses sacked out under a tree. Not very good for photographs, but nice to see them. We also saw two additional rhino in a muddy water hole just cooling off. Then off for our return to Nairobi. All in all a very satisfying trip even though much of it was spent on the road. Glad to have a day of Sabbath rest for tomorrow.
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