Elephants - and elephant babies

Sunday 23rd June

Trying to fit some time into the day for writing this blog is a bit of a challenge. So much happening.

We are a group of 6 – nice size. There are Lyn and Ross from Perth, and Bruce and Boris from  Halifax, nova Scotia. We seem to have blended really well – all of similar age. Our guide and driver is Antony – he is wonderful; so knowledgeable about his  country and the wildlife.

Yesterday started with a game drive in Nairobi national Park which was only about 10 minutes from the hotel. We had fantastic sightings of rhinoceros  - both white and black. Only one black rhinoceros  seen – the black rhinoceros is endangered. We also saw ostrich, giraffe, impala, crocodiles and lots of birds. We made sure we were headed to the Sheldrick wildlife trust in time to see the orphan elephants getting their bottles. First though was a tiny rhinoceros who had been rescued after being attacked by hyena. Lot of injuries requiring multiple surgeries but now on the mend and starting to grow. So cute to watch him following his keeper (mum) around.

This was the little rescued rhino.

Then came a group of 10 younger elephants, all rescued, some from horrible stories. It was so funny to watch them coming down from the hill – they just ambled along until they got closer, then got a bit of speed up as they approached the keepers with their bottles of milk. The main keeper introduced each one with their rescue story. 

A few of them enjoyed a play in the mud puddle – some trying to push others out so they could have a go. A few tourists close to the fence ended up with a few splatters of red mud.

The second group of 12 elephants were the same – built up a bit of speed when they got closer to the milk bottles. One of them decided he was a big boy and old enough to grab the bottle and hold it himself. We watched another one being a bit of a bully; pushing one with his little tusks. The keeper stood there and wagged a finger at him, and he stopped. 

From there it was back to the hotel for lunch, spotting warthog and baboons on the drive back. 

Long drive then to Amboseli National Park. The roads were all bitumen but so many trucks and a lot of ripple strips and speed humps. It was a 5 hour drive  with a short break for toilet stop. As we got close to our destination we could see the top of Mt Kilimanjaro poking her head above the clouds (reminds us of the song by Toto - Africa - Kilimanjaro rising like Olympus above the Serengeti).

A beautiful African sunset as we arrived at our destination. (Photo to come when I get better internet)

Monday 24th June

7.30 am start for a game drive. Amboseli is known for its elephants and there is an elephant study centre in the park. Antony had a plan of attack – get to this place where the elephants crossed the road and we could get photos of the elephants with Mt Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. Fabulous. We sat there for probably 15 minutes as we waited for the perfect positioning. This herd had a mix of females and young elephants followed up by a huge bull elephant.

From there it was just animal sighting after animal sighting. Lots of herds of elephants, some with more elephants than others, and different numbers and ages of babies. Antony explained how the forming of a herd happens, how long babies stay with their mothers, how long male elephants stay with their mothers, formation of bachelor herds – all sorts of information. 

Lions, hyena, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, couple of different gazelles, hippopotamus,  flamingos, warthog, and many bird varieties.

All over, back to camp for lunch, then as we drove along the road to camp, one final treat – a huge bull elephant. An amazing mornings outing. What will this afternoon bring?