| Submitted by: Gopal VenkatUnited States |
| Submission Date: 04 February 2005 |
|
 |
|
It could possibly be due to the Language (except for myself and the American the remaining 6 people were not native English Speakers). My Approach was from a Photographer's Perspective. Photograph as many Species as possible (or) even different members of the same species. Out of the numerous Photographs, maybe some GREAT Shots will result. This cannot be done when a lot of time is spent on picking wood for the Campfire. Bottom line, is not to be reticent about things that affect the raison d'etre of the Trip.
After my expression of disapproval, John took us to a horde of Vultures feasting on the Carcass of a Wildebeest. Quite Gory to watch them eat. Took Pictures of the Same !! Returned to Camp around 1 PM. Lunch was Fish/Chips and Salad. Had some Chips and Salad. By the time I'm done with this trip, I expect to lose at least 10 Pounds from my already Skinny Frame. Had a Good (Cold) Shower. The next game drive is at 4 PM.
The 4 PM game drive was also a let down for the most part. We spotted 3 Lions and so did 20 other Vans. For the better part of an hour, there were 20 vans (with an average of 5 people per van) milling around the 3 lions. I truly Sympathize with these Creatures. As a result, I took pictures of the animals milling around the Lions (instead of the Lions). We spotted the same Sleeping Male Lion. The Only Saving Grace (at least, for me) during this game drive was a Glorious Sunset on the Plains of the Mara. Took a Number of Shots. Hope they come out well. (They Did)
On arrival at camp, we found that 2 Groups (also from Best Camping) had arrived. One of the Group was doing the same tour as Ours (in reverse). (Start at the Mara and end at Mt. Kenya)
During dinner all of us (in our group) were of the Opinion that today's game drives were hogwash. We were determined to tell John (the driver) to take us to different areas of the Mara. (for the 2 Game drives tomorrow). We also Informed members of the other Groups to demand things rather than accept the drives they are taken to.
I'd have liked to see some Elephants at the Mara. Since they Congregate at the Main entrance Gate (which is 18 Kilometres from the Best Camping Site -- Talek Gate), the drivers don't go there. One Probably sees the Elephants on the Entry to/Exit from the Mara. And Since one is either Speeding to the Camps or to Nairobi, there isn't much time to stop for Pictures.
Considering what a disaster (except for the sunset) the day had been, I decided not to do the Balloon Safari. Didn't want to Splurge $400 and find out that the Balloon flies over an area with Hardly any Game !! If time permits, maybe I can do the same at Serengeti or Ngorongoro.
A couple of Irish/English Guys (from one of the other groups) entertained us with their observations. A nice note to an otherwise drab day.
|
Left Camp at 8 AM and headed to the Hippo Pools on the Mara river (at the Border with Tanzania). Stopped at the Keekorok Lodge to refuel the Vehicle. Nice Place to stay if you have got the money. Very Uppity Crowd. Would Probably feel out of place even if I had the Money to Splurge to Stay at this Lodge.
Drove to the Hippo Pools from there. John showed us the Serengeti Plains. On the endless Plains clump of Bushes defines the Border between Kenya and Tanzania ! In some areas the Mara river is the Border. Saw hundreds of Zebras on the way to the Hippo Pools. I guess one gets to see pockets of animal concentrations in different areas of the Park.
We reached the Hippo Pool area around 10 AM. All the Hippos were submerged underwater. From time to time they opened their WIDE mouths (makes an Awesome Photo) and stuck their ears and eyes out of the water. (Doesn't Hurt to Humour the Tourists, I guess !!) We Spent close to an hour at these pools. Most of us Shot a full roll of film on these Creatures. Good Place to Visit. We also saw the Old and New Bridges across the Mara River (which we had to Cross to go to the Hippo Pools). On the return Journey, John took a Short Cut (as usual) and returned to the Camp in an Hour's time. The Scenery on the Plains especially when one travels in the Mara and looks into the Serengeti is especially nice. Slept most of the way (on the return trip)
After Lunch I took a Short Nap before the evening Game Drive at 4 PM. When I asked John about the Possibility of a drive to the Oloololo Escarpment, he cited the distance as the reason for not going there. (He also said that BEST Camping does not do any Game Drives in that Area)
A number of guidebooks mention that the game is at its most prolific in the Oloololo (Siria) escarpment. They also mention that most of the Tour Companies do NOT do a Game Drive there as it far away from the Road/Park Gate to Nairobi. That's a Dumb reason. If you are going through a Safari Company, Insist on being taken to the Escarpment for an all Day game drive. Alternatively, if you choose to stay in the western end of the Mara (HOTEL ?), the Escarpment would be your Natural Game Drive Area.
We drove to the Usual Area (as Yesterday's 3 Drives !). Saw a family of Elephants. A baby Elephant (less than 6 Months old) was the main attraction. From there we went in search of the Big Cats. We spotted a Lioness looking for her Cubs. We did not see any other Big Cats. The Sunset was Once again Spectacular. Sunsets/Sunrises on the Mara are like Baby Elephants.
You never get tired (not me anyway) of observing them.
Got back to the Camp, had dinner, chatted with my Campmates and the Masai warriors (who guard the Camp at Night). We leave for Nairobi tomorrow at 7:30 AM. I sincerely Hope that I get to see a lot more game in Tanzania. Or maybe, I should lower my expectations on what I could see in Tanzania !!
|
Left Camp a little after 8 AM. Tipped the Cook and exchanged Cards with my Group Members. We had to enter the Mara at the Talek Gate and exit at Sekanani Gate to get back to Nairobi. John took a Short Cut to get to the Sekanani Gate. It turned out to be a Good Move. As we were driving, we spotted 25-30 Giraffes moving across the plain silhouetted against the Morning Sun. It was like a Scene from Jurassic park (Long Necked, Small Headed Creatures moving across a Vast Plain) John Pulled up alongside the Giraffes and all of us took pictures.
We reached Narok around 11 AM and Stopped for refueling. We reached another Spot about 60 Kilometres (40 Miles) from Nairobi (Where we had stopped to Pick up Supplies when we headed to the Mara) around Noon. We had Lunch there. Picked up 2 more people heading towards Nairobi (who had been with another Best Camping Group in the Mara) and left around 2 PM. The Bus (Mini-Van) now Carried its full Complement of 9 Passengers but I wasn't too concerned as I sitting alongside the driver. We had some great Views of the Rift Valley Escarpment. Would make a Great Photograph in Early Morning or Late Evening. Slept most of the way and woke up only when we entered the City limits of Nairobi.
Went to the Best Camping Offices to Pick up my Suitcase, my Air-Tickets (given to them for re-confirmation) and get some Information on Places to Visit in Nairobi. Tipped John, bid Goodbye to my Travel Companions and headed to the 680 Hotel. Got a room with a Bath. Much better room. Even had a TV ! Moral of Story. Decline rooms with Showers and take one with a Bath Instead ! The Bath Tub has a Hand held Shower so nothing is lost. After getting the Dirt and Grime Off, I headed to the Kenya Wildlife Trails Office located Opposite the New Stanley Hotel. My Trip to Tanzania was very much on Schedule and I was told that a Shuttle would pick me up on Thursday (September 17) from 680 Hotel and Transport me to Arusha (in Tanzania) Where I would join the Wild Frontiers Safari. After having a Coffee at the Thorn Tree Café, I got back to the Hotel.
Went to the Ex-Telecoms Office (located next to the US Embassy, Yes the one that was Bombed)
to make some International Calls. The Phone Cards are available in denominations of Ksh 200 and can be used on the Phones available outside the ex-telecoms Office. Phone Calls to the USA or South Asia are quite expensive. Will probably go to the Best Camping Offices tomorrow and send some e-mail to friends and family. Returned to 680.
A trio of Japanese Tourists (also Staying at the 680) accosted me on my way to Dinner. They wanted to know if I was in the Mara yesterday. They had Spotted me at the Hippo Pools, busily writing my Camera Settings (for each Photo I take). So much for being remembered. After chatting with them for a Couple of Minutes, I headed out to dinner. The Rasoi Restaurant recommended by Passport Books has been closed for nearly a Year since it went bankrupt. This Guidebook contains lots of Information that is wrong or badly out-of-date. Do your own Comparisons before you buy a guide to East Africa.
Went to the Minar Instead. The Waiter recognized me and welcomed me. After dinner I decided to walk to the 680 Hotel. Though I reached the Hotel safely, I regretted the decision, as I attracted a bunch of Hustlers the moment I stepped out of the restaurant. This despite the fact that I am an Indian and Nairobi has a Large Indian Community. So much for trying to Blend. After writing my Travelogue for the Day, I turned in. Will Probably do some shopping and visit the National Museum tomorrow.
|
After a leisurely Breakfast I went to the Gulf-Air Offices to Order the Special Meals on my Flight back. While they did make the request on all Gulf-Air flights, I was told to go to the American Airlines Agent/Offices (I was Surprised to learn that one existed in Nairobi) to do the same for American Airlines. (I was flying Gulf-Air till London and then taking American Airlines to New York) The American Airlines Office was located in 20th Century Plaza. (Diagonally Across from the Gulf-Air Offices in International House. Both on Mama Ngina Street) After requesting my Special Meals, I spotted a Communication Centre on the 2nd floor of the Building. I was told that Internet Access would cost Ksh 150 ($2.5) for 15 Minutes. Since it worked out to the same I would Pay in the US (at Kinko's for example), I agreed and spent around 30 Minutes sending messages to family (to update them on my welfare) and friends (to rub it in). Got back to the Hotel around 9:30 AM. After stowing my Passport and Tickets in the safe deposit Box (in my room) I took a Taxi to the Kenyan National Museum (or is it called Nairobi Museum ?). The Cab fare was Ksh 250 (one way). The Entry fee to the Museum (for non-residents) was Ksh 200 ($3.5).
The Museum has some Good Sections on the Various Peoples of Kenya (Tribes Mostly), their tools and Ornaments, Pictures depicting them in their Varying Occupations (Witch Doctor, Warrior, Unmarried Girl etc.). Some of the Leakey Discoveries as well as the Charts Depicting the evolution of Man are quite Good. The Museum also has a Shop where one can buy Africana Souvenirs. They also Provide Guides (for an Additional Charge) for a Guided Tour of the Museum. After Spending a little over an Hour, I headed back to my Hotel. |
|
| Copyright © - "Gopal Venkat" |
|
 |
| Other travelogues by the same author: |
|
|
|
