Into the Jungle
Trip Start
Oct 03, 2008
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12
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Trip End
Nov 02, 2008
21 October - Early this evening we drove to Lake Nakuru Lodge to spend the night and make a quick Wednesday safari before flying home that night. Since Peter Watson flies straight home to London with us tomorrow, and since he has not had opportunity to see and African wildlife, we decided to overnight here and give him a taste of wild Africa. Passing through the savannah to the lodge we drove right up to herds of impala, Grants and Thompson gazelle, cape buffalo and Rothschild giraffe. Merrie caught a glimpse of something near the lakeside and the chase was on! A rare sighting of a spotted hyena became a close encouter as we were able to get within a few feet. We watched as he had a very close brush with a Thomson gazelle, but they went their separate ways. We drove beside thousands of bright pink flamingoes and various shorebirds before heading for the lodge. On the way we got a tip from a safari guide that the illusive lion had been spotted several kilometers into the jungle. We worked our way through rain drenched rutted roads far off the beaten path and pushed the RAV4 to its limits. Eventually we reached Naishi House at the airstrip and the sun broke though to reveal a magnificent double rainbow backdrop to a herd of impala and cape buffalo. It lasted several minutes and was appreciated greatly as the sun set over an immense grassy meadow. Continuing further we finally found two maned male lions lying in grass. One yawned excessively showing his huge mouth and great white fangs as we stared each other down. Continuing towards the lodge as darkness drew on we spotted a lioness with four large cubs walking through grass to hide from the rain under a tree. With so much cover in the jungle here, spotting lion is uncommon. But this evening we were very blessed to see 7. After listening to music, enjoying a buffet dinner and hearing Peter's stories of pirate radio stations airing the World Tomorrow in 1967, we headed off for a much needed night's sleep.
