Daily life and safaris

Days here are full of bright colors from flowers and birds everywhere I look. Though it’s winter here there’s still constant sun and during the day the temperature is rarely below 20C (70F). Nights get a bit cool but nothing I can complain about. And the sky fills with stars forming different constellations from the ones I know up north. When I walk home from work at dusk along the dirt road, I take in the view – a landscape filled with palms and acacia trees against the backdrop of the darkening sky. I can’t capture the image nor the feeling I have, I’m so lucky to be here. And pass the gates to enter my living complex there is one guard who smiles big every time as I greet him in the tiny bit of Kiswahili I know.

The last two weekends I was able to get out and see a bit. I went to Karura Forest, a beautiful forest within the city limits of Nairobi. Two of my colleagues from icipe joined me. We spent the day hiking spotting beautiful birds, butterflies and even some larger wildlife. We walked along a small river heading to the waterfalls. We also came across some caves that are a symbol of Kenya’s independence.

But the highlight of my time here so far was going on my first safari. Last weekend we organized a trip to Nairobi National Park. We left early in the morning, in hopes of seeing some predators. At the entrance we were greeted by a group of baboons, which tipped over a garbage can and fought for the food.

We were driven around in a safari van, which opens at the top so you can have a free range of vision. You aren’t allowed to walk around the park so having a removable roof is really necessary to really take in the park. The entrance of the park was a small forest but opened up into the vast savanna. It’s interesting to see buildings in the distance and apartment complexes right along the border of the park. The day was spent searching out wildlife which I can’t imagine anything more enjoyable. The animals here are so large and it’s just incredible to see them going about their days.

Although the park has lions, leopards and cheetahs they are quite rare to see. But we were lucky. We saw a pride of lions feeding on some prey when we entered, and again as we were leaving we came across a couple lions sleeping in the sun. But mostly our day was full of ungulates – gazelles, giraffes, hartebeests, impalas and so many more. Yet we had some other rare sights – black rhino which is on the verge of extinction. Granted it was incredibly far off, binoculars are also a must. To look out and see the beautiful savanna landscape with these incredible animals scattered across it feels like a cartoon more than anything else.

Going on the safari has only increased my desire to make time for more, hopefully, a longer one far away from any cities. But I was surprised that Nairobi National Park had so much considering the proximity to a big city.

 

 

Kenya – the journey

It’s late and I’m exhausted from traveling, spending today meeting new people and exploring my new home for the next 4 months. But it seems wise to take the time to recount the details while still fresh. I left Germany 2 days ago for probably one of the most exciting adventures of my life. I love traveling and Africa is a place I dreamed of coming ever since I was a little kid reading books on endangered species – cheetah being the biggest dream.

My flights were long but not unbearable. The readily available entertainment they offer truly helps with remaining sane. I flew out of Hamburg. They have these entertaining rather small boxes where loads of people stuff themselves inside to hel ease the nicotine cravings. Quite glad that’s not a habit of mine. I had a stopover in Dubai and arrived at 5 in the morining; in such a big international airport time doesn’t really exist. People are still drinking in bars, shopping, eating and also sleeping. I had a a lovely dish of vegetable biryani courtesy of my airline. I could not pass up Indian food for boring old breakfast. I wandered like a zombie and tried to stretch myself out in preparation for the next flight. Took some pictures of the interesting scenery inside the airport.  Enjoyed the enormous diversity of peoples, clothing, and languages. Most people hate airports, but to me they are just a part of traveling to farther and more interesting locations. How could I hate them? Well except for their ecological burden.

My flight was delayed for an hour and I sat watching this drama unfold between these two adorable toddlers. The boy was full of energy and pursuing this bright young girl. She pushed him away and didn’t want to share her snack food. To which her mother replied she must share it and the boy took the whole bag and ran away. Much crying ensued.

The flight was shorter than the first, but no sleep was enjoyed. I luckily had a window seat and was  able to watch with awe as we approached Kenya. Arriving was disorienting. It was good to have a car pick me up and a place set to stay. And here, just outside of Nairobi, I will stay for four months.

Usiku mwema