I had an amazing drive home today. I know there are too many pictures but here goes.
After visiting the Kilimani Primary school today I came back to Lewa via the Kisima gate for the first time. After a couple of wrong turns and stopping to ask for directions (I’m in touch with my feminine side :)) in my pigeon Kiswahili (Jambo sana. Kisima Gate? point ahead, point back, look lost and questioning, shrug holding hands up), I entered Lewa.
After a kilometer or so I passed the herd of horses that Wilderness Trails Camp uses for their trail rides. Up for a ride if you come visit Marion? I had never seen horses grazing with Giraffes before.
Horses grazing with giraffes.
Then another kilometer on I saw a mother and baby rhino. She had the longest horn I’ve ever seen.
Check out the horn on the mother rhino.
It got better. Making a left and driving five hundred meters I saw a lion 100 meters ahead in the grass.
Just after I first saw the lion.
I drove a bit closer.
She is checking out a family of warthogs across the stream.
She then spotted a family of Warthogs, went on alert and began stalking. As she angled toward the warthogs, I saw a second lion to my right angle off in the other direction to entrap them. Fortunately for the warthogs and unfortunately for the lions, the warthogs disappeared into the brush. The lions sat down and waited for them to reappear.
Waiting for the warthogs to reappear she settled into the grass. Easy to miss if you were just walking along.
Eventually the lions gave up and came back across the road. There they sat together for a few minutes.
The lions gave up the chase, seemed to confer and headed in another direction.
They then ambled away.
Continuing the dusty drive, I braked to a stop for the two rhinos in the road and what I believe was a black rhino off to the side. Idling along in first gear behind the rhinos, they eventually left the road and I passed them.
I think this is a black rhino.
Beyond the river valley and on the edge of the swamp there was a large male Waterbuck. They are one of the shyer animals here, running away as soon as the car approaches. This big fellow didn’t. He proudly posed.
A male water buck standing proud.
Then I finished the drive home. What a great trip.
Wish my drives home from work was this interesting:)
Somehow it doesn’t seem like a horse would give quite the protection of your land rover against those stalking lionesses, so I think I’ll pass on the offer of a ride on one. It is amazing how the animals seem to completely ignore the vehicle–unlike our neighborhood critters who are experienced with road kill. How frequent are tourist vehicles out that far into the reserve? Are the animals pretty used to seeing (and ignoring) the cars? Do you pass other vehicles out there? What would happen if you broke down?
Marion
Marion,
Many of the animals just glance our way and then ignore us when in a vehicle. When we get out they often run away. Waterbucks and Oryx both tend to leave even when you are in a vehicle.
Consultants working with Anne took the trail ride. They said it was interesting to be within a few feet of zebras and impalas who seemed to think that a person on horseback was just another grazer. All trail rides go with guides who are trained to be aware of predators and other dangers.
About breaking down. There is good cell phone reception here at Lewa. We have the operations center on speed dial and they are manned 24/7. It is evidently fairly common or at least not too unusual for cars to be stuck in the mud during rainy season (about 1-2 weeks away).
There is very little traffic on Lewa. Outside cars are not allowed on the Lewa roads. Only residents, Lewa vehicles, and resort camp vehicles are allowed.
I concur with Aunt Marion… Not sure about how tasty a two headed horsey would look to a lion. Probably would look slow and silly, I.e. lunch. Awesome pictures though!
Great pictures John, especially the magnificent shot of the waterbuck. Fantastic creatures that you are coming in contact with.
I suspect John, you will never be the same again after this experience.
This is definately an E-ticket ride.!!!