Arriving to Kenya
After over 24 hours of travel, we finally arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. The minute we stepped off the plane I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore! After a quick ATM withdrawal, purchasing phone credit, and a literal stroll through "customs" we were off to the Kolping House for the remainder of our stay in the capital!
Our Stay in Nairobi
Staying at the Kolping House was an excellent transition into our time in Kenya. We were able to get over our jet-lag fairly quickly and had plenty of time to catch up on reading (when the Hadada Ibis let us do so of course...). All of the staff were very accommodating and helpful. They gave us matches and candles when we first checked in-- we soon realized these would come in handy!
Our first stop was at the Giraffe Manor, where we learned about the research being done with Rothschild Giraffes and their role in the conservation of the species. I even got to kiss a couple! We learned a little about their biology and ecology in Kenya.
We also got to check out some orphaned animals of all sorts-- from Helmeted Guineafowl to African Elephants. Despite the fact that hunting of any wildlife in Kenya is illegal, there is a significant problem with poaching. Often times this results leaving infant animals to fend for themselves which will usually result in death if humans don't intervene. Elephants in particular will stay with their mothers for over 3 years.
We also had some instruction on how to use the different equipment brought for our line transects-- some of the small mammal traps even had hair left in them from the previous inhabitants!
A few trinkets and trips to Nakumatt later, we were ready to leave Kolping and jet set to the Mara!
Our first stop was at the Giraffe Manor, where we learned about the research being done with Rothschild Giraffes and their role in the conservation of the species. I even got to kiss a couple! We learned a little about their biology and ecology in Kenya.
We also got to check out some orphaned animals of all sorts-- from Helmeted Guineafowl to African Elephants. Despite the fact that hunting of any wildlife in Kenya is illegal, there is a significant problem with poaching. Often times this results leaving infant animals to fend for themselves which will usually result in death if humans don't intervene. Elephants in particular will stay with their mothers for over 3 years.
We also had some instruction on how to use the different equipment brought for our line transects-- some of the small mammal traps even had hair left in them from the previous inhabitants!
A few trinkets and trips to Nakumatt later, we were ready to leave Kolping and jet set to the Mara!
On to the Maasai Mara...
After a very bumpy ride, or "Kenyan massage", we finally arrived in the Mara. We stayed in some posh tents that had flushing toilets AND a shower!
The Mara was unlike anything I've seen before-- there's wildlife to be seen around bend. Wildebeests, zebras, elephants, giraffes, gazelles-- all coexisting together on a breath-taking landscape. Across the plain you'd discover a pride of lions scanning the horizon for any potential threats, or a cheetah sitting upon a mound with her cub searching for their next prey. You can see first hand the most primitive form of survival: eat or be eaten-- humans can be so removed from that notion!
We also had the chance to interact with some Maasai people-- they are mostly pastoralists with very strong traditions and culture. The garments they wear are called shukas; I managed to pick one up during our trip!
Unfortunately, on our last game drive in the Mara, which was to the Mara River, there were 4 casualties! The culprit for this massacre is still unknown, but I did manage to upchuck next to this cheetah! *cue the music: Circle of Life*
The Mara was unlike anything I've seen before-- there's wildlife to be seen around bend. Wildebeests, zebras, elephants, giraffes, gazelles-- all coexisting together on a breath-taking landscape. Across the plain you'd discover a pride of lions scanning the horizon for any potential threats, or a cheetah sitting upon a mound with her cub searching for their next prey. You can see first hand the most primitive form of survival: eat or be eaten-- humans can be so removed from that notion!
We also had the chance to interact with some Maasai people-- they are mostly pastoralists with very strong traditions and culture. The garments they wear are called shukas; I managed to pick one up during our trip!
Unfortunately, on our last game drive in the Mara, which was to the Mara River, there were 4 casualties! The culprit for this massacre is still unknown, but I did manage to upchuck next to this cheetah! *cue the music: Circle of Life*
Me walking back form a less than thrilling experience behind the mound...
The Soysambu Conservancy
Of all the places we stayed at in Kenya, this one felt the most like home :) that's probably because it actually was a home at one point...but you get my drift. Everyone was very welcoming and hospitable-- especially Kenny and all the dogs on the conservancy!
The landscape of the conservancy was more varied than the savanna grasslands of the Mara; it encompassed a soda lake, as well as Yellow Fever Acacia forests. The Yellow Fever trees were absolutely stunning-- they always appeared to have that beautiful sunset glow!
We learned about Lake Elementeita, and it's importance as a Ramsar site. It is important breeding grounds for the Great White Pelican, home to the Lesser and Greater Flamingos, and hundreds of other bird and mammal species. Some of the juvenile pelicans are unable to ride thermals during their first flights, and land far from the water's edge. They will typically die due to starvation or predation...unless of course Carlo has a say in the matter!
We visited the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park which hosted a large variety of wildlife. We encountered a variety of antelope, jackals, white rhino and agamas!
Marabou Storks
Eland-- largest species of antelope
We continued our paper discussions during our stay, and even enjoyed a movie night on several occasions (90% of which I missed due to my embarrassingly early bedtime). We were visited by Elema Hapitcha who lectured us on the human-wildlife conflict in the area and ways the Kenya Wildlife Service are combating this issue.
Benson, the cattle manager on the conservancy, spoke with us about their management strategies and a little about the biology of the Boran cattle. They have around 7,000 head of cattle at all times on the conservancy grounds! A large amount of time and energy is devoted to keeping the livestock safe from disease, predation, and theft.
We also had an unexpected encounter in an abandoned diatomite mine that some bats now call home!
We visited some villages on the conservancy to distribute school supplies to the children-- I think they really enjoyed them! Here's a picture of one group of students with us and Duncan:
Setting up camera traps was a regular task while we were here-- we managed to catch some nice pictures during the night, but the most entertaining might have been this troop of baboons!
We were able to experience some awesome sundowners (with lots of junk food included) and also had plenty of downtime to relax and take in the scenery.
The landscape of the conservancy was more varied than the savanna grasslands of the Mara; it encompassed a soda lake, as well as Yellow Fever Acacia forests. The Yellow Fever trees were absolutely stunning-- they always appeared to have that beautiful sunset glow!
We learned about Lake Elementeita, and it's importance as a Ramsar site. It is important breeding grounds for the Great White Pelican, home to the Lesser and Greater Flamingos, and hundreds of other bird and mammal species. Some of the juvenile pelicans are unable to ride thermals during their first flights, and land far from the water's edge. They will typically die due to starvation or predation...unless of course Carlo has a say in the matter!
We visited the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park which hosted a large variety of wildlife. We encountered a variety of antelope, jackals, white rhino and agamas!
We continued our paper discussions during our stay, and even enjoyed a movie night on several occasions (90% of which I missed due to my embarrassingly early bedtime). We were visited by Elema Hapitcha who lectured us on the human-wildlife conflict in the area and ways the Kenya Wildlife Service are combating this issue.
Benson, the cattle manager on the conservancy, spoke with us about their management strategies and a little about the biology of the Boran cattle. They have around 7,000 head of cattle at all times on the conservancy grounds! A large amount of time and energy is devoted to keeping the livestock safe from disease, predation, and theft.
We also had an unexpected encounter in an abandoned diatomite mine that some bats now call home!
We visited some villages on the conservancy to distribute school supplies to the children-- I think they really enjoyed them! Here's a picture of one group of students with us and Duncan:
Setting up camera traps was a regular task while we were here-- we managed to catch some nice pictures during the night, but the most entertaining might have been this troop of baboons!
We were able to experience some awesome sundowners (with lots of junk food included) and also had plenty of downtime to relax and take in the scenery.
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