13-15 Sep 2011: Self-Drive Safari to Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya
13-14 Sep 2011: The Lost Masai Returns Home to Maji Moto Masai Tribe
The idea to do a self-drive safari was born about 2 weeks ago. Thought led to Words and Action followed - the 3 stages of manifestation! We rented a Honda CRV 4WD from Jacob, who donated part of the rent to Children's Garden Home and off we drove into the great African savanna plain, into freedom!
The CRV came with a sunroof that was just nice for Robyn to stick her torso out and she became the youngest wildlife photographer to 'shoot' the animals to her heart's delight.
Our first stop was to Maji Moto (meaning hot water) and we spent a beautiful night with the Masai tribe at the Maji Moto Eco-Camp. This is certainly a destination that we highly recommend to all our friends. The view is breathtaking, the tent accommodation is 5 stars, food is rated top by Robyn, the camp is eco-friendly, and best of all is the Masai's touch of friendship and their sharing of their stories and culture.
We love the dining place. It's simple, eco and tasteful.
The tent is spacious with thick, comfy mattresses.
We gotta mention this one-of-a-kind loo that offers the best view out into the vast Loita Plain...
The toilet seat is a hand carved wooden chair with a hole... and what a view while you do your business!
We were warmly welcomed back as the "Lost Masai" by Kiseya (R), the son of Masai Chief, Sankale.
The Real Masai gave the Lost Masai a walking tour of the Real Masai village (manyatta).
A Masai home constructed of mud, dung and branches at the manyatta situated in the Loita Plain.
Robyn with the lady hut owner. The interior of the mud hut was small, dim and smoky.
It was a magical experience doing our kriya within the embrace of Mother Nature, with the vast expanse of Loita Plain stretching hundreds of miles ahead.
After lunch, it was time to bid farewell to our Masai family. Thank you, Kiseya (2nd from L) and Chief Sankale (3rd from L) of Maji Moto Eco-Camp.
14 Sep 2011: Safari @ Masai Mara National Reserve
The long drive over undulating and unpaved roads was stomach churning but it served as a warm-up for what was to come in the Masai Mara terrain.
Along the way, we saw free roaming zebras, wildebeests and Thomson gazelles grazing peacefully all over the savanna plain.
The park fees were hefty: US$80/adult and US$40/child and Ksh400/vehicle.
There were 2 millions Wildebeests grazing in Masai Mara now. They migrate from Serengetti in Tanzania every July and return in October.
This wildebeest dashed across the road as we approached and its leap was frozen by Robyn's photography magic!
Ostrich has an amazingly flexible neck that moves about like a garden hose.
What's the colour of a Zebra? Black with white stripes or white with black stripes?
The sighting of the first of the Big Five - Elephant. The other 4 are: Lion, Leopard, Rhino and Buffalo.
From the biggest, we spotted the tiny ones - a family of Mongoose foraging for food in the bushes.
A staring match with a Topi...
Remain of a meal...
Suddenly we came upon our next Big Five - Lions!
It was a pride of a majestic Lion with his 6 Lioness. They were lazing around under the blue sky, seemingly posing vainly for the human onlookers seated in numerous safari vehicles, us included.
Yawn of the wild.
"I use Colgate!"
"Lunch, here I come." - the majestic stroll of the Lion, king of the wild.
"Stay clear, can't you see I'm working?"
We were the only vehicle around when we spotted this lone lion strolling towards a zeal of zebras and wildebeests. Alvin pulled up slowly and managed to catch a close-up view of this majestic creature. Awesome!
Soon, we encountered another lion resting majestically on its own. Appreciating it from a distance, we realized a lion has an air of might and power even when it is lying in silence.
At the Talek River, a few Hippos greeted us.
Vultures and Marebou Stork are scavengers.
Giraffe walks and eats so gracefully. Its every movement is so artful and elegant.
A hunter and scavenger, Hyena is a dangerous animal with so strong a jaw that it is able to easily crush a skull to get at the juicy stuff within.
A beautiful rainbow that stretched across the entire savanna from horizon to horizon.
A magnificent shot of wildebeests silhouetted against the setting sun by Robyn.
It was a fantastic 4WD driving experience for Alvin. Thanks to the hardy CRV that took us across the Masai Mara terrain. Only at one point did we almost get stuck in the soft mud and it was an exciting moment then.
> We took nothing but photos. We left nothing behind except tyre marks. Had we attempted to leave behind footprints, that skull could have been ours... : )
16 Sep 2011 - Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park
From Masai Mara, we headed straight to Lake Naivasha and stayed the night (15 Sep) at the YMCA that offers simple but comfortable cabin accommodation (R).
We visited Elsamere, a conservation centre for lions. It's a beautiful place by the Lake Naivasha that exudes a fragrance of peace and serenity.
Jin and Robyn at Elsamere, Lake Naivasha
Alvin and Robyn at Elsamere, Lake Naivasha
A flower...
Bird nest with a bottom entrance.
Another flower...
Robyn-in-the-cloud
Robyn-in-awe
Robyn-in-cheek
Hell's Gate National Park - there is a beautiful gorge in the Hell's Gate National Park but due to limited time, we managed only to catch a distant glimpse of it, and drive through the park in our CRV. We headed back to the Children's Garden Home by night.
17 Sep 2011: Crown Berger Paints Visits Children's Garden Home
Crown Paints sponsored the paints used for the re-painting of the classrooms. They organized a staff visit to Children's Garden Home today to get to see the newly painted classrooms and to know our children better. They also kindly donated maize flour, sugar and a bicycle.
The visitors were shown around the home and school compound accompanied by our children.
Our children put up a series of songs and dance performances for the visitors' entertainment.
Visitor and child becoming connected...
We wish Crown Paints will come again soon.
18 Sep 2011: Bozza Family from Italy
L-R: United Nation gathering - Lazarus (Kenya), Alessandra (Italy), Fiona (UK), Alessandra's in-laws - Mr & Mrs Bozza (Italy), Alvin & Jin (Singapore). Mr Bozza may be 80+ but, as a retired doctor, he provided medical checkup for the children while on holiday here.
18 Sep 2011: Kuku Farm
We are naturally elated to return from Masai Mara to find the Kuku (chicken) Farm up and running! Here we stood in front of the newly erected kuku coop, complete with a makeshift door taken from one of the bathrooms!