A Good Walk Unspoiled

At each camp in Kenya, we could take a safari walk.  Not arguing with years of African tradition, but if it were up to me, I'd call it a safari walkabout, to make a phrase out of Swahili and Australian.

(Editor: It's not up to you.  Writer:  If I had a dollar for every time I heard that from my wife or daughters. . .)

We were out on the morning drive, with our fearless guide, James, and walkabout safari guide, Joseph, when James pulled over and let the four of us out of the Land Rover.  Joseph guided, while James scouted from the road above to make sure we were safe.  Joseph carried a rifle, that he obviously did not have to use, because I'm still around to write this post.

(Editor: I see you've adopted "walkabout safari" to be annoying.  Writer: You are half-right.  I've adopted it, but not to be annoying, but to start a new phrase.  After all, phrases have to start somewhere.  Matt, if you are reading this, Sirikoi Lodge can get this to catch on.  Editor: Ah, you are still annoying.)

The walk wound down to the bottom of a small ravine that afforded stunning views in one direction, and beautiful steep hills on the three sides.  

Kenya is really getting to me.  It has a timeless beauty, and this ravine and its views was just another example of it.

For much of the walk, Joseph pointed out interesting sights, such as mudholes, ant swarms, various types of animal poop.  But at one point we were not that far from a trio of white rhinos.  Joseph stopped us there, and we started to hike back up the hill.  I doubt we ended up on the intended route, but his re-routing of us away from rhinos (who never noticed us, thanks to their bad eyesight and our luck at being upwind.

The walkabout safari was great.  We walked back up to the road that James had dropped us off at, and I figured the walk was about over.  Nope, as it turns out, we still had a long way to go.  We headed downhill, winding and twisting our way to our destination.  We saw some giraffes and random antelope off in the distance.

And when we got there, Sirikoi Lodge folks were there with a breakfast in the bush.  It was a delight, sitting under a big tree filled with the round ball nests of birds that even make false nests in the same tree as to confuse predators.  We watched the birds zip up and down, building more nests while the four of us happily munched on eggs cooked to order, bacon and sausage, and various additional breakfast sides.  

We lingered over breakfast, already having had an amazing day, and it was just getting started.  Little did we know it would get even more amazing.

The valley surrounded by mountains.  As

we headed down the hill, we walked away

from this valley, back up the ravine.

Our trusty Land Rover.

Our trusty walkabout

guide, Joseph.

Hyena poop.  It's white because they

eat the bones of their dead prey,

which sounds like a line from

any Terminator movie.

James, Sanjiv, Meena, and Mrs. Iron Tourist

looking over a mostly dried mudpit.

A view of the valley from near

the bottom of the ravine.

There are dozens and dozens of ants

working away in this photo.  Click

to enlarge if you want a better look.

White Rhinos were eating.  We were on 

foot. Joseph didn't want us to die, so

we beat a hasty retreat.  Joseph is

pretty smart.

An umbrella tree.  Just so perfect

every time we saw one.

Giraffes at a significant distance.

Carol and Meena at our

al fresco breakfast.

Waffle House food is iconic.

This view is even more iconic.

The balls hanging off the

tree are bird's nests.

One more shot of the happy four

after our safari walkabout!