We are off to see the Wizard

Departing at a civilized 0920 we navigated the dangerous roadways towards the northwest of Nairobi. About 2 hours out after struggling through the congestion and chaos of Limuru we stopped at the Rift Valley outlook to catch our breath. Trouble is the Rift Valley is breathtaking. It is also known as the cradle of humankind. The soil is volcanic and would not support heavy buildings like a highrise. It would simply sink.

Two Canadians and a Guide

Lots of photos of the Rift Valley, but this is my favorite as it features my grandson and the our Topcats Safari guide, my friend Andrew. From this point we drove down to the floor of the Valley and then over the hill on the right. We ended up at Lake Naivasha, located in an elevated section of the Rift Valley, where we will enjoy the next two nights.

We checked in just before lunch. Ate and settled in our cabin ground floor hard quarters. Lunch for me included a Tusker beer, unique to Kenya and truly a real favorite of mine. Made in Kenya, not found in Ontario Beer Stores, it is to be savoured not chugged.

Sofa Resort Lake Navaisha

About 1530 we took a stroll literally amongst the animals. Between Henry, our walking escort, and Andrew we looked at many bird varieties. The most spectacular bird was a huge eagle fishing out over the Lake. Lake Naivasha, freshwater, is situated at an altitude of about 6,000 ft. The lake has an average depth of 20 ft, Njorowa Gorge once formed the lake's outlet, but it is now high above the lake and forms the entrance to Hell's Gate National Park.

Planet Earth continues to change from within. The Rift Valley features two tectonic plates and they are slowly moving. As a result the lake bottom is rising casing the shoreline to advance. One can see abandoned buildings since only 5 years, and also dead trees due to the encroaching waters.

We walked about 2 kilometers essentially amongst, (but not too close) to a troop of Colobus Monkeys, a group of giraffes grazing amongst a family of zebra. The walking tour ended up about 20 feet from grazing zebra.

Hippos at night

Dinner was over, gone the sun, day was done unless you count the grazing hippos that ambled by our cottage.

Jesse and I were pinching ourselves to ensure we were not dreaming. Africa!

Then to close off the night a herd of water bucks stampeded across the lawn not 50 feet from the front porch. Hippos, bucks, and giraffes: Oh my!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse