Got up Monday at 6:30 for a safari. The good news is I can sleep on the way home. Once again, I had low expectations because of how much we have already seen. But there are new experiences overtime we go out.
Came upon elephants digging for tubers. It was really wild, they would use their foot to loosen the tuber, their trunk to lift and shake off the dirt, then ate it.
A group of ostriches came across the field at us and walked right behind the van, no more than 10 feet away.
We also saw a herd of warthogs. They eat with their knees bended, butts in the air. And on occasion, they will walk short distances to find more grass in this position.
Also got a close up view of a hippo out of the water. Once again, he was only 20 feet or so away. We also laughed at a baby elephant out further that must have been scared by something, but she ran around in circles, bawling, and then ran for some adults. Once she realized none were her mom, continued on, still crying out and walking periodically in circles. I saw the momma, walking slowly toward the baby, acting like nothing was wrong. Eventually, the baby found the mother, and order was preserved.
Didn't have to be at the truck until 9 am on Tuesday, but still woke up early, so went out on the porch to read, listen to music, and watch animals in "Backyard". I kept hearing bottles rattling on the porch next door, and just assumed Judy & Dick were over there and bumping bottles from last night. Then Gerhard walked over to say hi and found the real source of the noise. Several monkeys had found some pop left in a bottle and turned it over to lap up the soda from the cement.
Left for Tsavo. We had to take an armed guard. On the road from Amboseli to Tsavo, we passed within 1.5 kilometers of Tanzania. In late 70's early 80's, people from Tanzania would cross the border and raid the vehicles on the road. Although this no longer occurs, as with much around here, once something starts it becomes a tradition and never stops.
Arrived at Tsavo. The lodge is extremely relaxing. I could stay here for days, unfortunately we leave today. The rooms are one side remind me of Anne of Green Gables or Stratford-on-Avon.
The lodge has a porch across the back which overlooks a watering hole. While we waited to check in, we watched what looked like a parade of animals. First the warthogs played around the water. Then the baboons came parading in and the warthogs left. After the baboons came the zebras, then the wildebeest parading to the water hole.
After settling in we drove to Mzima Springs. There is an underwater observation window where we were supposed to see hippos and crocodiles, but they did not cooperate - none were within view of the window. I was only able to see the eyes of several hippos above water. The only crocodile was a baby on a rock near the path.
We did see several monkeys, including a an adorable baby and several "teenagers" roughhousing together. A few monkeys fell from the tree into the water. These monkeys were much nicer than those we've seen previously, and wanted to play. We also saw an eagle on a tree.
We saw a herd of elephants and they were snorting dirt into their nose then spraying on themselves to keep cool.
I was intrigued by some of the cool trees. We passed a Baobab tree (mentioned in the Little Prince) and two trees I call the "sleepy hollow" tree (branches going all over the place, no leaves this time of year, like it was dead) and the "menorah" tree (branches all curved upward).
When got back to the watering hole, we saw a herd of elephants come traipsing to the watering hole single file. There must have been 15-20 elephants. Once we got there they drank and pushed each other around. One elephant laid his trunk on a large rock to rest. Later I saw him sitting on the rock. When they were done, they left single file, and the animal parade began again.
All night long the elephants kept returning to the watering hole and you could hear them. At one point the wildebeest and elephants must have been fighting, because they were being very loud.
Today went on last safari. I can't believe it is over, yet I need a break from the constant going. Saw a few more of the deer family that we had previously not seen (Hartebeest, Eland, waterbuck, etc.)
Will write at least one more time before I leave for home on Thursday.
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