The day started like any other travel day. Katie and I were informed our 1st leg transferring to Kenya was moved early. We were up at 6 and left at 6:30 to catch the flight to Entebbe. Another interesting bumpy 1 1/2 hour ride to the airport. School kids all along the way waving to us as we passed. Some of them walk a mile on the road to get to school and little kids like 4 or 5 were walking on their own. We got into Entebbe early and our connection to Mara North in Kenya was delayed. We were soothed by the fact they had a lounge (yes we are getting so snobbish) After numerous security checks we boarded and then arrived at Mara North. Katie and I were the only people getting off the plane with 30 passengers. Two Masai men met us as we got off the plane dressed in robes and carrying long knives at their hips, John and William who will be our guide and driver throughout our stay. We hopped in an open top Landcruiser and headed for camp. We didn’t actually take any roads that were visible however. We bounced along as John pointed out things like Thompson Gazelles, Grand Gazelles, Topi’s, Impalas and Giraffe along the way. They stopped along the Mara river to set up a lunch table for Katie and I right at a Hippopotamus Family’s waterhole. There were probably 30 hippos just off the riverbank where we sat. We had wine and chicken wraps. After lunch John talked about the camp and possible activities. We showed as much enthusiasm as possible for all activities, early morning, late at night, we don’t care. We’ll do them all. We drove on, seeing giraffes, eagles, vultures and then a pride of lions. William would drive us right up close. Often he anticipated their moves and they would walk right by our car. There were two cubs, rolling around wresting each other and occasionally coming towards the car.after 30-45 min we drove on. Elephants appeared just off the road and again we pulled up and watched the herd including several very young ones eat and move along. We came to our camp. A walk across a swinging bridge and we were met by our fabulous host, Fatima the camp manager and Joe head service manager. There are others who help. Peter and Masugo who is deaf and always smiling. Our ‘tent’ is off by itself, very private. It has 2 queen beds, an outdoor bathroom and shower with hot and cold water, a regular flush toilet and a veranda with a wide view of the river which is 10 yards away. Stunning to say the least. We showered in our outdoor shower and the walked over to meet the 2 other couples in our camp at an outdoor fire pit with drinks provided by Joe. Dinner was at 8 with curried fish, squash, zuccini, carrots, brown rice and red wine. What an intro to Kenya. Fantastic day, fantastic camp, fantastic guides and fantastic staff
