Nakuru Animal Park

I just couldn’t have Becca come all the way to Africa for the first time and not see any African animals.  Friday we booked a safari rig and guide and went into Nakuru Park for the day.

Becca, Ndegwa, Susan, Peter and Susanne at Nakuru

Since we had a safari pop-up van with extra room we decided to invite Peter and Ndegwa.  These two young men have been born and raised in Kenya and had never seen any wildlife besides the odd zebra or gazelle in the distance.  We had a fabulous day.  It was as much fun for us to watch the boys enjoy the day and the amazing animals they were seeing for the first time as it was to see the animals ourselves!

Peter seeing giraffes!

Large Baboon

Up and out the door by 5:30am (Ndegwa thought we were joking at first) we were in the park by 6:30am when all the animals start to become active.  We were greeted just inside the gates by a huge troop of baboons – also called a congress of baboons, which garnered a laugh from Becca and Susanne.

We wound our way up to Baboon Cliff and enjoyed coffee, chai and breakfast overlooking the still misty park.  The boys delighted in the Rock Hyrax begging for crumbs and bananas.  You would never believe these critters are closely related to elephants!

Nakuru is famous for it’s large flamingo population tinged pink from the algae they eat.  This year we were surprised to see a great number of pelicans (also slightly pink).  We saw Grey Crowned Cranes, Guinea Fowl, Plovers, Herons and all sorts of water birds and birds of prey.

Hungry Rock Hyrax - ELEPHANT COUSIN!?!?

The animals did not disappoint!  It was a great thrill to get a good siting of two male lions.  Later in the afternoon were able to see about 10 white and black rhinos.  A couple of dozen giraffe made Becca’s day.  Cape buffaloes clashing, impala, zebra grazing, a muddy waterfall swollen from the recent rains and even a small plane landing on a private runway all thrilled the boys!

It was a perfect, stunning day.  As we headed out of the park fierce clouds rolled in and drops began to fall.  We were too happy and content to notice.