This is by far, the shortest distance we have travelled & reach Sweetwaters within 1½ hours, where we are welcomed, apart from the Warthogs , the endangered Grevy's Zebra. It's a lovely drive within this reserve ,with the clouds pondering , whether they should send the tropical shower now or later!!!
On our way to The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary , we spot Waterbucks, Thompson's Gazelle , Storks & Elephants , who tried very hard to make sure they wouldn't be seen, still wondering , why????
The sanctuary which opened in 1993 in a negotiated agreement between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service & Jane Goodall Institute , receives and provides lifelong refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees. Was interesting to note how they had made a family of their own & 2 groups lived in 2 different part of the sanctuary. Inke bhi family bondings ka jawaab nahin!
The showers arrive & we take off to the Camp. These tents are different from Masai , but as cute , and each tent overlooks the waterhole , which is smack in the centre of this extensive property. The restaurant, complete with French windows , makes for an interesting dining area, where we have meals while watching the animals walk around the waterhole or have the stork , trying very hard to walk in through the windows and join us for some fancy food!!! :-) And the pleasure of having a drink & playing scrabble at the Bar n lounge , crowding around the blazing fire place ! Nor to forget, this place has the best bakery , super cakes & breads of all kinds!!!
We were tired, else would have definitely gone for the Night game drive , and spied on the wild ones while they went about on their all night long partying!! Ahem !
While the rest of our gang catch up their Beauty Sleep , Sabrina, Mom & I , take off in the early hours, on a wild Goose chase of spotting a Lion & realize we are not the only ones , who are on the same trail!! And the irony , none of us spot the Lion !! sighhhhhh Nevermind that , we spot the Oryx, White & Black Rhino, Grants Gazelle, Baboons,Imphala, guinea Fowls and other birds. Its time to say Hello to the now tame Baraka ( means , Blessings in Swahili) , the first rhino to be born in the wild ( same date as Sabrina!! ) on Ol Pejeta Conservancy , who is became blind due to an eye infection & cataract .
It's back to the Camp & we are welcomed by the Reticulated Giraffe , Zebra , Gazelle, Stork , all enjoying a nice cool drink at their watering hole ….. wonder, if the Camp adds something to this water ??? !!! hummm
Excitement of a trip is enhanced when something out of the ordinary happens! A situation which will either upset you or you will just become a part of the situation , enjoying the moment! :-)
Unimaginable is the height of coincidence's, two flats within half hour. The first, at the camp itself , where we fool around & while away our time , taking random pictures , saying hello to the Camels !! The second is , thank the lord , right infront of Lion Hill Lodge. While the driver takes off to the nearest Gas station to repair the Tyre ( he now has 2 flats to repair) , we walk into this small , but sweet local lodge , for a cuppa chai. Spot a pool table & we have to have a game , while listening to some lovely music! The adventure does not stop there. About half hour from home , outskirts of Nairobi , the Van stalls & comes to a complete standstill! A hunt for a mechanic begins , while we draw pictures on the rain fogged windows , have a discussion on religion n spirituality & listen to "Dil toh bachha hai ji" , again n again , since this is Pannag's favourite song these days! !
The 4 hour journey has taken us around 6 hrs, but does not dampen our spirits & we are ready to make some exotic dinner once we reach home ! Live the Moment , Enjoy home cooked food !!
Highlights:
One of Mt Kenya region's best kept secrets and originally the home of famed multi-millionaire, Adnan Khashoggi, Ol Pejeta House is a beautiful private house, inside within the pristine calm of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. And its Love at first sight for all of us . It's a toss between buying this place and spending atleast a week here ……… we are still contemplating ……………
No comments:
Post a Comment