What a fantastic day! We left at 6 – our guide Daniel, our spotter Jacob, and Shivani, the lion expert. We saw so much I won’t try to name it all. The highlights:
1. Two young lionesses-Nadala and Naserian. 3 year old Sisters whose mother Nabo died of a snake bite in May. These girls hadn’t been seen since that day so it was especially meaningful to be present as they were found again. They had the largest bellies I’ve ever seen-full of food. They had eaten very well the day before.
I didn’t realize how difficulties it would be to find lions. The reserve is 160 sq km and the conservancy is 400 sq km so they have a vast area and are very good at hiding. Shivani said they go weeks without seeing any.
2. A family of elephants with a 6 mo old calf drinking at the river and very near us a 1-2 week old calf and its mom. The calf was meeting other members of that family. The calf would reach its trunk up in greeting and the older elephant would touch it with its trunk in return.
3. The same cheetah and her cubs hunting. They did not catch anything because the herd of impala saw her and sounded a warning. Her cubs look good. She is thin so we hope she managed to catch something later on
We learned about tracking. They can tell not only what made the track but how long ago. “Oh, that is a four day old track.”
We have these folks to ourselves so we can go where we want and stay as long as we want. We do stay awhile watching and we see many other cars drive by a lion, take a quick shot and move on. It’s much more Interesting to watch awhile
We had breakfast out in the bush! Truly in the bush. And we ate like royalty-pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, cereal, watermelon , juice and coffee. And the best part- we get to do it again tomorrow!
This afternoon we did some mission work in the Samburu village of Sasaab. This is a different tribe than the Maasai. Ewaso Lions has been working with the villages to clean up the trash. So they work with the villagers to collect the recyclables which Ewaso Lions brings to the lodge to be taken to Nairobi to be recycled. Today the women of the village collected 2100 pieces of plastic, from a village of about 100. We helped bag it.
Then one of the women graciously invited us to see the inside of her home. We also toured the village and saw how they kept their livestock at night.
I found the Samburu people to be gentle, welcoming and gracious. I am so glad we visited the village and met the people in this way, with someone who is accepted as part of their extended family rather than show up as these strange Americans who are here to stare.
Tomorrow we’re out at 6 to unload the recycling and the we are going to find lions. Shivani said we are not stopping for elephants ! Then later in the day Shivani is taking us on a bush walk.
I cannot tell you what a different experience we are having from other guests because we are immersed with wonderful folks who are part of the community and culture.
Looking Out Seeing Within 