Each day gets better than the previous! Today we saw or cheetah with a kill. She had just taken it to her cubs. We were so glad since she had looked hungry and thin. Then we saw an elusive leopard with her kill up in a tree. So exciting. We next had our bush breakfast. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better—
We went back to the spot where a dead elephant lay in shallow water. We knew lions had fed there the night before. The elephant died Tuesday of natural causes. He was a young bull elephant who has just wandered into the reserve sick where he died. (BTW- the rangers cut the tusks off so no one would take them. This is Kenyan law. It also applies to lion, cheetah and leopard skin and lion claws. When any of those animals die, rangers come in and remove parts so they may not be sold. Also, did you know hunting is against the law everywhere in Kenya? Anyway I digress …)
We went back to the elephant and watched a huge crocodile eat a large section. Then we watched other crocs try to come in. A lone male lion, Lguret (pronounced Gret–8 yrs old) appeared on the opposite bank. We watched a standoff between the crocs, Gret, and a Marabou (a 5 ft. tall stork that scavenges) for THREE hours! There was no fighting but a lot of posturing, some growling and slapping , with Gret letting everyone know it was his elephant. Loved loved it!
We stayed out from 6 am – 4 pm. Then at 5 we went on a walk through the bush — an armed guard accompanied us. We walked through a dry river bed looking at tracks and trees and poop! At one point we had to cross a small pond. The warrior and guard found stones and made us a stepping stone path across the pond.
We were so honored tonight that Shivani had us over for dinner at her camp. We ate with her and some of her team-six Samburu warriors. She also showed us around the tent including inside her own. We were able to listen to them talk about their sightings that day and future projects over dinner. The camp consists of 6 tents plus a wooden structure that houses a kitchen, storehouse and dining/meeting area. There are no fences or barriers. We felt like we were attending a family dinner and felt extremely welcomed by all and right at home. We don’t take this experience lightly; we know most people do not get this opportunity to know the people here. We feel very blessed.
Looking Out Seeing Within 