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Nairobi 7 - Nairobi national park

Nairobi national park was in all  the top most places to visit lists. We were informed that it would be a 3 hour trip and we have to be there early to see the animals.

On a Sunday morning we were up by 5:30 am. Daniel was waiting in the cab to take us. We reached the park by 7am, as it is very much within the city limits. But unlike our crocodile park this is a forest area. As the city grew this forest area got confined but still exists, thanks to the ecologists.
The entrance fee is split into separate fee for vehicle, driver and each of the visitors. The payment was to be done through m-pesa or card, cash is not accepted. Its surprising to see m-pesa such a hit here while going cashless is not welcomed back home.
Just near the entrance we saw the tribal people in their traditional red blanket. There was also safari walk available if you choose to. We drove-in in our cab. After getting in just few meters were covered with trees. Beyond that it was open grass land were the animals grazed along. We were not allowed to get down from the vehicle except at the marked area.
The USP of this park is that it hosts the forest with high raised buildings in the back ground. This runs all the way to the airport along the high way but bordered by electronic fencing on three sides and one side is left for the migration of the animals.

The brow grass called the acasia covered this whole Savannah forest. Patches of water bodies were found at various distances flunked by thirsty animals. The forest was split into different areas and given numbers. If any rare animal is spot it is relayed to all visitors through walkie talkie with the area number. Daniel dint carry one so he had to enquire other cab drivers along the way to take us to lions.
We saw witnessed giraffes,  one at close quarters as it walked passed our cab. Its just too tall. Buffalos of cape variety was in huge numbers. It was a treat to watch the gazelle species. Zebras were found everywhere, crossing just before our cab. We saw hippopotamus and crocodiles near the water body. Rhinos again were seen at a closer range along with younger ones. Vultures were seen above trees camouflaging themselves. Huge ostriches were seen here and there. Africa's native hartebeast was also found along. Impalas were found in groups and grazing along with their genders only. We saw Flamingos near water along with other colourful birds whose names are unknown to us. A side stripped jackal just ran on the side and disappeared in seconds.

Having similar looks to our Indian deers the gazelles have lyrate horns with distinct dark stripes on the sides of their body. Zebras have back stripes and patterns differ; males are said to be bulkier then females. Hippos have long head with two horns and skin color goes with the forest color. The hippos inside the water seem to be bulky with huge eyes and mouth. Giraffes have long legs and neck, skin color is whitish-yellow covered by brown patches and horns are on the head are very short.
After seeing almost all animals belonging to this park and enquiring other drivers along the path were witnessed 2 sleeping lions at area 27D. There has been a hunt, a buffalo lay nearby killed and eaten away. So the kings of the forest lay below the shades of tree sleeping soundly after a fulfilling lunch. Looks like it will take some time for them to awake up from the slumber. So after minutes of catching them on camera we drove from the spot.
Our final visit at the park was the area were ivories were brunt down to ashes to ashes in order to stand against ivory trading.

We were out of the park by 11:30 am and felt dead hunger. Any body planning for this visit should ideally carry packed food with them. Realized this too late nevertheless.

The animals just graze or walk near us with full of attitude not at all concerned of the human faces peeking out of vehicles.
One is left with a feeling at the end that animals are carefree and going with the flow while we humans even after taking away their piece of land too are still hungry for more and keep running behind money.

It was an adventurous trip and not possible in our country.

This post is getting published after Nairobi 8 post so this becomes the 50th post technically. Yeah, our blog has hit half ton... hurray!!!!

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