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Journey out and Nairobi

Samburu

Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha

Masai Mara-1

Masai Mara-2

Zanzibar Island

Stonetown

Spices and Dolphins

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The trip to Treetops was hot and dusty. We were entertained after lunch by another local tribe - the Kikuyu - who live in the highland forest. After a night in Treetops, we drove on the Lake Nakuru - a soda lake in the Rift Valley - with literally millions of Flamingo, and a lakeside game reserve.

After lunch on day 5 we went on to stay overnight at Lake Naivasha - freshwater this time, with pelican, kingfishers and hippos! We had an evening cruise on the lake to see the many birds and the Hippo before they emerge to feed (at night). Naivasha was very beautiful and peaceful.

We left Naivasha somewhat reluctantly the next day to go to the Masai Mara.

En route from Samburu - local people walked everywhere carrying water, food etc. This was one of the main roads - no tarmac to be seen!

Kikuyu tribe - Aberdere Mountains near Treetops

Kikuyu. This 'village' is actually in one of the hotel grounds, but no less authentic for that.

Treetops lodge. We were unlucky in that it rained the afternoon before we arrived, and the animals were able to find water elsewhere in the forest so we didn't see very much. It is an extraordinary place however - entirely constructed of wood, with a large tree growing through the middle. The rooms were like cabins on a ship.

Between Treetops and Nakuru we stopped at Thomson falls.

Lake Nakuru - Flamingoes. An awesome sight, and the noise (and smell...) will stay with us for some time.

Storks at Nakuru..

..and white Rhino..

..plus Zebra. Much broader stripes than the Grevy's Zebra we saw in Samburu.

At Naivasha, we stopped at a cooperative craft shop. This was David, who spent some time explaining how they source and work the soapstone. The block in front of him was being carved into a buffalo head (on its side here) and would take a week to finish. These would probably sell for around £150.

The craft shop. These places were absolutely stuffed with things of all shapes and sizes. Carved work was mainly rosewood, ebony and soapstone. There were also bead and leather jewelry items, batiks and some claywork. Carved giraffe (right of picture) were up to 8 feet high.

Pelican in the morning at Lake Naivasha. A magical place.