When entering Kenya, it is immediately clear that we are in another country. Many more cars and crowds on the road, lots of trucks and plastic everywhere. A huge difference with countries such as Rwanda where plastic is forbidden or countries like Uganda and Malawi where people have less money and therefore do not buy plastic bags.
Breathtaking nature around Mount Elgon
The nature of Kenya from Mount Elgon with views over the Rift Valley was superb. We drove through the valley to Lake Baringo. Along the way again the necessary curious Kenyans at the photo stops. Owning a lunch spot without people was difficult to find. The solution, lunch for 3 ;-). At Roberts Camp the hippos were clearly visible and we woke up the next morning with an incredibly beautiful sunrise. That is still very special to travel, this kind of beautiful things may see!
Refueling in Nairobi
On the way to Nairobi we see all kinds of things pass. Exciting roads with so many trucks that have to be overtaken. Sometimes quite difficult with a steering wheel on the left. Suus has to see if it is possible and then it is go! In Nairobi we took a few days to chat with other travelers, arrange things and prepare the car for the parks in Kenya and Tanzania. Hilarious evenings with Tusker beer and gin tonic about everyone’s experiences. People with a car, but also motorbikes or cyclists. They travel from north to south or vice versa or have sometimes been on the road for years.
With the car moored again, buying at the Nacumat supermarket we were ready for the Masai Mara. A large nature reserve in the south-west of Kenya bordering the Serengeti in Tanzania. It is savanna with various wild animals and 4×4 routes to drive through. Our plan was to drive from north east to west to cross the border with Tanzania and via the Sereneti and the crater back to the east, to the coast in Tanzania.
Animals and obstacles in the Masai Mara
In the night the hyenas report and in the morning we are quickly surrounded by giraffes, thomas Gezelle, zebras and jackhalsen. The paths were good to do, until we ran into a nice challenge. The main road lay in front of us with a dry riverbed between us. To get there we had to go down a steep path with a deep pit on the left and a high road on the right, then through the dry river on a stone path. The road back 24 kilometers we had just done about 3 hours. Haha back was not an option. After 3x try we had to conclude that the overturning of the car was still close. A German couple who came to ride across the street was already looking at us and decided to come and help. Anyway, stuff from the roof. Row plate in the deep part, go and fingers crossed. First part succeeded, second part about the big stones too! Yes we are across the road!
The Germans decide not to try, but they invite us for coffee. A local guide who comes to drive tries it a bit, but then decides to go back when his 5 tourists start screaming 😉 haha strong car we have anyway and good driver 😉
We are treated to a leopard at the end of the afternoon. The guides are so kind to let us know the location. We drive to the campsite that we got from the Germans and it is indeed a wonderful place. Seen on a camping on the mountain overlooking the Masai Mara, giraffes near the car and yep again a beautiful sunrise, sorry guys!
