Kamal Kapur: The Game Parks of Kenya

The Game Parks of Kenya

An Excerpt from Kamal’s Travelogue

If there is an experience that is unforgettable it is the Game Parks of Kenya.

Lake Nakuru – Pelicans in the forefront with Flamingos in the background

They are a visual treat, awesome and breath catching.

I could see many chapters from my geography book had been written sitting there.

Impalas in Savannah Land co-existing with Zebras (in the background)

Last but not the least there was a message of co existence from the animal world that roams freely uncaptivated in its own environment.

Rhino and Buffalo – Two of the Big Five grazing companiably

Giraffe

There are 19 Parks, and I visited 5 of them, including the Kenya Safari Club, which had William Holden as one of its founders and continues to be the Mecca of the jet setters.

Amboselli was my first stop. A four and half hour drive from Nairobi..392 sq. mtrs. Dry, scrub sprawling in front of Mount Kilamanjaro.

Amboselli Mount Kilamanjaro

The park is strewn with black rocks, solidified lava, bearing testimony to the once active volcanoes that was Kilamanjaro.

In the distance you can spot mini twisters which are dust, volcanic ash ,and salt crystals.

There are patches of green that are nourished from a natural underground water supply funneling into clear water springs.

Amboselli is elephants; herds of them; families.. with the young nestling upto their mothers; long curved ivory tusks, the fathers at a distance, all constantly grazing…moving from one patch of green to another.

You can spot them at a distance, you can see them at an arm’s length…and then the entire herd crosses the track right in front of your vehicle with no fear or curiosity..taking you into their world of co-existence.

Amboselli is home to the entire deer family, zebras ..both varieties with their little tails swishing like a metronome…and the magnificent Ostrich.

Zebras and Impalas (in the background)

The ostrich is a bird that is an amalgamation of beauty and power. The male is black in colour and the female tan. The big body rests on spindly legs and a fragile neck. The power is in the big clubbed feet and their long stride.

A first for me was the wildebeest ..best described as a cross between a horse…they have manes…and a buffalo…they are a kind of steel colour, with horns and their stance is aggressive.

Buffalo

Once again hordes of them…many arrived from Tanzania looking for greener pastures in Kenya.

Another first was being taken for a nature walk by a Masai Warrior dressed traditionally with a spear in his hand but with impeccable English..both accent and grammar..

There was also the charm of the Serena Lodge..where you are met at the gate with cool wet towels after every safari sojourn ; the clean, comfortable cottage style rooms, lots of baboons..who do not bother you..if you do not bother them.

A great start for the next stop…Sweet Waters.

Here is where I met the entire Big Five- the lion, the rhino, the elephant, the buffalo and the leopard.