Africa - January, 2015 (Days 13 & 14 [a.m.])

January 23 and morning January 24, 2015

The vans were loaded, and we headed off at 8 a.m.  This is another day with a lot of driving, although we have moved into the fun/vacation part of the trip.  Yesterday at Nyaoga provided the last official volunteer activities.  Now we're on holiday!

We drove through the high tea country where most of the country’s tea comes from.  This is the part of the country with the best climate and the most productive soil.  Of course it was where most of the British settled.  At Independence in 1963 the English government required that those who wanted to sell be bought out by the government which then settled the land on cronies and political supporters.  The tea farms are still run on a semi-plantation approach.  

We arrived at Lake Nakura National Park about 1:30 p.m.  Once we had entered the park we began seeing a variety of African animals so had a mini game drive.  After settling in a bit to the hotel we did an afternoon game drive from 3:30 to 6:45.  On our way out of the park on Saturday (1/24), we also had some great animal viewing.  Patrick and Muli, our drivers, were very knowledgeable and very good at knowing where animals could be found.  The rides weres dusty and bumpy but completely worthwhile as we saw a wide variety of animals and birds, some multiple times and/or in large numbers.  It was quite exciting.  Here are a few pictures of some of what we saw from the vans with roofs raised for better viewing.

Lake Nakura has been known for its flamingoes – both white (greater) and pink (lesser).  Unfortunately, global warming has resulted in higher water levels decreasing the shallow, marshy, areas that flamingoes need to feed.  So some parts of the lake have lost their flamingoes.  There are still areas within the national park, however, where good habitat still exists.

These rhinoceros pictures show the black rhinoceros, extremely endangered, on the left and the white rhinoceros, doing somewhat better, on the right.  The difference has to do with the shape of their mouths and the length of the second horn (on the black, it's longer), not color.  The middle picture is my attempt at a “selfie” with a rhinoceros.

The Lake Nakura Lodge was very nice.  Unfortunately, our stay was so short that we hardly were able to use the amenities.  There was a great pool.  Mary dipped her toes in, but no one swam.

 

Because the group of ten would be dividing the next day, we had a farewell dinner to which we invited our wonderful guides, Patrick and Muli.  They were both incredibly hard working and helpful.  Cammie, as trip leader, said the appropriate thanks, and the group gift was presented.