Breakfast in the dining ‘tent’ with a view of a brand new Serengeti
morning was a fantastic start to a fantastic day. The day was planned to incorporate
2 camp visits and also to be back at Nanyukie around 4pm to give time to do a
site tour, take videos etc. while still good light. This all meant that our
game-drive time would be a little limited in the areas we could cover and I
know Barnabus was a bit disappointed that he would not have time to show me
some of the local circuits that he would usually cover with guests.
We set out around 8:30am and cruised slowly in the direction
of Nyumbani camp making some short detours to see what was around. We started
our day’s sightings with some scampering dwarf mongoose and also came across
buffalo, wildebeest, gazelle and warthog before our find of the morning. A
pregnant female cheetah nestled in the tall grass beneath a bush, cat-napping,
watchful but relaxed. Beautiful and healthy looking, an experienced 8-ish-yr
old. She was very gracious at our intrusion and seemed not to mind at all –
more bothered by pesky flies with her tail constantly swishing them away and
she treated us to a huge yawn and a show of her needle-sharp teeth.
Camp Visit – Nyumbani Tented Camp
Assistant Manager Moses was waiting to welcome us to
Nyumbani and give the tour. The camps is a traditional style tented camp with
clean and fresh décor and attractive and spacious en-suite bathrooms with
hot-running water (solar powered). There are 8 tents with 1 family tent positioned
in a line with a small kopje up behind. We climbed the kopje and the view is
fantastic – great spot for sundowners which of course they offer to guests.
We
even toured the camp kitchen which is really a simple safari kitchen in a tent
but I think it’s an excellent sign when camps have an open kitchen policy and
guests are welcome to come back-stage and see how it all works and even make
their own morning pancake. Moses said that on occasion they have even invited obvious
gym-goers to come lift weights back in the staff quarters. I think this camp
would be a great fit for guests who want a mid-range camp with a little more
authenticity and local interaction.
Nyumbani - Lounge & Dining - Video
Camp Visit – Ehlane Plains
Another camp on the eastern side Ehlane Plains stands out as
a little different by offering star-beds – which consist of a raised platform
with a bed on top built beside the tent – these can be used for star-gazing (up
until about 10pm but not permitted for overnight), private dinners, sunrise
breakfast. Not all the tents have a star-bed so it is necessary to request when
booking.
The tents themselves are spacious with a lounge area on the side and
the whole camp has a very welcoming vibe thanks in part to Chris the Manager who
kindly hosted us for an absolutely delicious buffet lunch
– the best beef
stir-fry I have ever eaten! A solid mid-range camp with the added bonus of the
star-beds.
Homeward bound with another storm on our heels
Barnabus made
a great spot of a lioness and 2 cubs in the long grass that we could not pass
up spending a little time with.
Then racing the storm we made it back to Nanyukie in time
for me to get video and tour the family suite before the fat droplets made
their appearance and I took refuge in the bar ….. too wet to leave and the gin
tasting great I made some lovely new friends from New Jersey …… aahhh safari
camp bars are special places indeed.
Good night Day Two – it was a great day!
Animal List
dwarf mongoose
buffalo
wildebeest
gazelle
warthog
cheetah
silver jackal
ostrich
hartebeest
topi
hyena
lion
Bird List
lilac breasted roller
grey heron
northern white crown shrike
black shouldered kite
three banded plover
white browed coco
grey backed shrike
yellow throated sand grouse
secretary bird
crowned lapwing
white bellied bustard.
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