On to Samburu

Blog by Betsy
I have been trying to send an email to my husband for three days and had no phone or internet service. Even though the lodges say that they have internet, AKA “Bushmail,”, it rarely works. I hope Brian does not think I am dead on the side of one of the treacherous Kenyan roads.

Yesterday (Friday), we have our first game drive and saw 2 types of Zebras, Elephants, Oryx, Baboons, Giraffe-neck Gazelles, Crocodiles, Dic-Dic, Cape Buffalo, Bush backs, monkeys, Impalas and last night a Genat cat came to visit at dinner.

This morning (Saturday) we got to see many Giraffes (my favorite), as well as a Cheetah eating an Impala.

We got a clear picture of the devastation the drought is causing. Our lodge is on a river, which is not flowing. There was not a drop of rain during the rainy season, March-May. The Samburu area, in Northern Kenya, is already one of the driest areas of the country and without the usual rain, it is parched. Animals are emaciated and dying from dehydration and starvation. The local Samburu tribe has lost all of its cattle to the drought, and as a result, its livelihood. Eric says this is the worst he has seen in his nine years of guiding.

We were touched by the animal mothers and babies we saw. Knowing how hard it is to survive individually, one can only imagine the sacrifice and drive to raise a baby in this harsh environment. Yet we had a chance to see many Babies – Elephants, Zebra, Giraffe & Oryx – all in the protection and care of their Mothers. “A Mother Never Retires…”