Kenya Mountain Lodge

We were up early and packed up in order to take off right after breakfast.  Drove back along the same route we took to the Samburu Game Reserve crossing the equator.  Stopped at a curio shop for some more shopping.  Again along the highway made note of the subsistence living, very small dwellings, shepherds, cowherds, goatherds aplenty.  Lots of people in the small towns milling around.  Also of note were the many police and military stops along the highway.  These were set up with nasty looking spike barricades to weave through and armed guards.  Apparently they are primarily looking for illegal immigrants.  Also passed a police recruiting event.  Located in an open park, what look to be a thousand people queued up for apparently about 12 positions.  Left the highway and entered the reforestation area which surrounds Mt. Kenya National Park.  We are staying at the Serena Mountain Lodge,

which is a very rustic lodge built in the 70's overlooking a watering hole.  We are sitting on the veranda watching some African Cape Buffalo and Water Bucks while I post.  The lodge is comfortable, lunch was adequate.

Now posting Tuesday morning.  Sitting on the veranda overlooking the watering hole and natural salt lick.  It is the salt source that draws the animals.  The lodge was originally situated here for lazy hunters.  It is referred to as a Tree Hotel because the original facility was a "Tree House". Now the claim to fame is the "All night safari".  They offer to come to your room and wake you in case a particular species you are interested in seeing wanders up to the hole over night.  I'm sure some of the more extreme enthusiasts actually sit up all night watching.  The lodge is situated at about 7200 feet on Mt Kenya which towers snow capped at 17,500 feet. Second highest to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.  It is quite cool and wet here in the rain forest.  The lodge is not heated nor insulated as far as I can tell.  They place a very hot water bottle in the bed at turn down which is a nice service.  Very restful sleep, thought there might be more night sounds, but it was very quiet.  Didn't see a lot of action while here, a leopard did peek out from the forest from a distance, but a bull water buck challenged him and he backed up and disappeared.  Otherwise, a few bush bucks, a few genetes, Sykes monkeys crawling all over the place.  Interesting that I noticed a couple of monkeys missing arms/hands.  Apparently lost fighting each other.  All in all I'd say this won't be the most memorable part of our journey.  We'll be off shortly after breakfast enroute to Lake Nakuru National Park.  Expecting a long and bumpy ride (Peter describes it as a deep tissue massage.)