Kenya is named for Mt. Kenya. An early explorer asked local what the name of the Mountain was. They misunderstood and replied, where the ostrich comes from - Kee Nya. Our tent is very comfortable, fully netted in. Had a great night until the power came back on at 4:30 am and the ceiling fan came back on, which woke us up. We had wake up coffee service at 06:00. Apparently the monkeys recognize the trays and will steal the biscuits if the zipper is not fully done up. We didn't have that happen. Great breakfast outside and off on our first main game drive here. We were very lucky to see a Lioness feeding on a fresh Impala kill under the shade of a bush. Just prior, we had seen a cub hiding some distance away. We were able to watch until the Lioness finished feeding and called the cubs, there were five.
The cubs feeding was also fascinating. We learned that the Mothers work together to protect, hide and feed their cubs from adult males. An adult male will differentiate unrelated cubs and kill them to render the other lioness "cub less" and likely to come into heat. Also saw a Cheetah resting in the shade. Lots of birds. Oryx, Water Buck, Silver Backed Jackal, another form of mongoose family that looks like a feline, Elephants, Reticulated Giraffes, loads of ungulates (including Gerenuk), baboons....
Back to the camp uchovu, njaa na kiu, but had to wait until 1:00 pm so sitting in the bar posting.
After lunch, it was time for a siesta. In spite of the heat, had a great nap. At 4:00, went for our afternoon game drive which wasn't as productive as the longer one we enjoyed this morning. Saw many of the same animals as before, plus a pair of Ostrich. Located a male and female cheetah with cubs, but they not active, basically sleeping under a bush in the shade. Presently attending a Sumbaru cultural presentation before dinner. The presenter is from Samburu tribe, his name is Tilas. Interestingly, he mentioned he knows Brian Keating from the Calgary Zoo, who has visited this camp a number of times before.
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