Laikipia - day 3

We were up again at 5.30am this morning (this is not a relaxing holiday!) to set out on our morning game drive. It was very cold this morning - there was a biting wind whipping through the vehicle’s open sides that no hot water bottle or fleece lined poncho could help. We had just set off when we spotted a black rhino and her calf running in the bush on the side of the road. Our guide had told us that black rhinos were aggressive,particularly if they have a calf,  and he was not joking - as soon as the rhino spotted us she charged the vehicle at full speed making loud snorting noise - our guide quickly accelerated away. That certainly woke us up! Apparently she would not have charged in to the vehicle but from where we were sitting it certainly looked like she might have done so. A bit of an adrenalin rush to start the day….

As it was so windy and cold we did not see any many animals, as they tend to stick to the bush so as to get out of the wind so they cannot be smelt. We saw antelope and buffalo, but at one point I was too cold to even think about taking photos. By the time we stopped for our bush breakfast the sun was up and the wind was starting to drop.

You are probably wondering why I am posting an image of a chimpanzee, which is not indigenous to East Africa. The reason is that today we went to visit the Sweetwater Chimpanzee sanctuary. This was founded by Dr Jane Goodall to house chimpanzees in need of rehabilitation. Sadly their natural habitat (the jungles of Central Africa and parts of West Africa) are war zones and the people are not the only victims. Chimpanzees are under threat from their natural habitat being an area of conflict, from deforestation, from being killed for use as bush meat, and from illegal trading as pets. Some of the chimpanzees at this sanctuary were rescued from being ill treated as pets - they are very cute as babies but as they grow into aggressive adults they are no longer wanted and so are often badly treated and kept locked up in small cages. It is really so sad to see how they have suffered, and as a consequence they are now also a species under threat. They cannot be released in to the wild once they are rehabilitated as they have no natural wild area to go back to due to conflict in those areas. 

In the afternoon we went out for a short game drive, then came back for an early supper and now we are about to be taken out on a night drive so that we can see the nocturnal animals. Maybe we will finally see the elusive leopard?!

Thank you for your kind comments and hearts on my images. I am managing to read all the comments but the wifi situation is a bit frustrating - it is hit and miss and is only available in the main reception tent. I cannot go up there to use it when I would like as we are not allowed to walk around the camp after dark (6pm) and have to wait for an escort by a staff member, so I cannot comment on any journals. Asante sana!