OL PEJETA – Feeling hungry?

On our way to our lunch destination we come across the third of our big 5.

I think he must have lunch on his mind as well – he just ambles along ripping up the grass whenever he finishes his last mouthful.  Before we arrive at our ‘lunch in the open’ we visit a chimpanzee refuge.

The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established with an agreement between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute. The aim – to provide lifelong refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees from West and Central Africa. Over the last decade, Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary has been compelled to keep accepting chimpanzees rescued from traumatic situations – bringing the total number of chimpanzees in the Sanctuary to 38. Many are confiscated from cramped and unnatural living conditions, and many arrive with horrific injuries sustained from abuse at the hands of humans. Here at Sweetwaters, they get a chance to start over.

We only get to see a couple and they have the saddest faces around.  What they must have endured in the past to make them so sad and without personality – it certainly is a sobering moment – I don’t like to see any animal unhappy.

My oh my, the day is certainly turning out hot – even with my hat it is good to get back into the shade of the jeep and drive along with a little breeze coming through the window. The animals even think it’s hot.

We have stopped at the Ol Pejeta Spa and Mud Resort – where all and sundry have stopped for a bit of relaxation.  Of course the bigger you are – then you go straight to the head of the line.  We are lucky to see a mother rhino and her little one who looks absolutely flagged out from the heat.

As one of the bigger residents lunges toward the bath all the other animals seem to give way – I would too.  Seems the smart thing to do.  What was once a nice calm pool of water has now turned into a very, very muddy bath.

As our friend leaves the area I am sure he is now relaxed and insect free.  Not one to waste a moment, quick as a flash the warthog family pounces – followed by the mother rhino and her baby.  I certainly hope the little one does not get stuck.

Finally time for lunch.  We have pulled up at a covered eating area that is on the side of a small river where hippos are supposed to be. Unfortunately no hippos but we concentrate on lunch.

Here’s Chris and Moses getting the food ready – not flash I agree but oh so tasty.  The cold juice goes down well before we tuck in and then there is always the good old cuppa to finish everything off.  Seeing that there are no hippos in sight (except for the skulls that are in the hut) we make our own fun with the slingshots that appear.  Obviously great fun can be had slinging rocks at pieces of sticks etc that have been tossed into the flowing river – cheers are heard when they hit – laughter abounds when they miss – must be a man thing.

After our relaxing lunch break and slingshot floorshow, we head back onto the trail and come across some Defassa Waterbuck (left) and some Grant’s Gazelle (right).  They do have sweet faces eh?  I can’t imagine anyone wanting to eat these pretty things – they should stick to the wildebeest – although I am told that the Waterbuck are not very tasty!

Next stop – something terribly trashy and touristy.

We get to have our photo taken at the Equator and in saying that, we have to leave the safety of the jeep and take a short walk (which could turn into a fast run at any moment).  Who is brave or stupid enough to do it? Yep me.

I was thinking about leaping into the air a la the Toyota ad but I was not sure if my knees would hold up when I landed.

Chris is very obliging in taking our photos (this must have been really boring for him) but I suppose it’s all done in the name of keeping the customers happy.  Thanks Chris – you are a gem!

Back on the well travelled tracks of Ol Pejeta we just drive around in the never ending search of wildlife – and we are not disappointed.  Here is a jackal just ambling along in the hot sun.  Not much shade around here that’s for sure.  Next is a giraffe surveying the scene and most probably thinking to himself why the bloody hell are they driving on that lousy track?

This photo will give you a good idea of the tracks after the rain – as you can see they are not in a straight line nor are they on one level.  It’s a good thing our drivers know how to navigate these without getting bogged. – although they do provide some rather jarring moments as we jolt from side to side!

This one lone giraffe is soon in the company of a few more and it seems they are all heading for the Rhino Cemetery.

The cemetery honours the lives of all the Ol Pejeta rhinos that have been killed in the poaching epidemic. A total of ten gravestones stand underneath the tree; a stark reminder of the devastation of the illegal wildlife trade, but also an inspiration to all who visit to continue supporting rhino conservation.  A very sombre moment.

Our next little bit of tourism is to visit with Baraka – the blind, black rhino.

He was born in the wild in Ol Pejeta, but lost his sight in both eyes due to a fight and then a cataract.

For his own safety, Baraka now lives in the 100 acre enclosure and has taken to his new role as rhino ambassador.  We all get a turn to give this special rhino some crunchy grass and even get to pat him.

Our feeding platform is quite safe – although I would have liked to have been level with him – still you cannot have everything and I suppose the safety of all and sundry is of primary concern.  Just imagine what it would be like to get bowled over by a massive 2 tonne animal – no thank you.

At this stop there is also an information Centre where you can get up close and personal with different animal hides, dung and bones. It really is very interesting and you can learn all about the different animals that call Ol Pejeta home.

We get to speak with the Rangers about their work and then it’s back on the trail and guess what we see?  Number 4 of our big 5 – LION! How wonderful.  They are just lying around giving us the once over – so we are told no sudden movements or noise.  It is here that you will have to indulge me concerning the photos.  No need to say anything – as they say a picture is worth a thousand words!

Do you notice anything strange about this lion?  He has no tail!!!

Maybe he lost it in a fight – maybe he was injured and the Rangers had to amputate – anyway it is not something that you would see every day and it doesn’t seem to make a difference to the ladies – they love him just the same!

Maybe it just pays to advertise the goodies.

These lions are so close to us – it is such a rush to be so close. We do not have any fear and continue to follow orders.  You just cannot get enough photos and to try to move the camera very quietly and without drawing attention is no mean feat especially with a 400mm lens attached to it.  But I am pleased to say they did not invite us to stay for dinner; they just looked at us to say ‘make sure you get my good side’.

So how do you like my photo choices for you?  They are such wonderful animals – and they truly are the Kings and Queens of Beasts.  As you can see Chris was at it again with his GoPro and even after covering it with tabasco sauce the ladies kept on sniffing the thing and pulling faces.

This is a photo that I have selected to print and frame as part of my Big 5 Collection – I just love it and hopefully you do too.

He just sat there and seemed to know that he was one special lion and, because of that, we should take loads of photos of him.  I certainly didn’t disappoint and snapped away to my heart’s content.

It was hard to tear ourselves away from the scene but tear ourselves away we had to do – it was time to head back home.  Today has been one of those ‘how can things get an better’ day. Every day there are new surprises and they seem to get better and better with every turn.

Today’s bum shot – back to the mud wallow.  Now that is one impressive and unforgettable rear – this guy certainly had a great time.

We saw 4 out of our Big 5 – maybe the leopard will complete the fivesome tomorrow?

Highlight of the day : being privileged to have a Royal Audience with the lions.