How do you remember your first visit to the Theatre of the Wild? Maybe you also have a blog to share with us? "When I first travelled to Kenya in the heart of Africa I was not sure exactly what to expect – I knew it would be hot, I knew that I would see many species of wildlife but I did not know how it all fitted into place: Was it a huge expanse of land with free roaming animals? Would I see Elephants and Zebra strolling along the roads? Very quickly I understood and I have never turned back. It is the most captivating place on the planet. It may well be the last natural environment where the greatest animals on the planet still survive. My first real encounter was when I travelled to a place called Tsavo West which is around a 4 hour drive from the coast of Mombasa. The National park there covers an area of 9,065 kilometres and the rads/tracks there are a deep red colour – due to the richness of volcanic activity in the soil. As we approached the national park you have to stop and pay the entrance fee to KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) and can then enter. I remember seeing the strangest looking Lizards as we were paying the fee. Large Lizards with bright Blue bodies from their tail up to their neck, then a stark contrast of Orange finally compliments these Lizards. They are called ‘Agama Lizards’ and I guess were the first real wild wonders that my eyes and camera took stock of. I was excited. We drove no more than a few hundred yards and I was already calling my driver ‘Mr Thoya’ to stop the vehicle so I could take a photo. “What have you seen?” he asked. “look…look at that colourful bird!” I exclaimed. Thoya laughed and explained to me that these birds are called ‘Superb Starlings’ and are very common – I guess like our Blackbirds here in the UK? They are the same size as a Blackbird and in the shade look similar in colour….but once the Kenyan sun has refracted off their feathers – they are some of the most startlingly beautiful birds I have come across….mon or not. We continued no more than a few feet when I asked to stop again….another bird. This time it was a ‘Hornbill’ – also very common to Africa. Thoya was laughing loudly now and I asked what had caused such a reaction from him: “Most people come here to see the Big Five – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino, but you are happy seeing anything….this will be VERY good Safari!!!” I laughed too and explained that I indeed wanted to see everything: insects, birds, animals – you name it, they were all special to me. We continued our short drive through the bumpy red tracks and up an escarpment to my first lodge where I would be staying for a few nights. As soon as I arrived I was greeted by all the staff at the lodge singing to me. It was an overwhelming experience, everyone from the Manager, to the chef was there all beaming with welcoming smiles. What a lovely country. I was shown to my room and no sooner had I put my bags on the bed than I heard a loud trumpeting from what could only be an Elephant…..this was unreal…my first one of the Big Five hopefully! I was duly rewarded as I opened my balcony door because there, in the distance, was a train of Elephants walking towards a watering hole around 500m ahead of them. I stood as still as a stone statue and could feel my smile lifting me higher and higher as I observed these wonderful animals. As they approached the water one of the Elephants – a young male I think, started to pick up speed from their slow pace and almost danced to the water waving his trunk around like a fan waving a banner at a sporting event. It was incredible…..witnessing them in the wild and how they react in their natural habitat. I was spellbound! I unpacked my bags and went to the restaurant to have some food and gaze into the wilderness – camera firmly by my side so as not to miss a thing, As I sat there sipping my ice cold ‘Tusker Beer’ (The nation’s favourite beer) I saw a plethora of birds all swooping in to pick up any scraps left in the dining area. These birds were mainly of the ‘Weaver’ variety. They are small like our Sparrows but are varied in colour, some yellow, red, black, you name it they seem to have some of that colour in them. They also make the most intricate nests. They fly around finding pieces of grass/straw etc.. and then fly into an Acacia tree and start building their nests. The nests are the shape of a ball with a small hole at the front that they can enter. These hanging ‘baskets’ look like small Chinese lanterns delicately placed on branches. It is a sight to behold – they are such clever little birds. The next few days consisted of game drives around the park where I saw Red Elephants (Tinged with the red soil of the ground), Giraffes, Monitor Lizards, many birds but no Lions. I was in awe of the diverse landscape and all it offered me. Seeing towering Giraffes stroll past and extend their tongues to eat from the thorny Acacia’s, Zebra’s and Antelope skipping through the bush keeping a watchful eye out for predators, Elephants being led by the matriarch and birds swooping from high and low to pick off the insects and small rodents. It seemed that wherever you turned there was something going on. It was a photographers dream come true." glowmagazine.me/welcome-to-the-theatre-of-the-wild/?fb_source=pubv1
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 19:10:54 +0000
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