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We left Lagos, Nigeria on the morning of Saturday 27 November. Murtala Muhammad International airport of Lagos is far from the city, and even farther from our hotel. Traffic is messy, jams are common, and the timings become unpredictable. The organizers advised us to leave hotel at least 6 hours before flight. We left accordingly. However, either due to early time, or Saturday being closed for most offices, we found smooth traffic and reached the airport quite early. It took another about 30 minutes to check in and we were in the departure lounge long before the flight time.
Kenya Airways flight flew almost on time and landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi on time. We had immigration done, took our luggage and walked over to the adjacent domestic terminal. Flight to Mombasa took off on time and we landed at Mombasa airport at 1.00am. Long journey, considering that we were traveling only from West to East Africa.
Sunday 28 November was a closed holiday, but our distributor was kind enough to have a meeting at their office.
After the meeting, we were arranged to go for safari tour. The driver took us to Ngutuni Game Park, about 165km from Mombasa city, where we reached just short of 4.00pm.
Ngutuni Game Park is a privately held park. It is spread over 10,000 acres and is fenced on all sides. There is a lodge where guests stay and take tours of the game park. The lodge is old, colonial style, designed to be close to nature. The restaurant merges with the terrace and faces a water reservoir, probably the only reservoir in the park. The benefit is that all the animals come to it for water.
We went for the first game ride from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. We drove around various tracks. The driver was an expert, knew the game park very well, and could spot the animals from a distance. We were able to see elephants, lions, gazelles, giraffes and returned to the hotel.
We spent the evening and early night at the restaurant/terrace. The animals kept visiting the water reservoir and we could watch them from closer distance.
Next morning, we started the game ride at 6.30, just after the sunrise. For the next two hours, we drove around the park and saw zebras, more elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles etc. Came back, had breakfast, and left for Mombasa city.
Safari or Game Park ride is a lifetime experience. I had been to Nairobi National Game Park several years before, but the bigger safaris are in Mombasa. Seeing the animals in natural environment is an altogether different experience. This Park was not a forest, it was more like flat terrain with vegetation, short trees here which became food for animals. Lions had to hunt from among buffaloes, gazelles to get their food. This is how cycle of life goes on.
Some pictures of safari are included with this post.
Mombasa is a small, serene city, which appeared serener after the chaotic life of Lagos. People here are soft, friendly, calm, and peaceful. Unlike Lagos, no one appeared driving rash and no one honked horn.
Mombasa metro has a population of 1.3 million. About 40% Muslims and 60% Christians live together peacefully. We saw several mosques and churches not far from one another. Many migrant Muslims have been living here for generations.
Kenya declared independence on December 12, 1963, from the British rule. It was led by the famous President Jomo Kenyatta from 1963 to 1978.
Most construction is old, dating back to colonial times. Poverty is obvious because means of living are limited.
Mombasa is a port city and has a long history of trade. Currently, it is famous for its beaches and beach resorts. Backside of our hotel opened on the beach of Atlantic Ocean. Our part of the beach had white sand but did not appear developed. Surely, there are highly developed beaches for tourist attraction.
I am sitting at the balcony of my room from where I have been watching the Atlantic, and sunrise, and writing this post.
We shall travel to Nairobi today, November 30th. Shall return with the next post from there.
So long.
To be Continued……
2 comments
The most beautiful lines are with an imagination.
I am sitting at the balcony of my room from where I have been watching the Atlantic, and sunrise, and writing this post
You have illustrated so beautifully that the reader feels like travelling with you .at every place, thank you for taking us along.