Wednesday, Oct 26. This is the pre-extension tour, with only 5 adventurers. A flight was required to reach the Reserve. Nairobi has a separate airport for domestic travel. Dozens and dozens of aircraft, far beyond what a country the size of Kenya should need. Safaris clearly begin in the air. Our plane was the largest by far, a four engine prop. It delivered people to four different safari destinations, ours being the last before its return to Nairobi. Its two right-side engines were never switched off.

Our tour guide, “Ben”, was dressed in traditional tribal garb. The driver, “Justin” was in greens. We departed on an initial 3 hour game-viewing drive on the way to the lodge. It became clear quickly that this was a viewing drive much different than the one I took in 2020. Long-distance viewing. I attached my telephoto lens, which has been largely collecting dust since I bought it. Now it became essential. We saw many different animals and birds, but all from a considerable distance. Ben related that off-road driving is frowned upon by the (armed) authorities. We violated this once to get a better view of sunbathing lions. Stopped once for coffee/tea and really good sweet bread.

Eventually we drove through a primitive community and arrived at our lodge. Nice place, with a pool. Lunch was fine. We had a 4 hour siesta before our afternoon drive. Much better experience, though we were still usually far from the animals. I added more lens power and got some okay shots, though not my desired sharp resolution. It was fun to notice that to find exotic animals, one must be on the lookout for a herd of trucks (mostly Toyotas).

Dinner was okay. The server spilled an entire fruity drink on me, which caused a more rapid return to my room for the night.

Tuesday, Oct 25. I spent most of the day in the room and tried to reset my body’s rhythm . Had a briefing about tomorrow. Walked a bit, snapping photos of plants and some kind of monkey, who mostly moved faster than my shutter speed. I tried to identify the species, but there are so many. Skipped lunch. Actually used the gym. Had an odd burger that I don’t need to have again. Tusker Beer, with an emblem of an elephant with large tusks.

As usual, though Kenya is a third world country, there are things we can learn. No plastic. Water bottles are glass. Glasses in the gym are glass. Trash cans have no plastic bag liner. Probably considered a bad thing, but smartphones haven’t become ubiquitous. Phones resemble small TV remotes in shape. Tech hasn’t completely taken over social interaction.

Tomorrow we fly off to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Glamping, but electricity is iffy. Wifi more iffy. We spend three nights there. Probably no updates until Sunday.

Sunday/Monday, Oct 23/24. Lyft to airport was an exciting 85mph early morning ride. Flights were fine. The two 8+ hour legs were alongside a vacant seat. KLM was interesting in that a gate sign said masks were mandatory and the on board announcement included a warning to only remove the mask during actual bites of food. But virtually no one worn masks, including none of the crew.

My lounge pass was useless, in that the lounges in Atlanta and Amsterdam were waitlisted, with no realistic chance to get in. I need to really reconsider renewing the fancy credit card that provides this useless lounge pass.

Amsterdam Airport is beautiful but also awful. We spent a half hour 20 feet from the gate while ground crew tried to move equipment. Huge empty spaces where it’s not needed, small crowded spaces where it is. Few restaurants. Very weird layout. I logged over a mile of walking without even trying. It’s got a museum! The flight was delayed departing the gate, which meant we missed our departure time slot. Had to wait 40 minutes for the next available slot. Amsterdam is added my growing list of airports to avoid.

Arrived in Nairobi almost on time. Customs was routine, except for the guy in front of me who hadn’t printed his e-visa. Five minutes to sort it out. The tour organization and Delta stressed the need to get a QR code before arrival. Never asked for. This overloading of unneeded requirements is getting to be too routine. Covid consequences will outlive me.

Got out of the terminal to find an Overseas Adventure Travels rep. But he was waiting for other people for a different itinerary. No sign of my guy. The rep was helpful in getting things worked out for me. Eventually the hotel’s driver appeared. They drive on the left here! As usual, lane lines, where visible, are recommendations. Silly waste of paint.

Very nice looking hotel. Very serious guard at gate, who did a walk around of the car. Guard at the door, sending everything through detector. Card needed to use elevator. Card needed to enter my wing of hotel. A gift bracelet on the bed, suggesting I order personalized versions to help pay for girls’ education.

Snore.

Sunday, Oct 23. Departure for Nairobi. 33 hours door to door, 21 hours in the air. A 2.5 hour layover is now a concern in this new version of air travel. Hope it’s long enough to get from one plane to another.

This adventure begins in Kenya, at the Masai Mara National Reserve. Then we cross the border into Tanzania and explore the Serengeti area. Besides wildlife safaris, we visit various communities. The trip ends on the island of Zanzibar (Spice Islands). 24 days in total.

I have mixed emotions. Watching elephants roam the Earth is great entertainment, but as with the safari I did back when Covid was entering our lives, the itinerary includes long days in trucks on rough roads (or worse). I’d really much rather sit in a high chair and let the animals come to me. But I am certainly looking forward to Zanzibar.