Nairobi Safari Walk - Two trips on 8 and 26 December 2010

Nairobi Safari Walk : Two trips on 8th December with Minke Portengren and 26th December with Ray and Louise

• The Nairobi Safari Walk is part of the larger and famous Nairobi National Park and is located 7 kilometres from Nairobi City.
• It began in 2001 with a donation from the European Union funding.
• This Walk is a splendid conservation facility designed to enhance the visitor's appreciation of Kenya's flora and fauna.
• It is a haven for the Kenya's injured wildlife and provides a place of rehabilitation as it is fenced off from the main Nairobi National Park.
• It is a showcase of Kenya's vast natural diversity and provides an experience of Kenya's three eco-systems : namely the savannahs, forests and wetlands.
• Visitors walk along the raised wooden boardwalk, through the different habitats and observe at close range, the wonderful variety of wildlife in each eco-system.
• Through 27 acres of wilderness, the boardwalk provides souring views out over the shimmering stretches ofr the savannah, with observation points down onto waterholes and the wildlife that frequent them.

Entrance to Nairobi Safari Walk, Nairobi National Park, Nairobi in Kenya

I first visited Nairobi Safari Walk with Minke on 8 December which was mid week and when there was hardly anyone there.  It was very pleasant walking around the boardwalk area, looking at the wildlife without being pestered by other patrons.  On that day, the weather was overcast and therefore made ideal conditions for walking and observing.  We saw quite a lot of wildlife including a cheetah which had been kept caged for a long time and as a result had a sore foot.  We also saw many baboon families, warthogs, a rhino, and some albino zebras.  

However, on the second visit with Ray and Louise it was a public holiday - 26 December and it was very crowded and there weren't as many animals around.  Perhaps they knew it was a holiday and decided to stay at home!  We did see a leopard from afar, sitting high in the branches of a tall tree, and a caged lion having a sleep.

  

Above is an example of the lush flora and fauna growing around the Park. 

The Safari boardwalk.

A mature pygmy hippo taking an afternoon nap

I've discovered many different species of wildlife in my visits to the Walk.  For example, I never knew there were such animals as a pygmy hippo or an albino zebra.

A family of warthogs out for an afternoon drink at the waterhole

The buck above is called a Bongo buck and as we were looking down at him from the boardwalk he was enjoying himself immensely eating and drinking, totally oblivious to his admirers.

Mr Baboon taking an afternoon stroll along the boardwalk handrail and not the least bit interested in the humans who are interested in him! 

A very handsome chap and he'll be a good catch for some deserving female someday!

This shot of the leopard was taken from a distance and I cursed that I didn't have a more effective zoom on my camera. He was taking a nap in the top branches of this tree - quite high up!  

Albino zebras grazing!  

  

This cheetah was brought to the Safari Walk to recuperate from a foot injury and was lame, a result from being caged for a long period of time. 

   

 Gabrielle and Louise enjoying the view!  Gabrielle saluting the photographer!

Gabrielle and Louise sunning themselves outside the Safari Walk!!

And after our adventure, Ray shouted us to a delicious meal at the famous Nairobi restaurant, Carnivore!