In Search of Elephants - An African Safari Part 1
Game drives at different times during the day make up a safari schedule. On an early morning game drive you might find a female cheetah with her cubs chasing a gazelle for breakfast. On a late-morning game drive you may spot a leopard, sleeping in a tree, or families of olive baboons grooming each other and playing under acacia trees. Best of all you might spot a few elephants. Small families from the very old matriarch to newly born calves can be seen slowly roaming through the bush feeding on grass, leaves, twigs, and bark. They stop at the river for a cool drink or a quick bath. Spotting an elephant is no easy task. Yes, elephants are large animals and you almost expect them to tower over the trees and shrubs. However, these animals blend into their environment, just as they should. The blanket of trees shield elephants from anxious visitors unless a keen eye spots one or a tuned ear hears the breaking of an acacia branch. Our driver followed a small elephant family for about an hour. Later another family with a newborn calf came too close to the van and the driver had to toot the horn to make the elephants move on. The matriarch trumpeted and the family slowly moved on through the brush.
After each game drive you are treated to a delicious buffet meal. Some may worry about what is served, but remember Africa was greatly influenced by the British in the mid 1800's. So the food resembles much of what you would find in the states with some Indian spices and breads thrown in as well.
The Samburu Serena lodge offers an added experience. Since the lodge sits on the land of the Samburu people you have an opportunity to visit one of the Samburu villages. The Samburu culture is quite different in that they live in self-constructed huts, eat only meat, and drink only milk and blood. The Samburu dress, facial markings, and hair all define a villager's role in society. You can learn a lot about the customs of the Samburu people when you attend the dance performances at the lodge. Members of the nearby villages perform ritual tribal dances for the visitors. Afterward, you can purchase handmade items from the villagers to remember a land and its people that you will likely never encounter again.
Many zoos sponsor safari trips especially
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