Isiolo National Park

Isiolo National Park is on the other side of Shaba National Park. On the second day of our safari, our AWESOME driver, Benjamin, had the brilliant idea of skipping our game drive in Shaba National park and heading over to Isiolo. The original plan was to do a game drive in Shaba all day, but he knew Isiolo was abundant with animals. This was the first full day of game viewing. Benjamin kept telling us how LUCKY we were to see all the animals we did.

How many baboons do you see?

Our lucky streak was just beginning...

Supa (aka- Hello)

We were able to visit the nomadic Samburu tribe living near the Shaba National Park. We arrived early in the morning and were greeted by a group of native women. We were given beaded necklaces to wear and were encouraged to join the men and women in their dancing festivities. The Samburu want to keep their culture alive and were excited to teach us their traditions and way of life.

Jordan trying to jump as high as one of the Samburu men

Goats are an important part of survival for the Samburu.

The tribe eats very little meat, but uses the milk and even the blood for the main source of their nutrients.

Making fire.

The village was surrounded by a thorny fence to keep wild animals out.

Houses made of sticks, cardboard, and plastic bags.

Women build the homes as well as do 90% of the work.

Men are hunters and herdsman.

Admiring the walls made of cow dung and dirt

Polly and Jess inside one of the native dwellings. Each home has two small areas (rooms). One area is for sleeping while the other area acts as the kitchen and living area, but is transformed into another sleeping area for the adults.

Jordan trying to be as tough as one of the Samburu men. Are you convinced?

Inside the school room

They couldn't stop touching and smelling Jess.

They were all so adorable.

The village from afar.

Shaba National Park

The first couple days of our safari were spent up in northern Kenya. After arriving in Nairobi, we headed north, passing by Mt. Kenya, coffee and tea fields, and the famous Kenyan rose plantations. After a six hour drive through the Kenya country side, we arrived at Sarova Shaba lodge inside the Shaba National Park.

At the lodge

Every morning, the baboons walked past our room.

Our friend Ben called it the Baboon highway.

grooming on the sidewalk

View from our lodge. This river was crocodile infested.

The first animal sighting in the park.

The first of many elephants seen on our trip.

Gerenuk gazelle (aka-giraffe gazelle)