....... Once in
Nairobi, and it's dark outside the airport waiting for me and a boy of Veronica Come to Africa Safaris (and with him hundreds of people chattering with a sheet in hand), with this agency the day after we begin our Kenyan safari. Along the road to the hotel, we are pleasantly impressed by a modern
Nairobi, orderly and clean enough. Skyscrapers, lights, signs, not me, would have expected that. The next day turned out, the darkness of the night had hidden many things. Along the way and upon arrival at the hotel we are brainwashed about the dangers of
Nairobi, never walk alone, attention to this and that .... In the end we decided to drink a beer in a pub, we are the only white people, there is music and quiet environment. Returns to the room for our first night African untie the knot at the screen door, the noises of the street ... never slept so well ... but .... It was time to leave
Nairobi. The choice of our agency for the Kenyan safari (as for the Tanzanian side) took place thanks to some positive reviews and, above all, taking care to save. From this moment, for 16 days, we should have to forget the comforts of a good bed, nothing luxury lodge, just basic services, sleeping bag, tent and lots of adventure.
Masai Mara,
Lake Nakuru and
Amboseli were our steps through between one and one hundred km, unpaved roads, interminable distances but especially the local life that we ran out of the window. There were 5: we are 2 Italian, 2 Peruvian and an Australian (sounds like a joke ...?). Our guide, Opany, would be our guardian angel for 6 days and the
Kenya we had to convey the secrets. Of course in a safari group is crucial establish relationships with other participants, but the most important role is that of driving, he depends on the success of the safari el'affiatamento general. Opany, a big man up 1.95 mt, 120 kg of weight, at first glance was quite distant and serious, but behind this mask, he could give moments of warmth, kindness, gentleness and joy. Men's really smart and hardworking, with him we were fine. Left behind in
Nairobi, are catapulted into a horizon of slums, shacks, poverty and so much confusion. The impact of this reality has been quite strong. Continuing, short stop on a natural terrace overlooking a corner of the Rift Valley, passing through the bustling town of Narok, a couple of hours of dirt road and finally the entrance to the
Masai Mara. Describe the wonders of this and other parks we visited I think it is superfluous, and better than others before me have already done. I merely point out the yellow color of the grass at sunset, the soft shapes of hills, endless columns of wildebeest, antelopes and zebras in this season of migration. Giraffes, elephants, cheetah-cheetah, lioness with cubs, the lion with a thick mane. The Maasai people, their villages and farms, and their colored blankets: the color in this land. On the
Masai Mara, crossing the highlands of the region come to Naivasha Nakuru. It is an evening gray and even the next day I would be. The evening Opany us to taste from her plate the ugali, ate with his hands and he erupts in laughter. From that moment on, I think it is a spark between us. The
Lake Nakuru has pleasantly impressed, pity that it was one of very few days where the weather was gray and hazy. From the lookout you can enjoy an incredible view of the lake and lay underneath. Thousands of pink flamingos in the lake paints the horizon, the green lawns still giraffes, buffalos, baboons, leopards and rhinos were perched on trees, but now very rare to see in this protected place so close to us. Still from the lookout, "the assault" of a local school on a school trip, a guy approaches me and Veronica and wants a picture with us. No problem and I tell them ... one by one all the students wanted to do the same. ... In short, 10 minutes of uninterrupted picture, a bit 'of embarrassment and lots of laughter ... who knows, maybe you looked like someone famous?! Apart from these guys, the city of Nakuru is the place where for the first time I realized that independence is given to children, even tiny. From 3 / 4 years old walking alone on the streets, the more fortunate have the backpack and go to nursery school, no school or parents that we shake hands, take it and go. ... As a child you must learn to survive.
Back in the van, was transferred longest by a Nakuru
Namanga, 8 hours of road and spend the night at the border with Tanzania. Fortunately, the music that we Opany propionate was nice and we spent time singing .... "Jambo, Jambo Bwana, Abaris gani ....". The next day
Amboseli, al'ingresso we face a stretch of sand and the horizon .... Anything. We came up here to see Kilimanjaro and we have two days to hope that the mist is cleared away by the wind. We were not so lucky, unfortunately Kilimanjaro we saw only a few minutes in the morning and its glacier seen in the clouds: shame.
Amboseli I liked a lot, remember it as the paradise of elephants, we have seen dozens and dozens and the surrounding area is very vast and varied. In the evening, our camp under a large acacia was truly magical, the fire lit up the night around us the savanna, stars like never before, and absolute silence. Only the animal noises from time to time remind us of their presence. Veronica began to have some 'fever, and our Peruvian friend was already several days that had high, often thought to have malaria, but testing and the local doctors have reassured us. The choice of prophylaxis seemed to be right.
Back to
Namanga for customs paperwork. Exceeded the Kenyan border, the line to get a visa for Tanzania. After 7 days we were healthy Opany; has been a friend for the first time in Africa, in his eyes I saw that special light. We can do is wait for the bus to Arusha, we hug and make a big laugh. A knot in my throat tightens, it would be the last during the journey.
We cross the border, the bus is crowded, we see the summit of Mount Meru, we are in Tanzania ... ..