Initially, the plan was to flag off this game drive at 6 A.M. Unfortunately, I had to do something important between 7 and 8. It was a few minutes past 9 when I finally made it to the main gate.
Having purchased my permit prior to visiting the park, all I had to do at the gate was listen to the briefing and disappear into the animal kingdom.
Again, my stingy self decided to spin around the unfamiliar wildlife habitat without a guide. Although I have made it a habit to visit these attractions without guides, hiring one is highly recommended.
It was easy to spot animals. Giraffes, zebras, elephants, antelopes, and ostriches were all over the place. From time to time, I would see a cluster of tourist vehicles pulling over at one spot. Whenever this happened, I would take a detour and head to the said spot. Their convergence was a sign that they had spotted something.
Another trick I usually use is to trail guided tourists. Once again, I may be a stingy tourist who avoids paying guides, but their services are always rewarding. With a good guide, you are assured of seeing and learning more.
An encounter with wild animals in their natural habitat is otherworldly. It is a rare privilege. There is a profound sense of peace in the park. As I navigated the muddy trail, I felt the raw, unfiltered magic of nature.
Nairobi National Park is one of a kind. It is the only national park in the world found in the city. During my unforgettable game drive in this unique attraction, I had a clear view of the city's soaring skyline.
I spent a long time tracking lions in vain. From Lion Valley to Songora Ridge and Impala Viewpoint to Olomanyi Plains, the king of the jungle was nowhere to be seen. My late arrival is probably to blame. The best time to see lions is before they start dosing in their hideouts.
Although I bumped into a wide range of animals, I still wanted to see the aforementioned big cat. That explains why I added a visit to the Stedmak Gardens on the Nairobi itinerary. My experiences at Stedmak will be shared in my next post.