Having returned to Lusaka by bus, we flew Kenya Airways via Harare to the Kenyan capital. The airport was unusually surrounded by national park land with huge fences keeping rhinos off the runway.

We would be staying two nights at the wonderful Hobb House in the north of the city, 30-minutes by our pre-booked taxi driven by jovial Jackson, using the expressway. Set in a leafy suburb now popular for well-off Somalis, the hotel has its own beautiful garden and is stuffed full of African artefacts.

The food served in the garden was also absolutely delicious. The evening menu is Lebanese and I had the same wonderful vegetarian dish on both nights!

The breakfast had the best porridge I have ever tasted, garnished with fruit, nuts & spices. Sharing the space with birds, butterflies and tranquility was a fabulous adornment.

Even the day we left to catch an early morning train to Mombasa, the hotel packed us a wonderful packed breakfast with yummy falafel wraps. 10/10 for a wonderful hotel.

Nairobi National Park

The park in the city environs and flanked by the city skyscrapers proved to be a great experience. Booked once more through Get Your Guide, a half-day safari was good value for money with the fee including hotel pickup and dropoff.

It was an animal fest again just like Chobe a few days before. Animal bingo card at the ready……..

White Rhinos

Having seen the black variety in the dusk of Kruger 21-years before, we were able to get up close to the white species here.

A trio of adults were happily drinking from the waterhole, a pair of juveniles engaged in some play fighting, and a solo male just stared indignantly. What magnificent creatures.

Watch a video of the play fight by clicking RHINOS.

Zebras

The striped horses are often overlooked like the antelopes, but what beauties they are. Their patterns are intricate and each one is unique, rather like human fingerprints. A herd hung out with the crash of rhinos for herbivore company (protection?).

See a short zebra video by clicking STRIPES.

Warthogs

The much maligned creatures and stars of the Lion King are worthy beasts. Usually to be seen eating or scratching, they are an entertaining watch.

Ostrich

We twice saw a solitary male big bird who viewed us inquisitively. The second took flight when he deemed we were too close. They get up quite some speed powered by long muscly legs.

Birdlife

Sticking with birds, we saw quite a selection of varying sizes & colours. The oft chastised vultures were quite a spectacle.

Antelope

Like zebras, antelope are often taken for granted on safaris. However, the impala is one of the most beautiful beasts out there.

Crocodile

A couple of crocs were basking in the late afternoon sunshine. One had enough of our gazing and scurried into the waterhole.

Giraffes

More magnificent beasts. We managed to get really close to one long-necked beauty and watched it feasting on treetops.

Catch a video of the giraffe’s evening meal by clicking on GERRY.

Baboons

As we exited the park, a large family of baboons appeared. The cheeky critters would pull over every waste bin and climb through the toilet windows at the park entrance.

There were some interesting trees in the park, including baobabs. The Nairobi to Mombasa train line (that we would traverse next day) also runs through the park, elevated above giraffe reach.

We did also see a jackal chasing a hare but they were too fast to capture.

Right, that leaves Leopard, Cheetah & Wildebeest as gaps on my safari CV!

Coming next – Mombasa