I flew into Nairobi and had a day before my safari began. Knowing that there are some amazing opportunities for animals nearby, I naturally wnet to go find them!
My first stop was the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.... better known as the elephant orphanage!
Visitors can go in from 11:00-12:00 and watch these little guys being fed, and play in a bath!! They currently have 14 of the babies that we got to see (Along with another 2 that are too small to be brought out!) and watch right up close that are all under the age of 3. I can't even begin to tell you how cute- and tiny!! Just look at that little guy!!- they are, and you're right there and can pet them.
I'm not really sure who was happier at this moment. I could have died a happy woman while petting the giraffe, but he looked like he was pretty pleased with the situation, too!
All in all... what a spectacular first day in East Africa!
After they've fed, the babies get to splash around in some water, and roll in the mud. This is not just for fun, but also a protection against the sun on their skin. They seem to have a wonderful time doing it, too!
Will you just look at that face?!?!
After the tiny ones were taken back out to roam, they brought in another group of 14 elephants, this time all ranging from 3-6. Some of these guys are close to being released back into the wild, so they feed them on a tuck like the one that will later transport them to their new homes. This habituates the elephants to getting on the truck, as they're too smart to do so otherwise. When this lot came through, it was just for bath time!
I was right up next to them, so they ended up splashing me with a lot of mud. The rest of the crowd thinned out to go to either side of the area where they wouldn't be splashed.... but I decided there are a LOT worse reasons for having a stain on your clothes than being able to say you were splashed by a baby elephant!!
After the elephants (I could have stayed to watch them all day) I went out to the Giraffe Center. Also a home to help raise and shelter animals, you can get right up close to these giraffes.
And I mean RIGHT UP there!!!
When you get to the pavillion, they give you feed to give to the giraffes if you want to. Uh...Yes please!! I got to feed a giraffe!! And look at that tounge!
They're really so beautiful looking just walking around.
My last stop of the day was the Karen Blixen House. This is the woman who wrote Out of Africa, which was based on her life story. She lived here from 1914-1931, and left quite a legacy behind her. The museum was her house, and is situated on a beautiful plot of land. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take any pictures inside the house.
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