Settling in to Africa

see all photos »

A snap-decision leads to me arriving into Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta with not much idea of what I'll be doing over the next 7 weeks or where I'll be staying.  The only thing I do know is that I've agreed to provide GIS (geographic information systems) training to some Massai people who are involved in establishing a wildlife monitoring scheme in the Mara.  I'm not entirely sure what will be involved but hopefully it will all become apparent after talking to Em, another volunteer, who should be waiting for me at the airport.

A baby rhino.
see all photos »

During the taxi ride to the hostel (and over quite a few beers in the hostel), I find out more about the project.  I'll be spending my time between different villages around the Mara, staying in the organisations centres, and will be helping set-up transects for monitoring wildlife using GPS units.  For the next couple of days, though, I'll be staying in the Karen area of Nairobi near to the organisations Kenyan Head Office so that we can sort out transport to the Mara and go over the project in more detail with the other volunteers as they'll be leaving soon.

See, I told you it was a baby!
see all photos »

The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is a short taxi ride away and a good way to spend a few hours.  You might have seen this featured in 'The Elephant Diaries'.  You can turn up at 11am and watch the baby elephants get bottle-fed.  There's also a baby rhino that gets bottle-fed, but he's kept away from the elephants as they aren't usually found together in the wild.  It's free to get in, although a donation can be given.  If you sponsor an elephant you can watch them be put to bed at 5.30pm.  The keepers are very informative and it is well worth a visit.