Elephants, Giraffes, and Zebras
From Nairobi, we took a train to Voi, where we met with a guide from Hildana Lodge that drove us the rest of the way. We arrived to a late but eventful dinner. We sat with a view of the watering hole and watched as a herd of elephants, including babies, sipped and played with water. Later we watched as a bull got very frustrated with buffalo interfering in his personal watering hole time. He tried, unsuccessfully, to chase them all off. A8 declared the experience a dinner with a show.
Our room at the lodge was nice. We had an open air shared living space separating two large enclosed bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. The staff added a bed to each room so we could comfortably fit three people under each large net. Despite being in a luxury lodge, we were in the wild, leading to K telling the kids to avoid the bat poop on a daily basis and the kids asking us to chase off a lizard on the wall above their beds. But we also got to see and and hear a variety of birds in the mornings and see so many animals interacting at the watering hole.
Each day at the lodge was not particularly active yet the days were full and exhausting. We went on game drives, hiked, attempted a bike ride, toured a sisal farm and factory, played at the pool, and played with puzzles and Uno while watching animals convene at the watering hole. From our guide, we learned much about the local flora, fauna, and people. And with all of these experiences we enjoyed three delicious meals each day, the first two being a buffet where the kids could self serve to their delight.
Our time at Hildana Lodge was short but treasured. Before heading to Voi for a train east to Mombasa, we bid farewell to the staff and our new elephant friends.
Leave a Reply