Just got back from our second expedition of the semester in Lake Nakuru National Park! This was a lot different from the Serengeti the park is much smaller and has a lot of marshes and forests instead of grasslands. SFS also decided that instead of tents, we would be staying in what my friend Emma called the “Orphan Annie Room” which was a circular room containing 18 bunk beds which meant the majority of our group slept under one roof.

                The ride there was 10 hours long, but wasn’t bad because it became what one can only describe as “The Food Tour of Kenya”. Our first major stop was just outside of Nairobi at a supermarket called Tuskies. We all pretty much went hog wild when we got in there, because it was just like a Walmart which meant they had ICE CREAM and CHOCOLATE! Everyone bought about a month’s supply of food and then proceeded to the outside of the store to eat it in about 20min flat. After that we drove another few hours then stopped at a gas station which had several nearby caf�s and mini marts. Here you could buy milkshakes, iced coffee, and yogurt, none of which any of us were able to consume since we left the US in January. These stops were successful in putting us all in food comas, which meant that the 10 hour drive actually went by fairly quickly. 

                When we arrived at the Lake Nakuru park entrance, we were greeted by the sight of a herd of zebras and some vervet monkeys in the parking lot. We had only a 15 min drive from the gate to our campsite, as opposed to the 2-3 hour one in the Serengeti. Before we got out of the cars we were warned that we would likely be sharing our campsite with baboons. If they got too close, we were allowed to try and chase them away. After we all unloaded our stuff and had explored the campsite, a group of baboons was discovered inside the fence. My friend Arjun and I had fun running after them and were usually successful in eradicating the campsite of primates (until they decided it was safe to come back). One morning, however, some members of our group awoke to the sound of their door opening and saw a baboon reach in and grab their trashcan (trashcans are like Tastycakes to them) and then take off running through the camp. The guard saw the culprit and began to chase him away. The only problem was the kitchen building was in between the baboon and freedom. This did not remain a problem for long as the baboon quickly leaped into a tree (albeit leaving the goods behind) and then jumped onto the roof in order to make his escape.

                Unfortunately just because we are not at our usual site does not mean we get out of class. The first day was spent in 6 hours of agony as we all tried to pay attention but were really thinking about all the cool wildlife we were about to see.  It was on this day that I saw my first Rhino! The coolest thing about these animals is not their horns but their mouths, which look like giant vacuum nozzles. We also got to see a TON of lion cubs lying right next to the road! It was also really cool to smell the marsh, which reminded a lot of us east-coasterners of home, and really made me want to go to the beach.

                On the last day we went on a game drive and then made an afternoon trip to one of the park’s lodges, where we all engorged ourselves yet again (two words: DESSERT. BAR.) They even had whipped cream! We then sat by the pool for a few hours and I had a nice chat with one of the hotel employees, who assured me that the pool was free of both fish and hippos, and who also asked if we had lions and elephants in America.  If only!

Location: Nakuru, Kenya