Day 19 - Safari Spectacular

Dear parents and well-wishers, Today marks the first full day outside of Uganda. The day began at 6:30 with our first game drive in search of African wildlife... Especially the famous lion. Although we did not see any lions on our maiden voyage, there were still many excitements including a moment where the road was blocked by a group of white rhinos which rendered the route impassible according to the drivers (although driving through the rhinos would have been quintessentially thrilling). On this trip, we managed to spot many different animals, including Zebras, Buffalos, Warthogs, Impalas, and many more. Overall, it was a very enjoyable and awe inspiring way to commence the days events.

On the return from the drive, we were unsure as to whether the buffet breakfast would still be in action, however to our pleasant surprise, we had an amazing feast to pile up protein, carbs and other nutrients for the day ahead.
Following the mean feed, the team joined together for a debrief session led by Joel by the watering hole. We were encouraged to reflect on the individual aspects of the trip to form memories of how we felt in certain moments rather than having just having one mashed-up version of what happened in Uganda and losing the real essence of what we had done and what we had experienced. We were also further recommended to not let our changes in our world go unnoticed back in Australia, but to change how we live based on what we have seen and done.

Lunch time arrived, and so did the good food...again. The chefs are yet to disappoint on the food. The buffet Lunch was greeted by the same exuberantly friendly staff as past meetings who made the experience so much better. Of 'course,' (pun intended) lunch time had to conclude, but free time had begun. Some people had massages, others watched game active around the watering hole while further, a few participated in a free archery activity. This period of time led onto the final game drive of the day which was to commence at 4:00.

Going into this drive, there was an anticipation. An anticipation that we would see Lions, one of the hardest things to find in the reserve. Since we had not seen any in the morning, the drivers were determined to go 'on the hunt' for lions (not literally). All of the vans' CV Radios were used to communicate and spotting of peculiar things...especially/mostly Lions. At one moment, you would be driving along peacefully throughout the reserve looking for wildlife, 'Nek Minnit' there would be a bubbly swahili voice emerging out of the radio followed by a sharp acceleration by the driver to speed towards a potential/real lion sighting. We managed to see lions multiple times including one stage where four juvenile lions crossed the road in front of our van. We also finally managed to spot a giraffe (albeit from very afar), and many baboons. The sights of such wildlife was only emphasised by the backdrop of a sunset and numerous mountains including Mount Kenya which is often covered in clouds to an extent. As expected, it eventually had to come to a close, but again another buffet meal was on the cards no all was not lost.

Dinner was just another one of those spectacular buffet meals, you could even pick out your own ingredients in request that the chefs make you your own customised pasta stir fry.

This brings to close, the account of the events that took place on thursday the 8th of december, the first of two full days spent in Kenya (the only full day spent at the safari park.)

Thank you for your time, kind regards,

Danny