This archive report was first published on 12 January 2020.
As we embarked on our Christmas adventure at Rhino River Camp, nestled on the banks of the Kindani River in Meru National Park, we were in for a treat. The camp, set on an 80-acre privately owned wilderness, offered a serene and idyllic setting amidst the lush forest of raffia palms, tamarind, and fever trees.
Our Christmas Eve drive from Nairobi was a long but worthwhile journey, punctuated by the hilarious rendition of the '12 Days of Christmas' impeachment version. The following morning, the carol still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but think of the Kenyanised version I had recently written about at the Puppets254 show at Garden City Mall.
On our first day of Christmas at the park, we were treated to a spectacular sight – a pride of nine lions lounging in a sausage tree. It was a far cry from the original carol's 'nine ladies dancing,' but the animals and birds seemed to know it was Christmas Day.
As we continued our game drive, we spotted a Bateleur eagle performing an impressive dip, and later, a bush baby did an insect-catching pole dance for us on a standard lamp in the camp's dining room. The camp's Samburu guide and driver, Peterson, was instrumental in our game drives, and we were grateful for his trained eyes and expertise.
With patience and the right guidance, we were able to spot elephants, buffaloes, and even a rhino sanctuary. The park's forested terrain made it challenging, even in the dry seasons, but the rewards were well worth it. As we reflected on our Christmas adventure, we knew that this was an experience we would cherish forever.
