after breakfast we put our luggage in 2 rooms at the a.c.k. guest house for the day, and headed off to the nairobi national park for the morning. it's situated on the outskirts of nairobi, has big electric fences protecting the park from the city, and to prevent the animals coming into the city. but on its western side, the park is open to the countryside, and allows the animals to use the natural migration routes.
there's a problem developing with this tho', as some rich rich people, wishing to escape the bustle of nairobi, are purchasing land from the masai people. this purchased land is in the path of the animals' migration routes. people build houses, build fences, and keep dogs, all of which deters the animals from using the traditional migration routes. and there is also a debate beginning about turning the park into a cemetery as there is no space left in nairobi for burials. it all sounds so sad when you see such a beautiful place that contrasts so vividly with the ugliness and brutality of city life.
the wildlife in its natural element is wonderful to see, and makes me wonder why we want to live in cities. cities are conveneient for many things, but often not conducive to beautiful living.
in the park we saw the water buffalo. we hadn't seen them in samburu. they're a massive beast, and very aggressive. justus said they're the most dangerous animal in the parks. we also caught sight of a leopard just as it was climbing down from a tree. justus spotted it and was then able to see it moving away in the undergrowth - his sight is incredible!
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