Out on the Lake

Sunday, August 28, 2005

That's me on the boat with the straw hat.




Later this afternoon, when we've all had a chance to set up our tents and explore Fisherman's Camp, we climb into long tippy aluminum motor-boats and take a ride along the lakeshore. We are heading towards Elsamere, the one-time home of conservationist Joy Adamson.

It's a warm and glorious out on the lake, and the fine spray kicked up from the boat's passage mists my face and helps dispel the sleepy feeling that is starting to come over me. I've been awake since London and the day is starting to catch up to me.

Lake Naivasha is a shallow volcanic lake, one of several in Kenya's Rift Valley. It's filled with tilapia and perch and is home to about four hundred species of birds. We see kingfishers playing in the papyrus along the shore, and sacred ibises and pelicans dabbling.

Papayrus along Lake Naivasha

A pair of African fishing eagles, looking very much like the familiar bald eagles of home soar overhead.

Our three boats slow to a drift to watch a group of six or eight hippos rising and submerging in the shallows. Its hard to tell exactly how many animals there are as sometimes only the eyes and nostrils remain above water. I can hear explosive snorts and hisses as spray from their nostrils form little clouds in the air. We keep a safe distance.

Hippos in the distance

We continue on our way and are soon snugged up to the little wooden jetty at Elsamere.