News from Lewa

So what exciting things have happened since my last blog?

Saw lions this morning when I was out riding!! Have always known that at some point I would and fortunately they were a good distance away and the horses were oblivious.

Went on a great game drive the other evening. Watched a couple of lionesses hanging out by the swamp and then saw three cheetahs together. They had just killed an impala and so we sat just metres away listening to them contentedly chomping on their dinner whilst the sun went down. Then saw three porcupines after dark running along the track in front of our vehicle - very funny creatures.

Lots of babies around at the moment. Saw the sweetest little waterbuck which must have been only a few hours old, and also the tiniest baby elephants - their ears still pink and barely coming up to their mums' knee.

Still haven't seen a leopard though...

Also ventured into Isiolo which is a town 30 mins north of Wilderness. Visited a school / orphanage / clinic project there. The school provides a home and education for children who have been orphaned and have effectively become head of their household. It is very common for children to be orphaned due the death of their parents from AIDS. The charity provides carers for the other children so that the oldest child can get an education. Kate and I spent an afternoon as "teachers". A Wilderness guest had arranged for her school to send penpal letters so we handed out letters to each student and then helped them write a reply, draw pictures to send, etc. Was fun but quite exhausting. We will have to go back soon to give out the next lot of letters. Heading into Isiolo and hearing about life there is certainly a stark reminder of what life is like for so many in Africa. Living on Lewa shelters you from all that and those who come to Africa just for a luxury safari definitely don't see the real Africa.