Now, those of you in the U.S. who have a mental picture of what a "National Park" is like need to think outside the box.....way outside the box! This is a dense, vibrant green, very wet, swamp. It is also Kenya's smallest National Park (2.9 sq. km). The park has no roads, only walking trails that amount to about 18 km throughout the swamp.
It was created as a refuge for the protection of endangered Sitanunga Antelope, the De Brazza's Monkey, and other wildlife. Frogs and toads abound! Safari ants swarm the swamp floor as well as the walking trails....careful where you step!
What about snakes you ask??? There is the forest cobra, African rock python, black mamba, puff adder, green tree snake, brown house snake, green vine snake, and the rufour egg-eater.
Monkeys, Monkeys, Monkeys.....We have the De Brazza's Monkey, Black & White Colombus Monkey, Sykes or Blue Monkey, white tailed mongoose, Cane rats, badgers, porcupine, and the Vervet Monkey. Other animals include the Spotted-neck Otter, the Aardvark(Chris had one run across the path in front of her), Swamp Cats, and bush babies, plus whatever else your mind might imagine as you walk open paths to the swamp.
As for the enormous number of different birds there are way too many to list. The sights, sounds and smells were amazing. Chris still asks herself, "What is a girl with all the animal phobia's you could imagine doing in Africa?" God the Creator has painted the most beautiful picture here it's hard not to explore especially since He goes with us everywhere He leads. Although she does remember blurting out, "I want written on my tombstone, 'She was faithful to the end.'"
The brochures mention "boardwalks." Just camp out on the phrase for a moment....because it brought to mind the oldie, "Under the Boardwalk" with a whole different meaning.
You might be wondering what this very large hole is?? Well, it is the home of the Aardvark. At this particular hole (there were many on the trails) no one was home. It took some coaxing to get Chris this close! We were told that certain large snakes like to "move-in" when it is no longer being occupied.
Monkeys would jump from tree to tree. We had no idea what was hidden from view. Although we did always have the feeling that we were always being watched.
At times it felt you were plopped in the middle of an old Tarzan movie minus the props. Some vines looked strong enough to hold the weight of a full-sized man. Chris insisted she would not play the role of Jane.
Hopefully you aren't under the false impressions that we are all about fun and exploration here. Actually, we are still waiting for Chris' work permit to come through. Gary's is signed and ready but we need to go to Nairobi to complete the process. In the meantime this was a good opportunity to take a breather after the tense time of pre & post elections. Thank you for your prayers as the days passed without any incident here in Eldoret. There has been a filing from the opposing party in the courts protesting the outcome the in reality things are still tentative here. So please keep praying that the Prince of Peace would rule in hearts and of course our work permits would be completed before April 7 when our temporary visas expire.
Love to all,
Bailey's
