August 10, 2013
Our next camping ground was right in the shadow of Mount Kenya, the heighest mountain in Kenya, second-heighest on the African continent only to Kilimanjaro. It was on the morning of our departure that we had the most majestic view of the mountain. It was so colossal that the peak remained hidden in the clouds!
We were mobbed by banana sellers on the way!
It was a pleasant area for brainstorming potential final project ideas.
We visited the William Holden Wildlife Foundation and Education Center to learn about their mountain bongo breed and release program, with the goal of replenishing the population of this critically endangered antelope, as well as a rural library outreach program. They also offer an outdoor showcase of a variety of conservationist innovations, many of which were invented by former student interns, including: a natural sewage filtration system using compartment decomposition pits, "digesters" that can collect methane gas (for cooking) from waste, a briquette press that uses waste to make charcoal, a recycled bottle greenhouse, solar food cooker, solar kettle heater and much more.
Next, we swung by the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and Animal Orphanage. This organization's mission statement is to protect the wildlife of East Africa through rehabilitation, animal rescue and education. The tour through the orphanage was excellent! Our guide was extremely knowledgable in answering all of my questions relating to animal behavior and interactions.
I tried to feed the ostrich. Momentarily after this picture was taken, she attacked me :(
A bushback was brought to the conservancy by mistake because she was confused for the critically endangered bongo (antelope).
I met my first Sykes' monkey at the orphanage. The mischievous little guys would run away with our jewelry and sunglasses.
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