Lewa Airstrip to Lewa House

Let's hope the people waiting to board our plane aren't nervous fliers!

Our new guide Joseph was waiting to meet us and it appears that once again we have a truck to ourselves – this really is an unexpected luxury.

The scenery here is very different, Lewa Downs reminds me very much of the rolling hills of the South Downs.  Being the end of summer, everywhere is very dry but the grass is very attractive silvery, reds and browns.

The house hidden in the trees is owned by the Craig family and is where Prince William and Kate Middleton were staying when they got engaged. 

Joseph explained to us that Acacia trees, which are the most common species, are very clever and have numerous adaptations to ensure their survival.  When the trees are young and  vulnerable to being completely destroyed by elephant etc, they produce these very vicious spikes then as the tree gets bigger these cells modify themselves to become flowers etc - very smart trees.

In this region there are two species of Zebra; Burchell's (aka Plains or Common) and Grevy's and they are very easily distinguishable.

Only male zebras are actually black and white.  Foals are born with a lot of fluffy brown fur which gradually darkens/sheds as they mature.

A Grevy's (note the white underbelly) which actually made my eyes go funny when I first saw it.

These Grevy's seem far less skittish, maybe it's just they are less threatened here.

Vervet Monkey and Baby

Joseph is very interested in birds and we saw quite a few new to us on the drive to the lodge.

Fiscal Shrike

Golden Oriole (I so like the surroundings I didn't want to crop too tight so look closely).

Sacred Ibis

Another Kori Bustard

A beautiful Grey Crowned Crane