Animal Fun

We saw lots of animals in Kenya, but the last day was sort of our "animal day". We got up very early to do a day safari at Nairobi National Park. Ernest, who drove us during the whole trip, took us through the park and helped us find lots of animals, including water buffalo, warthogs, impala, giraffes, zebras, etc. Our big find of the day was a lion, which are apparently quite hard to see in the wild. At one point we got to get out and walk to a watering hole with a ranger. We saw a little monkey family (gibbons, I think?) and got quite close to them. The watering hole itself was incredible. There was only one hippo that was visible, but the sounds were amazing-the animal calls, the water, the wind rustling the trees, it reminded me we were somewhere very special.
After the National Park, we headed to an elephant rescue center. They rescue orphaned animals, raise them, and release them back to the wild. To prevent too much socialization with humans, the center is only open for an hour a day, during which time you can see the elephants drink their bottles, play in the water, etc. The center were also raising a baby rhino called Maalim. He was adorable. He would run around the rope flirting with everyone, letting us all touch him and rub mud on him. Then he would charge out of the group or just poop out and lay down! So cute...It was by far the best "wild animal experience" I've ever had.