Ol Malo, Laikipia Plateau

The last place we stayed on this recent safari was Ol Malo

Ol Malo is a privately-owned game sanctuary on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River
in Kenya's wild and beautiful North Eastern Province - 5000 acres of spectacular bush country overlooked by Mount Kenya and teeming with the elusive antelope from which the land takes its name.

It is a simply stunning location on a rock escarpment on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau. We didnt get to see the cheetah and her cubs although they had been seen near the end of the airstrip but we did see Greater Kudu, Eland (huge antelope) and Oryx. The whole area was again very green and beautiful and some lovely birds. Ele heaven for sure, our first afternoon game drive we sat and watched some 100 eles of all ages, it was completely awe inspiring and at times they came very close to our vehicle. The eles stay in the area and whilst everything is so green and lush the groups are enormous (between 100 and 200 at times) when it dries up they split back into smaller family groups.

One morning we walked for a couple of hours from 7.30am before it got too hot, up and down and not forgetting the high altitude there, it was enjoyable and the bush breakfast at 9.30am was well worth the walk, oh my their honey is delicious. We tried a couple of camels for 20 mins just because they brought them along but not much good for Pete's back and not my thing really.

Another day we drove and then walked to the river for a bush lunch - just Pete and I + our guide Leban, a chef, our askari (who fished and caught two things that looked like trout) mmmmm his gun was on the rock while he caught his lunch and we chilled by the river with some Tusker beer. It was such a beautiful setting and we were really enjoying it, then the rain came, warm and very heavy! Afternoon over but a lovely 4 hours enjoying the scenery.

So here's another short slideshow. The rock hyrax (little furry things) lived on the rocks just down below our room and didn't seem to mind me taking their photos. Boy are they lazy, eat, sleep, sunbath and make more little hyrax's



The last two or three pics are from our visit to DSWT (sadly we arrived 45 mins late in the afternoon due to the Nairobi traffic and the new road the chinese are building) so missed seeing the eles being fed and coming in for the night. So just one pic of Naipoki who is one of the little eles we foster and Maxwell the orphaned Rhino who had been there since 2006.

Lai

The little Rock Hyrax's seem to live an idyllic life Lai and they are rather cute too aren't they. It does sound a wonderful place and although I am not really a fisherperson I wouldn't mind sitting where your askari was sitting and having a fish, it's lovely. The photo of the ele with the trunk ( I know they all have trunks but i'm sure you know the one I mean, profile pic and mainly trunk) is stunning, I really love it and again all the birds, they do have gorgeous birds don't they and your little Naipoki is just so adorable, such a cutie and I love Maxwell
What a shame you missed the feeding and them coming in for the night, I remember you and Pete feeding them before.
The camels do have such sweet faces but they are not for riding, I went on a long camel ride in the Sahara and I hated it and vowed never again but it is an experience and once was enough, I would rather just take pictures of their cute faces!
All those eles in one place, that must have been such a sight to see, I would imagine rather overwhelming for the eye to behold but wonderful.
Thanks for sharing your favourite place in the world with us

littlewid-x-

My pleasure Littlewid. It is a place we certainly want to visit again. Laikipia has many beautiful areas and camps/lodges so we'll be returning for sure.

Lai

Sounds like you had a great time at Old Malo and some lovely photos. It is incredible to see huge herds of elephant and as you say they tend to come together after the rains when there is an abundance of food and there is enough for everyone and it also gives them an added sense of security. The hyraxes are fun, I think their nearest relative is claimed to be the elephant, why I am not sure!! Their main enemy are the raptors, particularly the Black (Verreaux's) Eagle, as they need about 100 hyraxes to raise one chick.
Unfortunate about missing out on DSWT due to the road works. If I had known you were going I could have warned you about the Langata Road as I also got caught up in the chaos on my way from Wilson to my hotel in Langata. It took about 1 hour 45 mins to do what should be a 20 min. journey. I feel very sorry for the poor people who live in Langata and Karen and have to travel into the city to work every day. They hope to have the road finished in about 6 months time but that could be a Kenyan 6 months!!

Safariman

Safariman. Normally the traffic is bad but not that bad! The expected finishing date is May 2013 - mmmmmmm I will take that with a pinch of salt, also I guess much will depend on the election in March.

You are right about the ele and the hyrax - strange to think of them being so closely related, talk about different sizes.

Lai

I like the little hyrax Lai (rather cute), and the kudu is definitely becoming another FURRourite for me

It's a shame that you didn't get to see your cheetahs and lions

But at least I know what your surname is now Miss Kipia

Oh for Pete's sake, it's Mrs

GR - thats correct. Lai (kipia) my place.

Oh and yes it is Mrs

Lai

Your not on your own Doogs. I saw it a bit ago, but did'nt have time to look at it, then forgot must be my age.
Lovely slide show Lai, shame about DWST, I just love seeing clips of the orphan Elles at feeding time, and when they bring them into their quaters with their blankets. The Hyraxs are really cute, and I've also read that about their nearest relatives being Elephants. Hard to figure that one out
WS

Thanks WS, glad you enjoyed it. We'll get to visit DSWT another time and allow hours for the bad roads/traffic

Lai

Thanks Doogs. Ol Malo was certainly a truly beautiful area and we can't wait to visit again I am worried our next trip will have to exceed 10 safari nights .... Yes the walking is lovely, at a gentle pace and when it's not too hot, you really get a feel of the place (and just who might be watching - I love that bit). Glad you noticed the camel movement - they are so weird to watch, so unganely getting down, and yet so graceful when they are up and moving!

Hopefully the new Langata Road improvement and the by-pass road will help - otherwise it is

Lai