Flight 3: ADD to NBO

Shortly after we ended our Day 1 post, we left the lounge in ADD to board our flight to Nairobi. Our flight was delayed yet again. This time we sat on the airplane for over an hour before we finally left. Fortunately, the flight was only 2 hours.

Getting ready to board our delayed flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi

Flight 4: NBO to Ol Pejeta Conservancy Airstrip

Under our original itinerary, we were supposed to take an Air Kenya flight earlier in the morning. Because we arrived in the afternoon, we took a 12-passenger, single-propeller charter flight to the conservancy.

Heading to our small charter plane for the flight to Ol Pejeta

Malia was nervous about flying in such a small plane. Peter was excited (as were the rest of the Sanford men). Fun fact: Peter and his dad flew small airplanes when Peter was in high school. Peter, Greg, and Collin discussed everything the pilots were doing during the entire flight.

Malia looking a bit nervous about the small plane flight

Peter excited and ready for the flight

The cockpit of our small plane

During takeoff, the plane got pushed around by the wind. Malia did not enjoy this. She prefers takeoffs in commercial jets.

The flight was about 45 minutes long. We cruised at an altitude of 9,500 feet above sea level (Malia’s note: She thinks it is funny that Peter knows this).

Ol Pejeta Conservancy has a dirt runway that we landed on. From the airplane we could see zebras and gazelles. We were glad that they were not on the runway.

Drive From Airstrip to Kicheche Camp Laikipia

There were two trucks from Kicheche waiting to pick us up from the airstrip and drive us to the camp where we are staying. The drive was about 30 minutes long. We did not realize that we would see animals right away.

We drove in an older, modified, heavy-duty Toyota Land Cruiser, with its windows removed and its roof replaced with a removable tarp. Our driver, Simon, is also our guide for the game drives.

Our primary form of transportation at the conservancy

Peter and Malia enjoying the ride to camp

We saw some elephants, giraffes, guinea fowl, warthogs, and gazelles.

We arrived at camp around 5:00 PM. We were immediately served “lunch” that we had missed because of our delayed flight. The food here is excellent. They have a pastry chef who makes all the bread.

Welcome to Kicheche Laikipia camp

The beautiful dining area where we enjoyed our delayed “lunch”

We are staying in permanent “tents.” They are made of heavy-duty canvas built on wooden floors. The tents have electricity, running hot and cold water, and a separate living area from the bathroom.

One of the tents we are staying in

The tents overlook a lake. There is a hippo named Gloria that lives in the lake. We have seen her a few times. We have also seen elephants on the other side of the lake.

Gloria the hippo across the lake from the camp

Dinner was served shortly after we finished our “lunch.” Malia started to not feel well, so she decided to skip dinner and try to get some rest. Don’t worry—she is feeling much better after a good night’s sleep in a real bed!