We are settling in very nicely into our home for the next three weeks. We are staying at River Camp at Mpala. River Camp lies on the west bank of the Ewasso Ng'yro River in the southeast corner of Mpala's property. In this area, the river actually defines the properties edge.
River Camp is comprised of a main tented communal spot (where we have all of our meals), a fire pit (which will be the setting for many late night discussions), and a constellation of sleeping tents along the river's bank (I believe 16 in all). We are two or three to a tent, with the University of Nairobi students spread out between the tents with one or two Michigan students. This is an amazing opportunity to get to know these students. I look forward to prying their minds to see what they think.
In addition to the living quarters, there is a tented kitchen, a washroom, two outhouses, and two bath houses. All of this is protected by an electric fence around the perimeter.
These living tents aren't just the small two person tents you take on your weekend hiking trip. These are 8' x 12' canvas tents - you know, the stereotypical "safari" tent. The tents sit on top of their own slab of concrete, and we are doubly protected by a thatch roof that the tent is under. This type of luxury was not expected.
Nonetheless, the wildlife is amazing. We wake up to black faced vervet monkeys in the trees every morning. You don't have to search hard to find an elephant or giraffe grazing, and there are so many dikdik that we will soon be jaded from all the animals. The birds are spectacular as well. There have been over 300 species spotted on Mpala.
Right now the trip has been comprised of getting acclimated in our new surroundings, and we will soon get to work. I'm really excited to see what kind of things we will get our hands on.
All the best,
Greg
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