ol Donyo Lodge

Ten things I want people to know about Kenya.By Dereck Joubert

This could be titled ‘Why I love Kenya’ so be ready for some unabashed positive messages about the country.

I keep coming across people who ask me if it’s safe in Kenya, and while at first I was surprised, having lived for some time in Johannesburg in South Africa, later I realized that people are reading the Kenyan situation all wrong. If you hang out in any bad neighborhood bad stuff is going to happen.

A lone bull crosses the plains, heading for the ol Donyo waterhole. (Photo: Walter Kolon)

May should have been a month of dramatic storms and heavy downpours, but sadly we have not had much of a rainy season so far – more of a “gentle drizzle”! So we are keeping our fingers crossed that we may get some late rain in June to fill the waterholes out on the plains and top up our tanks.

Guide James and Lion Tracker Lenka discussing the route through the Chyulu Hills to the collared lion Nemasi

King Fish with a Creamy  Aniseed and Almond Sauce

Each evening we get an illumination of lights at sunset with the rains slowly edging closer!

 (Picture: ODL Guide Jackson Lemian)

February has whistled by and what a jam-packed month it has been! It started with a dramatic rise in temperature and in the first week we were absolutely sweltering. Afternoon siestas were an absolute must and our horse riders were mounting up before the sun had risen to escape the heat!

Today, we chatted to Jeremiah Leshan Kasaine, full-time guide at Great Plains’ ol Donyo Lodge. And congrats on just receiving his Kenya Silver Level Guides License!

The start of the traditional Maasai Wedding ceremony of our staff member Jackson…. Where the January celebration began.

The entrance in to 2014 has been an eventful, rewarding and celebratory one!

 ‘View from our plunge pool onto the majestic Kilimanjaro….’

Wow, what a month December was at ol Donyo!!

It is strange to think that we are into a new year already as December seems but a blur. The rains blessed us, a little late, but blessed us they did. We now stare out onto lush, emerald green plains as far as the eye can see, all towered over by Kilimanjaro herself, which at this time of year is amazing, clear and almost a guaranteed view in the morning and during the sunset.