Francis, another rep from Benroso Safari was waiting to collect us at silly o'clock and drive us the short trip to Wilson Domestic Airport (actually the hotel is just a stone's throw away as the crow flies, but we have to drive 3/4 way around the perimeter fence to gain access.
When we got into Safarilink's terminus Francis took our two holdalls to the check-in desk for weighing but when I asked about my (heavy) backpack he pointed to a sign about hand luggage saying 6kg and measurements and said there was no need for it to be weighed. I tried to argue that it was 6kg within the overall 15kg per person limit but he was adamant so I gave up - we'd packed to the lower limit so weren't worried. After he'd gone I asked the check-in staff and they confirmed it was 15kg pp inclusive of 6kg hand luggage!
I've been in and out of Wilson Airport so many times you think I'd get over the novelty but it still gives me a thrill with all the small planes waiting for their passengers' luggage ready for identification and loading.
And the Fire Station always looks to me like a child's toy.
We were the only passengers on the Wilson-Amboseli flight 4 years ago but this time it was a full flight and there was a stop en route at Tsavo Finch Hatton (named after Dennis Finch Hatton of Out of Africa fame). The landscape here was quite strange.
I've often wondered what animals make of the giant flying bird that momentarily shuts off their sunlight.
In due course we arrived at Amboseli and were met by our guide Simon, a rather portly chap who proclaimed that we would be known as the Zebra Group for the duration and he was the largest male (no arguments from us!). We're sharing a truck with 3 delightful Americans; 2 from Virginia and 1 from Chicago and I think we'll all get along fine.
Simon then gave us another piece of sad news; our requested guide Dickson, with whom we'd had such an amazing time with in 2022, had tragically lost his wife yesterday when the taxi she was travelling in was crushed by a dipper truck (and initially it was thought his young son had died too). This really saddened me as Dickson had shared his and his wife's story with us previously and it was just such a glorious love story. Paraphrasing what I wrote back in 2022:
From the moment we met him Dickson was a very personable young man and we'd sung his praises to Graeme (Camp Manager) who'd told us that Dickson had once been a taxi driver in Nairobi - a somewhat unusual start for an accomplished safari guide. So over our sundowners one evening I asked Dickson if he'd mind telling us a bit about himself and how he got to Tortilis; it’s quite a story.
Dickson came from a poor family and lived an hour or so outside Nairobi. Aged 13 he got a young girl pregnant, his parents practically disowned him and he went to live with his grandparents who helped him to finish school. He then went to Nairobi to find work and whilst taxi driving bumped into a lady Government minister who felt he was wasted driving taxis and offered to finance him through Guiding School (something he'd wanted to do all his life). Unfortunately she died after just 1 term and he also lost his job at the taxi firm so he was back to square one. But a friend lent him a car and he was able to complete his guiding course whilst working as a driver. By chance he drove one of the directors of Cheli & Peacock who owned Tortilis at that time and once again there was something about him which shone out and he was offered a job at Tortilis. That was 8 or so years ago and where he ended his story.
Being nosy, I asked what happened to his child, did he ever see it again. This is what he told us:-
Unbeknown to him, his mother had supported the child's mother in bringing it up and, when she was aged 13, he met his daughter for the first time. What is so lovely is that he went on to marry the mother and have two more children. His eldest is now studying biochemistry at University (motivated by the death of his mother from breast cancer aged only 48).
I have to agree with those who helped him, there is something quite special about Dickson.
My heart is breaking for the loss Dickson is now having to bear. RIP Grace.
Unlike the last visit there were very, very few flamingo on the lake near the airport, in fact there were very few birds at all. Here's the few we saw:-
Grey Heron
Pied Avocet
Black-winged Stilt
Blacksmiths Plover (or Lapwing) named after its distinctive call which resembles a blacksmith striking his anvil.
And one of my favourites - Squacco Heron
But we did spot this small elephant herd coming our way and so Simon positioned the truck for the best views.
Instead of stopping to drink as Simon had envisioned, they carried on and crossed the road behind us.
So we repositioned ourselves.
It was the American couple's first safari and I think initially they were a little disconcerted as to how close the elephants came to the truck.
The elephants carried on resolutely across another lake. I rather like the limited colour palette on this one.
More elephant shots, but that's why we came to Amboseli.
Cattle egrets have a very easy life hitching a ride on the elephants and then just flying down to pick up insects disturbed by the movement in the grass.
We did find a few flamingo (Lesser, I think)
But they promptly flew off.
This hyena made me chuckle peering out of the den (I haven't lost my knack for including misplaced elephant dung)
Maybe she was waiting for this one to get back.
Egyptian Geese
Not the best shot of a Jacana but you can see it's huge feet.
Kori Bustard
And another favourite - Superb Starling.
Probably the best Helmeted Guinea Fowl picture I've ever taken as they're usually dashing around on the ground.
And all that lot was before we reached camp.