I first visited Kenya in 2000 and before I had spent a fortnight in this magical country I vowed to return. Twelve years later I was finally making good on my promise to myself. My friend Bruce invited me to join him on his annual visit to Kenya and I jumped at the chance of what I knew to be a photographic adventure of a lifetime.
After nearly a year of planning our adventure was about to become a reality. I departed Portland at 1:30 pm on August 24th and arrived in Nairobi at 10:30 the night of August 25th where we were met by Andrew and Patrick of TopCats Safaris and whisked off to Giraffe Manor, 20 kilometers out of the city of Nairobi where we were spending the night before making the drive to Samburu the following day. We were shown to our rooms to freshen up before enjoying a light dinner and then retiring for the night…
Nikon D4, AF 16mm 2.8D Fisheye
I awoke early eager to explore my surroundings. Giraffe Manor is a beautiful estate that was built in the 1930′s on 12 acres within a 140 acres of indigenous forest surrounding it…
Nikon D4, AF-S 24-120mm f4 VR
The resident herd of Rothschild Giraffes that live on the manor’s grounds are part of the Giraffe Center breeding program for the endangered Rothschild Giraffes certified by AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife). A short while after dawn the first giraffes began appearing out of the thick forests and heading our way…
Nikon D4, AF-S 24-120mm f4 VR
They come right up to the manor…
Nikon D4, AF-S 24-120mm f4 VR
Nikon D4, AF-S 24-120mm f4 VR
where they are greeted by eager guests who want an up close and personal experience…
Nikon D4, AF-S 24-120mm F4 VR Fisheye
It is an amazing experience to have wild giraffes eating right out of your hand…
Nikon D4, AF-S 24-120mm f4 VR
and an even more amazing experience to be kissed by a giraffe…
Image Courtesy Of Bruce Jodar
The fun doesn’t end when we go indoors for breakfast as the giraffes simply lean their heads right in the windows looking for more treats which I happily obliged them with…
Image Courtesy Of Bruce Jodar
What a way to begin our adventure! Shortly after breakfast we headed on our way with high hopes of great times to come. How could we miss, we have been kissed by giraffes! Next stop Samburu. Stay tuned.
Great images, brings back fond memories of my 95 trip to Kenya and the Giraffe Center. SuAnn
OMG…being kissed by a “giraffe” has to be the ultimate!!! What a wonderful experience to see the giraffes…I was smiling thru all your pix…can’t wait for more…
It really was the ultimate. They could kick me to death with a single strike of their hooves but, take the pellets so very gently.
WOW!! What an amazing start to what I’m sure will be fantastic experience. The images you created make me want to jump on a plane NOW
I can’t wait to see what’s next on your journey.
Thanks. It really is an adventure of a lifetime! I’m glad my images make you want to go.
Great fun Laurie. Can hardly wait till the next installment.
Megg
Thanks Megg. Lot’s more to come.
That’s quite a Kiss!