THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
We are on our way to Africa. Travelling to Africa requires a whole load of vaccinations – for Yellow fever, Typhoid, and Hepatitis. My friends at WildAid assure me that the risks are low where we’ll be going, but to know that all of these diseases that we never worry about at home, are still out there and a daily threat for some people, is an eye opener.
Photo by Kristian Schmidt / WildAid
We battle the London traffic to Heathrow and then get to relax in the Virgin Clubhouse. Great atmosphere, really comfortable and I get to shower and eat some delicious English crab. My thanks to Virgin Atlantic as one of the sponsors of the documentary we’re making for a Chinese and international audience.
Photo by Kristian Schmidt / WildAid
I’ve worked with Sir Richard Branson on the shark fin campaign in Shanghai and he’s a keen supporter of conservation, as is Virgin Atlantic. It’s my first time with Virgin (there’s probably a joke in there somewhere), but the service is great and the flight goes by pretty quickly.
When we land in Nairobi, we head out-of-town straight away. The traffic here is really bad due to road construction everywhere. In the end, it’s easier to take a shortcut on a dirt road. As we get out into the country, the landscape changes to coffee and maize fields, banana trees and agriculture. Apart from the red earth, which apparently is because of the iron content, it looks a bit like parts of Asia and other places I’ve been.
Photo by Kristian Schmidt / WildAid
We head up through the highlands and in the distance we see Mt. Kenya. Suddenly the scenery changes to great grasslands and then we arrive at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. As we clear the gate and electric fence to keep the poachers out and the wildlife in, I know I have really arrived in Africa. The farms are gone and we are in a great open savannah. The bustle of the city, towns and villages seems far behind us. In the distance, I see a herd of elephants. As I start to walk towards them, I’m told we have to stay with the vehicle because this is “lion country”.
Photo by Kristian Schmidt / WildAid
As I head back, a family of warthogs runs by with their tails in the air. We open up the roof and I can stretch out and enjoy the view.
Photo by Kristian Schmidt / WildAid
We’ve arrived….
I so envy you Yao….I have always wanted to go there …just to see the animals in a place where they are truly living, not just existing as in a zoo.
August 12, 2012 at 5:05 pm
In Kenya wildlife is a our heritage, our national resource. kindly tell people in Asia the rhino horn and ivory is not what they think. our herbal medicines can do all they need.
August 13, 2012 at 7:47 am
when you get time please visit Xinhua News Agency Africa Headquarter in Nairobi, Kenya.
Welcome to Kenya and enjoy the natural beauty of Africa. Encourage others to visit our beautiful country.
August 13, 2012 at 7:52 am
Karibu sana…I’m sure you’ll enjoy the adventure…
August 13, 2012 at 8:34 am
I envy you and even more that am Kenyan and have never gone for a game drive although I lived in Kenya for 33 years ..am now more appreciative of the nature side of life .Karibu Kenya
August 13, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Pingback: Yao Ming visits Kenya Aimed At Protecting African Elephants, Rhinos
Please keep using your voice to speak up for our planet and the lives of those sentient beings that do not have a voice to cry for help! And THANK YOU!
August 24, 2012 at 8:07 am
How did parts of Nairobi remind you of Asia and other places you have been to? And how did those parts of Nairobi compare to your perception of Kenya and Africa?
October 22, 2012 at 6:46 pm