It’s nice to go against the rules once in a while. It feels good. I did that and visited a touristy place – the Nairobi Animal Orphanage. There are many things that can be said about this place. One gets really close to the animals, at least closer than one (safely) would in the jungle.
I don’t like animals in cages.
For almost any primary school in Kenya, the syllabus involves a trip to the Nairobi Animal Orphanage. Year later, I decided to go back there. This time it was different. No school bus. No teacher following you around. No bread and soda either! It looked much different, or maybe I’m just old. Anyways, as is the case with all my adventures, the experience was like no other.
Feeding time; whoop!
The orphanage is located in Lang’ata, one of the estates in Nairobi. There are matatus to and from the place in case one wants to use public transport. Just a few minutes from town – all factors held constant.
The center serves as a rehabilitation and treatment center for wild animals, and is part of the Nairobi national park. I asked why the animals were in cages, and they told me to refer to the name of the place; it’s an orphanage. I still cannot get my head around how having them there years later after rescue assists. Then again, I’m no biologist.
This is the thing with some of these places…
Some of the wildlife to expect include lions, cheetahs, rare Sokoke cats, warthogs, baboons, monkeys, and buffalo.
Story twist; he had poured the green grams earlier while trying to run after stealing.
The Nairobi Animal Orphanage also has birds including crowned cranes, ostriches, guinea fowls, and parrots.
To get the most out of your visit, be sure to go there when the animals are being fed. It was interesting.
The highlight of my day was when a lion peed on me 😛 It was itchy, he literally soaked me in urine. I guess he was pissed that I was taking too many pictures. That, or he was hungry and couldn’t find a way to come eat me.
Looks are deceptive. This was a few seconds before he peed on me. To think we had made that animal-human connection. You know those stories you see on National Geographic; Of an antelope and a Cheetah? Such.
I had fun, mostly because I had lovely company and I also learned quite a lot. It is good that rescued animals have a place they can call home, given they wouldn’t have survived without human intervention.
Never underestimate the power of great company 🙂
Again, I’m still trying to determine how I feel about all this. Orphanages are good though.
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Cheers to finding the beaten paths!
