C is for Nile Crocodiles in Lake Turkana, Kenya

My family and I were in Kenya on safari for several weeks.  One of the most remarkable things we did was to fly in a friend's bush plane from Nairobi up the Rift Valley to the banks of Lake Turkana (previously known as Lake Rudolph.)

The Great Rift Valley

Our friend is an archaeologist and runs a site called Koobi Fora.  He and his team study some of the earliest hominids ever discovered.

This area of the Rift Valley is some of the most inhospitable terrains on earth. It is, however, home to one of the largest populations of Nile crocodiles in the world.  They are supported by the Nile perch (tilapia to you and me) that are abundant in Turkana's water. 
I've always been a runner.  So I asked our host if it would be safe to run along the sandy shore of the lake.

"Certainly," he said.  "Just mind the crodcodiles.  Let them slip into the water first.  No worries."

Crocs along the shore of Lake Turkana

I liked the sound of that, so I had my early morning run.  And he was right!  As I ran along,  crocodile after crocodile slipped into the warm water of Lake Turkana.  I completed my run and felt wonderful.

Would I do it again?  Never.  Why then?  The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and in the moment, the world was serene.  It was Africa, after all... 

Big Cats of...Tampa?

A full moon. A sultry breeze. Rustling in the underbrush.  Dozens of pairs of eyes, glowing in the dark. A night safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya? No. Actually, it's the Wild Eyes at Night Tour at Big Cat Rescue, Tampa.

Big Cat Rescue is the largest accredited sanctuary in the world dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned big cats. The sanctuary is home to more than 100 exotic big cats including, tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, bobcats, lynx, severals, ocelots, caracals.  Many of these cats have been threatened or endangered in the wild. 

There are several great tours from which to choose, including a trainer's tour, kid's tour and feeding tour, to name a few.  For a bit more money, a private tour can be arranged as well.

This place is as close as one can get to the Mara or Serengeti.  The cats are well cared for and are engaged in their environment.  They have received a new life and are thriving.

Go and see it for yourself.  You'll be wild about it!