July at Loldia has brought us rain! After months of very dry conditions in and around the game sanctuary, we have finally received some rain that is well worth talking about – and everyone and everything is delighted! The sanctuary is looking lush, and all the animals are fat and happy.

The Game this last month, as always at Loldia, has been exciting! Night game drives have resulted in great sightings of Bat Eared foxes, Aardvarks and Hyenas. One of the evenings, five porcupines were seen together! The official terminology being a “prickle” of porcupines. On another night, a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl was seen feeding on a snake. Elsewhere on the farm, there was terrific excitement as two old male brigadier buffalo were seen battling it out with brute force – undoubtedly over territory and females as is always the case in the animal world.

We have received great feedback from guests about recent trips to Nakuru National Park, with sightings of Lion, black and white Rhino and all the plains game. Again, with the rain around, the park is looking very different from the last few months – now being green and lush.

The young hippo that we talked about last month is still around, and has seemed to have found a partner – another young hippo of about the same age! We are not sure where this other one has now come from, but we do know hippos rarely give birth to pairs, so it is unlikely that they are related. With plenty of vegetation close to the lake thanks to the rain this last month, the pair are able to stay close to the lake for safety.

In other news, the ox wagon at the front of Loldia house has been restored to a new shining glory; with reclaimed, beautiful, cedar posts from around the farm. We are now making good use of it as a serving table during meal times. The wagon dates back to the early years of the last century, and up until relatively recently (the 1990’s), ox wagons were still in use here on the farm, and for a very long time, served as the main means of transportation on Loldia.

We have been exploring activities around Naivasha, and this week Longonot was on the list. The Masai word “Oloonong’ot”, meaning “mountains of many spurs”, is where the name comes from. Longonot, being dormant, was thought to have last erupted in the 1860’s, and is one of the main nine volcanos that can be found in the East African Rift.

About an hours drive from Loldia, it is a fantastic activity for those feeling energetic. The 3.1 kilometer hike to the top can take anywhere between forty minutes to a couple of hours depending on fitness levels – with an ascent of about 630 meters. Once you’re at the top, the views are spectacular, and you then have the option of a 7.2 kilometer walk around the rim – and summiting the highest point of the volcano called “Kilele Ngamia” – “kilele” meaning peak and “Ngamia” meaning camel (we are not sure where the camel part is derived from).

Thor Karstaad, Loldia House relief manager.