To be fair a large part of why I did not enjoy it was because I was there with my family. lol. Far from being a comfort in terms of my SA, some of them made it escalate

But I guess the main thing was that it didn't feel all that wild. Have you been to a safari park in the UK at all? Because it seemed a lot like that, only a bit bigger. Everywhere was covered in landrover tyre tracks and there were just landrovers and people (and cows) everywhere I looked. Also there was one incident where two male lions had been fighting (the alpha male had apparently died recently and these two were competing to take over the pride), and both were injured. So they flew in some vets, tranquillised the lions, shaved their manes and fur and stitched up the wounds! I can understand that these animals are valuable in terms of tourist revenue, but I was kind of disturbed by the 'management' of it all. I mean, whatever happened to survival of the fittest? Surely they will just continue to fight until one of them is dominant. Hence I found it more like a large safari park than a wild place, and I was disappointed by that. Maybe that's how it is with terrestrial megafauna everywhere now....I work mostly with marine megafauna and that is truly wild and what I find the most fascinating aspect of it all. I really found that element of wildness to be lacking on the safari.

But...I did love the giraffes, they are so awesome!

Mombasa was very, very busy. Interesting place though. I work a lot on the west coast of Africa and this was my first visit to the east coast...I hope to return

I was thinking, and the last zoo I went to was in Gabon...they had a strange assortment of guinea pigs, goats, chickens and errr, chimpanzees and two gorillas that had been 'rescued' from the bush meat trade. Most of the primates were kept in isolation in these rickety old small cages that lacked shelter and even seemed to lack water. There were big gaps in the cages that the chimps stuck their arms out of to try and touch people - I was able to stroke many of them and feed them fresh grass. I don't think I have ever been to such a depressing place in my entire life....I contacted some ape people when I got home and they said they were aware of this place but they could do nothing about it as it is a private zoo essentially and the authorities won't confiscate the primates. I have a piece of straw sitting on my window sill that one of the chimps gave me in return when I gave it some grass. In comparison, those pacing tigers live a pretty luxurious lifestyle...

You know, Nemo was just a minor character in that film

Ahhh, you're from Kenya, that's cool I went there early last year and did safari on the Masai Mara. I'll be honest, it didn't quite meet expectations but I did enjoy it anyway. The coast was more fun, dolphins, reef fish etc. I was hoping to snorkel with whale sharks but failed miserably...next time maybe

I never know whether I find zoos encouraging or depressing. The tigers seem to be the same in every zoo, pacing up and down...its really quiet upsetting. But then again without zoos what chance would they have? Zoos that do proper conservation work (like London) I think on the whole are a good and educational day out. I think I went there once, but it was a very long time ago when I was young and I don't remember much about it. Looking at your pics, maybe its time I went again

^ I concur with 'I am Sarah', all your blog-entries make for a very entertaining read!

Write a book!

I like this blog

(sorry have no comment, I just like it and the way you have written it. It is very articulate if that is the right word)

Awesome-o

Cool!
(Not a very poetic comment - sorry! But genuine)

You're a talented writer, I really enjoyed reading that