Kinyei and the Giraffes, Nairobi, Kenya

A baby elephant walking

We had to wake up early that day because we were going to a giraffe center and a baby elephant orphanage.  The giraffe center was super short.  The giraffes were not.  We had to feed the giraffes little pellets.  Their tongues were super long and funny looking.  I especially liked feeding one of the baby giraffes that would duck under the bar to get the food.  It was super cute!  Mom got bit by one of the giraffes, which looked super painful.  There was also a hotel in the area called the giraffe hotel, and the giraffes would stick their head through the windows to wake you up, and you get to have breakfast with them.  I wish we could have stayed there, but mom said it was super expensive because of the giraffes.  I probably would not go back there, but it was a fantastic experience.  

The next place we went was an elephant orphanage for baby elephants.  Some of them were super duper tiny!  Twelve would come out and go for the milk bottles.  They were very excited about it and were also a little pushy.  We got to learn their names, and I got to touch one, but I am not fond of touching elephants, small or big.  After seeing them play, we got the chance to foster one of them!  I chose to do so, and I picked Kinyei.  She was one of the cuter ones and was pretty small.  I am super happy about being able to help her, and I get to hear stories about her and her friends.  One day she will get to go into the wild again, but only when she is older.  I would highly recommend this experience as a heartwarming, funny endeavor.  Seeing the small elephants play and eat was super cool and fun.  I would most definitely go back there.  

Jabulani, you’re a troublemaker!

Jabulani the elephant was trying to get into Bardez’s backpack to get his apples out! We were at Herd elephant orphanage. A place that took care of orphaned elephants. They would find the elephants then rescue them out of situations and nurture them back to health.  Jabulani was the elephant that started it all. 

Jabulani was the elephant that also sniffed out anything from apples to cigarets.  The cigarette story is true.  One day a teenager boy and his family went to go see some elephants.  The boy had been secretly smoking and Jabulani took the pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.  The boy was ratted out by an elephant! 

Bardez did not have cigarettes, he had apples.  And Jabulani wanted them!   There were two other elephants there that we got to meet but Jabulani was the best one.  We got to learn about the elephants and see them.  I would totally recommend this.  It is personal and you get to hug and touch the elephants.  Being in Africa and seeing all the animals makes me think it is weird that we don’t have lions or giraffes or elephants or zebras in America.    I feel like there should be some there but there isn’t.  The elephants were gentle giants and I really enjoyed seeing them and being up close.  I would go back there and visit again to see Jabulani and make sure he does not steal anyone’s things ever again.