Across the whole country everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the rains which have been somewhat delayed this year. The temperature and sheer heat of the sun has made the past months challenging. Then the days with cloud rolling across the sky come as a welcome respite.
The morning was wonderful with the stockade dependant orphan elephants playing around the stockade compound after the milk and supplement feeding. Rorogoi headed for a scratching session against one of the rocks in the stockade compound. Tahri lay on the red earth piles where she had fun dust bathing while being watched over closely by her adopted mothers Kenia and Ndii.
On arriving at the browsing fields, Bada, Arruba and Panda went further uphill to browse leaving their friends downhill. After half an hour the three noticed that they had been left behind by their friends and came running down to catch up with them.
Three hours after the browsing activities began the orphans were joined by a small wild elephant herd and the two fed together for about ten minutes before most of the orphan herd left for the milk feeding area. Murit, Ngilai and Ndotto stayed with the wild herd for a little while longer before joining their friends who were making their way to the baobab tree water hole where they interacted with another wild elephant herd that had come for a drink of water. Mbegu had a soft spot for a tiny calf in the herd while Nelion and Mudanda enjoyed a play fighting game with their wild elephant friends. One teenage wild elephant bull rode on Arruba’s back in a mimic mounting game.
There was then fun and games on the red earth piles before the afternoon browsing activities began. Mbegu browsed quietly before going to tease Ndotto in a play-fighting game.
It was a bright beginning to the day with the stockade dependant orphan elephants leaving the stockade compound for the browsing field after the milk and supplement feeding. Kenia took charge of the herd leading them up Msinga Hill where they fed until 9:50 am at which time they started coming down to head to the waterhole. When they arrived they encountered a big herd of elephant and buffalo that had drunk most of the water from both the trough and the water hole. One of the male buffalos was constantly following the orphan elephants and the wild elephant herd, coming close to them and watching them play on the red earth piles. Both the orphan elephants and the wild herd were not comfortable which him being that close and a wild elephant cow made it her mission to chase him away.
Arruba and Mbirikani had a wonderful time rolling around on the red earth piles while Mashariki enjoyed a scratching session against the baobab tree, until a wild elephant came and evicted her from her scratching position to take it for herself. The orphan elephants followed one very big wild elephant bull that was leaving the water hole, but soon separated from him when Tahri and Araba ran away in fear when he decided to try and approach them.
Another day began with the milk dependent orphans downing their milk bottle in a matter of seconds before joining their older friends for the Lucerne pellet feeding. There were some brief games around the stockade compound with Kihari introducing a dust bathing game on the red earth piles but left when none of her friends came to join her. Lasayen enjoyed a bottom scratching game on a rock.
Lentili was in the lead as the orphans headed to the browsing fields and had to chase away some baboons that were in their way on the path. The browsing activities were peaceful with the orphans interacting with some wild zebra at the waterhole. After the mud bath, Rorogoi tossed huge chunks of red soil into the air while her friends tried to avoid getting the falling dust in their eyes. When the dust settled, Embu came to join Rorogoi and the two enjoyed rolling around on the red earth piles, while Ndotto sat on the side of the water trough to have a drink of water.
Later in the day, a big wild elephant attempted to join the orphans. Kenia approached to welcome the wild elephant but Araba screamed loudly, which meant Kenia turned away from a potential wild friend to tend to Araba.
The morning was fairly cold as the stockade dependant orphan elephants left for the browsing fields after the milk and supplement feeding. The orphans browsed in single file on the lower northern area of Msinga Hill with Mbirikani, who had joined them in the morning, following the rest of the group. The orphans browsed slowly in attempt to grab as much browse as they could as we hopefully draw towards the end of the dry season and we expect the rains any day.
The orphans visited the baobab tree water hole after the noon milk feed where they had a drink from the water trough. Ndoria plunged into the water where she sprayed herself, managing to get Kihari and Rorogoi as well who were quick to move out of her way. Ndoria then joined her friends at the dust bath before they all enjoyed a scratching session against the large baobab tree. Araba had a scratching session against a tree away from the others before joining up with them as they returned to their browsing activities which took place close to the waterhole.
It was an active beginning to the day with the milk dependant orphans running up and grabbing their morning milk bottle, pouring the contents down their throats. There were some brief games on the red earth piles before leaving the stockade compound for the browsing field. Nelion climbed one of the stockade terraces kneeling down at the top.
The orphans browsed their way from the middle water hole to the baobab tree water hole where they arrived a few minutes before 11am. They had a quick mud bath, before exiting to have their afternoon milk bottle a few meters away.
Soon after they left the water hole, a small wild elephant family arrived for a drink. Mbirikani, who was coming to join the orphans after spending the night away, joined the wild elephant herd instead. Panda saw them coming and went back to the water hole where she interacted with a teenage wild elephant cow by touching trunks in greeting. Panda and Mbirikani later joined the orphan elephant herd for the afternoon browsing session leaving the wild herd resting in the shade of an acacia tree close to the waterhole.
It was a calm beginning to the day with Naipoki enjoying a scratching session against a rock in the stockade compound before giving her position over to her friend Panda. Once all the feeding and games were over the stockade dependant orphan elephants left for the browsing fields. They slowly and peacefully browsed their way arriving to the baobab tree water hole where they encountered a big wild elephant herd drinking from the water hole. Naipoki, Mashariki and Mudanda tried to snatch a wild elephant calf but realized this would be a futile attempt as they were afraid of a big wild bull with huge tusks standing nearby. The other wild elephants were also giving him a wide birth due his massive size while Tundani seemed content to stay close to him.
It was a good start to the day with the milk dependant orphans arriving in groups of six individuals for the milk feeding session. Embu who came with the last milk feeding group could not believe that she had finished her two milk bottles and tried begging for more, going as far as to try and pick up the spilled remains of the milk from the top of the terrace. Ndotto came close to Embu turning and rubbing his itchy bottom against the rock, while Mashariki introduced a game of tossing red earth in the sky. She was joined in the game by Tahri, Kenia and Rorogoi. Ishaq-B settled for a scratching session against one of the stockade rocks before joining her friends for the journey to the browsing grounds.
The orphans had a brief moment bathing after the noon milk bottle and missed meeting up with a wild elephant herd that came to the water hole a few minutes after the orphan herd had left.
The morning began with the usual milk feed which had Tundani walking while drinking and spilling milk drops on the terrace in the milk feeding area. It was a day of fun for all the orphan elephants as they played happily at the stockade compound before leaving for the browsing field where they had a lovely time feeding on the western foot of Msinga hill before heading to the milk feeding area and then the baobab tree water hole.
After a wonderful noon mud bath, the orphans played on the red earth piles. Rorogoi and Nelion tossed huge chunks of red soil in the sky and onto their backs, with Kenia, Naipoki and Kihari lying and rolling on the red earth pile with Tahri. Arruba later came sliding down the earth pile in an effort to impress Tahri. Nelion and Bada closed the playing session by lying next to each other on the soil while Naipoki and Ndotto had a wonderful play-fight after the dust bath.
A wild elephant herd, which had come for a drink from the waterhole, was resting under an acacia tree a few meters away. The orphans didn’t join them as they were intent on the afternoons browsing activities.
It was a nice beginning to the day with the orphans observing the usual morning protocol of milk and supplement feeding. Murit and Ngilai then enjoyed a play-fight while the rest played on the red earth piles in the stockade compound. Kenia was left behind by the others when they left for the Park as she was busy lying and rolling on the soil and didn’t notice the orphan herd leave; she had to run to catch up with them.
Later on the orphans were browsing in single file, before visiting the baobab tree water hole after the noon milk feed. After a very quick mud bath, Kihari went to play on the red earth pile where she was soon joined by Lentili and Rorogoi. Rorogoi was having a lovely time which brought Ndotto to come and lie on her stomach. Kenia came to join the two but was more intent on protecting Tahri from their rambunctious game. Kenia then joined Tahri, who was playing a rolling game on the ground, before they all joined the rest of the orphan herd who were headed back to the browsing fields.
The morning was calm with the stockade dependant orphans playing around the stockade compound after the milk and supplement feeding. They then left for the Park under the leadership of Lentili and Ishaq-B. After browsing for two hours on the northern lower grounds of Msinga Hill, a big wild elephant bull came and joined the orphans who were a bit wary of him due to his size and didn’t get too close to him. When it was time for the noon milk feed the orphans left the bull and headed to the baobab tree waterhole.
After milk feeding the orphans had a lot of fun playing mud bathing games leaving Mbirikani, who had joined them in the water, behind when they exited. Nelion took up a scratching position against a nearby tree where he was joined by Rorogoi while Arruba and Ndii scratched against the big baobab tree. The orphans spent the afternoon browsing close to the water hole.
The morning was wonderful with the stockade dependant orphans spreading out to play around the compound following the milk and the Lucerne pellet feeding. Kihari took up a scratching positing leaving it for Mudanda once she was done. Lentili and Godoma scrambled to get to a free rock close to the red earth pile for a scratch. Lentili let Godoma have the rock so as to maintain her dignity as an upcoming mini matriarch, leaving the younger orphan to enjoy her scratching session.
The orphans then left for the field under the leadership of Mbegu and Godoma. Mbirikani, who had spent the previous night out of the stockade arrived at the baobab tree water hole twenty minutes before the orphan herd, and interacted briefly with a small wild elephant family relaxing under an acacia tree close to the water hole. The orphans arrived at the waterhole to quench their thirst after the milk feed and joined Mbirikani who was still there even though the wild herd had left. As they were busy drinking water, a teenage wild elephant bull joined them and was welcomed to drink with them. When the orphans were leaving the water hole to head back out to browse, a big wild elephant cow came for a drink of water. The wild cow was thought to be the teenage bull’s mother.
It was a lovely beginning to the day with the milk dependant orphan elephants emptying their morning milk bottle in a matter of seconds, before enjoying the Lucerne pellet supplement feeding followed by games around the stockade compound. Kenia wanted to join Ndoria for a bottom scratching game but was rejected by Ndoria who walked away. Araba took the opportunity to come and play with Kenia who kept a close eye on the youngster. Embu and Mudanda then came and took it in turns to scratch against the rocks while Panda joined Ngilai for a scratching session against the stockade terrace and was left on her own when Ngilai walked away. Ndotto and Kihari had a wonderful play fighting game, with Kihari having such fun that she sat down and engaged Ndotto head on.
At the baobab tree waterhole the orphans had a lovely wallow following their milk bottle. Rorogoi enjoyed a soil bathing session with Nguvu, as Murit waited for Nelion to finish scratching so that he could take Murit’s position. Ndotto tried to push the big baobab tree in an effort to showcase his strength before joining his friends who were browsing close to the water hole.
There was fun and games around the stockade compound following milk and supplement feeding. Ngilai engaged his best friend Murit in a wonderful wrestling match. When their game was at its climax Kihari came in and interrupted their game which had the two running away biting their trunks in anger at having their fun spoiled. Kenia took position at a prominent rock in the stockade compound for a scratching session. When she was done Nguvu had a turn followed by Ishaq-B. Naipoki was busy throwing dust into the air as she enjoyed a soil bathing game.
The orphans browsed until it was time to head to the baobab tree water hole. There was some cloud covering the sun which had the orphans reluctant to enter the water. Mashariki tried pushing Nguvu into the water but was outsmarted by Nguvu who managed to sneak away. Rorogoi enjoyed a wonderful scratching session against the baobab tree before joining her friends for the afternoon browsing session.
The morning was wonderful with the milk dependent orphans downing their milk and then settling with their friends from Kenia’s herd to enjoy the supplement feeding. Ngilai enjoyed feeding on the Lucerne grass pellets from below one of the stockade terraces giving him the advantage of grabbing more pellets than his friends who were feeding from atop the terrace.
Oltukai the buffalo and Tawi the eland finished their share of Lucerne pellets and engaged one another in a play fight. The elephants played briefly around the stockade compound before leaving to browse out in the Park, slowly browsing their way to the baobab tree water hole.
Ndoria, who does not get given milk any more, joined a wild elephant herd and went with them into the water hole for a drink. Mbegu, Ngilai and Lasayen were surprised to find Ndoria playing host, welcoming them to join the wild elephant herd. The rest of the stockade dependent orphans arrived after a few minutes and joined the wild group. One teenage wild calf jumped into the water trough stirring the water with his trunk while the orphans were trying to have a drink. Naipoki engaged the calf head on in a bid to force her out of the trough with Tundani coming to assist. It was however Panda who succeeded in getting the calf out of the water by engaging her in pushing game. After an hour of being in one another’s company, the orphan herd separated from the wild herd and returned to the browsing fields.
The morning began with the stockade dependant orphan elephants coming out of their stockades, running for their milk bottles which they gulped down before assembling for the Lucerne pellet feeding. There were some brief games with Ngilai, Mbegu, Godoma and Lasayen picking soil up with their trunks and tossing it in the sky.
The orphans then browsed their way to the western side of the stockade, arriving at the baobab tree water hole that afternoon. As they were coming to the water hole a small wild elephant family that had been drinking there was on their way out. The orphans had a wonderful mud bath before playing on the red earth piles close to the water hole. Nelion was left behind browsing close to the water hole area when his friends left for the afternoon browsing session, and he rejoined them awhile later.
It was a perfect beginning to the day with the stockade dependant orphan elephants playing around the stockade compound after the milk and supplement feeding. Mudanda anchored herself to a rock for a scratching session while Nelion enjoyed lying and rolling on the ground, with his friends leaving him behind as they headed to the browsing grounds which meant Nelion had to run to catch up with them.
The orphans browsed in single file, moving slowly so as to grab as much browse as they could as it is fast drying out in the area and we need more rain. They visited the baobab tree water hole for the milk feed, and then lined up for a drink of water from the water trough. The weather was cloudy and cold so the orphans were reluctant to take a bath and thus chose to stand in the shallow end and spray themselves with a little water with Araba and Suswa standing in the waterhole to do so.
It was a bright morning as the orphans exited their stockades. They played briefly around the stockade compound with Ndotto enjoying a scratching session on a small rock near the red earth piles before the group headed for the browsing fields.
The orphans spread out to browse with Mbegu managing to keep her six member herd Murit, Godoma, Ndotto, Lasayen and Ngilai together. They all visited the water hole at 11am for their milk bottles after which Murit joined a wild elephant herd drinking from the baobab tree water trough. Mbegu and the other five group members were cautious of the wild herd, watching them from a safe distance before deeming it safe enough to join them. Tahri watched a big wild elephant cow scratching against the baobab tree while Ndotto was courageous and confident and stayed close to a big wild bull. One wild elephant cow became excited at being with the orphan herd and jumped into the water trough before lying on the red earth pile. The orphans left the wild elephant herd relaxing under the acacia tree close to the water hole as they spread out under several other trees seeking shelter from the sun.
This morning began like every other with the milk and supplement feeding after which the orphan herd followed Mbegu and Godoma to the browsing grounds. They browsed peacefully through the morning before going for the noon milk feed with Ngilai and Murit racing for their milk bottles.
When all the twenty milk dependant orphans finished their milk and had a drink of water they made their way to the waterhole. Embu had a quick bath and then placed herself strategically on the red earth pile enjoying a lying and rolling game which caught Bada’s attention and he came to join her. Tundani headed to join the two but was stopped from doing so by Nelion who tried to engage Tundani in a pushing game. Tundani was not interested as he wanted to play with Embu and Bada, so he took on Kihari instead.
Ishaq-b engaged Ndotto in a play fight which Ndii came to break up as she has a soft spot for Ndotto. Ndotto however refused to be deterred from the game by Ndii, who walked away feeling a little embarrassed. Mudanda tried to ride on Ndotto’s back but he ran from her. A giraffe came to the waterhole for a drink at which time the orphans left to return to the browsing fields for the remainder of the day.
It was a morning full of play following the milk and supplement feeding. Suswa ousted Mashariki from her scratching rock, taking it for herself, while Ndotto bullied Mbegu who was lying on the red earth piles by sitting on her. Mbegu became angry and got up to engage Ndotto in a little fight to correct his behavior as she was his superior.
Bada enjoyed a play fight with Tundani before the two joined their friends who had just left for the browsing fields. The orphans enjoyed their morning browsing session, visiting the water hole where they had their milk feed before enjoying a wallow. Ishaq-B pulled Tahri between her trunk and front legs, resting her head on her back.
Later on in the day, Ngilai and Murit became engaged in a tough play fight and when it got difficult, Ngilai tried to hide behind a small bush but Murit had no difficulty pursuing him there. Ngilai conceded defeat and the afternoon was spent browsing on the eastern foot of Msinga Hill.
Today the stockade dependant orphan elephants left the stockade compound for the browsing grounds as soon as the milk and supplement feeding was over. They visited the waterhole in the afternoon, but as it was a chilly day as the clouds begin to roll over across the sky signaling the rains, and Ndotto was the only one to enter the water. Embu later came to join him but left as Ndotto kept spraying water over them both and Embu didn’t really want to get wet. Nelion came to try and get Ndotto out of the water but only succeeded in getting Ndotto to move deeper into the mud bath. Ndoria then complicated the issue by plunging into the water and approaching Ndotto who just wanted to enjoy a wallow in peace and quiet, when he saw this wasn’t going to happen he exited the water.
Kenia took Tahri behind the baobab tree and rubbed her itchy neck on Tahri’s back. Naipoki managed to steal Tahri away from Kenia and hid her behind a small bush while also scratching her neck on Tahri’s back. Tahri enjoyed rubbing herself against Lentili, with Ndii coming to monitor their interaction before taking Tahri away from Lentili while Ishaq-B scratched behind her neck with her trunk.
In the afternoon, about an hour before it was time to return to the stockades for the night, the orphans were browsing on the northern foot of Msinga Hill when Ndii, Tahri, Naipoki and Ishaq-B went to rest under a big rock on the northern side of Msinga Hill and stayed there until it was time to head home.
It was a bright morning with the stockade dependant orphan elephants leaving the stockade compound after the milk and supplement feeding. They spent the morning browsing peacefully and filling their tummies with as much vegetation as they could before making their way to the baobab tree water hole. As it was a cloudy day there were only a few who chose to wallow.
Bada and Godoma played in the water as Ngilai and Ndotto shared a single tree close to the water hole for a scratching session. Ndotto seemed to be put out upon seeing Godoma playing with Bada and came to lie next to Godoma in an effort to get Godoma to come and join him for a mud bathing game.
The afternoon was spent browsing close to the waterhole.
The morning began with Mbirikani, who had spent the night out of the stockade, coming to join the orphan herd for the supplement feeding. There were no games at the stockade compound this morning as the orphans were eager to begin their browsing activities. They settled to feed on the lower northern slopes of Msinga Hill.
Two hours before the milk feeding time, the Keepers noticed some unusual visitors, a pride of ten lions, settled under a tree commonly used by the milk dependant orphan elephants during the afternoon milk feed. The lions looked hungry and were probably waiting to see if they could ambush any animals that came to the baobab tree waterhole for a drink. As there was nowhere that they could hide from any other game they decided to leave. The Keepers made double sure that they had left the area before bringing the orphan herd for the noon milk feed.
The orphans sensed that something wasn’t quite right today and had a quick wallow after which Lentili and Araba enjoyed a scratching session against the baobab tree while Tundani engaged Nelion in a tough head butting, pushing game.
It was a beautiful beginning to the day with the stockade milk dependant orphans gulping down their milk bottles and settling with their older friends to enjoy the Lucerne pellet supplements. There were only a few games before Mbegu took an early lead of the orphan herd out to browse.
The morning was spent browsing before the orphan herd visited baobab tree water hole at noon.
Mbegu and Ndotto had a drink of water before engaging in a tough wrestling match. Godoma, who has special attachment to Mbegu, thought it was a real fight and distanced herself from the two. Panda and Mbirikani took two separate trees in order to enjoy a scratching session in peace. After a wonderful noon mud bath, it was then time for a soil bathing session on the red earth piles.
Tahri wanted to play with Rorogoi, but Kenia held her tight with her trunk, preventing her from playing with Rorogoi who chose instead to play with Kihari while Kenia stood guard of Tahri who had gone for a dust bath. The afternoon was spent browsing before returning to the stockades for the night.
Another day began and we found the stockade dependant orphan elephants running for their morning milk bottles followed by supplement feeding. There was a brief hide and seek game around the stockade compound before they all took off for the browsing grounds.
At noon, Mbegu’s herd was the first to arrive at the milk feeding area where there was a wild elephant herd standing nearby, followed a few minutes later by the rest of their milk dependant friends. Mbegu was the first to finish her milk and took the golden opportunity to interact with a small wild elephant calf. She forwent going for a drink of water so that she could enjoy playing with the young calf, before her sisters whisked her away when more members of the orphan herd arrived. Ndotto saw two warthogs coming for a drink at the baobab tree water hole and charged up to them to chase them away. Nelion was joined by a teenage wild bull friend and the two enjoyed a scratching session against the big baobab tree. More and more wild elephant herds streamed to the water hole for a drink after which some played on the red earth piles while others relaxed under nearby acacia trees. On noticing that the wild herds were guarding their calves and not letting anyone near them, the orphan herd got bored and left to resume with the days browsing activities.
This morning the milk dependant orphan elephants were competing with one another to see who would reach their delicious milk bottles first, downing the contents in a matter of seconds.
There was some light rain this morning that had Lentili, Kenia, Mbegu and Lasayen rolling around and playing on the ground. Mashariki and Rorogoi went and enjoyed a scratching session against a rock boulder which they were happy to share.
The orphans made their way to the browsing ground amid a very light rain shower. Once in the browsing fields they enjoyed feeding on the moist grass at the eastern foot of Msinga Hill. They didn’t visit the baobab tree water hole today as it was rather cold and chose instead to concentrate on their browsing activities.
The morning was good as usual with the stockade dependant orphan elephants emptying a morning milk bottle, settling for the Lucerne pellet feeding, and engaging in some wonderful socializing games around the stockade compound. They later took off for the browsing grounds under the leadership of Ishaq-B and Mbegu.
After arriving at the field, Kenia separated her loved and adopted baby Araba from the rest of the herd, taking her for a private browsing session, as she had noticed that Panda was trying to get close to Araba in an effort to steal her from Kenia.
Later in the morning there was a light rain shower which led Ngilai to introduce a game of lying in an erosion trench and rolling around. None of his friends joined him as they were all concentrating on browsing. Mbegu felt sorry for him and joined him for a few minutes before resuming with her browsing activities.
The orphan herd visited the baobab tree water hole at noon and had a lovely time playing in the mud before enjoying some soil dusting games. Embu, Arruba, and Tundani resorted to digging small holes for a partial soil dusting session, drawing warmth from the soil below as they had fun on the red earth piles.
It was a beautiful beginning to the day with the orphan elephants enjoying their early morning milk bottle and the supplement foods that had been put out for them. Godoma took the lead of the group today but as she is inexperienced in this role she found herself alone in the front. Some baboons jumped out from behind the bushes which had Godoma running back to the rest of the orphan herd.
The orphans browsed slowly in an effort to feed on as much vegetation as they could. While in the browsing fields Ndii introduced a game of dusting on some wet sand but none of the other orphans joined her as they were concentrating on their browsing activities. After the noon milk feed which took place close to the waterhole the orphans made their way to the mud bath. Ndoria, who is no longer milk-dependent, came to the mud bath ten minutes after her friends. At the mud wallow the orphans only sprayed themselves with water as it was an overcast day. Ndotto then enjoyed a private dust bath in a small hole before rejoining his friends who were returning to the browsing grounds.
It was a beautiful start to the day with the orphans quickly and efficiently completing their milk and supplement feed, for what would be a busy day of browsing.
The weather was rather cold and cloudy the orphans settled into their usual browsing pattern, making their way slowly to the baobab waterhole. Some stopped to have a brief bath and then moved on, whilst others chose to linger and play in the water, before joining their friends.
Ndii spotted Panda who was trying to interact with her adopted baby Tahri. Ndii quickly rushed over to block any further interactions. Undeterred Panda waited for Ndii to get engrossed with her soil dusting, and behind Ndii’s back, snuck Tahri away to go stand under the baobab tree, where they could warm themselves. After a while, Ndii and Kenia did notice this and did not waste any time rushing to the baobab tree, and snatching Tahri back; they walked away feeling rather triumphant. For the rest of the day, the orphans carried on browsing close to the baobab water hole.
The orphans had a perfect start to their morning; they exited their stockades to be welcomed by light showers. The orphans also all enjoyed a wonderful game of hide and seek, just after their milk and supplement feed, after which they all made their way to the browsing grounds.
The light showers continued all day, on and off, with the orphan’s milk getting delivered to the northern side of Msinga Hill, as the orphans had chosen to browse on the soft green grass here. They took a break from browsing to indulge in a socializing game. Mbegu lead Ndotto, Tahri and Ngilai into the erosion trenches to play. Ndotto’s rather exuberant moves of sliding from the top to the bottom of the trench forced Mbegu to exit the trench and move on to an alternative game of rolling in the mud on the flats. Ngilai also exited the trench, choosing a strength game with his friend Murit, leaving Ndotto to be the champion of the trench game. Tundani and Nelion also enjoyed their play fighting game close to where Ngilai and Murit were playing. Nelion proved to be the winner but Tundani, not wanting to be overshadowed by Nelion, rode Nelion’s back claiming his victory.
Later that afternoon, the stockade dependant orphans visited the waterhole and fully partook in fun and mud bathing games before settling down to browse close to the waterhole.
Another beautiful morning saw the orphans down their bottles of milk and after their lucerne pellets, they followed Mbirikani and Mashariki towards the browsing grounds. Before that there weren’t too many games in the stockade compound this morning. Mudanda approached Ndoria in a very calm and peaceful manner requesting her to give up the scratching rock in the stockade area as Ndoria had been hoarding it for most of the morning. Ndoria took her time to consider Mudanda’s proposal and then respectfully gave up her spot so that Mudanda could enjoy her scratching session. Naipoki made her way to the scratching rock once Mudanda was done, and Nelion not wanting to wait in line, found a smaller rock to indulge in his scratching session.
Eventually Mbirikani and Mashariki made the decision to lead the stockade dependant orphans to the eastern side of the Msinga Hill. Here they enjoyed browsing for another four hours before making their way down the waterhole to have their noon bottle and enjoy mud-bathing. They continued with their afternoon browsing later, but on the northern side of the Msinga Hill.