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It is the beginning of another year. As dawn broke the sky was clear as the orphans came out of their stockades to begin their new day. The orphans walked to the tune of birdsong who were also expressing their joy at the morning light of a new year. Malkia and Sana Sana entwined their trunks in a happy new year greeting. 

Out in the bush, Sattao settled to browse with Esampu while Karisa teamed up with Malkia. The orphans settled to browse west of the stockade compound, and slowly marched in the direction of the mud bath. Malima enjoyed the company of naughty Wanjala, but later Wanjala, in true form, turned against her and pushed Malima away. Malima didn't try to plead or force herself to stay, as she knows Wanjala’s character and was just happy to have spent some time with him, but left immediately to team up with the soft and shy Sapalan instead. 

Shortly before mud bath time the orphans were joined by Ishanga. Ishanga showing up to meet up with the juniors was clear a indication that the ex-orphans are clearly in the area! Ishanga escorted the orphans to the mud bath and later left, most likely to link up with her ex-orphan friends again. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse on the slopes of Ithumba Hill and later, on the way back to the stockades, they decided to have fun for a while, by playing along the edge of the road and the loose soil that settles there and is excellent for playing and dusting with. 

The orphans left the stockades early as usual and headed to the Kanziku area where they settled to browse. An hour later, ex-orphans Yatta, Yetu, Yoyo, Yogi, Kinna, Kama, Kaia, Sunyei, Siku, Saba, Loijuk, Lili, Galana, Gawa, Ishanga, Makireti, Olare, Wendi, Wiva, Wema, Makireti and her new baby boy, Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Naserian, Njema, Makena and Teleki passed by the stockades, heading west. The ex-orphans ran into the dependent orphans, who decided to spend time with newest baby who is approximately one and half week old. Malkia, Mteto, Ndiwa, Roi and Esampu tried their best to have time with the new baby but faced resistant from the nannies Makireti, Gawa, Ishanga, Olare, Siku and Lili. The orphans eventually gave up, knowing there might be another time when hopefully the nannies would grow tired and stop following the new baby everywhere! Only then will they have the opportunity to play with the new baby. Roi had a disagreement with Gawa and warned her that one day they will meet again when her mother Galana wouldn’t be around to defend her! Naseku followed Yatta and Yogi as she tried to befriend little Yogi. 

The dependent orphans headed for their milk at eleven o'clock and thereafter headed west of Ithumba Hill where they browsed calmly throughout the remaining part of the day. The late-night gang as you usual decided to lag behind and returned back later at night. 

Ambo and Musiara started their pushing game while they were still inside the stockade this morning. The late-night gang, who had arrived shortly before dawn, walked into the stockade as the gate was opened. Siangiki decided to separate Ambo and Musiara, then walked out to the bush with Ambo. Musiara was upset at being left behind, and his rumbling brought Maramoja running over to find out why he was complaining. Maramoja informed Musiara not to get so stressed out because she is always there for him. 

The orphans settled to browse in Kone area where Ambo enjoyed Siangiki and Roi’s company. Mapia attempted to climb on Jotto but Jotto resisted and walked away. Shortly before mud bath time, the orphans were joined by Zurura, Nasalot, Noah, Nusu and Olare. Mteto, Esampu, Ndiwa, Sana Sana and Mundusi surrounded Noah just to say hi to the small boy. Wanjala had the audacity to challenge Zurura, and he couldn't believe it when Zurura pushed him out of the way just like a small unwanted object. 

The dependent orphans headed west of Ithumba Hill while Nasalot and her team headed north. In the afternoon, Galla, who was feeding with Mapia, decided to turn against him. Galla climbed on Mapia’s back which Mapia wasn't happy about at all, but there was nothing he could do since Galla is his senior. In the evening, the late-night gang including Siangiki, Olsekki, Oltaiyoni, Naseku and Roi didn't return back with rest of the herd. 

Yatta led the ex-orphans to join the orphans for some lucerne pellets in the morning. After sharing lucerne for a few minutes, the ex-orphans left. This morning the most wonderful news was that Lualeni had a new born girl with her, just about four days old! After spending a few minutes in the compound with the Keepers meeting Lualeni’s new baby, the ex-orphans headed south east, with four bulls who seemed to be following Makena which suggests she is in season. Meanwhile the dependent orphans headed south, led by Esampu, and settled to browse in Kone. Jotto, Wanjala and Rapa decided to pass by the dam there and have some water, before going back to browsing. Mundusi teamed up with Sapalan to browse and later they had a game of rolling on the ground with Pare and Dololo. 

On the way to the mud bath, the orphans met with Challa, Kinna, Kama, Kaia, Kilabasi, Makireti, Ithumbah and baby Kofi. Mteto, who these days has become something of a baby lover, decided to take off with the ex-orphans just to baby sit Kofi and Kaia. 

Later on at the mud bath, where the orphans went for their noon milk feed, they were joined by Zurura who wallowed with juniors for nearly twenty minutes. In the afternoon, Kauro and Mundusi had a strength testing exercise that lasted for quite sometime. At last, Kauro emerged as the winner and to show his dominance over Mundusi, he climbed on Mundusi's back. In the evening, Kinna and her team brought Mteto back to the stockades before disappearing off into the bush again. 

Mukkoka was limping slightly this morning. The Keepers checked his leg but there was nothing to worry about as it appears that he had a thorn, but it had since come out. The orphans settled to browse north of the stockades where they happened to meet with a group of the ex-orphans. Mteto, as usual, went for the wild born babies and abandoned her friends. Larro teamed up with Nabulu to browse while Sattao paired up with Kauro. Later, Malkia took over the care of Mukkoka, Larro and Naboishu. Malkia then escorted everyone to the mud bath for their eleven o'clock milk feed. Soon after milk time, Enkikwe, Mundusi, Mapia, Malkia, Mukkoka, Larro, Naboishu, Dololo, Esampu and Rapa participated in a bush mud bath. Later, Rapa settled for a soil dusting exercise. 

In the afternoon, Mteto, who had disappeared with the ex-orphans, returned back and joined his friends. The afternoon was quiet with Mukkoka, Larro and Naboishu having learned so much in just three days; they are already a part of the Ithumba herd! In the evening, Nabulu as usual led the new babies back to the stockades for the night. 

It was a lovely morning today and the new babies Larro, Naboishu and Mukkoka looked happy and bright-eyed. They joined their friends for some lucerne pellets but didn’t feed on them for long before they started to walk off into the bush to browse; they aren’t that used to lucerne as they do not really feed on the pellets in the Nursery, but no doubt with time they will enjoy the supplement food as much as the others. These are still times of plenty when there is a lot of nice fresh food out in the bush, but when it is a bit drier we are sure they will like and appreciate the lucerne more! Dololo started playing and rolled on the ground, accompanied by Esampu, Rapa and Musiara. When they were done rolling and stretching, they got up and joined their friends who were already walking out to the bush for the day.

It's still lovely and green and the new babies were evidently enjoying all the fresh greenery. Mukkoka, Larro and Naboishu stuck together and walked along browsing close to one another. Dololo stopped browsing for a while to enjoy scratching his neck on a rock.

Ex-orphans Zurura and Challa passed by and came to say hi to the dependent orphans. Later on Yatta's herd with Sunyei and their babies passed by as well, but they just greeted the orphans and carried on with their patrol. Their wild born babies look so strong and healthy which is lovely to see – they are so energetic and run about everywhere. Kauro found a muddy puddle and decided to play in it, but it wasn’t long before the orphans had to walk to the main mud bath area for their noon milk feed.

It was quite warm today, unlike previous days, and the orphans decided to swim in the mud bath after having their bottles today. Zurura then appeared out of the bush to join them too. He joined Naseku, who was busy playing on the pile of loose soil to dry off after her swim. Naboishu, Larro and Mukkoka enjoyed a mud bath too, but Naboishu got out first before the others.

The orphans continued to enjoy browsing in the afternoon. Naboishu, Larro and Mukkoka are slowly becoming good friends with Mapia and Sattao as well as Musiara too. The herd slowly made their way towards the dam along the roadside for a drink of water before heading home in the evening. Siangiki, Olsekki, Naseku, Roi and Oltaiyoni went a different direction from the others, but returned to the stockades later during the night. They are learning to be independent, and yesterday they came back at midnight. 

Ex-orphans Kilabasi, Kofi, Makireti, Zurura, Lualeni, Lexi and Siku joined the orphans for lucerne in the morning. Makireti, who happens to be Kofi’s main nanny, tried to shield Kofi from orphans like Naseku and Maramoja who were desperate to greet him. The two girls only wanted to assist in taking care of him! Naseku and Maramoja were annoyed by Makireti's harsh security and so decided to go and join Lualeni and her family, where they were afforded the opportunity to interact with Lexi. 

The orphans had a quiet morning and enjoyed the company of Kilabasi, Kofi and Makireti out in the bush. Naseku decided to try her luck on spending some time with Kofi again, but she still didn't succeed. 

At mud bath time the orphans were joined by Kinna, Kama, Kaia, Sunyei, Saba, Olare and Siku. Kama ran into trouble with the dependent orphans when she tried to block them from getting close to Kaia. Esampu, Mundusi, Sattao, Maramoja and Malkia ganged up against Kama. Kama couldn't withstand their combined force and decided to run away. She is a good mother and to avoid any further fracas, Kinna decided to play it safe and just get into the water with her baby. The orphans decided to wait patiently along the edge of the water for Kaia to come out. After their mud bath, Kinna and her friends parted ways with dependent orphans and left with the late-night gang Oltaiyoni, Olsekki, Siangiki, Roi and Naseku. Later, Enkikwe, Sapalan and Galla dodged the Keepers as well and followed the ex-orphans. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Ithumba Hill where Naboishu, Larro and Mukkoka took sometime time off from feeding to enjoy a game of rolling on the ground. 

The late-night gang arrived early at dawn and waited outside the stockades for their friends to be let out. Mapia and Ambo apparently dreamt about fighting each other as the first thing they did this morning was lock trunks in a tussle. Their pushing game went on for quite sometime until Olsekki, who was passing by, intervened and separated the two boys. Wanjala settled to play with Mundusi while Ambo later played with his friend Sattao. Malkia developed an itchy ear and so decided to scratch against a tree. 

Mukkoka, Larro and Naboishu, who have now fully settled into Ithumba, browsed quietly without interruptions or stopping to play; they continue to be good learners as they follow their friends and learn everything there is to know about Ithumba and living in the wild. Esampu and Kuishi took Naboishu off to browse with them and spend some quality time with him. 

At noon while at the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Zurura, who left shortly afterwards. In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse east of Ithumba Hill and in the evening, some of the ex-orphans passed by the stockades again with their young ones. Rapa reported back later after his friends had settled in for the night. 

Enkikwe, who joined up with Class Five a couple of weeks ago, woke up at the stockades today in a playful mood as he engaged his long-time friend Olsekki in a strength testing match. Mukkoka was limping slightly, suggesting that he might have slipped in stockade during the night, or slept funny, as he was walking fine yesterday. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area where they were briefly joined by the ex-orphans. Malkia, Ndiwa, Mteto, Esampu, Sana Sana and Nabulu spend some time with Kaia, Lexi, Njema, Yogi and Noah. The ex-orphans were just passing by however, and they disappeared a few minutes later. 

Malkia and Ndiwa took sometime off from feeding to have a game of rolling on the ground. Mapia played with Ambo while Mundusi played with Sapalan. Challa joined the orphans on their way to the mud bath. Challa encouraged the orphans to get into the water by showing by example, and being the first one to get into the water. The orphans duly followed and ended up having a wonderful time in the water. Rapa enjoyed climbing on Dololo, who these days is missing the love and attention that he used to get from Mutara’s herd, who have been away for a while now. After wallowing, Jotto led a small group of orphans for a soil dusting exercise. Challa parted ways with the orphans soon after mud bath. The orphans settled west of Ithumba Hill and had a quiet afternoon. 

The orphans left the stockades early as usual and settled for lucerne before making their way out to browse. After Karisa had enough lucerne, this streetwise boy led the way out. Enkikwe and Ambo lagged behind as they tried to clear up all the leftover lucerne their friends had left.

Out in the bush, Jotto combined browsing with a scratching session, as Pare isolated himself from his friends and moved off a short distance away to browse on his own. Larro, Naboishu, Mukkoka and Musiara teamed up with Malkia to browse. 

At noon when the orphans visited the mud bath, Rapa, Nabulu, Mundusi, Enkikwe, Mteto, Ndiwa, Kuishi, Esampu, Ambo, Mapia, Sana Sana and Kamok all decided to get into the water and have fun. Esampu was the first one leave however, running and trumpeting as she ran into the bush; she is still a little drama queen! Mundusi and Enkikwe were the last ones to leave the water. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and they had a quiet time browsing. Later, the orphans came across a small water hole where they decided to have a bush mud bath. In the evening, Larro led the first group back to the stockades for the night, while Nabulu led the second one. 

Olsekki and Ambo walked to the water trough soon after they were let out this morning, as the rest of their friends settled for lucerne. Shortly later, Karisa led the way to browse again. On the way, Olsekki, Mukkoka and Larro came across some rocks that they used to scratch against. 

Later, Ambo had a disagreement with Musiara that led the two boys to engage in a pushing game. Malkia passed by and separated the two boys before carrying on with her journey. Naboishu, who we are finding to be quite an independent boy who isn’t very attached to Mukkoka and Larro, settled to browse with Olsekki, but left when Olsekki attempted to bully him. Mapia teamed up with Kamok while Sana Sana took care of Mukkoka and Larro. 

The ex-orphans passed by the stockades shortly before eleven o'clock, heading to an unknown place. At the same time the dependent orphans were heading to the mud bath for their noon milk feed. Nabulu, Sattao, Ambo, Enkikwe, Mundusi, Sana Sana, Esampu, Kauro and Larro decided to have fun in the water while Mukkoka, Naboishu, Kamok, Jotto, Musiara, Dololo, Rapa, Wanjala and Malkia opted for a soil dusting exercise. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and later in the evening they passed by the mud bath again for an evening cool-off. When he was done cooling off Enkikwe decided to have a strength testing game with Olsekki, and then all the orphans slowly made their way back to the compound for the night.

The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockades. The late-night gang arrived sometime during the night and had slept in the stockade compound. Naboishu walked over to Roi and settled to share lucerne with her. Roi was kind enough to allow Naboishu share lucerne and give the young boy some attention. Later, Naboishu walked to join Mukkoka and Larro. 

Out in the bush the orphans were joined by Kibo and Tusuja who have been away for quite sometime! Mukkoka briefly teamed up with Ambo before walking off in his own direction again. The orphans settled to browse in the Kone area again. Pare and Sattao isolated themselves from the rest of the group and browsed a short distance away. It's not clear why the two boys distanced themselves from their friends or what they were talking about! The two boys re-joined their friends later on the way to the mud bath. 

Soon after coming out of the mud bath, Wanjala, Rapa, Esampu and Kuishi spotted two Egyptian geese beside the water trough. Led by Esampu, the four orphans trumpeted and charged as they headed for the birds. The birds were clever though and flew away the moment they heard the orphans trumpeting. 

In the afternoon the orphans settled to browse in between Ithumba Hill and Imenti. Later in the evening, shortly before going back to the stockades, the orphans came across a small water hole that they used to cool themselves off in. After they had enough of wallowing, Nabulu led the way back to the stockades for the night. 

After the orphans had enough lucerne this morning, Larro tried to lead the group towards the east. Challa emerged from the same direction and made a brief stop at the water trough. The orphans who had started to follow Larro turned back and followed Challa instead. At the water trough, the boys Enkikwe, Mundusi, Rapa, Sattao, Mapia and Wanjala stretched their trunks out to say hi to Challa. Challa wasn’t bothered by the little orphans at all, but left walking in a slow measured walk, heading west. Five hundred metres away, the orphans stopped following Challa as it appeared that he wasn't in the mood to talk with them. The orphans settled to browse in the Kanziku area instead. 

Mukkoka, Larro and Naboishu teamed up with Mteto, Sapalan and Esampu to browse. At mud bath time, the sun was shining, and the orphans participated fully in a wallowing exercise, with the exception of Rapa and Kamok who boycotted the waterhole. After wallowing the orphans dried themselves off at the pile of loose soil, before heading back out to browse. 

At they set off the orphans decided to spend their afternoon west of the Ithumba Hill. Naboishu was pushed away by Kamok when he tried to move close to her. We’re not sure why Kamok behaved in such a way as she is a young female who normally like to look after those younger than them, but sometimes she isn’t as nurturing as some of the others. It was a very hot afternoon and the orphans decided to pass by the mud bath for an evening wallowing session. Mteto, Karisa and Esampu teamed up with the late-night gang and headed north of the mud bath, and reported back at the stockade compound on their own shortly before 7pm.

Mist covered the tip of the Ithumba Hill this morning when the orphans were let out and settled for lucerne. Mukkoka and Musiara had enough of lucerne and decided to walk down to the water trough for a drink. Shortly later, Larro led the way out, but Mteto, Malkia, Esampu and Sana Sana couldn't allow Larro to lead as she doesn’t know the area well enough yet, so they hurried a head of her and walked together with the courageous girl. 

The orphans headed to the area known as Kone where they settled to browse. Galla and Pare took a break from feeding and engaged each other in a strength testing game that ended when Pare decided to surrender. Ndiwa played with Karisa as Malkia settled to browse with Mukkoka and Naboishu. Mteto teamed up with Esampu while Sapalan attempted to ride on Galla. 

On the way to the mud bath, the orphans were joined by Loijuk, Lili and a one-tusked female that used to be quite aggressive at one time but now she is much more settled around the Keepers and the orphans. Loijuk escorted the group to the mud bath. Ndiwa, Roi, Mundusi, Malkia and Rapa took turns in playing with Lili. 

At the mud bath Jotto played with Rapa as Dololo played with Musiara and as they made their way back to the stockades, Dololo and Musiara took up their game again. They were fully invested in their wrestling match, and it wasn’t until the Keepers were close to the stockades that they realised the two boys were missing. Two Keepers went back to look for Musiara and Dololo and found the two boys, still in their pushing game and totally oblivious that their friends had left them behind and that it was time to return home. The Keepers separated them and led them to the safety of the stockades for the night. 

The orphans settled for lucerne soon after leaving the stockades. Sana Sana and Roi shared their lucerne with Naboishu and had a brief chat with him, encouraging Naboishu and offering his positive thoughts. Esampu engaged Mapia in a pushing game that was cut short by Sapalan who came up behind Mapia and pushed him away. 

The orphans found themselves in the Kone area again, where Sana Sana spend the entire morning browsing with Naboishu who has become her favourite little baby. Musiara played with Mapia and later tackled Dololo. At mud bath time, Nabulu led the first group for the milk feed while Esampu led the second group. Mukkoka, Larro and Naboishu were in the last group. 

It was very hot and the orphans participated fully in the wallowing exercise with the exception of Sapalan and Jotto who opted for a soil dusting exercise instead. They then settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill and had a quiet afternoon. In the evening, the orphans passed by the mud bath and cooled off there before heading back to the stockades for the night. Later, Esampu, Karisa, Mteto, Sapalan and Wanjala dodged the Keepers and ended up coming back to the compound late at night. 

Ex-orphan Kibo joined the orphans for lucerne in the morning. Its not clear where he had left Mutara and the others who he had been with yesterday. An hour later, Mutara, Turkwel, Suguta, Sities, Kainuk and Lemoyian joined the orphans in the Kone area. Turkwel and Suguta went up to Dololo as they apparently continue to beg for his forgiveness, promising not to leave him again soon. Dololo appeared to soften a bit and stopped playing so hard to get, as he was then seen following the two girls. 

Malima, Kuishi and Esampu took a break from browsing and decided to have a game of rolling on the ground. A wild bull in the company of Nasalot, Nusu, Noah, Ithumba and Naisula passed by close to where the orphans were feeding. Ndiwa and Mteto ran to catch up with Noah, and the Keepers had a hard time trying to get the two girls to go to the mud bath just before noon, as they wanted to stay with Noah. Suguta and Turkwel escorted Dololo for his milk bottle and later they all had a soil dusting exercise together. 

In the afternoon, the orphans settled to browse west of Ithumba Hill. Jotto engaged Sana Sana in a pushing game while Lemoyian played with Rapa. Dololo settled to browse with Turkwel while Wanjala settled to browse with Mteto. In the evening, the late-night gang lagged behind with Enkikwe, Galla, Wanjala, Mteto and Rapa, and showed up at the stockades an hour after the others had already gone inside for the night. A wild herd with two small babies checked in briefly at the stockade compound and left immediately after taking water.