Yesterday, I returned to Wilson Airport in the morning. I had to find a place where I could get a 50 hour check done on the plane. I brought my bags and luckily, the Aero Club of East Africa had a room for the night. The club is a mighty fine setup, with a bar and a restaurant and rooms.
I spent much of the day sightseeing visiting the house where Karen Blixen, of Out of Africa fame, once lived. It is now turned into a museum. After that, it was a walk around the center of Nairobi a pleasant city, despite its reputation as a dangerous place.
This morning I had the 50 hour check done by the friendly guys at Horizon Aviation in Wilson Airport.
My change of plans was not easy, as it requires a special permit to be allowed to fly domestically in Kenya. I emailed the KCAA the application yesterday, and today I rang them several times, before the permit was granted late in the afternoon. The KCAA requested a copy of pilot license, of Airworthiness Certificate and proof of insurance.
The also wanted a specific new itinerary, and after several questions asked about the reason for my change of plans, the permit was given.
It was a somewhat complicated process to pay for landing fees, parking and navigation fees. Some of it had to be paid in US dollars, and some of it in local currency. But the Aviation Centre (connected with the Aero Club) helped out, and after taxiing to Customs (?), I could get on my way.
Some local guys from the Club, had told me about the VFR departure procedures, so after takeoff, I headed South on a heading of 189 degrees, staying below 6.500 ft., and when I was 15 NM out, I could say goodbye to the Wilson tower, and roam the savannah on my own.
At first, it was with scattered homesteads and cows spotted below, but suddenly I saw a bunch of Giraffes. That was a fantastic experience I do not think General Aviation gets any better than this. Getting close to the Amboseli Airfield, I spotted elefants and even lions. WHAW.
Touching down on the sealed runway in Amboseli, I was met by a guy from the lodge, where I had booked a room and by a park ranger, who warned me about Coyotes chewing on my tires! I suggested my low wheel skirts would make it difficult, but he described how the Coyotes would lie down and do the chewing.! I thought it would be a good tale to tell, but it dawned on me, he wanted some money to keep the beasts at bay! OK, why not?
The 14 km trip to the hotel, was the most interesting hotel shuttle I have experienced - more a mini safari trip, passing Elephants, Buffalos, Ostriches, Storks and a plethora of other birds on the way.
