24th February 2007  Masai Mara to Nairobi

First task of the final day was to try and catch up with Magpie Shrike in the upland acacia scrub below Siana Springs. This we duly did, following a radio message from one of Edwin's colleagues in another vehicle. We also managed to get better views of Pale Wren Warbler and as we started to descend to lower ground, we had great views of both Bateleur and immature Tawny Eagle. Our attempts to photograph a nice Caspian Plover were hindered by the hoards of local children who descended upon our vehicle! Moving across the Loita Plains a search for sandgrouse was unsuccessful, although we did find Two-banded Courser, Singing Bush Lark and a few Wildebeest.

During the final leg of the journey back to Nairobi via Narok, we stopped at Kinoo for lunch and an obliging African Black Duck was a welcome surprise as we had pretty much given up on this species. Our last stop of the day at Limuru Pond just outside Nairobi produced the final new birds of the trip, White-backed Duck and Garganey bringing our overall trip total to 572 birds seen (plus seven heard), along with an excellent tally of 49 different mammals.

With some day rooms booked at the Hotel Boulevard upon arrival back in Nairobi we had a little spare time to pack our bags and freshen up before we departed for dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant. After dinner Edwin dropped us at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for our midnight flight back to the UK.

Unfortunately, this was when all the fun and games started as after queuing for nearly an hour and half to check in we were promptly told that only two of our group had confirmed seats and the rest of us were on standby. Confusion subsequently reigned as Kenya Airways seemed to be trying to bump a number of other people off the flight as well, with lots of blank faces and shrugging of shoulders from the girls on the check-in desks. However, some half hour before we were due to fly, without explanation, the airline suddenly decided there were enough seats for everyone and with boarding cards in hand it was a mad dash through the security checks and onto our flight. An utter shambles and a frustrating way to end a fabulous trip!

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