Day 54 to 56 - 23rd to 25th December - Central Highlands

Point of departure : Timau

Point of arrival : Meru National Park

Accommodation: Elsa's Kopje, (www.elsaskopje.com)

Km travelled today: 156km Cum: 9 615km (gravel 27km cum 2 329km)

Countries so far: 6/16

Where to next? Nairobi

Total number of photos taken: 86 (cum 2 876)

We needed no wake up call this morning! The cacophony of the roosters, turkeys, peacock, ducks, geese and guinea fowl was more than enough to ensure that we did not oversleep.

Then on our way again, this time heading north east towards Meru National Park and Elsa's Kopje. A pretty and uneventful 156km but it still took us nearly four hours.

Elsa's Kopje (o Mughwango Hill) is named after Elsa the lioness. The lodge blends into the rocky crags of the "kopje" (small hill), built above the site of George Adamson's original campsite. George Adamson (03/02/1906) came to Kenya in 1924 and was the Game Warden at Meru National Park.

In February 1956 George shot Elsa's mother (who had killed and eaten livestock).He regretted the decision when he saw that she was lactating.So he looked for her cubs and found 3 - Lustica, Big One and Elsa (the smallest). The former two were sent to Zoos in Europe whilst the Adamsons kept Elsa.When Elsa was 3 years old they decided to teach her to hunt and release her back into the wild.They succeeded and survived in the wild.Elsa continued her bond of trust and affection with the Adamsons and even brought her cubs to George and Joy in their camp here in Meru. Sadly, Elsa died of tick bite fever in 1961 with her head in George's lap and is buried here in Meru near the Ura River.Her 16 month old cubs were raised by the Adamsons and released into the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.George Adamson and his assistant were killed in August 1989, by Somali poachers in Kora Game Reserve (adjacent to Meru) where he was working with his beloved lions.

Our room had the ultimate 'room-with-a-view', incorporating the natural features of the rocky hillside. There is an open bar, lounge and dining room with an exceptionally inviting infinity pool overlooking the Meru plains. There are photographs of Elsa, the Adamsons and of Bill Travers and Virginia Mc Kenna (actors of the Born Free film) throughout the lodge.

We were met by Phillip and Charlie (camp managers) and Eric (our guide).Had a short game drive this afternoon (as we had been in a car for the whole morning) and back to the lodge for dinner.

Day 55 - raining in the morning so we cancelled our game drive, had a late lie in and then spent the day relaxing at the lodge.In the afternoon we met George Ellis-Ruano and his 9 year old daughter Jamie who were on the game vehicle with us.They live in Brussels and it was their first safari.A good afternoon with excellent results - 6 lionesses, buffalo, elephant, white rhino, reticulated giraffe, zebra, eland, grant's gazelle, impala and the list goes on.

Back at the lodge we had a lovely surprise, the Christmas tree was up - very different - a thorn bush (no leaves) with beaded Maasai ornaments.

Day 56 - MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

To all our family and friends a Merry Christmas - you are in our thoughts. We miss you and trust you have a wonderful Christmas.

Woke up at 05h45 with tea and a Christmas present from management and staff. Much appreciated and a lovely gesture.Then off on a game drive and a Christmas morning bush breakfast in lovely surroundings next to a river.

In the afternoon we drove out to Elsa's grave. It's in a remote part of the park next to a river under a shady tree. There is a plaque with Elsa's name (1956 - 1961) and one with Joy Adamson's name (1910-1980) - her wish was to have half her ashes scattered at Elsa's grave and the other half at Pippa's (the cheetah she raised and rehabilitated into the wild).

Back to the lodge for a traditional Christmas dinner with Christmas crackers.