GLIMPSES OF EAST AFRICA AND ZANZIBAR 



glorious view is obtained of the Great Rift Valley 

 lying below, seen, as the train winds its way, from 

 several points of view. Then there is a rapid descent 

 down to Naivasha, passing the old crater of Mount 

 Longonot, an extinct volcano joined to the line of the 

 railway by a high portion called the Saddle. Lions 

 are supposed to be found in plenty in its immediate 

 neighbourhood. 



Two or three miles before Naivasha station, and 

 passing along the lake of the same name, we saw 

 heads of game in vast numbers, zebra, various 

 gazelle, jackals and other beasts. The country is 

 beautiful and most interesting ; on the opposite side 

 of the lake there is still a crater of an old volcano 

 which gives forth smoke and flame at intervals. 

 Hills line the lake of Naivasha, and it is believed 

 to be itself an old crater basin ; the water is brackish 

 and undrinkable, and I was told that there is 

 supposed to be a subterranean river fed by its 

 waters. 



The little hotel is a most primitive affair ; the 

 proprietor being an ex-officer of Hussars, comforts 

 are few, but one does not think of that in the ex- 

 citement of starting on one's safari. Breakfast was 

 rather a failure, for I waited patiently for the inevit- 

 able country egg, the size of a pigeon's, while the 

 men ate porridge, lumps of beef, and fish brought 

 up country on ice, none of which do I care for as a 

 tropical repast to start a hot journey on. Then I 



116 



