The sun has risen and so have the spirits of everyone.

After a 15 hour day on the bus and a well-deserved sleep, those who have fallen ill woke up feeling better than the day before.

The day was dedicated to recovery.

The morning was quiet, students both excited for the new site but somber in recovery from the long journey the day before. Many slept in, but those who could got up bright and early to scope out the new campsite – Bunduz Mara – and watch the birds before breakfast.

We kicked off the day of rest and recovery with the camp’s unofficial welcoming committee: the bandit-eyed, tail-waggling banded mongooses making their morning rounds. A few of us took a leisurely wander around camp after breakfast, armed with binoculars, spotting everything from hornbills to, yes, even more mongooses (mongeese? The debate rages on).

In between animal sightings and rest, Diana’s pop-up art gallery of vibrant beaded creations and carvings in soapstone and ebony had students captivated as we marveled at her intricate handiwork. Soon after, Dr. Steve lead a class discussion on phytogeography as we have now traveled from Nairobi to Nivasha to Kakamega to Maasai Mara — the study of factors affecting major vegetation and habitat distributions, helping us better understand why the ecosystems and landscapes between this trip’s three sites were so different.

Mid-afternoon brought a wonderful, relaxing change of pace: a beading workshop with Diana! Many students gathered around to learn the art of Maasai bead-work for making bracelets and earrings.

After a delicious dinner, which some of us were well enough to enjoy, we set up the dining tent for a special ‘graduation ceremony.’ Kirstie ‘graduated’ from York University with a Bachelors of Environmental Science! Dr. Steve gave a speech, and handed over his laptop to present her with an honourary diploma. She then walked the make-shift stage in front of the class audience to shake the hands of various dignitaries Dr. Wang, Carol, Cletus, and Mukhtar. There was cheering, lots of photos, and better spirits after a long 48 hours. She was surrounded with plenty of proud-parent energy from both students and staff. What better place to mark a milestone than in the middle of East African savanna?

After ‘graduation,’ we gathered around Dr. Steve’s laptop for a very fitting screening of The Lion King (yes, the live-action one). It was neat to watch a film inspired by the very landscapes we’re studying — most notably Maasai Mara, and Hell’s Gate National Park in Rift Valley.

As darkness fell, it was time for a bit of bush baby hunting — camera flashes and headlamps on, eyes peeled for those glowing retinas in the trees. Meanwhile, bats emerged and began their nightly swoops through the dining tent, reminding us who really runs this place after sundown. Just when we thought the night couldn’t get more magical, a majestic Maasai giraffe strolled straight through camp like it had booked a late check-in.

In short: wildlife, wonder, and one epic graduation. Just another day in Kenya.