On 06-Feb-1952, the night King George VI passed away, Princess Elizabeth was at Treetops (Aberdare NP, Kenya). The visitors' log book has these famous lines:
“For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience she climbed down from the tree next day a Queen — God bless her.”
“For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience she climbed down from the tree next day a Queen — God bless her.”
The original Treetops, built on a 300 year-old fig tree was burned down in 1954, and was rebuilt in 1957. It has become fashionably exotic landmark to tourists. The hotel is well facilitated with hot water supply, library, dining hall… but no TV, no radio, no party. Everyone should talk silently not to frighten the animals, move lightly not to quake the fragile wooden structures.
No one is allowed to stay out of the building without companion of ranger. The hotel is rather small, the main attraction is to stay on the balcony watching wild animals gather at the waterhole for saltlick. To prevent the waterhole drying up for attracting the animals sake (for tourists eventually), water has to be pumped from other waterholes and salt is sprinkled into it.
It is not exceptionally fun, but the atmosphere is unique.
