Kenya

Maasai Mara

When you arrive in the Maasai Mara, you can’t help but feel something in your heart. You are transported from dusty, bumpy roads to sit in quiet awe as you watch the many elephants, giraffes, and even the odd pride of lions go about their daily life as if you are not even there. We have had many wonderful game drives in the Mara, but some of our best experiences have been when we least expected it, such as a cheetah and her cubs appeared out of nowhere, a herd of wildebeest crossing in front of us, or just sitting with a sundowner watching the sky turn gold.

Amboseli National Park

With Mount Kilimanjaro in the background of most of the pictures taken in Amboseli National Park, there is really something very special about this area of Kenya. It is a peaceful place, and as you watch huge herds of elephants of all ages, slowly, and with much communication amongst themselves, as they make their way across the open plains, you can’t help but be impressed. Some of the elephants have huge ears which catch the breeze, and as they walk past you can hear the rumble of communication between them.

Lake Naivasha & Lake Nakuru

These two lakes are so different from the rest of Kenya. On Lake Naivasha we were able to get up close to the water and see lots of hippos and even more birds. On Lake Nakuru, we traveled through a different landscape and had many fantastic encounters with the local wildlife. We saw giraffe, buffalo, rhino, and many, many different kinds of birds. This was a day of many “Look, over there!” moments and was thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.

Nairobi

Just because you are starting your safari in Nairobi, do not rush through the city. There is so much to see and do in this vibrant city. The city has so much energy and there are so many places to eat. There are also lots of markets to look around. There are also some fantastic wildlife experiences within easy reach of the city, such as watching the elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and then having dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. Nairobi is a mixture of modern Africa and old Nairobi and is well worth exploring.

Samburu National Park

Samburu feels wild in a very different way to the other parks that we have been to. The dry, dusty, rugged landscape is remote, and the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which flows through the park, brings life to the surrounding bush. As you never know what you are going to see, it is one of the places to look out for some of Kenya’s more unusual wildlife, such as the Grevy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, the Somalian ostrich with blue legs, and the long-necked gerenuk. Sitting on the banks of the river, watching the animals come down to drink, is a very special experience.

Lewa National Park

Lewa is wild, beautiful, and peaceful. In Lewa National Park you can experience the scenery of the conservancy as well as the animals. There are many rhino, elephant, and other plains game to see. There is also the rare chance to see a black leopard (melanistic leopard), which has been documented and even sighted within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Many of our best moments in Lewa have been when we are just sitting in our vehicle, listening to the sounds of the African bush and thinking about why we came to Africa.

Diani Beach

After the dusty and exciting days on safari, Diani Beach is the perfect place to relax on the beautiful soft white sand and swim in the warm turquoise Indian Ocean. There is plenty to do, such as snorkeling, boat trips, and exploring the coast, but for us, the best thing to do is to relax in the shade of a palm tree and listen to the Indian Ocean while the memories of your safari adventure sink in.