Sandie's Kenyan Safari.

In May this year I had the most amazing experience to Kenya with Wildlife Safaris.

We travelled with Emirates via Dubai; with a stop over of about 4 1/2 hours in Dubai airport with time passing by very easily with all the shops and lounge areas.  We arrived at Nairobi, 24.5 hours after our departure from Melbourne, where we were transferred to the Serena Hotel for a one night stop.  Traffic in and around the capitol was very busy and congested and so many people walking along the roads.

After an early morning transfer to the airport, we flew to Samburu, north of Kenya. Samburu Nature Reserve is a short drive from the airstrip, where our amazing driver/guides met us with their custom designed 4x4 vehicles with an extra large photographic roof hatch. The vehicles are very comfortable and are fitted with seat belts, but might I add that you don’t spend much time sitting down as there is so much to see. A well stocked cooler with cold water is also available all day.

We checked into “Larsens Camp”, our 5* tented camp. Wow!! What a treat the tents are amazing. I have camped before but this was luxury! Our camp was situated in the African bush, on a river where the elephants crossed at times during the day and croc’s lazed on the banks (the other side thank goodness).

Now down to the animals, Elephants in abundance and so big, the babies so cute, elegant giraffes heads above the bushes or nibbling the acacia trees, water buffalo wallowing in all the mud holes (not my favourites). A leopard up a tree waiting for their next unsuspecting meal to come along.  One of the most interesting mornings is the visit to the Samburu village where the locals perform dances and you were welcomed inside their houses.

We drove along some of the roughest road I have been on to Lake Nakuru a wildlife sanctuary, this fresh water lake which was pink with flamingos; Rhino’s roaming along the grassy banks. We then continued to the Mara for another 2 nights tented stop, these tents were very different to the ones we stayed at earlier, they had a Victorian look but once again very comfortable and with private facilities.  Game viewing on the Mara is different. Majestic lions lying about in the long grasses and vast plains. We were too early for the migration so will have to go back another time.

It was all over too soon but an experience I will always cherish.

Sandie Hardman

I have some fantastic pictures of my trip to Kenya, please do not hesitate to pop in to our office and I will be delighted to show you some pictures and tell you about my wonderful experience.