Kenya has always evoked memories of 'Out of Africa', Karen Blixen, the Maasai Mara, and Hemingway style private tented camps. We experienced them all. This was a sensational safari filled with large herds of wildlife, visits to private homes and exotic island retreats.
After a quick overnight at the infamous Norfolk hotel in Nairobi, we flew to Laragai House located on Borana Ranch; a private conservancy in the heart of the Laikipia region. This is a private home located in the footlhills of Mt Kenya(which we toured by helicopter) with fireplaces in all the bedrooms, an infinity pool and a deck with views of the escarpment. It was a great way to start the Safari!
After a tour of the Lewa Wilderness Trails area, we took an adventurous drive to Tassia, a community lodge which sprawls over a rocky bluff overlooking the plains and hills of the northern Frontier. We also visited a working Samburu village, which was certainly a highlight.Next to Sarara Lodge in the Mathews Mountains, where we visited the "Singing Wells". As the Samburu warriors pass the water up from the Sand river they sing out ancient work songs in praise of their cattle and of brave deeds. A truly remarkable experience that I will always remember vividly, eventhough NO photographs have every been allowed there. Below is a shot of the Sarara Lodge, where we stayed for a memorable few days:
We also spent 2 nights in a private mobile camp in the Maasai Mara where we had the most deluxe tents you've every seen-complete with solar powered bedside lamps, flush toilets, hot bucket showers, dressing tables with running water, and a tent boy who arrived with wine in the evening and hot coffee in the morning. A hot air balloon at dawn was a highlight. Also, one night we visited a Maasai village where they held a jumping contest- a spectacular cultural experience.
After our time in the Mara, we took a one hour flight to Lamu Island and a dhow(wooden sailing vessel) ride to Peponi Hotel, which is one of the 'great little hotels of the world" located in the Indian Ocean. Still relatively unspoiled, this tiny island is Kenya's oldest living city and a fascinating place to explore and experience the country's ancient Swahili and Islamic cultures. Men still wear full length white robes, the women are draped in the black purdah and donkeys are the sole means of transportation. We also experienced a wonderful visit to Manda Bay -a coral island - and had lunch at Kiwayu Safari Lodge.
To end the trip, we spent a day in Dubai, which was not nearly enough! I will have to write about that again, since it was a journey in and of itself. Suffice it to say we had a blast--here we are at the end of our time there:
To learn more about safari travel or travel in Africa, contact Sally May by clicking here. To find out more about the travel advisors at Brownell Travel, click here.
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