🙂 Incredible wildlife experiences and stunning white beaches with fabulous diving
🙁 Traffic in Nairobi. Kidnapping, armed banditry and clan warfare occurs on the border with Sudan and Somalia.
Currency: Kenyan Shilling
Our friend’s 50th was fast approaching so we spontaneously suggested an African trip to celebrate. Before we knew it we were using our British Airways American Express Companionship Vouchers and Avios to book our flights to Nairobi at an exceptionally reasonable rate. We got in touch with our South African friend Patrick Siebel, owner of LUXURY AFRICA who, with assistance from his fantastic colleague Storm in Kenya orchestrated the most amazing tailor made itinerary to ensure a seamless trip with Meet & Greets and Transfers all included so that we could just sit back, relax and enjoy every minute! The upside is that the flight is only 8hrs 35min in duration, downside is that BA flight is a daytime flight which arrives at 21:50.
OUR 12 DAY/11 NIGHT ITINERARY (Oct / Nov 2020):
Giraffe Manor; Kicheche Bush Camp; Hot Air Balloon Flight; Ol Donyo Lodge; Diani Beach, adopt an orphan elephant and visit the Sheldrick Trust, Nairobi National Park and Tasting Menu at Cultivar
SEE OUR DETAILED ITINERARY WHICH WAS TAILOR MADE FOR US HERE: LUXURY AFRICA
Insurance covered Covid: Battleface
THREE THINGS WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT KENYA:
- Nairobi National Park is the only National Park in the world that is in a City! It is the oldest National Park in Kenya and home to 4 out of the BIG 5. We spent 3 hours in the park and we came across a honeymoon couple of lions, black rhino, white rhino and calf and plenty of buffalo – highly recommended!
- Wangari Maathai, who is Kenyan, was the First African Woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize back in 2004. She was a renowned Kenyan social, environmental and political activist. Read Unbowed!
- Ugali is the staple meal and is a type of maize porridge that is typically served to accompany stews, meats and vegetables. It tastes salty and slightly chewy – resembling a texture similar to that of mashed potatoes – but a slightly coarser texture.
Kenya is a stunning country located in East Africa and its name is almost synonymous with the word ‘safari’. Its terrain rises from a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean to mountains and plateaus at its centre. Nairobi, the capital sits at an altitude of 1,700m. West of Nairobi the land descends to the Great Rift Valley, a 6,400m gash in the earth’s crust that divides the country. To the east, you can climb the snowy peaks of Mount Kenya. From mid-August to October throngs of Wildebeest accompanied by Zebra, Thompsons Gazelle and Eland thunder across the savannah during the Great Migration between the Maasai Mara and neighbouring Serengeti in Tanzania. Come eye to eye with the great Tuskers of Amboseli or marvel at the sea of pink flamingoes at Lake Nakuru. Ancient tribes such as the Maasai, Kikuyu and Samburu retain traditional customs whilst living in relative harmony with the natural world. Beyond the world-famous safari parks lies a trove of coastal treasures where you can replenish your soul relaxing on white beaches or or experience the exhilaration of diving in the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Although the national currency is the Kenyan Shilling, US Dollars are widely accepted.
WORTHY CHARITY: Sheldrick Trust – Adopt an elephant orphan! I love following Mukkoka‘s adventures and it was so great to meet this cute 3 year old elephant in the flesh living his best life with his new friends!
RELATED READING: Click on Kenya and enjoy this suggested reading list to enhance your experience of this wonderful country.
HOLIDAY CATCH PHRASE: “Him, Not so much…”
