We fell in love yet again with Africa. Stephen and I have both been to Africa before in College (Ghana and Ethiopia) and loved it even more sharing this experience together! If you are wondering how it all works, here ya go...
We were on an 8 day safari throughout Kenya. We researched and researched guides, companies, independent trips and there are seriously thousands of companies. Oh what to choose?? So we went with a wonderful company that was kind of all inclusive. We were pretty much taken care of since the moment we set foot in Nairobi! Now, safari's are NOT cheap! Especially from the U.S. Flights alone are insane. So flying a quick 5 hours and a super cheap flight, going to Kenya was a must, not an option :)
We had the same guide the whole time and he was wonderful! Leonard didn't really get our sense of humor and basically thought we were idiots because we couldn't remember anything he was telling us about the animals. I mean who remembers all the bird names (over 2,000) and how big a rhino gets or how long all the pregnancies are of EVERY animal! hahaa we told him we needed a study sheet! He thought I would know all that because I'm a teacher...umm newsflash teachers study what they are going to teach too! :) I loved him. He has such a sweet personality, beautiful spirit and such a disposition of gratefulness and peace that you see a lot in Africa!
We arrived at the airport and immediately drove about 7 hours to Samburu, Kenya. Stayed there for 3 nights and saw the most elephants I've ever seen (ok this whole trip I've never seen more animals). They would come right up to our tented camp and balcony. We were totally in the wild, the country just conserves the area. The only thing that the camps have are electric fences, but they turn off at midnight every night to conserve electricity and then there are guards walking around. hahaa yep...a little frightening.
After Samburu we drove about 5 hours to Mount Kenya (my favorite camp and the BEST food) stayed there for one night, then off to lake Nakuru which was rainy and are known for their flamingos. But no flamingos, the water level was too high and since they can't reach food in that depth, they moved on. We then finished our last 3 nights in Masai Mara. This is the most famous and largest wildlife park in Kenya. Leonard told us in would take more than 2 weeks to cover the whole area! Huge place. And we only touched it. We saw the most here but truly loved each place, they were all so different!
We took about 1,000 pictures, here are our highlights!
Served welcome cold or hot towels at every lodge and juice
The first day we saw a family of Elephants. They are unbelievable animals and yes, they do charge the vans sometimes...
Of course, the babies of every animal are freakishly adorable
Kenya skies are unreal
I love this man too much ;) A couple who travels together stays together!
So in love sharing this
Equator line....wahooo If we look exhausted it's cause we are!
My favorite place we stayed at
The gorgeous land
So peaceful
At Lake Nakuru
And this was my favorite evening there. We found Cheetahs! I could have stayed all night to watch them
I asked Leonard if I could jump out and touch one...haha he thought I was ridiculous. Looked at me and said, "you never get out, the mother is near."
Did you know zebra strips are like human finger prints, no two the same!
Such a small group of the GREAT Migration!
It was awesome to see the Wildebeest travel. They get into a line and the male leaders guard the outside...it's fascinating!
A safari is a lot of waiting, a lot of searching, a lot of watching! You must have patience
It's early mornings and long days, so don't go for a relaxing holiday!
Leonard said we can get out and play :) No lions!
Migration behind us. We were waiting for them to cross over the hippo and crocodile infested waters! eeekkk
Wildebeests are very loud animals!
And next best day we came upon 9 lions eating! aaaahhhh this is ALL Stephen wanted to see. We just watched them and studied them for quite awhile, they could care less we were so close
They kill early in the morning, eat, fill their stomachs and then don't need to eat again for 4-5 days!
aaaaadorable
Leonard!
We saw so much playful activity and the true characteristics of every animal! Such a dream experience, we are still on a high of everything we saw.
So...go experience the world!! There is so much to see :)
And if you ever want to go on a safari, feel free to ask, we would recommend our guide and company to anyone!
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