Trip to Africa: My Kenya Wildlife Safari
Jambo! I have just returned home from my amazing trip to Africa. I spent 2 weeks on a Kenya wildlife safari, then went home to Australia for a week. As it was my first trip to Kenya, I thought I would share with you some of my most memorable experiences.
Karisia Walking Safaris
Located in the eastern Laikipia region, the walking safari is an amazing journey with a light camp that is moved to a new location each morning by the camels and staff. There are no vehicles involved and the size of the camp is limited to how much the camels can carry. The walks are guided by Laikipia Masai and Samburu local guides.
They missed the rains this year, so it was SUPER dry while we where there, but the area has an abundance of game and is home to several endangered species such as the Grevy’s zebra, wild dog, and Jackson’s hartebeest. The camps lack for nothing with hot showers available, 3-course delicious dinners, and hot water bottles. For more adventurous safari goers, consider adding this to your trip to Africa—it makes a unique addition to traditional safari lodges.
The entire camp is transported by camels!
Giraffes in the wild
Loisaba Tented Camp
This camp is in a 56,000-acre private wildlife conservancy, located in the Loisaba Conservancy of Laikipia. Loisaba is set high on the edge of an escarpment with a waterhole below, so there is a ton of game you can see without even leaving the lodge. There are lots of ways to safari here: game drives, walking safaris, horseback, or camelback. The horseback safari was quite fun and one of my favorite parts of my trip to Africa! I was also able to spend time with the anti-poaching unit and see demonstrations of the anti-poaching dogs in action.
An incredible view from the infinity pool
Machine, the anti-poaching dog
Lewa Wilderness
Lewa Wilderness is a camp in the Lewa Conservancy, a 62,000-acre ranch and wildlife sanctuary. This reserve is home to over 10% of Kenya’s entire black and white rhino population. One of my most amazing experiences here was the safari by biplane, an opportunity you won’t want to miss on any trip to Africa. You can’t find it anywhere else on the continent! During this adventure, I flew in the open cockpit biplane with pilot Will Craig. A former crop-dusting pilot, Will takes you right above the treetops and weaves through gorges to show off the beauty of the land. This is definitely my new favorite way to safari!
[Editor’s note: Lewa Wilderness no longer offers biplane safaris.]
Safari via biplane – Just like Out of Africa
Serian
Located in the Mara North Conservancy is Serian, a private wilderness area that borders the Masai Mara National Reserve. The conservancy is a partnership between a few member camps and over 800 Maasai landowners, so you’re guaranteed an exclusive safari while minimizing the impact on the environment and local communities. The Mara River flows through the conservancy at the foot of the Oloololo Escarpment. Activities offered include night and day game drives, game walks, river fishing, and photographic workshops. Additionally, close by, perched in a tree overlooking the Mara River is the tree house “The Nest.” This is the perfect chill out spot or a romantic overnight option.
Relaxing at the campfire after a long day
A 6-year-old lion in the wild
If you are interested in learning more about my trip to Africa or would like to book a wildlife safari of your own, I’d love to chat with you! Give me a call at 888-367-0933 and be sure to ask for Vanessa! You can also browse custom Kenya travel packages using our trip planner.