Animal Attraction –Safaris in Kenya

by Lisa Sonne

If you ever dreamed of seeing elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos, and rhinos in the wild, put Kenya in your travel plans. Hundreds of thousands of zebras and wildebeests are expected to move through Kenya this summer as one of the largest animal migrations on the planet. The country’s 59 animal parks and reserves provide open habitat for animals, birds and botanicals.

If you have an archeological or anthropological streak, grab your Indiana Jones hat and head to the country sometimes tagged the “Cradle of Humanity,” with some of the earliest remains of humans. Today there are 42 tribes in Kenya, including Kikuyu, Meru, and Massai.

If you have a literary bent and want to see firsthand what vistas inspired Baroness Blixen (Isaak Dinesen) “Out of Africa”, Hemingways’ Snows of Kilimanjaro, and Beryl Markham’s “West Into the Night,” pack your paperbacks and head to eastern Africa.

Our lives are often crowded with unfulfilled “ifs,” while the “thens” wait for us to take action. Safari means travel or journey in Swahili, and going on Safari in Kenya is a quintessential life experience – the perfect “then,” to a multitude of “ifs.”

If you ever wanted to say Hakuna Matata (“no worries”) to people in Africa who already speak Swalhili, but are also glad to speak English, book a ticket to Kenya. Both Swahili and English are the official languages.

If you want to be kissed by a Rothschild giraffe, enjoy urban life, and take in museums, then head to the capital Nairobi. If you want to snorkel or dive in the warm Indian Ocean or ride a camel on the beach or explore Portuguese and Arabian influences don’t miss Mombasa on the coast.

If you want to add Africa to your continental travels with all the comforts of great lodgings and the authentic bush right outside your window, the websites below could help. It takes some preparation and time on the front end to get to Kenya, but the backend can give you memories, stories and to enjoy the rest of your life.

Before you go, check out safety, medical, visa, logistics, and dream factors below. The following agencies and sites can help you get ready, and help you plan for trips ranging from backpacker- to billionaire-budgets. (All the links are at the end of the article.)

The website Magical Kenya offers a variety of safaris, from cultural to golf. It also has lists of Safari Operators. The Kenya Tourist Board recommends only using operators that are members of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO.) You could also enlist the help of a travel agent specially trained for Kenya (see below.)

You can go on safari in a variety of ways from walking treks to hot air balloons. My ground safaris were led by Paws, with pop-up safari vans and a knowledgeable, English speaking guide. My underwater touring was memorable with Bucaneer Diving.

For Air Travel from London to Nairobi and within Kenya, I flew Kenya Airways.

I enjoyed staying at:

Hilton Hotel in Nairobi

This high-rise hotel is in the modern section of the city, with full urban views of active street life. The hotel also offers shops, good restaurants, a business center, and a pool with skyscraper views. Kenya is renowned for its roses, and the Hotel added fresh roses to the rooms each day as one of its touches.

Amboseli Sopa Lodge:

I stayed in my own round, cone-thatched hut (more like a mini-villa) for a rustic atmosphere with all the comforts. Highlights included beautiful settings for delicious meals, a pool area great for “sundowners,” a colorful market of crafts and jewelry sold by the makers, wonderful staff to talk to, and fragrant grounds. Monkeys scampered the paths and roofs. Massai stood guard outside during the night, watching for larger animals on the prowl. Two nights before my stay, elephants had trampled through the grounds. Warning: You are still in the “bush.” Electricity was turned off during part of the night, so get your camera batteries charged early.

Salt Lick Lodge:

These wonderful accommodations are on tall piers so the wildlife can walk underneath you on the way to the watering hole. I woke to the sound of very large wings flapping below me. From the nearby suspended walkway bridge, I saw Kilimanjaro floating in the sunrise clouds. Nearby in the Taita Hills area, the safari van took us to a lioness and her two cubs. She was recuperating from an injury by a waterbuck. The friendly staff added to the cultural richness of the setting. Internet access was possible at the front desk.

Serena Beach Resort and Spa In Mombasa

Luxury on the beach, poolside views of the Indian Ocean, terrific service, massages at Maisha (Swahili for “life”), and fine dining and wining are some of the hallmarks of this sanctuary by the sea, which is part of the upscale Serena hotels in Africa. This one is designed with courtyards, fountains, winding lanes, balconies, and lush tropical landscaping. I would have liked to spend more time just sitting on the balcony watching sailboats catch the wind, but Mombasa has many draws.

Right now US citizens need a visa for travel in Kenya. Allow time to get one. The embassy in Washington and the consulate offices in Los Angeles can also help answer questions.

For medical advice, check the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations. You may need a prescription for pills to prevent malaria. If you don’t already have them, you will probably also need a Yellow Fever vaccination, and a series of shots to protect you from hepatitis.

The U.S. State Department posts its latest travel advisories online.

It was safe when I went, and all the shots and long flights were more than rewarded by the opportunity to meet the people and experience the places---- to see baby elephants with their families, to be close enough to hear rhinos and hippos, to talk to a Masai about walking sticks and learn about colorful birds from a Kikuyu.

If you go, I hope your travels and thens are “nzuri sana” (one way in Swahili to say very good, very beautiful.)

Writer, photographer and documentarian Lisa Sonne is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and the Explorers Club can be reached at Lisa@WorldTouristBureau.com