Sitting at the window side seat of Kenya airways... my heart pounding at a speed of maybe 100 beats per minute... Dreams do come true.. I have been dreaming to set my foot on this amazing land since I gained my senses.. If there is heaven somewhere, it’s here... in d midst of a Jungle.. it’s in Kenya... the place where you find Mother Earth at its utmost beauty... If you want to experience nature, go to this core.. Go somewhere where you feel most peaceful.. where you get freshness and calmness in every inch of the place..
After a journey of 6.5 hrs, we finally arrived in Nairobi International Airport. Our guide , Antony from d Beacon Safaris came to pick us up.. We headed off for Masai Mara game reserve... the place of annual wildebeest migration.. on our way we halted to taste some wonderful African lunch... We reached Masai Mara around 4 pm.
Instead of heading off to d camp, we started our game drive as we didn’t wanted to waste a game drive.. Masai Mara has d vast Masai river which witnesses d huge annual wildebeests migration from Serengeti plains... it’s d larges migration all over d world and a site to witness a lifetime..
To our surprise , we spotted a Male lion with its kill just half an hour after starting our drive.. What a beauty... And viewing it from a distance of few inches was the most amazing part... then after a while we headed ahead... we spotted a lots of animals that day.. Thanks to our guide for so much interest and eagerness to make our trip worth remembering.. Lions, Cheetahs, Leopard , Hyenas, Elephants, Gazelles, Zebras, giraffe, Ostrich.
It was already 6:20pm by then.. So we headed off to our camp,Ashnil Mara camp. Beautiful camp it was and amazing hospitality.. we went to our room for a while to freshen up and then returned back to the reception area.. They have a good bar n restaurant there.. after sunset, they lit a bonfire.. we took our drinks and sat near the bonfire in d chilly evening.. with so much peace in d surroundings, our tiredness was all gone.. Day one ended on a good note for us...
Woke up at 3am... It was completely dark outside.. and too chilly.. We had to start early for d hot air balloon safari. We reached the safari site at around 5:00am. The safari people were setting up the balloon .. slowly other tourists arrived. The sun came up soon... and up up and away... we went for d balloon ride.. once in a lifetime feeling... flying high above the vast Savannah.... with d wildebeests, Gazelles. Zebras running below u... the chilly wind... the beautiful sunrise.. nothing could feel better then this... after around 2 hrs ride, we slowly came down Nd headed for a champagne bush breakfast.. Eating in d middle of a open forest was a dream come true.. such a beautiful sight... We had a chat with fellow travellers.. made new friends from around d globe.. Then we headed off for our game drive with our packed lunch.. Had a full day drive... We saw a pride of 25 Lions n their cubs... spotted all d big fives and lots of Gazelles .. We saw quite a number of birds.. Almost around 30 different species that day itself... had our lunch in d Savannahs with our guide keeping a watch on Predators... We returned back to the camp around 5pm.. After a quick freshen up, headed up to d bar for a refreshing drink... What a lovely day it was... Never had such a relaxing good night sleep...
Waking up at 5am, we packed up our luggage and headed up to d new journey ... we starting with a game drive in Masai Mara, thrn had a short visit to Masai village. One of d oldest African tribe.. it was a wonderful experience to spend some time with them. see d way they survive.. then we headed to Lake Nakuru... place of flamingoes and other birds... We spotted 2 horned white and grey Rhinos.. Viewed so many water birds.. pelicans, storks, flamingoes, herons, egret, lots of them... After d full day drive, we headed to our camp.. Sarova lion hill camp.. The camp was very beautiful at such a eye soothing location... Day 3 ended with a good night sleep...
Early drive in d Nakuru park ... viewed a large number of birds .. around 40 more new species... Headed off to Lake Naivassa... A bird watcher’s wonderland.. We started with a boat ride in d Naivassa Lake.. .. Such a spectacular view .. You could see large number of Hippos bathing in d water.. Little ahead u can find Fish eagle in action.. Our boat rider threw a fish in water making a whistling sound.. This attracted d fish eagle and it came sweeping in from top of a tree and caught the fish d flew back with its meal.. Oooooo.. such a amazing sight.. our eyes were wide open.. After a couple of hours ride with so many beautiful water birds, we headed off to Amboselli national park... The land of African animals.. We reached Amboselli around 4pm and started our game drive... We were lucky to find a big herd of elephants the very same day.. herd of around 30 elephants including adults and infants...They were so calm n peaceful ... We took a good view for around half an hour watching them feed and drink water... then after some more time in d Jungle, we headed to our camp.. Kibo safari camp.. ok.. till now we were thinking we were staying in best camp.. but My God.. this had much more to give then any of d past ones... such beautiful huts to stay... it was outside d park.. but very close by and a view of MT. Kilimanjaro from our hut.. Wonderful evening it was...
This day was a full day drive in Amboselli park.. With our packed lunch boxes.. Frist we headed off to d swamps.. we had a good time watching and picturing all different kind of birds it had to offer.. Jacanas, herons, whistling ducks, sandgrouse, egrets, ox peckers and many others.. we watched d little hippos and elephants playing in d swamps.. Around noon time, we headed to d observation hill.. with d view of Mt. Kilimanjaro from it. it was on top of a mountain which u have to climb.. we carried our lunch boxes up there.. Found a spot at d edge of d cliff and sat there with our food.. you could see d whole swamps of Amboselli from the top.. it felt like d most peaceful spot to be.. chilly wind, mountain top, Wild animals roaming freely below you and u having your meal.. .. after spending quality time there, we returned back to our car headed in search of more elephant herds.. We returned back to our camp in evening and off to sleep after a relaxing evening and good food in d restaurant...e
Heading to our last destination after d morning safari.. We were off to Tsavo west national park.. On our way , we visited Shetani lava point.. some 10o years ago, there was a huge volcanic eruption in this land.. and it completely destroyed d land and rendered it infertile.. you could see d vast land with black rocks and solidified lava ... it kind of gave goosebumps having first hand experience of what a volcanic eruption could do.... Then we headed to Mzima springs.. it crocodile view point.. we ha a small trek inside with a armed forest guard incase a leopard or elephants shows up....
Then we headed for our camp in Tsavo... Kilaguni Serena safari lodge... I must say this was d best among all.. Such a huge camp with a spectacular view of a man made waterhole where wild elephants and many other animals come on daily basis when thirsty... In a week’s time, this was d first time we had a hot proper lunch ... and d food was d best... it was delicious... the best.... In evening we headed for our drive.. saw Cheetah family, many more birds, new Gazelles n New species of giraffe.. After a couple of hours, we headed back to camp...
Our last day in this dreamland.. We packed up all our things and bid our goodbye to this place.. while returning we did a game drive in Tsavo... and then headed back to Nairobi airport...
I have so much more to say about d place... but it’s difficult to put more into words... lastly bidding our goodbye to Kenya and our wonderful guide, we wish to come back again someday to witness this beauty once more....
