Safari Dreaming
Beware, once you’ve spent the first night under a blanket of brilliant stars snuggled safely in your bed while listening to the roar of a distant lion or the rumble of contented elephants you may never want to go home…
There’s a greeting in Kenya, “Karibu! Welcome home.” Perhaps it is because our oldest ancestors roamed this land that I’ve always felt at home in Kenya.
I’m excited to announce plans for a small group safari January 19 – 31, 2024.
I am committed to conservation and sustainable travel. The lodges I’ve chosen are part of the conservation solution - supporting sustainable tourism and the coexistence of wildlife and indigenous communities. This trip will be a maximum of 10 guests plus me as trip organizer and leader. The 5* camps are the top tier in the country and come with exceptional guides. Each camp is dedicated to minimizing their carbon footprint and giving back to local communities by providing employment, buying local and supporting education and health care for the indigenous people.
Itinerary
We will fly directly from each location in our own charter plane saving us considerable travel time. Flights are an hour plus or minus from each airstrip. We’ll go out on daily morning and afternoon game drives with a maximum of 4 people per vehicle for good access for photographers. There is also the option of enjoying a good book at the pool, an afternoon nap in your spectacular accommodation or a cool drink at the bar. Mix it up - it’s all good!
Sarara Camp’s pool and view
Jan. 19th Upon arrival at Nairobi’s International airport your driver will meet you and transfer you to the Emara Hotel conveniently located with views of Nairobi National Park and the city.
Jan. 20th Learn about Kenya’s commitment to saving endangered wildlife with a visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre. Prefer to chill after all the travel? Sleep in and enjoy a day of recovery at the hotel’s pool.
Jan. 21,22,23 After breakfast drive to Wilson Airport for our flight to Samburu Country in Northern Kenya where we will be transferred to Sarara Camp for 3 nights. I can’t think of a more magical introduction to Kenya. While we are at Sarara we will visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, the first community run and owned elephant orphanage in Africa. There are many wonderful conservation “firsts" connected to Sarara including the local Samburu mamas’ milk to market program.
Jan. 24,25,26,27 Transfer to the Samburu airstrip for our direct flight to Olare Motorogi airstrip on the border of the Maasai Mara for 4 nights at Mahali Mizuri voted #1 Hotel in the World and #1 Safari Lodge in the Travel+Leisure Awards 2021.
Mahali Mzuri is perfectly located at the confluence of two rivers - the view from the deck of your “tent” is like stepping into the set of The Lion King. There’s a good chance we will be serenaded by roaring lions as we drift off to sleep, because the Maasai Mara has the densest population of lions anywhere in Africa. The wildlife is guaranteed, so are great guides, fabulous meals and excellent accommodation.
Jan. 28,29,30 Transfer to the Olare Motorogi airstrip for our flight from the Mara to Amboseli. Enjoy 3 nights at TAWI Lodge. My stay at Tawi in 2020 was life changing and the basis of my book The Wisdom of Elephants. The elephants of Amboseli represent a specific gene pool that include the famous "Big Tuskers”, bull elephants whose tusks can grow to reach the ground. The Amboseli plain is undoubtedly the best place in the world to observe and photograph elephants in the wild.
Jan. 31 Transfer to the Amboseli airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi. Transfer to the Emara hotel for a day room, and then to the NBO airport for your evening departure for home.
Interested in joining me on safari? Contact me for trip costs and travel details.
About your guide: Kathy Karn is an international award-winning wildlife photographer and visual storyteller who fell in love with Africa on her first visit in 2010. Kathy loves to introduce others to the wonders of Africa and the need for preservation of the wildlife of the continent. Subscribe to Heartfelt Stories to learn more about what awaits you on safari.
Contact me for trip costs and travel details.
In traveling to a truly foreign place, we inevitably travel to moods and states of mind and hidden inwards passages that we’d otherwise seldom have cause to visit. Pico Iyer