Unique experiences in Kenya

The last of the series on African adventures; this episode is a sum total of some of the unique experiences we had during this trip.

Landing at Nairobi airport in late July at noon, we had a glimpse of African culture right at the airport. After the landing formalities, we exited the airport where we saw a group of locals giving a song and dance performance. The typical dresses and the music attracted us and we spent a few minutes enjoying the performance.

The African dancers at the airport

Click on the video to enjoy the African music and dance

Soon we were met by our local guide and boarded our buses to the hotel. Enroute, there were some toll booths which were heavily guarded with gun trotting security staff, a reminder of safety issues at Nairobi.

We had a fairly comfortable stay at the Hotel in Nairobi and in the evening, a visit to the museum was organised.

The National Museum entrance

The next day we proceeded to Amboseli National Park. Enroute, we passed a couple of small towns and markets.

A typical small town in Kenya

A typical market on the way with colourfully displayed fruits

Locals with their cattle was a common sight along the highways.

Locals herding cattle along the roadside

We halted at a souvenir shop for a break….some pictures

Typical African artifacts and drums at the souvenir shop

Wilderness lodges

Reaching Amboseli, we checked into our hotel, The Amboseli Sopa Lodge. Contrary to what you imagine a jungle lodge in the wilderness to be ; all the lodges we stayed in were very aesthetically designed and had all modern facilities while tastefully retaining the wilderness feeling. The other resorts we stayed in were The Naivasha Simba Lodge and Mara Simba lodge. What follows is a round up of the luxury and facilities that we enjoyed in all three wilderness lodges.

Let us have a look at them…

Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Located at the foot of Mt. Kilmanjaro spread over 190 acres of wooded Maasai territory, with squirrels, monkeys and exotic birds as visitors, it was an awesome resort. The overall ambience is typically Maasai with the reception built in Maasai style and featuring Maasai handicrafts. The cottages have also been given a feel of a mud house and lie along thickly wooded passages giving a real wild feel. Some pictures…

The entrance with a mud hut

The reception and a Maasai welcome

Exterior and interior of the cottages

Inside the cottage a large mosquito net was neatly hung and by bedtime, the net would be promptly opened up for us.

We were advised to take mosquito repellants handy but I must admit we did not see a single mosquito….amazing considering the terrain we were in….

The mosquito net arrangement!!!

Even in the midst of the wilderness, the restaurant, bar and swimming pool had all modern facilities and there was a great outdoor viewing point where we all met up one evening for an introduction session….Truly tradition meeting modernity ….

Swimming pool and the intro session

Earnest Hemmingway, the celebrated novelist had spent a few years in Kenya exploring wildlife and he had built a house which is now used as a bar at this lodge.

“The Snows of Kilimanjaro”, is one of his works based on his African sojourn.

Hemmingway’s Bar

From Amboseli, we proceeded to Naivasha and there again the resort was beautiful. Naivasha Simba lodge, on the banks of Lake Naivasha also offered excellent facilities and ambience.

The beautiful exteriors and the lawn overlooking lake Naivasha

The restaurant

At Masai Mara too, the lodges offered world class facilities. The Mara Simba Lodge was aesthetically designed with cottages overlooking the Talek River.

The cottage and Talek river from the balcony

Now let me tell you about some unique experiences we had as part of our safaris in Kenya.

Unique outings

A picnic in the wilderness

During our safari at Maasai Mara we had a full day itinerary with a picnic lunch by a lone acacia tree. That was also a nice experience..

A picnic lunch at Maasai Mara

Tanzania Border

At one point during our safari through Mara, we were at the Tanzania border. That was special, and we posed with Serengeti behind us….

Serengeti was just across….

Maasai Village visit

Visiting a Maasai Village helped understand the local customs better….Some pictures

Our group members pose with a local

Lighting a flame….without a matchstick!!! (Click on video)

Balloon Safari

A balloon safari over Mara gave us aerial views of the wildlife and a beautiful sunrise…

Wildebeest as seen from the balloon safari

Sunrise over Mara (PC: Mr Arun Nathan)

Sundowner

A sundowner get together was organised at Maasai Mara one evening at sunset. Sitting in the open grassland with the vast expanse in front of us, we enjoyed the drinks and snacks as the sun went down.