We’re back from Kenya! East Africa never fails to amaze…Amboseli and the Masai Mara were beautiful.
While I feel like I need to catch up on some sleep after all the early morning game drives, I’m so thankful that I had yet another opportunity to go on safari. Watching giraffes amble across the grasslands, seeing lion cubs play with a dead bird…nothing on safari ever stays the same. You never know what you’ll see that morning, that evening, and it’s always something exciting.
Tourism in Kenya remains significantly down due to the travel warnings in both the United States and United Kingdom (though the UK just lifted their warning to Mombasa). This is the beginning of their high season, and many lodges are still operating well under capacity. While each person obviously needs to weigh their own risk of traveling, I would point out that the national parks, including Tsavo, Amboseli, and the Masai Mara have been and remain problem-free. Visitor dollars are critical to support conservation efforts as well as local economies, so I hope that people will still consider Kenya as a destination, just avoiding the north-eastern border areas near Somalia. We also had a wonderful afternoon/evening in Nairobi (minus the ridiculous traffic), and I can honestly say that having more time there would have been fine–there is so much to see and do.
I’ll have lots of forthcoming posts about our Kenya trip, but both our stays at Tortilis Camp in Amboseli and Leleshwa in the Siana conservancy near the Mara were fantastic.
But let’s start with some photos…Africa, I’m still in love. Kenya, you were so much fun. And British Airways, you didn’t lose my luggage so I have officially ended my longstanding dislike of you.
Incredible photos Heather and I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of your posts about Kenya! I did my first and only safari thus far in Tanzania and absolutely loved it – I’d love to do another one and it’s an interesting point you make as well about the importance of the tourism industry for the funds needed for conservation projects. Funnily enough, I developed a bit of a grudge with British Airways too because of an issue I had with them when changing flights at Nairobi airport!
Thank you! British Airways service definitely trumps American airlines, I’ll give them that! Getting through security in Heathrow though was quite the experience…one line for hundreds of people…
Really great photos from Kenya! Africa and African safari is my dream, but I postpone this voyage because I am not sure about service and safety.
However my friends were in Africa last year and they say that it was awesome trip, before voyage they found guide on some site…and the guide was really cool he showed all beautiful places.
My friends also visited lake baringo, maranaboisho conservancy but they were really impressed by Victoria Falls and all nature in Africa.
Hi Margaret–Thanks so much! The service in Kenya is simply impeccable, and while each person has different views on safety and risk, I would not hesitate to go back again at any time. Lake Baringo looks incredible. Thanks for stopping by!