Kenya / Tanzania Safari

In Kenya, we stayed on two Maasai-owned conservancies. The Maasai are impossible to forget—bright robes, intricate beadwork, and their iconic jumping dances. They’re proud, fearless, and pastoral, raising cattle across wide-open lands and measuring wealth in both cattle and wives. Their diet? Mostly milk and meat.

Tradition runs deep. They practice polygamy, stretch their earlobes, and even stopped our jeep to cut a root in Amboseli National Park. Our driver, Melita, jokingly told us we’re poisoning ourselves with toothpaste and offered the “toothbrush tree” instead.

Language here is as rich as the culture. Everyone speaks at least two languages—Swahili for daily life, their tribal “mother tongue,” and often English. The younger generation speaks English more fluently, keeping Kenya connected across tribes.

Day 4 – Arrival at Amboseli, Selenkay Conservancy
We were picked up by Game Watchers and taken to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, where we boarded a short flight to Porini Amboseli Camp, located in the Selenkay Conservancy. This private conservation area offers exceptional game viewing, thanks to off-road safari vehicles that allow for close-up wildlife encounters. The guides skillfully navigate off the beaten path, giving us fantastic photo opportunities. From the conservancy, we also had clear views of Africa’s highest peak—the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro.

Our accommodations were canvas tents set on raised platforms, furnished with a king-sized bed, nightstands, a desk, dressers, and a full bathroom. Before turning in for the night, we were asked the camp’s signature question: “How many buckets?”—referring to how many five-gallon buckets of hot water we wanted for our showers. We were also offered tea or coffee delivered to our tent in the morning, a thoughtful way to start the day.

Day 5 – Amboseli National Park
We spent the day exploring Amboseli National Park, a breathtaking landscape of open grass plains filled with elephants, zebras, and other wildlife. The dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro made the whole experience feel surreal. Just be prepared for the “African massage” the famously bumpy rides that are all part of the safari charm! We also learned the term sundowner , a ritual where guests enjoy drinks (gin and tonics) and light snacks at a scenic location, typically at sunset, after a day of game drives. 

During our time at Selenkay, we also enjoyed sundowners by an elephant watering hole, took guided nature walks with Maasai warriors, and visited a nearby Maasai village. These cultural experiences brought a deeper, more personal dimension to our adventure.

Day 6 – Transfer to Mara Camp

After an unforgettable stay in Amboseli, we packed up and flew to Mara Camp to begin the next leg of our safari adventure. Unfortunately, upon arrival, Hurley fell ill and had to miss the afternoon game drive. Thankfully, the camp staff were incredibly attentive and went out of their way to help him recover quickly. Their care and hospitality made a big difference during an unexpected hiccup in our journey. 

Day 7 - Porini Mara Camp - OL Kinyei Conservancy

The OL Kinyei Conservancy is a wildlife sanctuary with a wide variety of species including big cats. The area has open plains, forests, rivers and stunning views. Hurley was back in the Jeep for an evening game drive. It was our first sighting of a pride of lions with little cubs. 

Day 8 - Porini Mara Camp - Maasai Mara National Reserve 

We went to Mara primarily to see the great migration.  Wildebeest wander in a perpetual circle around the area.  Not all wildebeest migrate.  We were in areas with wildebeest that were said to be permanent residents. 

Day 9 – Transfer to Nimali Central Serengeti
We began the day with a flight, followed by a bus ride across the border into Tanzania. From there, we transferred to another bus, then boarded a final flight into the Serengeti. It was a long travel day and couldn't wait to start our game drives. The Serengeti is synonymous with African safaris, and it immediately lived up to its reputation.

Our guides met us at the airstrip and we began the drive to camp, keeping watch for wildlife along the way. One of the most memorable moments was spotting a serval cat right by the roadside, stealthily stalking its prey, an incredibly rare and exciting sight.

The camp was nothing short of spectacular. Though called “tents,” the accommodations felt more like luxury suites, complete with elegant furnishings and all the comforts of a five-star stay. The food was outstanding, and the camp even featured a pool to relax and cool off. It felt almost surreal to be surrounded by such comfort and refinement in the heart of the wild Serengeti.

Day 10 – Nimali Central Serengeti
Today’s game drive was nothing short of spectacular! We encountered a massive lion pride that included three impressive male lions—a rare and powerful sight. A small stream nearby was packed with hippos, their bulky heads just barely visible above the water’s surface. Elephants and giraffes meandered gracefully across the plains, seemingly unbothered by our presence. One of the most unforgettable moments came when we spotted a cheetah perched in a tree with a fresh kill, a dramatic and raw scene that reminded us just how wild and real the Serengeti truly is. The day ended perfectly with a stunning sunset over the endless grasslands.

Day 11 – Transfer to Manyara: Tloma Lodge
We spent most of the day traveling, making our way to Tloma Lodge. On the way, we skirted the banks of Lake Manyara, where we spotted elephant families, mothers and babies feeding in the brush, and watched monkeys dart playfully through the trees. The lodge itself is nestled on a coffee plantation, offering peaceful surroundings and a different kind of charm after the wildness of the Serengeti.

Day 12 – Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire: Nimali Camp
We began the day with a drive through the legendary Ngorongoro Crater. After checking into the park, we descended from the lush, forested rim down a steep and winding road into the crater. At the bottom, a vast plain of golden grasslands opened up, dotted with acacia trees and alive with wildlife. We saw herds of wildebeest and zebras, massive Cape buffalo, and countless birds. It was a dramatic and beautiful ecosystem all its own. After exploring the crater floor, we continued on to Nimali Camp in Tarangire, ready for the next chapter of our safari adventure.

Day 13 – Tarangire: Nimali Camp
After spending several days in some of Africa’s most iconic national parks, arriving at Nimali Tarangire felt a bit underwhelming. Hard to imagine, but after so many incredible wildlife encounters, seeing elephants and giraffes had started to feel almost routine. That said, we had an excellent guide who pointed out a number of bird species we hadn’t seen before, which kept the day fresh and engaging. The most unforgettable moment came during our picnic lunch when a black mamba slithered past our table. That certainly got our hearts racing! Back at the lodge, we enjoyed a relaxing swim in the pool, followed by a delicious dinner and one of the most memorable sundowners of the entire trip. It was our final night on safari, and that made it all the more special.

Safari Accommodations

We stayed in glamping tents set on raised platforms, giving us the thrill of an “authentic” safari without sacrificing comfort. Inside, each tent had a king-size bed, a desk, dressers, and a full bathroom with cold running water. Our showers where in the evening. Hot water was provided by the staff in raised buckets.  Mornings started with tea or coffee delivered straight to our door, and at night, a hot water bottle awaited in the bed. The dining tent served amazing food, easily handling special requests, and water was always close by either at meals, in our tents, or at refill stations. It was the perfect mix of adventure and comfort. 

Links to helpful Websites

Games Watchers Safaris