Kenya, safari between savanna and sea
Leave at the dawn to meet the wild world. Follow the steps of the "cheetah" or the twiga (giraffe in swahili). Brush by the massive elephant.Open the eyes wide by discovering a sleepy lion, baboons, or ostriches. InKenya, everything is possible. With African Safari Club, go with your family to East Africa
Kimana, the private preserve at the bottom of Kilimandjaro
It takes over 9 hours flight to reach the Kenya. A stop at the Flamingo bording the beach and we can forget about one night flight. The next day required an hour in a twin-engine with African Safari Club, which has its own little planes for internal connections. Finally, the private preserve of the company, is now visible.
"Jambo", hi in swahili, is always the first word said by the guides to welcome you. Welcome to the Kenya in between the AmboseliPark and the Tsavo one's.The adventure can now begin.
The Zebra Lodge, back to authenticity
In the Zebra Lodge, around 20 wooden log cabins with terrace are located along the river, where the hippopotamus has decide to stay.The view on the Kilimanjaro is magic. Fabrics and local decorations abound.In there, even the zebra is fashionable: from the bed cover to the sofas. But the simpleness and the rustic character are just logical, since in this camp, only the animals are kings.
The lodge has an outside restaurant, in the middle of the savanna. Only his makuti roof (wood in Kenyan) protects from the rain. However, the green sofas and pillows remind of an old England style!
Quickly unpack its stuff and have the very first feelings facing the (elephant, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo and lion.)
Savanna, a daily magic
Guides, really patients by the way, know how to recognize leopard traces, to discover a hoard of lion family, to avoid the buffalo, and to follow the fast giraffes.
The elephants, these heavy pachyderms, just walk without care before our truck. The buffalo is hiding behind high yellow grass, staring at us.Zebras or gazelles are joining us as well. Young warthogs follow their parents.Cheeky baboons are just crossing and passing in front of us.Fire and night filled with stars.
The ATV is essential.
It is just impossible to observe the wild life and feel secured without it...
At the end of the afternoon, we can admire the sun sets, disappearing behind the savanna. Last but not least, a dinner around the fire is beautifully ending the day. We are always attended when we come back to the chalet: it is a very strict rule. We must not forget we are in the savanna, where lions, elephants and snakes can spring up anytime.
In the absolute dark, which amplifies any noise and screech, the undisturbed bungalow is reassuring.
Safari at the dawn, and breakfast in the bush
All wrapped up in warm sweaters, everyone is ready to discover another side of the savanna, with an amazing view on the Kilimandjaro.Back to another camp, for a surprise breakfast : table and chairs have been settled on the grass, boarding the hippopotamus pond. A total remake of Out of Africa...
At the Twiga Lodge
Then, direction to another campclose to the Zebra Lodge, called the Twiga Lodge.Around ten very simple tents are placed in circle. This location allows to recharge the batteries, to rest, and lay down along the river, with the sacred bird Ibis.
We like this authentic camp, simple and not sophisticated but still very well-treated. The emblem of the giraffe is now on any accessory of the tent ... even in the toilets!
After the savanna, the beach
Back to civilization in gentleness with a stop at Mombassa at Kasr al Bahar, from the African Safari Club, will allow to relax for the landing in the urban world.
In the meantime, we keep a few hours of happy loneliness observing the animals...
Juin 2007
