AFRICA

For three weeks in the summer of 2007, my family and I were transported to a world away - East Africa. Our journey began in Nairobi at the lovely Nairobi Serena Hotel. I booked our African adventure with Big Five Tours & Expeditions, who design custom, luxury travel. They lived up to their fabulous reputation with outstanding, knowledgeable guides and wonderful lodging.

In Kenya, our itinerary included the Samburu and Amboseli National Parks, Sweetwaters Private Game Reserve, and the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Each park had its own distinct feeling and opportunities for wildlife sightings. Samburu, being our first safari, brings memories of the excitement of seeing our first zebra, our first giraffe, lion, etc.

Then as the days go by you literally see hundreds of elephants, hippos and migrating wildebeest and zebras! Amboseli, with snow peaked Mount Kilimanjaro as the backdrop and more elephants than you can ever imagine, was my personal favorite.

Not being a morning person, I was amazed by the ease of waking for our morning safaris at 5:30 a.m. because the beautiful sunrises and anticipation of the new day's adventures were inspiration enough!

We were invited by a Masai chief to visit his village. The Masai people live basically like they have for hundreds of years in mud huts, children herding their cattle, and many Masai still drink from the same watering holes as the elephants. They welcomed us with song and dance and made you realize that their life is so very different from our own.

In Tanzania, Ngorongora Crater was our first stop. The Serena lodge is located on the edge of the crater cliff with beautiful sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley caldera. When we traveled down to the floor of the crater for our game drive lions walked right next to our jeep!

Off to the Serengeti National Park. This was the largest park where we saw herds wildebeest and zebras beginning the Great Migration. They are very noisy and seem to know where they are going. It's quite a mesmerizing sight!

The Masai Mara Game Reserve was our last stop. We loved the luxurious tents built along the Masai Mara River that was filled with hippos. Trust me, I'm not a camper, but these tents had marble bathrooms with running water, so I was very happy! It's fun being in tents where you are able to actually hear the animals.

It is true that the animals still, for the moment, roam free in their natural East African habitat. Everyone that has gone before me said it would be a life changing experience – I agree!

Wendy Studt -T100G Travel Consultant