African Safari Diaries: Celebrating a 25th Wedding Anniversary in Kenya

Dave and his wife Joanne visited Kenya for the first time in January 2019 to celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary with a safari, which is something that they have always wanted to do having watched wildlife programmes on TV and dreaming of actually being face to face with the wild animals. What a wonderful way to honour their anniversary!

He has shared his memories from his incredible trip as well as some superb photos with us. Enjoy reading all about it as much as we did!

Watamu, Kenya

The Itinerary

When it came to booking the trip, Dave searched on the internet and came across Escape Worldwide who arranged the 5-night Kili Safari through us for Dave and his wife.

They started their trip with two nights at the Amboseli Sopa Lodge, followed by one night at the Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge and two nights at the Mara Sopa Lodge. They then had 7 nights booked at the wonderful Turtle Bay in Watamu. However, they loved the safari so much that they booked an extra night on safari in Tsavo east staying at the Ashnil Aruba Lodge. They thought that they were all amazing places but Dave told us that Lake Naivasha pipped it.

Amboseli National Park

Highlights

Hot Air Balloon Ride

When asked what the highlights were of the trip Dave told us: “Where do I start, the highlights just kept coming! The best day was in the Masai Mara where we were picked up from the lodge at 4.30am for the balloon ride over the Mara followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. On the drive back to meet our own guide we saw a cheetah with her three cubs. Once we hooked back up with our guide we saw our first ever lion in the wild, which had just killed a small buffalo. A little later we saw a black rhino and to finish the day off we came across another male lion which had just taken down an adult buffalo! What  a day!!”

Elephant

Lion

Tips and advice

Dave’s advice when going on a safari is to do some research on where you are going, what your itinerary is going to be and what you are likely to see.

For the safari, don’t take too much clothing, they could have managed with half the clothing which they took, and remember, you have to lug it around between lodges. Travel as light as you dare.

Be prepared for a lot of travelling on dusty, bumpy roads between the different parks and lodges. It is hard work with the travelling and early mornings but it is well worth it.

Hippo

If after reading Dave and Joanne’s experience you would like to book a similar itinerary, you can read about our Kili Safari.

We would love to work with you to plan the safari holiday of a lifetime. For more information on how our safari experts can help you, call Somak Holidays today on 020 8423 3000 or enquire here.

Please note all photos featured are credited to David Turner.