Having been on numerous safaris I have learnt a thing or two about how to plan an amazing safari. I see people making the same mistakes over and over again when they are trying to plan their own safari. Read on to learn the top 3 mistakes people make when planning a safari.
Click play to watch the video or if you prefer reading you will find the blog below:
Mistake number 1
Trying to fit in too many countries into a short space of time
The number one mistake people make when planning their first safar is trying to fit in too many countries in a short space of time. If you have 2 weeks or more then you can consider two countries under that stick to one country and do that one country properly.
Sample 2-week itinerary for Tanzania
Below is a sample itinerary of what a two-week itinerary can look like in Tanzania:
Day 1 – Arrival, transfer from Kilimanjaro to Arusha, overnight in Arusha
Day 2 – Drive to Tarangire National Park, afternoon safari in Tarangire, overnight in Tarangire
Day 3 – Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park – overnight Tarangire
Day 4 – Lake Manyara National Park – overnight Lake Eyasi
Day 5 – Get up bright and early to spend the morning with the Hadzabe Tribe, go on a hunt with the men, spend time weaving with the ladies and learn how to shoot a bow and arrow, visit the blacksmiths, go to Gibbs farm for lunch, then continue onto Karatu to relax for the evening
Day 6 – Descend into the Ngorongoro crater and continue onto a Maasai Boma to learn about the Maasai Tribe. Overnight central Serengeti
Day 7 – Drive into the world-famous Serengeti, game drive in the Serengeti
Day 8 – Full day to explore the Serengeti
Day 9 – fly from the Serengeti to Zanzibar – overnight in Stone Town
Day 10 – Spend the morning doing a Stone Town tour, then head to a spice tour on the way to the beach
Day 11 – Spend the day at Lesuire at the beach – try out some watersports, go snorkelling, eat delicious seafood, swim with dolphins or visit the monkeys at Jozani forest
day 12 – Spend the day at Lesuire at the beach – try out some watersports, go snorkelling, eat delicious seafood, swim with dolphins or visit the monkeys at Jozani forest
Day 13 – Spend the day at Lesuire at the beach – try out some watersports, go snorkelling, eat delicious seafood, swim with dolphins or visit the monkeys at Jozani forest
Day 14 – Head back to Stone Town and onto the airport for your flight home
Try not to fit in too much you can’t do Uganda Tanzania and Kenya all in two weeks. Yes they are just across the border but it’s not as close as you think it’s not as logistically possible as you think and it means that you’re rushing your entire safari.
Mistake number 2
Trying to do everything in that one country in a short space of time
Mistake number two, trying to fit in everything in that one country in a short space of time. So again you’re trying to fit too much in you’re trying to rush from one place to the next the next the next the next the next.
Try and have two or three nights in one place or a couple of places. The nature of some of the safaris in Kenya in East Africa in Kenya and Tanzania is that they do tend to try and take you to a few places particularly the northern circuit in in Tanzania.
There is like there is this circuit that you can do that means you get to see Taranire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro crater and the Serengeti which is great yes you get a variety but you don’t want to be moving every single night. Iy you moved every night it kind of just feels like you’re on the road too much it feels too rushed. With one night in each accommodation you can’t unpack anything in any of the rooms because you’re literally there at night you’re up at 5:30 the next day, pack off you go again.
So try and have two or three nights in a couple of places and then you can relax a little bit you can even skip a safari if you feel like it, have a bit of a lie in you can um take advantage of the pool the spa if you’ve got those facilities in your accommodation. You can relax a little bit and just not feel like you’re on the go constantly.
Mistake number 3
Mistake number three – not going to the coast to relax after your safari
Mistake number three is not giving yourself some time at the beach at the end.
I mean the beach isn’t for everyone so it’s not a must but why not visit the beach.
The beaches are beautiful, there is crystal clear, turquoise, warm waters, golden sands and delicious seafood.
It’s not expensive, yes you can do it luxury and expensive or you can do it fairly cheap and still have an amazing time. You can go snorkeling you can swim with dolphins you can see um monkeys in Jozani Forest for example if you’re in Zanzibar.
You can visit Stone Town, you can go to Lamu if you’re in Kenya um you can have a look at the cultural side of things.
One thing to bear in mind if you are on the beaches um or if you do go to the beaches or coastal areas is that you need to be a bit more conservative in certain places and make sure you’re covered up and then of course when you’re on the actual beach you can be in a bikini no problem.
But why not add in some time at the end. Safari can actually be quite tiring, you’re up early you’re on the road a lot so it’s really nice to have a bit of time at the end to relax on the beach maybe do a few water sports a few beach activities before you fly on home afterwards .
Conclusion
So yeah, that’s the top three mistakes that people tend to make when they’re thinking of planning their safaris so if you need more advice about planning safaris in East Africa or you want to get going with planning your Safari use the link below tofill out a form with your safari preferences and I will create a custom itinerary for you. Or you can schdule a safari planning call and we can get started with planning your dream safari.
A client and her beautiful family recently returned from a migration safari in Tanzania.
What follows is her description of her time on safari. I think it is safe to say they enjoyed their experience.
It was such a pleasure planning this safari for them and I hope to plan another one for them soon!
✨ A New Journey Begins ✨
Day 1, 2, and what feels like 3… 😅✈️
Saturday at 3 pm, bags packed and waiting by the door, we got a text that our flight to Kenya had been changed to 6:25 am (Miami airport). 😭🧳 Devastated, I started rearranging our itinerary, figuring out the whole day we’d miss. But then came the silver lining: a 16-hour layover in Qatar! 🇶🇦
I’ve never been to the Middle East (or Asia) before, so why not make lemonade out of lemons? 🍋🍹 Qatar turned out to be a cool adventure I wasn’t expecting. They put us up in a lovely hotel, and after landing at 3am, we took a 5-hour nap and explored a city I never knew existed. 🕌✨ Sure, we missed a day, but we gained an amazing one too (even if it was 115 degrees and we were in aeroplane clothes 😬🙈).
Finally, we arrived in Kenya (at 1 am!) and our African adventure begins in the morning. I Can’t wait to see what this journey has in store for us! 🌍🦒
🌍 **Day 3 in Africa** 🌍
Woke up in Kenya, and crossed into Tanzania in style! 🚙💨 Our new guide, driver, and safari Landcruiser welcomed us at the border. 🌿 Seeing life here is humbling—young kids, just 3 or 4, herding cows and goats alone. 🐄🐐 Stopped roadside to surprise school kids with balloons and glow bracelets—their joy was heartwarming. 🎈✨
Grateful our kids can see how blessed we are. 🙏 First safari at Arusha National Park didn’t disappoint—zebras, water buffalo, baboons, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and warthogs galore! 🦓🐃🐒 Off to our beautiful house for the next two days. 🏡
Day 4 in Arusha 🇹🇿✨
Our delayed flight threw things off, but arriving at Hamerkop House was worth it. This place is pure luxury! 🏡✨ The staff, the service, and the food were all 5 stars. 🌟 We had a full day planned with waterfalls and a coffee tour, but instead, we decided to sleep in and enjoy the house. The friendly staff made our stay even better. We went on two trail walks and saw antelope, impalas, and lots of termite hills right in our backyard. The girls had a blast making holes in the hills and watching how quickly the termites closed them up. 🐜 Hamerkop House was exactly what we needed to rejuvenate and get ready for more adventures! 🌿🦌
Day 5: Tarangire National Park
After a 3-hour drive to Tarangire National Park, we passed through so many diverse and humbling towns. Loved the drive, especially watching my kids take it all in.
Juliana was beyond excited to see the elephants, and Tarangire didn’t disappoint. We saw sooo many, and they came so close to our truck! 🌿🐘 Plus, we spotted stunning birds, a zebra and wildebeest crossing, warthogs, dik-dik, impala, eland, mongoose, gazelle, and tons of monkeys.
The kids were amazed, and Adrian showed off his sharp eye for spotting animals! 🦓🦒 We then headed to our next stop, Manyara’s Secret. I had almost forgotten how incredible these places are. An infinity pool overlooking Lake Manyara? Absolute paradise! 🌅🏞️
🌅 Day 5/6: Manyara Secret 🌅
I feel like this place deserves a post of its own. Manyara Secret is truly amazing! From the infinity pool overlooking Lake Manyara to the lands of a Maasai tribe, every moment here has been unforgettable. The food and service are top-notch, and our room has the most spectacular views. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
🌍✨ Day 6 Part 2: Lake Manyara National Park! 🌿🌳
This lush paradise, with its acacia trees and stunning landscapes, is home to the famous tree-climbing lions—though we missed them this time. 🦁 The park felt like a private adventure with fewer trucks around. We had a magical 20 minutes alone with a herd of elephants, watching them scratch on trees and take dirt baths. 🐘 We also spotted baboons, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of birds. 🦒🦓🐦 The afternoon was pure bliss at Manyara’s Secret, enjoying the pool, breathtaking views, and a stunning sunset. 🌅✨ The service here is top-notch.
**Day 7 in Africa: Part 1**
Ngorongoro Crater National Park and central Serengeti—this day is my favorite so far! 🌍 Starting off with a high-altitude ascent, it got super cold and foggy. We could barely see into the crater, and Mom was worried we wouldn’t spot any animals. But once we descended, the fog stayed up top, and the crater revealed the most beautiful scenery yet. 😍
Yesterday at the pool, a woman told me she watched lions take down a buffalo. Today, those same lions were still guarding the carcass, full and sleepy, right by the road! Nearby, hyenas were waiting for their turn. Seeing these majestic animals so close was mind-blowing! 🦁
We also saw hippos, a rhino from afar, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, zebras, and so many more. This has been my favorite national park experience so far! 🦓🐘🦒
🌅 **Day 7 Part 2: Central Serengeti Adventure!**
As soon as we entered the park, we saw a lion strolling solo down the road 🦁.
Talk about a good start! Then, we spotted a cheetah! The cheetah was sitting on a rock nearby watching us.
To top it off, we saw a leopard lounging on a stunning rock as the sun set 🌄. In one day, we saw the Big 5 PLUS a bonus cheetah! 🦁🐘🦬🦏🐆
We stayed at Zawadi Camp in a beautiful family tent. My mom heard lions right outside her tent, but I was fast asleep 💤. What an incredible day!
🌍 Africa Day 8: Adventures in the Serengeti! 🦁 🌿
Today was absolutely epic as we explored more of the west and central Serengeti before heading north. We were thrilled to spot so many hippos! 🦛 We spent nearly an hour just watching them play, sleep, poop, and listening to their unique chatter.
The highlight was definitely the super pride of lions, probably between 20-25 strong! Two majestic male brothers, lots of females, and their adorable cubs. 🦁👑 Down the road, we just missed a lioness taking down a zebra. She was guarding her prize until the rest of the pride joined in. So bummed to miss the action!
We also had some serene moments watching elephants, and finally, a giraffe crossing the road. Giraffes are truly my favorite! 🦒
Now, we’ve settled into our new home for the next three nights at the intimate Zebra Camp. Ready for more adventures! 🌌✨
🎈African adventure day 9: 🎈
Early alarm (4:40am) set to fulfill one of my ultimate bucket list items – the hot air balloon ride! I was so thrilled when both girls wanted to come with me. I knew Juliana might, but I didn’t think Belle would. From start to finish, it exceeded all my wildest dreams.
We started by laying the basket down because of the wind. Belle wasn’t too happy about that, but I calmed her down and before you knew it, we were up in the air! 🌅
Watching the sunrise from the balloon with hippos in the Mara River was the perfect start. Next, we saw a herd of elephants and giraffes strutting their stuff. We spotted thousands (yes, thousands!) of wildebeest here for the migration. Belle even spotted a serval cat, which is apparently one of the hardest animals to find. 🎉
We saw other balloons start to land, but the girls asked our pilot to keep going. He said he’d get us a little closer to the migration. Then the winds picked up and we couldn’t find a safe spot to land so we got an extra 25 minutes in the air! The pilot was super calm, and I knew no matter where we landed, we’d be safe. We ended up an hour’s drive away and the land cruisers had to go off-roading to get us. We were smack dab in the middle of the Serengeti and it was AWESOME!!!! What an epic experience for us all. 🚀🌅🐘🦒🐆🦓
🌅 African Safari Day 9, Part 2 🌅
One of the main reasons people flock to the northern Serengeti is to witness the wildebeest migration. But here’s the catch: it can happen anytime from June to October, with no guarantees. People spend weeks and hours hoping for a glimpse. Here’s what I learned: wildebeest are… not the brightest. They race to the water’s edge, change their minds, and walk back sometimes more than 10 times in a day. All it takes is one to go in, and the rest follow. But if one doesn’t think it’s time, they all retreat. Walk back, mingle for a while and race right back. Over and over again.
Luckily, we didn’t sit there for hours. After our hot air balloon ride, we watched them for 2 hours, then returned to camp for lunch and tried again at 4:30. We had drinks in the car and chilled, but by 6:30, we were over it. Our guide told us to be patient, but I couldn’t help it—I knew there were lions nearby and wanted to see them instead. I really didn’t think they were going to do it and pretty much everyone had left.
As the sun set, we left to see the lions. Just as we arrived, the wildebeest started crossing! We raced back, and out of hundreds of cars, only around 7 were left to witness this amazing crossing at sunset. What an unbelievable experience! 🦁🌅🐾
🌍🦁 African Safari Day 10 🦁🌍
Today marked our final safari adventure, and what an incredible journey it’s been! Although we didn’t witness a live kill (the girls weren’t too keen on that anyways), today felt like a perfect bonus. Here are some of my favorite snapshots of the majestic animals we encountered. 🐘🦓🦒
More than the wildlife, what we’ll cherish most are the people. The warmth and spirit of the people here truly make Africa extraordinary. Their gratitude for what they have, their unending smiles, and their eagerness to help others are simply inspiring. In nearly two weeks, only one person asked for a tip after helping us. Just one! 🤯❤️
Our safari guides were always lending a hand to each other, and when I asked, “What’s that going to cost you?” our guide would smile and say, “Nothing. We always help one another.” This beautiful culture of kindness and gratitude is something we hope our children carry with them.
At first glance, we might see what these cities lack. But to the people here, they have everything they need. I can’t recommend this experience enough; it was truly magnificent. 🌟🌍
I recently came back from a family holiday in South Africa. Our first international holiday as a family of three with our 9-month-old baby. To be honest the thing I was most worried about was the flight, but it didn’t turn out to be that bad. If you are planning to travel to South Africa with a baby, this post will help you out with some tips, tricks and must-know advice for your trip.
Our journey started the day before our flight as it’s a long way from where we live (in a conservancy on the ouside of the Maasai Mara) to Nairobi. So we drove up the day before which took around 6 hours. For some people a 6-hour car drive is enough travelling with a 9-month-old but that’s a pretty standard drive length in East Africa. We overnighted in Nairobi where we organised to leave the car and then got an Uber to the airport the next day.
A quick note on Jomo Kenyatta Internatinal Airport, one thing I did find very useful was these little ‘feeding rooms’. To be honest, I really don’t care about feeding her in public, if the baby needs feeding then I am going to feed her, wherever I am. However, as these rooms were available I did make use of them to feed her and change her nappy before the flight.
We opted for a later flight in the hopes it would be easier for Leah. Luckily this worked out to be the case. The flight was delayed an hour so by the time we got on the airplane, she was only awake for a couple of hours before she passed out for the night. Unfortunately, this was a very basic aeroplane, we didn’t even have one of the drop-down screens where they play one film, let alone a screen each. But most importantly, we didn’t have a bassinet for the baby or the isle with extra legroom, so that wasn’t great. We did however, have very friendly hosts and hostesses who also gave us an extra meal for the baby (even though she was asleep by the time it came around) and made lots of effort to help us when needed – shout out to Kenya Airways.
Tips and tricks for flying with a baby
Here are a few tips for flying with a baby from that first flight:
Try and fly at night so baby can sleep – put baby in pajamas and bring their sleep sack
keep nappies, a portable changing mat and a change of clothes (for you and the baby) in your hand luggage
Use those plastic loops to attach the baby’s toys so they can’t keep falling on the floor
Feed the baby during take-off and landing so their ears don’t pop – I did this with Leah and she didn’t cry once. If you have an older baby, wait until they tell the crew to take their seats, otherwise the baby might be finished before the uncomfortable bit
Choose an isle seat so you can get up and walk with the baby if they get fussy
Bring a baby carrier/pram so you can have your hands free when going through customs and collecting luggage etc
The white noise of the plane really helped Leah get to sleep but she did of course wake up when we were getting off the plane to go collect luggage etc. You are then in bright lights, with lots of people around so it was impossible to get her back to sleep there. She only got back to sleep once we were in the hotel at the other end (Cape Town).
On the flight back we were one of the first people to check in which I think helped and we got ‘upgraded’ to the front row seat with extra legroom and a bassinet for the baby, this made a BIG difference. Espeically, as the flight back was a daytime flight so Leah was awake for a lot more of it. It was great to have another space to be able to put her down and not have her on my lap the entire trip. Although she is now at the age where she wants to be on the move all the time so I couldn’t exactly put her there and leave her to play, I always kept one hand on her the whole time so she didn’t flip over the edge.
One thing that is not great about the bassinette is that there is a big screen right next to the them that cannot be switched off even at night when they turn all the main lights off. We got around this by hanging a blanket over the screen using some handy clips that I always carry around with me.
The other bonus about the front seat is that you get fed first! On the other hand, you can see, smell, and almost feel business class but you can’t access it haha.
General tips for travelling with a baby
The hardest part of travelling with a baby turned out to be something I didn’t even consider… the time difference. South Africa and Kenya are only an hour different but it made a big difference to the baby.
Leah has never really been on a strict schedule, we move around a bit and have random activities on random days so her schedule is flexible and she is good at going with the flow. However, one thing that was pretty consistent was her bedtime, which is around 6:30/7:00 While on the trip, she pretty much went to bed at 5:30/6:00 most nights, as if she was still on Kenya time (which, of course, she was). So this made the evenings a little difficult.
We decided to do lunches out and have dinners in the house in the evenings as it made it easier to get Leah down for bed without disrupting her routine too much. There were a couple of evenings where we didn’t achieve this, as 5:30 is still very early to be home. In those cases, she fell asleep in the carrier and then inevitably woke up somewhere between the car and bed and it was a bit disruptive for her. It also made it difficult to fit in 3 meal times for her so we did meals as and when it suited.
For daytime naps Leah has only ever taken 30-minute naps, an hour on a rare occasion and she has always preferred to be held/carried so this made daytime naps while out and about easy. We would just put her in the carrier or she got very good at sleeping on daddy’s shoulder.
We actually found that she slept a bit longer than usual, probably because there were a lot more people about/more going on than in our bush life at home so she was probably much more overstimulated and tired.
Cape Town
We spent 6 nights in Cape Town at the start of our trip in an Air BnB apartment at Green point which is close to the Waterfront. The location was great, it was a very short drive to the Waterfront for shopping, restaurants and activities, but also not far from many places like Houtbay and Camps Bay for the beach etc. It was a safe, quiet (except Wednesday night which apparently was Karaoke night at the bar downstairs) part of town and had everything we needed.
The easiest way to get around Cape Town is via Uber, it’s also very reasonably priced.
In Cape Town we did a lot of the touristy things, my husband is South African, therefore has not done the touristy things for a LONG time, I have been to Cape Town many times before but we had to do them all with Leah.
Leah is still a little young to really appreciate activities, to be honest her favourite part of the trip was bath time every night (we don’t have a bathtub at home so she doesn’t get bathed every day), so she could have been anywhere and would have had a great time. But we did do a few things specifically with Leah in mind:
Two Oceans Aquarium – She loved the tunnel and the big tank with the sharks and the stingrays; she watched them all with such curiosity, but neither the penguins nor the smaller fish sparked her interest. However there was a 1-year-old there at the same time who was walking around and he was loving it, so maybe if Leah was a couple months older it would have been ideal, but of course, every child is different
Green point Urban Park – we don’t have children’s playgrounds where we live so the playground was a real novelty for Leah and us. She is still a bit young, but we held her on the swings and when going down the slide, so that entertained her for 10 mins or so. The park is big and has a dog-friendly part, an outside gym, play areas for kids, a cafe, a little river for the kids to paddle in and lots of green grass to picnic on.
Seeing the penguins at Betty’s Bay (you can also go to Boulders Beach). We thought this would be fun for Leah but to be honest, the penguins were too far away/not entertaining enough, I think she fell asleep on the walk so it wasn’t really a baby activity.
Other child-friendly activities (that we didn’t do)
There is a World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary but coming from where we are, we are not keen on seeing animals in cages so we decided to give this one a miss. I have never been there, so I can’t comment on whether it’s ethical or not but I do imagine it would be a fun place to visit with children.
Ride the Cape Wheel at the V&A Waterfront
Go for a Sail on the Jolly Roger Pirate ship, departing from the V&A Waterfront
Other activities
There are so many things to do in Cape Town, here are a few options:
Rode the cable car up Table Mountain
Scenic drive on Chapmans Peak
Sundowners on Signal Hill
Fish and Chips at ‘Fish on the Rocks’ Houtbay
Boat ride at the Waterfront – watch out for sealions
Oranjezich Market Saturday and Sunday morning and Wednesday evening at the Waterfront Shed
Cape Town is an amazing city, one of the few places where you can do such a variety of activities in a short space of time. For example, when I first came to Cape Town (pre-husband and baby) I went for hike up Lion’s Head in the morning, then to the beach for a picnic and a (very cold) swim, then out for dinner and clubbing the evening. The only thing is, like most cities, you need to be cautious of dangers, especially at night. Don’t walk around in the evenings, always get an Uber or be careful of your belongings.
Franschhoek
My mum joined us and then we drove to Franschhoek for 3 nights. Cape Town and the surrounding areas are filled with stunning scenery. Literally every drive you take, every walk you take, you look around you and your breath is taken away by the surroundings. We stopped on so many drives just to take in the scenery (and take photos of course) so make sure you slow down and take a look around while you are on your drive/walk.
The drive from Cape Town takes around 1.5 hours so we took it nice and easy. It’s so nice having short drives, everywhere in Kenya is at least a 2 hour drive, even just to get the nearest grocery shop, so it’s refreshing to drive on decent roads for short amounts of time.
On the first day in Franschhoek we drove to Babylonstoren a Cape Dutch farm, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley.
It has beautiful fruit and vegetable gardens , farm shop and a farm to fork restaurant. It’s well worth a visit for a nice lunch and a wander around the gardens.
While in Franschhoek, the main ‘activity’; we did was the wine farms Tram/bus. Despite the fact that I’m not drinking alcohol this was a fun activity. You can choose your route from a number available and then hop on and off where you feel like it. We visited PIGcaso’s more known for the painting pig than the wine really but this one was for Leah. It now functions as a wine farm an an animal sanctuary and you can buy carrots and feed for the animals so that kept Leah and I entertained.
Other than that, we strolled up and down the high street and in all the beautiful shops and had afternoon tea and cake and enjoyed the house.
We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb which was very comfortable and good value.
Kleinmond
We then continued onto the coastal town of Kleinmond which is around a 2 hour drive. We have family here so we spent our time with family, relaxing on the beach, going around the gardens and walking on the boardwalk.
The boardwalk gives you amazing views of the crashing waves and is definitely worth some time.
Again we stayed at an Airbnb right on the beach with amazing views from the bedroom of the crashing waves.
Back to Cape Town and home
After some much needed down time in Kelinmond we headed back to Cape Town in time for our flight home. The drive from Kelinmont to Cape Town is around 2.5 hours.
We stopped for lunch at a place called Pajamas and Jam – the Strand which is an industrial area and this funny little cafe feels very out of place here but it’s worth a visit. You can’t miss it there is a helicopter on the roof of the building. It’s a good lunch stop halfway between Kelinmond and Cape Town and of course you have to try one of their cakes as well.
Bazarly there is also a whole section dedicated to fancy dress costumes… there must be a big demand for it in the strand?
So that’s it really, we stayed a couple more nights in Cape Town then headed back home to Kenya.
If you have other top tips for visiting Cape Town that I have missed, leave a comment below and let me know!
Kenya recently announced that Kenya is ‘visa-free’. However, don’t be fooled into thinking this means you can just turn up in the country and enjoy your safari. While it is true that Kenya is technically visa-free, instead, you now have to apply for an eTA. An eTA is an electronic travel authorisation, which, at the end of the day, is basically a visa.
Please note that infants and children also require an eTA, and it must be applied for before you enter Kenya.
This post will take you through, step by step, how to apply for the eTA. Spoiler… it’s very similar to applying for a visa.
Make sure you give yourself at least 1 week, I recommend 2 weeks to ensure you get the eTA on time. You can apply up to 3 months prior to your trip. As soon as you have your flight and have arranged your safari, or at least the first nights accommodation then you can apply for your eTA.
You need to have all the following information ready when you apply:
Passport – valid for at least 6 months with at least one blank page
passport style photo
flight/transport details
host details or hotel information
Contact information, email address and phone number
Credit/debit card to pay
If you plan to travel back and forth to Kenya a few times then I recommend you download the “Kenya Travel Authorisation” mobile app. This will enable you to save your eTA on your phone so it can be used again for the next visit.
Do I need an eTA?
Before you move on just check that you actually need an eTA. If you are transiting through Kenya for example, then you will not need one, as long as you do not leave the airport. Also if you are a permanent resident or hold a work permit or pass. Citizens of East Agfrica Partner States (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) also do not need an eTA.
Use the correct website to apply for your eTA
Make sure you only use the official website; there are many scam sites out there and eTA obtained from unofficial websites will not be accepted. This is the official website:
There will then be a pop-up titled ‘How to Apply.’ This tells you who is exempt and what documents you need. Click ‘continue’ then, on the next pop-up up agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Click if you are applying for an Individual or Group application.
Select your country of residence.
Next you will need to upload a scan (photo is fine) of your passport page. This is where this website is actually a lot better than the last. You do not have to spend a lot of time reducing the size of the image, it seems to accept the standard Jpeg size. It also scans the photos and takes the information required automatically including name, passport number etc. You just need to check the information is correct and tick that you have checked.
Passport-style photo
Upload a passport photo, the usual rules apply, white background, no smiling.
Traveler Contact Information
Input the following information:
phone number
email
home address
occupation
emergency contact info
Trip Information
Input the following information:
reason for travel
arrival date
mode of arrival (air, sea land)
airport, airline, flight number
Departure date
Departure mode (air, sea land)
Airport, airline, flight number
Destination country
Address in Kenya and dates
Traveller Information
Answer the following questions:
Is your trip financed by a third party which. is not your employer nor a government ?
Country of birth
Nationality at birth
Have you ever been convicted of any offence, under any system of law, in the past 5 years?
Have you ever been previously denied entry to Kenya?
Marital status
Have you previously travelled to Kenya?
Custom declaration
Answer the following question:
Will you be bringing into Republic of Kenya currency or monetary instruments of a value greater than $5000 or foreign equivalent?
Upload required documents
Accommodation Booking Confirmations – If you have booked through a company they will provide you with a confirmation or a contract, this is what you should upload here
Airline/Cruise Booking Confirmation – upload your flight ticket
Once you have uploaded one document an option will appear to upload another if you have more documents you need to upload.
Confirm and proceed
Check the appropriate box to indicate if you are the applicant or completing the application on behalf of the applicant.
You will then be sent to a page to pay the fee which is $30 per person, plus a processing fee, which m
Thaakes the total $32.50 per person. Make sure you keep a note of your application reference number so you can check on the status of your application later.
That’s it, you should receive your eTA within 72 hours but it can take longer so check back on the status of your application if you haven’t reveiedd it within 72 hours.
Are you planning a journey to the breathtaking lands of East Africa? From the sprawling savannas of the Serengeti to the lush jungles of Uganda, East Africa offers stunning landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Whether you’re still in the dreaming stage or you’ve already taken the leap and booked your trip, you’re in the right place because I’m going to share with you the most important East Africa travel tips you need to know before setting off.
To enjoy a safe and smooth trip, it’s essential to arm yourself with the right information. In this guide, we’ll cover the most important things you need to know to make the most of your East African trip.
General Information
Language: Swahili and English
Sunrise and Sunset: 6:30 am – 6:30/6:45pm
Currency: Tanzania – Tanzanian shilling, Kenya: Kenyan shilling, US dollar is generally accepted especially within the tousim industry, make sure notes are not torn or marked and are from 2006 or later.
Food: The ‘national dish’ is Ugali which is maize flour ground and cooked into a stiff porrage like substance, served with either meet (goat, beef, chicken or fish) or beans and spinach. Nyama choma is also a favourite which is BBQed meat. There is plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, including coconut, mango, bananas etc
Water: it is not safe to drink the tap water, buy bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth
Money: Make sure you alert your bank that you are travelling, there are ATM’s that accept both Mastercard and Visa available in big towns but not generally in the villages, be sure to withdraw the cash in the big towns (Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Stone Town, Nairobi etc) before you travel further out. There is usually a daily withdrawal limit of around $200 depending on the bank. Credit cards can be used but generally they will add on a 5% fee.
Tipping: Tipping is customary in East Africa, the amount is up to you but the recommended guidelines is $10-$15 USD per person per day to your driver/guide. $5- $10 USD to your transfer driver. $5 -$10 USD per shared room per night in the general staff tip box.
Electricity: East Africa uses the 3 pin British plug. The voltage is 220-240V, 50Hz. If your devices use less voltage than 220 then you will need to check if it work on dual voltage, if not you will need a voltage converter.
Discover the Best Time to Travel to East Africa
When is the best time to visit East Africa? This is a really important question because the timing of your East African adventure can greatly influence your experience. The region experiences two primary seasons: the dry season and the wet season.
The dry season, which typically runs from June to October, offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities as animals gather around the limited water sources. However, this period also tends to be the peak tourist season, meaning higher prices and more crowds.
There are actually two wet seasons. The short rains in November and December, and the long rains from mid-March to May. In the middle, January and February are usually dry, but there’s still a chance of rain. The rainy seasons showcase the landscape in its most vibrant hues, as well as bringing fewer crowds and offering lower prices.
First-timers usually go during the dry season, while it’s more common for people who’ve been on safari before to try a slightly different experience by going during the wet season.
One of the biggest potential problems of going during the wet season is that the rain may cause bad road conditions, which, at times, could lead to certain areas being off-limits and a chance of you getting temporarily stuck in the mud.
On the plus side, by going during the wet season, you’ll get to see East Africa’s incredible, lush green landscape at its awe-inspiring best. The downside is that it reduces the number of animals you will likely see, as they don’t all need to huddle around the same pool of water.
Weather and Seasons: What to Expect in East Africa
So, we’ve covered wet and dry seasons, but what else can you expect from the weather in East Africa? East Africa’s weather varies depending on the region, but in general, the climate is tropical, with temperatures averaging between 21°C to 29°C (70°F to 85°F) throughout the year.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking Africa is always hot. Higher elevations, such as those found in the Kenyan highlands, can experience cooler temperatures. When I lived in Lewa I would go on safari in the mornings and evenings with a woolly hat and down jacket and also have a shuka (blanket) wrapped around me.
By the time the sun came out, it was warm and I would be down to shorts and a t-shirt.
The dry season typically brings sunny days and cooler nights, while the wet season sees short, intense bursts of rain, often in the afternoons.
Navigating Your Journey: How to Get to East Africa
Getting to East Africa is relatively straightforward, with major international airports in cities like Nairobi (Kenya), Kilimanjaro Airport (Tanzania), and Entebbe (Uganda). Many international airlines offer direct flights to these hubs from major cities around the world.
Once in East Africa, the quickest way to get around is by domestic flight or with your safari provider, who will drive you from lodge to lodge. Buses are not generally recommended, as they can be quite dangerous.
There are a few train options, but only with limited destinations. For example, there is a train from Arusha to Dar es Salaam and another from Dar Es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia) which runs twice weekly.
In Kenya, there is a twice-daily train from Nairobi to Mombasa which also stops at Voi, in Tsavo National Park. This is a cheap (but long) alternative to get to the coast. Once in Mombasa, you can get a taxi to Diani or Watamu or, of course, stay in Mombassa.
If you’re going to East Africa on a safari holiday, you will most likely get all the travel and transportation information from your safari provider. Most safaris include picking you up from the airport and dropping you at your first hotel (usually in the town, Arusha, Nairobi or Kigali) and then a guide picking you up to start your safari the next day.
Most safari companies use a long-wheelbase Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof. The vehicle seats 6 people in the back (everyone with a window seat) and can also hold one extra in the front seat at a push.
Itineraries typically include a step-by-step breakdown of each step of the trip, whether you will be driving, flying or even getting the train.
If part of your journey is with a domestic flight your plane will look something like this:
Or even this if you are on a chartered flight:
As a result, your luggage will be restricted to 15/20kg in a soft-sided luggage bag. Read the post What to pack for an African safari for recommendations on luggage.
Essential Documents for Your East African Adventure
Before jetting off to East Africa, ensure you have all the necessary documents in order. If you’re not well prepared, you may end up facing a lot of unnecessary issues.
The documents needed will depend on exactly where in East Africa you will be visiting; I highly recommend you get all this information from your safari provider, as they will know where you plan to go and what documents you will need for each place.
Most visitors will require a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended departure date. Proof of any mandatory vaccinations is also necessary. Additionally, depending on your nationality and the specific countries you plan to visit, you may need a tourist visa. If you plan to get your visa upon arrival, you will need U.S. dollars to pay the visa fee. Bring the correct amount, in notes dated later than 2009, they will likely not have change.
If you are going to Tanzania, check out this article about How to apply for a Visa to Tanzania. It provides detailed information on visa requirements and application procedures.
For Kenya, there is no visa requirement anymore but you do need to apply for an ETA. Check out Kenya Online Portal for eTA, you can do the application process here and most customers get their eTA within 3 business days.
Your eTA remains valid for more than one entry if:
You visit one of the following EAC Partner States: Burundi, Democratic Republic ofCongo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, AND;
You don’t visit any other country, AND;
Your eTA has not expired (90 days from issuance)
*This information is correct as of the time of writing but it’s worth checking prior to your trip to see if anything has changed.
Prioritise Safety: Tips for a Secure Journey
Safety is paramount when travelling, and East Africa is no exception. While the region boasts incredible natural beauty and warm hospitality, it’s essential to stay informed about local conditions and heed any travel advisories issued by your government.
Avoiding high-crime areas, safeguarding your belongings, and using reputable tour operators can all contribute to a safe and enjoyable journey. For a detailed guide on staying safe while on safari, check out Your Ultimate Guide to Safe Safari Planning in East Africa.
Safeguard Your Health: Essential Vaccinations for East Africa
Ensuring you’re up to date on vaccinations is a must for a safe and healthy trip to East Africa. Depending on your itinerary and personal health history, you may need vaccinations for diseases such as yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and meningitis.
Yellow fever is only required if you are travelling from a destination which is deemed as high risk for yellow fever. If your safari involves travelling from Tanzania to Kenya then you will require a yellow fever certificate, this will be checked at the border.
It’s recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or visit a travel clinic well in advance of your departure to receive personalised advice on which vaccinations are necessary. For more information on vaccinations needed for an East African safari, take a look at this article, Vaccinations Needed for a Safari in East Africa.
Explore East Africa Safaris
No visit to East Africa would be complete without embarking on a safari adventure. Witnessing the iconic Big Five in their natural habitat, traversing the vast plains of the Maasai Mara, and encountering the vibrant cultures of the region are just a few highlights of an East African safari. If you’re wondering what to expect on a typical day of safari or need tips on packing for your adventure, be sure to check out the following resources:
Conclusion – The Most Important Travel Information for East Africa
East Africa beckons many tourists with its diverse landscapes, rich wildlife, and vibrant cultures by offering the adventure of a lifetime for intrepid travellers. By arming yourself with the right information about the best time to travel, weather, transportation, documents, safety, and vaccinations, you can give yourself the best chance of a smooth and unforgettable journey to this captivating region. So pack your bags for an epic safari and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime in East Africa.
You have booked your safari and you’re getting very excited, but besides telling all your friends of your safari travel plans, there are several things you need to prepare for your East African safari.
Keep reading for a list of what you need to do once you have booked your safari.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
How to prepare for your East Africa safari
Book Flights
Book flights – if you haven’t already then you need to get your flights booked. If possible it is always better to arrive in the morning and leave in the evening. This enables you to maximise your time on safari and gives you a bit of leeway if there are any delays.
Book an appointment for Vaccinations and Malaria pills
Book an appointment with your doctor to ask about vaccinations and malaria pills. This blog will give you an idea of vaccinations you might need but it is always best to speak to a doctor for a professional opinion.
Purchase travel insurance
Purchase travel insurance, it is always a good idea to have travel insurance and sometimes it is a prerequisite for your safari company.
Apply for your visas
Apply for your Visas. For all of the visas, I would advise giving yourself at least 2 weeks to obtain. Once you have your flight details and have booked your safari you may as well apply for your visa then. They can take as little as a couple of hours, the average is 3-7 days but it can easily take longer.
For Kenya I am working on a blog post, in the meantime send me an email and I will send you instructions. This is the website you need to use to apply for a Kenyan Electronic Travel Authorisation.
If you are going to Rwanda, Uganda and/or Kenya you can apply for an East African Visa, which allows you multiple entries into the countries mentioned and is valid for 90 days. You must apply for the country you are visiting first.
Start packing/purchasing for your packing
Start thinking about packing and purchasing anything you might need. Read this blog post: What to pack for an African Safari for a list of everything you will need. You might also need to think about the bag itself. If you are travelling on one of the domestic flights, for example from the Serengeti to Zanzibar, then you will need a soft-sided luggage bag with a maximum of 15/20kgs (depending on the airline). Something like this:
I currently use a Nikkon D500 with a variety of lenses including a 70-200, 100-400 and probably my most used is a 100-600mm. For safari you will need at least a 400mm lens to be able to get closer shots like this one:
Nursery Collection
However, if I were going to purchase a new camera now I would definitely get a mirrorless camera. DSLRs are all technology now and it’s worth investing in a mirroless if you are purchasing now. I personally would get a Nikkon Z9 as I already have a Nikkon Lens.
However, I also think Sony are a great purchase for Mirrorless cameras. There are many different Sony options and it depends a lot on how likely you are to use the camera again and what are you going to do with the photos afterwards.
If you want good photos but are not interested in buying a camera, learning how to use it and looking through a camera lens the whole trip, then send me an email or schedule a call with me and I can organise a photographer to accompany you on your safari. This way you can get all of those print-worthy photographs to put on your wall as well as photos of you on safari to show off to your friends.
Research where you are going
Research where you are going. Some people like to do research and some like it to be a surprise. I personally like to have a good idea of where I am going. One big question around safari in East Africa is usually regarding safety, if this is also on your mind you can read this blog post: Your ultimate guide to safe safari planning in East Africa.
You might also want to have a look at the weather at the time of your travel and top things to do and see around the area if you have some extra time perhaps at the beach in Zanzibar or Lamu.
Also, research the culture of where you are going to ensure you don’t inadvertently offend anyone while on your trip. For example, both Stone Town and Lamu Town have a high Muslim population, it is therefore advised that you dress conservatively, especially while in the towns, on the beach it is ok to wear swimwear of course.
Find out if there is anything you can bring to donate
In many cases, there will be an opportunity to visit a local village, Maasai Boma or a charitable organisation. Even if you are not visiting one yourself you can always bring donations that can be distributed to where they are needed. Items like stationery, sports equipment, books, old laptops etc are always gratefully received.
Post on your Instagram and Facebook and tell all your friends about your upcoming safari
While you are at it follow us on Instagram and Facebook and get in touch if you have any questions then start getting excited for your trip!
If you haven’t yet planned your safari then all you need to do is answer a few simple questions in the quiz below to get a free customised safari itinerary done for you.
Reteti elephant sanctuary community united for Elephants does exactly what it says on the tin!
Reteti elephant sanctuary community united for elephants (R.E.S.C.U.E)
Reteti was started in 2016. Its purpose is to help the increasing number of elephants who are being abandoned, separated, falling into wells or being affected by human-wildlife conflict. Previously, these elephant calves went to the Daphne Sheldrick Centre in Nairobi to be looked after. When ready, they would then be released to Tsavo National Park. While it was great that these elephants were being rescued, the people of Samburu felt like they needed to have their own centre in Samburu. The benefit is that the elephants would not have as far to travel and they can potentially be released potentially back with their original herd.
This board is on display at the sanctuary and tells you the name of each elephant and why they had to be rescued:
Community ownership
The Sanctuary is owned and run by the Samburu people. There are around 50 staff members to take care of the elephants. Currently, there are 33 baby elephants, 4 reticulated giraffes and 2 kudus. 10 elephants have already been successfully released back to the wild. To help raise awareness of the situation and funds to assist, tourists are allowed to visit the centre. The highlight of the visit is watching the elephants being fed their bottles and feeding the baby giraffe.
Prior to the feeding, you are taken to the kitchen where the nutritionist explains how they make up the milk. She explains what ingredients go into the milk and how they measure and adjust the formula for each individual elephant’s needs. Interestingly they have just started using goat milk with the formula and have found it to be pleasing to the elephants. This is great news as it now provides business for local Samburu herders who can sell their milk to the sanctuary. There are many other ingredients that go into the milk. Including human baby formula, honey, calcium, baobab mineral mix, multivitamins and even salt to ensure that when they go back to the wild they are used to saltwater. The exact amount and ingredients depend on the size, age and needs of the individual elephant.
Feeding time
When it comes to feeding time a wheelbarrow of milk bottles is taken to the feeding area and you are shown to the observation deck. The elephants are waiting impatiently at the gate. Each keeper has a bottle with the elephant’s name on it and they have to identify their elephant and give them the correct bottle. This is quite difficult to do when the elephants are running at you full speed, trumpeting and demanding their milk!
It doesn’t take them long to guzzle down their bottle and they then the second wave of elephants are let in. When all the elephants have full belies they are left to play in the water, wallow in the mud and snooze in the shade. The elephants get fed every 3 hours, day and night.
Once the excitement of the elephant feeding is over then come along the baby giraffes (already taller than me). They are also due their bottle and come up to the observation deck demanding their food. If you’re lucky you might actually be able to feed them, but you might have to fight them to get the bottle off them once all the milk has gone!
Costs
To visit the centre cost $20 per person for foreigners or 150 Kenyan Shillings for Kenyan residents. This money goes directly into the centre to help with the costs of feeding and looking after the elephants (and giraffes). There are also T-shirts available for sale (like the one I am wearing below) for $30.
Logistics
The sanctuary is located north of Nanyuki, in the Namunyak wildlife conservancy, Samburu region. Once you get off the tarmac road it is about 45 minutes down a dirt road. The sanctuary is close to Mt Ololokwe, Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs so you could combine it with a visit to any/all of those places. To read more about other places to visit in northern Kenya read this blog post 5 must-see places in northern Kenya.
It is best to tell them in advance when you are planning on visiting, they do sometimes have exclusive viewings meaning you might have to wait around another 3 hours if you happen to turn up on one of these. Also in April and May, the dirt road can get worse due to the rains so email l ahead to check if it is accessible.
Email: info@retetielephants.org
Accommodation
Reteti its self has no accommodation. The best place to stay in my opinion for self-sufficient campers is elephant rock, it is just 5 minutes away from Reteti. The elephant rock is the site where the community used to meet to discuss starting the elephant sanctuary. A French artist called Youri Cansell has painted a beautiful elephant mural on the rock. There are no facilities here so if you would like to stay here you have to have everything with you that you will need. For example cooking facilities, water, tent, sleeping bag etc. You also need to arrange for 2 rangers to be with you throughout the night for safety. This can be organised through Reteti.
Non Camping accommodation
If you are not equipped for camping then another option is Lion Caves Camp which is just off the other side of the tarmac road, so a maximum of an hour away. Rooms are comfortable and reasonably priced ($75 for the room plus breakfast per couple). The rooms have a wonderful view over the river and the large overhanging rock is the perfect place for a sundowner in the evening.
I would highly recommend visiting Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, you get to witness first-hand what a united community can achieve, feed cute baby animals and feel good while doing it as your money help them to be able to rescue more animals in need!
Have you been to Reteti, what was your experience like? If you would like to know more comment below and I will assist as best I can.
We have just come back from a short 10-day road trip around north Kenya. This blog post will briefly explain the route of the whole trip and a bit of information about the 5 must-see places in Northern Kenya. Future blog posts will go into detail about each place related to our trip specifically.
The route
Day 1 – Lewa – Il Ngwezi
Day 2 – Il Ngwezi
Day 3 – Il Ngwezi – Sabache Camp at the foot of Mt Ololokwe
Day 4 – Climb Mt Olokwe – Lion Cave Camp.
Day 5 – Lion Cave camp – Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Day 6 – Reteti Elephant Sanctuary – Elephant Rock
Day 7 – Elephant Rock – Isiolo (food top-up) – Samburu
The total driving time between each destination was no longer than 3 hours or no more than 100km, this makes it is a great trip for those who don’t like long days in the car. It also means you have more time to rest and relax as you are not having to get on the road so early in the morning to make your drive to the next place. This was a part of the trip that I LOVED! Don’t get me wrong I love road trips but in Africa, the distances tend to be far and the drives long. Consequently, you do spend a lot of the day in the car getting to your destination as well as a lot of time in the car on safari. I also loved that this trip was active, we climbed a mountain, we went for hikes, walking safaris and I even managed to fit in a run! Let’s have a look in more detail at the 5 must-see places in North Kenya:
Il Ngwezi
This is probably not on a lot of lists in Northern Kenya THE PLACE to visit, but that’s what also makes it THE PLACE to visit. We were the only visitor in the whole conservancy, of course, a lot of this has to do with covid, but generally, it’s not a busy place. Il Ngwezi Eco Lodge is a community-owned and run lodge in Kenya. It is run by the Laikipia Maasai people for the sake of the conservation of the wilderness and the animals.
Accommodation: Il Ngwezi lodge offers affordable comfort surrounded by pure wilderness, it is the only lodge in the conservancy so you will never bump into too many people on your safari. The lodge has a large pool with views overlooking the water hole and comfortable bedrooms. The ‘star’ bedroom overlooks the water hole and the bed is on wheels so you can roll it out onto the deck and sleep under the stars. Both the toilet and the shower also share the same amazing view of the waterhole, I think it would be difficult to leave your room if you stayed there. You can also camp in the conservancy as we did, but be warned there are no facilities. Make sure you are self-sufficient when camping. You also need to have a ranger with you for safety reasons.
Activities: The lodge does have a game viewer, or you can drive your own car, however, we didn’t really safari by car at all. Instead, we went on walking Safaris with the ranger, the geography is perfect for walking safaris as it is quite open so you can see the animals from a long way off, there are also no buffalo so you don’t have to worry about bumping into them as you walk. Other activities offered include; visits to the Maasai village, spa treatments, bush breakfasts, visiting Mukogodo Forest and walking to the rhino sanctuary.
Animals: The area has a lot of reticulated giraffes as well as gerenuk, impala, lion, kudu, waterbuck, hyena, leopards (although very rare to see) and elephants.
Mt Ololokwe
The sacred mountain of Ololkwe. The recognisable flat top of Mt Ololokwe makes for a wonderful hiking destination. The hike is 4.32 Km long up and then the same back again. It takes around 2 hours to climb if you’re going at a good pace, longer if you stop and take rests. It is 2,000m high. It is very steep at the start and then gets easier, it’s not an easy climb so prepare to be out of breath! Top tip, start your climb early (4:00 am) to get t the top for sunrise it will be cold but worth it for the view!
Accommodation: We camped at Sabache camp (named after one of the smaller mountains adjoined to Ololkwe), it is the perfect location for the hike as it is literally at the foot of the mountain so you basically begin your uphill climb straight away. The campsite is very basic but it does have a clean toilet (long drop compost toilets) and cold showers. There is a young Maasai as security to watch over your stuff as there are monkeys around camp so be careful of leaving food out. Sabache also has a lodge that looked like when it was in its prime it would have been great. The views from the rooms and the generous balconies are certainly amazing but, unfortunately, it has been left to go downhill and it certainly needs some work doing to restore it to its former glory days.
Activities: Climbing My Ololokwe is the obvious one you can also camp on the top of the mountain which we didn’t do but I think if we went again we would. There are also other not so strenuous walks you can do that will still award you a pleasant view including climbing Mt Sabache. The website also claims other activities including cultural visits, night wildlife safaris (although their land rover game viewer was ‘parked’ in the campsite and looked like it hadn’t moved in a very long time), visiting the singing wells and camel safaris. It is also well located for day safaris into the local parks including Samburu and Shaba.
Animals: Plenty of monkeys around the campsite and genets at night time as well as elephants in camp waking us up at night. The elephants actually walk up the mountain to get water from the permanent springs so be aware when hiking up, especially if hiking in the dark. We also saw lots of leopard tracks.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
My favourite part of the trip! This again is a community-owned and run sanctuary, the community came together to provide a refuge for all of the baby elephants who were being abandoned by their mums (due to drought) separated from their mums, had fallen in wells and were unable to get out or were injured or otherwise needing help. The sanctuary started in 2016 and they now have 33 orphaned elephants and have already reintroduced 12 back into the wild. They also have 4 baby reticulated giraffes and 2 kudus.
Accommodation: Again if you are self-sufficient you can ask permission to camp at the elephant rock (more info in the next part) but other than that there is no accommodation so you need to find a place nearby. Lion cave camp is a very nice, affordable site. We did plan to camp there but you couldn’t access the campsite by car (our tent is a rooftop tent) so we decided to get a room instead. The rooms are varied in price but we actually went for the most expensive ($75 for 2 people with breakfast). Our room had a beautiful view over the Ewaso Nyiro river which I would have loved to splash around in (it’s very hot!) except for the fact that there are crocodiles everywhere! The perfect activity here is sundowners on the rock overhanging the river.
Activities: Feeding baby giraffes (my highlight!) and watching the caretakers feeding the baby elephants. You also get a tour of the kitchen and learn what the elephants get fed (spoiler: it involves goats milk and human baby formula) and how they mix the formula. The elephants get fed every 3 hours and they are literally trying to break down the fence to get their bottle. When the gates are opened they come running and trumpeting to their keeper demanding their milk. When their bellies are full they then splash around in the mud and play in the water, it’s truly a magical experience.
Elephant Rock
The Elephant rock, the place where the elders met to discuss the start of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Since the start of Reteti a French artist, Youri Cansell, painted the elephant on the rock, it’s an impressive mural and an amazing place to be able to camp for the night.
Accommodation: What you see is what you get, if you want to camp here, as I said before, you need to be self-sufficient. There are no facilities so make sure you have enough water and food. You also need to arrange with Reteti beforehand so they can organise rangers for you, you have to have 2 rangers with you throughout the night for safety reasons. Generally, you don’t notice they are there are they are patrolling the area so you are left to feel like you are camping alone under the stars guarded by this magnificent elephant.
Activities: You are of course very close still to Reteti Elephant sanctuary so you can go there and see the elephants and giraffes, you can also do hikes and walks around the area with your ranger. There are many hills to climb which offer great views, and there is also plenty of wildlife around to be able to do a walking safari.
Samburu
Lastly, we visited Samburu National Reserve. Famous for its ‘Special five’ including Reticulated giraffe, Somalian ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, Besia Oryx and Gerenuk, although these can all also be seen in other parks. Samburu is also home to the beautiful vulturine guineafowl who are very photogenic. Samburu is definitely a place worth visiting, although, it has to be said, at this particular time there were a few unexpected surprises. Currently, there is a big drought in Kenya, the rainy season simply did not produce enough rain and as a consequence humans and animals alike are suffering. Due to this the local Samburu community are currently grazing their cattle, sheep and goats within Samburu and Shaba reserve. This somewhat ‘takes away’ from the safari experience as men and women, their livestock and even their dogs wander through the reserve. However, needs must and until the rains return, this is what will happen.
Accommodation: Currently, there appears to only be one high-end lodge open in Samburu, due to covid many have closed. Elephant Bedroom has remained open and did have guests. There is also Samburu Riverside camp which isn’t on the riverside. It is a basic tented camp with stationary tents for $60 per person per night. There are also public campsites which are on the riverside. You are literally on the banks of the river with many shady spots under the trees, the trouble is, once again the campsite has seen better days and the facilities are not maintained. The toilets and the showers are unusable, but there is a working tap so that’s a bonus! We stayed at the campsite nearest the ranger post and in terms of location it’s perfect, you are on the river bank and the core game-viewing area is right behind the camp.
Activities: Games drive of course! Despite the people and livestock walking around, there is still plenty of wildlife, including the ‘special five’ and lots of elephants who came into our camp every day. When the big camps are open they also offer things like bush breakfast, cultural visits etc but for us, it was lots of game drives and lots of relaxing at the camp in the heat of the day.
So there you have it! 5 must-see places in Northern Kenya. With tourism still recovering from Covid it’s a great opportunity to travel local, get out there and be a tourist in your own surroundings, we didn’t travel far from home this trip but still felt like we were in a different world! Have you been to any of these places, do you have any other recommendations, comment below and let me know!
So we have a trip coming up soon and we are in the process of packing. I thought this might be a good opportunity to go through what I pack and how we set up the car, what equipment we have for camping etc. Not because I think I am an expert at packing, but actually the opposite, I am notoriously bad at packing and I always overpack or forget something. Therefore, by going through the process of explaining what I am packing and why I am hoping it will help me to really think about what I have packed and hopefully not forget anything and not pack too much!
Before I get onto the packing let me tell you about the trip. We are starting at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
We leave here on Saturday 11th September (2 days time). From here we drive to Il Ngwezi
Il Ngwezi neighbours Lewa, Borana and Lekurruki. Il Ngwesi covers 16,500 hectares and is home to the Il Lakipiak Maasai – ‘people of wildlife’. Il Ngwezi lodge is the only upmarket lodge owner and run by the community, the profits from the lodge help support the community in caring for the wildlife and protecting them against poaching. We are spending 3 nights camping at Il Ngwezi, going on games drives and walks etc. the next stop will be Reteti Elephant sanctuary.
This video says all you need to know about Reteti and why I am excited to go there:
We are spending 2 nights in a new lodge still being finished at Reteti and then one moving on to see this place:
(photo by Lori Robinson)
After that we are heading to Mout Lotokitok, we will stay 2 nights to give us time to climb the mountain on one of the days.
www.thekenyancamper.com
Our final destination will be camping in Samburu and exploring Samburu and Buffalo Springs. We will be here 4/5 nights before heading back down to Lewa and back home.
Click here to see our route virtually via Google Earth.
OK on to packing! As you can see the trip we are going to go on is very much a bush trip, there will be no fancy dinners, bars or clubs so that makes packing a bit easier. Therefore I will be packing practical clothes:
The packing will be listed in the following way; personal, camping, food, electronics, other
Personal Packing
1 pair of safari zip of trousers
1 pair of safari shorts
1 long dress (useful for travelling in)
1 pair of comfy long trousers for the evening
4 t-shirts (green, beige, khaki colour) avoid bright colours and dark blue (tsetse flies)
2 long sleeve tops for the evening for the evening
1 pair of running/exercise shorts
2 exercise tops
1 jumper
1 down jacket
1 kikoi/shawl (very useful to cover up when in villages)
an old ‘brick’ phone that lasts for days (very useful in the bush)
Gps
car battery back up
speaker
Food
tea, coffee, milk, sugar
cereal
yoghurt
meat
pasta
tins; tomato, beans, chickpeas, coconut milk etc
spices, salt and pepper
snacks, breakfast bars
meat
bread
rice, noodles
fruit & veg
Other
binoculars
sunglasses
hiking bag
bird book/app on the phone
first aid kit
day rucksack/camel bag and bladder
maps/download maps.me on your phone
other useful apps: SASOL birds, Ioverlander, Lonelyplanet, Kingdom
zip lock bags – useful when it starts raining
money/load your phone with Mpesa
yoga/exercise mat, skipping rope
passport & driving licence
As you can see we don’t travel light when camping, we like to be comfortable when camping and have everything with us when we need it. For this reason, we take out the back seats of our land cruiser to give us more space and we have also made a few modifications to the car itself. A few things we have done are:
installed a rooftop tent
fridge in the back on a draw system
dual battery system
pull out storage draws
fridge in the front
awning
spotlights
solar panel
upgraded the suspension
blacked out the windows
installed a flip-down table on the back door
shower system and curtain
gull wings
[modula id=”280837″]
I will make a few videos on the trip and show you better and post them on the next blog post. Ok so for now that’s it. I will soon find out what I have forgotten to pack or if I have packed too much as the trip goes on! Comment if you can think of anything I have already forgotten!
Malawi, is it worth the visit? If the big five is what you’re after, then maybe Malawi isn’t the place for you. But if crystal clear water, unparalleled sunsets and private wildlife viewings are your priority then Malawi should be number one on your list!
Malawi is a largely overlooked African country when it comes to tourism, in other words, one of Africa’s best kept secrets. Of course, we all love safari and while on safari we all love seeing lions, cheetah, leopards and lots of action. When you think safari you probably think of the Serengeti in Tanzania or the Masai Mara in Kenya, you think of the wildebeest migration, of opportunistic crocodiles and predators waiting in the wings, of endless plains and silhouettes at sunset, great herds of elephants and journeys of giraffe. Although you will not get the concentration of animals in Malawi that you get in Tanzania or Kenya, you will also not get the concentration of people. Well not tourists, the concentration of locals however, is very high!
Private viewings
Having said that, with African Parks now in charge of a number of parks and the reintroduction of 16 species including cheetah, rhino and wild dog, the wildlife sightings in Malawi are definitely on the rise. Even with this being the case, you will never see the hoards of people in the parks that you do in Tanzania and Kenya for example. It is this that makes Malawi so special. When you are on safari in Malawi, 9 times out of 10 you will have sightings to yourself. You can enjoy those moments, just you and the animals. Those heart-pounding moments when you make eye contact when a lion which somehow pierces through to your soul.
When you are surrounded by a herd of feisty elephants (if you have been to Majete you know what I mean), when you find that oh so elusive leopard and you can revel in your luck for as long as you want without anyone disturbing you. When your car overheats and breaks down in the middle of Mejete due to blistering heat – ok so there are drawbacks as well as perks but give me a private viewing of a greater kudu over 10 vehicles tussling and pushing to see lions in the Mara any day.
I lived in Malawi for 4 years, during that time I was able to see a lot of the country. It is true Malawi is a small country, 2.1 times smaller than the UK, but it packs a big punch in terms of places to go and things to do.
[modula id=”280476″]
National Parks
I have already mentioned Majete National Park now a ‘Big Five’ park thanks to African Park’s initiatives. There is also Liwonde National Park which has also benefited from African Parks. African parks, among many other things, have kept poaching down, re-introduced cheetah, relocated black rhino to the park, and increased the number of lions. Liwonde’s magic is the river safari when you can drift by hippos fighting and get sprayed by water as elephants splash and play. Both parks are beautiful and are easily Malawi’s ‘best parks’ in terms of animal concentration. However, there are also many smaller parks including Nkhotokota, Kasungu, Nyika and more. If you want a real feeling of being out in the bush then these should not be missed. However, be warned a lot of them do not have good facilities so be prepared to camp, some places you even have to bring all of your own food as there is nowhere to buy anything. Of course, you do not want to miss the best National Park of all, the reason you come to Malawi, Lake Malawi National Park.
[modula id=”280473″]
Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi takes up almost half the country in size, it is the second deepest lake in Africa and home to more species of fish than any other lake, including 700 species of freshwater cichlids. When standing at the tidal water edge it is sometimes hard to believe it is a lake and not the sea, that is until you see a crocodile nestled on its banks or a pod of hippo submerging and re-emerging from its surface. Of course, the best thing of all is when you go for a swim and are met by beautiful crystal clear freshwater. Lake Malawi is one of my most favourite places on earth, more specifically Cape MaClear on the southern part of the lake.
[modula id=”280462″]
Laid back life
If you have been to Africa you know the pace of life is not exactly fast. If you have been to Malawi you would know if it was any slower everyone would be going backwards. You do not go to the lake for high energy, fast-paced adrenalin rush, you come for a relaxed, tranquil, reset. You can whittle away days, swimming in the lake, snorkelling in with the cichlids, paddle boarding, lounging in hammocks, reading, going on boat trips, watching fish eagles, birding, eating delicious food and sleeping under the stars. Just writing about it is making me want to go back immediately!
Where to stay
If you do go and visit, then there are two lodges I particularly recommend Mgoza Lodge and Warm Heart Adventure Lodge both of these are right on the beach in Cape Maclear, the owners care about sustainability and work together to help the local community. If you’re feeling adventurous there are also 2 islands off Cape Maclear, one budget camping island called Domwe Island and one more ‘luxury’ style island called Mambo Island. Trips to both of these islands as well as other activities around the area can be arranged via Kay the owner of Warm Heart Adventure Lodge. She also organised day activities including kayaking, boat trips, snorkelling, hikes and bike ride.
The people of Malawi
It would be wrong of me to write a blog bout Malawi without mentioning the local people. As I said before there are a lot of them, a population of over 19 million people it is difficult to find a spot to go for a quick wee without someone appearing out of nowhere to catch you with your pants down. Besides there being so many Malawians, they are the reason why Malawi is called ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’. Everywhere you go the people emit a genuine kindness. They are keen to talk to you, to direct you if you are lost, to assist you if you are struggling, to accommodate you if you are without and just to generally help in any way they can. The children love to see you and will run up to you hold your hand and escort you on your way, sometimes for too long so you have to shoo them away so they don’t wander too far from home.
[modula id=”280478″]
Malawi, is it worth the visit?
Poverty
It has to be said that Malawi is a very poor country and people do struggle to get by, many Malawian are farmers and live hand to mouth, they rely heavily, sometimes solely, on the harvest which is determined by the countries rainfall. For this reason, you will find people begging as well as street children, which is always difficult to see.
Don’t get distressed if/when people shout ‘Mzungu’ at you, it means white foreigner, it is not said to offend you. If spending time with the locals is something you wish to do then there are many opportunities for this. There are the usual ‘cultural tours’ where you pay money for an ‘authentic experience’ however I would recommend the ‘old fashioned way. Just talk to people, you can go to the local village, visit the markets, go into churches to listen to beautiful singing.
Local culture
As a general rule men will have a better understanding of English than women in rural areas so it might be best to approach them. Everyone is friendly and most people are not in a rush so will take the time to talk to you. It would also be good if you could try to learn some Chichewa, in particular, greetings as these are very important in the Malawian culture. The greeting is ‘Muli bwanji’ (how are you) to which the response is ‘Nliri bwino, kaya inu? ( I am fine, and you?).
A top tip is to remember is that a lot of Malawians get their ‘r’ and ‘l’ mixed up, so if you are struggling to understand something try swapping these two letters and it might suddenly make sense! Also, be sure to dress respectively when walking around villages, this generally means covering your knees and shoulders.
Other things to do in Malawi
Mountain Biking – Malawi has a big mountain biking culture and organises events and races, if you don’t want to compete you can just explore the beautiful surroundings on a bike, the terrain is perfect but don’t forget your puncture repair ki
Hiking Mount Mulanje – There are many routes up Mulanje which is accessible from the southern town of Blantyre. Mulanje stands 3000m high. The mountain club of Mulanje have made a comprehensive guide to climbing Mulanje which can be accessed here
Volunteering – There are so many places that need your help,. If you’re a teacher you can go to one of the schools, give resources and equipment, talk to the teachers share ideas. If you’re a nurse or doctor you can go to hospitals or clinics, maybe you are a coach, instructor, therapist…the list goes on. If you are going to Malawi on holiday then bring along stationary, books, toys, medical resources etc it will all be gratefully received
Visit the Tea Estates – Satemwa tea estates are. a beautiful place to visit. you can stay the night at Huntingdon House explore the tea estate, have high tea and play croquet on the ground.
Play golf with zebra and giraffe roaming around you at Game Haven
The list goes on… so as you can see there is plenty to do in Malawi. In addition to his, you have a relatively cheap safari, friendly people and a rich culture and traditions. So Malawi, is it worth the visit? In my humble opinion, the answer is yes, Malawi is 100% worth the visit!
Have you been to Malawi, what did you particularly enjoy? Get in contact and let me know if there is anything I have missed!
Sharing is caring
If you have enjoyed reading this post, why not share it for others to read
Hi I'm Natasha
I live in Kenya and love to go on adventures and take wildlife photographs. Follow along for more!
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
