Melissa Lawrence Photography






Kenya, 2011

I travelled with Exodus for a week to Kenya, starting with a base at the Lake Elementaita Lodge, with game drives at Lake Nakuru, then moving to  BaseCamp Maasai Mara (where Obama stayed once, and apparently they made him and Michelle plant a LOT of trees while they were there - there's an entire forest with "Planted by Barack Obama" plaques in front of each tree. They must have been exhausted when they left.

Trip was well-organised, and the lodges were good. Only downside was everyone on the trip was on their first safari - great if you were as well, but if you've been on a few (or a lot) be prepared to spend a LOT of time sitting watching lions sleep, which is what all first-timers want more than anything else.  One of our guides was exceptional, an excellent spotter, and didn't just rely on the radio. The other just listened to the radio to hear what animals were being sighted, and then drive like a maniac to get there - was slightly amusing that the first timers had no idea the radio was listing all the sightings and just thought the guide had a miraculous ability to race all over the park and find that cheetah and lion just happened to be where he stopped.

There were some long drives on very bumpy roads, but generally it was a comfortable trip staying at some nice lodges.





 
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Itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Nairobi; Met at airport and driven straight to Lake Elementaita.
Day 2: Full day in Lake Nakuru
Day 3: Drive to Masai Mara; arrive BaseCamp Masai Mara
Day 4: Morning and afternoon game drives
Day 5: Morning and afternoon game drives
Day 6: Return to Nairobi; stay at Southern Sun Nairobi
Day 7: Return flight to London