Ask an Expert: Kenya

Written by Otto

At Llama Travel, our holidays are made so great by the knowledge of our travel experts. This week, we caught up with Otto, one of our senior Travel Consultants, to get the inside scoop on his first visit to Kenya. And now we are going to share it all with you.

Otto’s take on Kenya

How were the guides?

Silas, our guide from Real Africa, was nothing short of sensational. His knowledge of the animals was second to none and incredibly insightful as well as excellent handling of the vehicle. He was always ready to answer any questions about the animals and his infectious laugh was a bonus too.

What was your favourite destination?

The Masai Mara was a special chapter of the holiday. The vast plains were iconic and the wildlife viewing was unforgettable. Whilst there were more vehicles here compared to the other safari locations, it is without question that this is one of the best spaces in the world for game drives with an incredible spread of fauna.

Where was the best place you stayed?

Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This was our introduction to the week-long safari and it was easily our favourite lodge. The accommodation is very comfortable and cosy but it’s the location that sets it apart from the rest. There is a water hole where animals are constantly coming to refresh themselves and the backdrop of Mount Kenya is a real treat at sunrise and sunset, especially if it’s a clear day.

What was the highlight of your trip?

We saw a mother cheetah and her 4 cubs hunt down a herd of gazelle in the Masai Mara. They caught a baby Thomson’s gazelle which was an upsetting situation to witness (my first kill) but highlighted the raw existence of these animals. To see the cheetah go from a slow walk to full speed was quite something.

What’s your favourite photo from the trip?

Giraffe’s photo

Who would you recommend this trip to?

For anyone with a passion for animals, Kenya must be considered. The landscapes are also beautiful but the sheer diversity of the wildlife blew my mind. We saw everything from a pride of lion hunting a distant eland, a male ostrich doing the mating dance for a female, pelicans socializing with water buffalo, and two egrets on top of a white rhino who was munching his way through the grass.

How are the journeys?

The safari vehicle is the mode of transport for this holiday. Silas doubled up as not only our guide but our esteemed driver. The locations throughout the tour are remote so without the vehicle the tour doesn’t happen. Journeys between lodges and on the game drives were generally smooth with a few bumps along the way but that’s all part of the experience. Our vehicle was well-equipped with charging ports, comfortable seats and the rooftop that could open to give us a raised view of the game drives.

Local tipple?

I travelled with my best mate and we’re partial to a beer or two. Tusker is the national lager so these were enjoyed throughout the trip. Guinness is also a popular drink in Kenya but with a heavier and more bitter taste.

Did you pick up any souvenirs?

There are plenty of souvenir shops that are visited on the trip so you won’t go home empty-handed. The main gifts I brought home included coffee, postcards, magnets, animal figures made of stone and coasters.

Where's next on your travel list?

Guatemala and Belize are next up for me. I’m looking forward to hiking up the Acatenango Volcano and snorkelling in Caye Caulker.

Order a free brochure to find out more about our Kenya itineraries, or contact us to speak to one of our Kenya Travel Consultants today.

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