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Kenya: More than just the kingdom of safaris

Words by Hannah Ross
4 min read

Patchwork farmlands, the savannah’s most notable characters, and a landscape of flat plains that billow into hills, Kenya is archetypal Africa. Going far beyond the humble safari (although there’s plenty of them too), this country opens its arms to inquisitive families, welcoming them in and showing off the native cultures, sustainable initiatives and the protective side it’s proud of.

Stories for... The Head
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Nairobi - Ol Derkesi Community Conservancy - Borana Conservancy

A different way of life

Residents dressed in vibrant colours poke their heads out of manyattas in greeting as you arrive at a Maasai village. To say there’s years of tradition and history in this culture would be an understatement, but the whole family get a flavour of it when wandering the community hubs and local market brimming with crafts and clothing; learning about ancient traditions and how the tribe have adapted to modern life. The stories continue as the stars start to shine, with evenings spent at Cottar’s 1920s Camp looking at Western and African interpretations of the African night sky; sharing how the same view can elicit such illuminating and culturally different perspectives.

Maasai warriors performing a Adumu the group jumping dance
Take some downtime

Abandoning the long drives and busy activities, time is spent together foraging with hunter-gatherer, Letilet, in the Maasai Mara. Accompanied by a guide to translate, Letilet will share his expertise on over 300 plants in the local area, including their ancient and modern uses as medicine and food. After gathering the wild ingredients, sit down to a meal made from your harvest to chat about what you’ve found out about the native fauna. When the sun sets, congregate around the campfire to swap stories from the day’s highlights – arguably one of the best and most bonding parts of any safari. In a ‘Hakuna-Matata’ hike-away, worries will surely fade as the whole pride is rewarded with a picnic on Pride Rock. 

 

The caring side

Home of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre is the place for both visitors and locals to delve deep in the country’s diverse and vulnerable wildlife. Specialising in the protection of the Rothschild giraffe, the clan are introduced to these longnecked wonders and encouraged to discover the ways in which they can help them and other endangered species too.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage has currently raised over 280 elephants, who are now parents to a new generation of 50 elephants.

A small elephant calf sat covered in mud in Kenya
Their way of life

Trumpets call by afternoon to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage, where an elephant keeper with hands-on experience of the conservation of orphaned elephants will lead the way. Herds here are no different to your own (past and present), with matriarchs, troublesome teens, and playful little toddlers bound to show their unique personalities. Every day’s a school day, so you can learn how your floppy-eared-friends are being taught all the skills they need to one day ‘graduate’ into the wild. Wish them good luck on leaving, and be sure to follow their next steps in the keeper’s diaries that record their progress.

Africa, Kenya, Lengishu, Rhino Tracking
Take on a challenge

Sometimes, a challenge doesn’t have to be a personal one. Out in the hills of Borana Conservancy, dawn is spent rhino-tracking with a ranger, to identify the black and white species and ensure their safe well-being. By dusk, anti-poaching patrols are the priority; visiting the headquarters with the Head of Security and taking the time to assist the ‘boots on the ground’; each step highlighting the great efforts they (and now you) go to to protect the sanctuary’s rhinos and other big game wildlife.

 

A way to remember

A trip book-ended by mementos, adopting an elephant with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust before you travel ramps up the excitement of what’s to come. While during the adventure, a photographer is on hand to capture the memories of a tour guided by Cottar’s 1920s Camp owner, Calvin – sending you home with a framed copy of the best one.

Calvin Cottar has been guiding in the African bush since he was 15 years old, sharing the knowledge that he has directly inherited from the three generations of family that have gone before him – making this the longest and most established family-ran safari in East Africa.

Discover the
full itinerary

Maasai woman in traditional dress threading beads onto a piece of jewellery

Discover the
full itinerary

Going far beyond the humble safari, this itinerary takes inquisitive families on a tour of Kenya’s caring side, showing off native cultures, sustainable initiatives and the protective side that it’s proud of.

Learn more

On the
agenda

- Meet the elephants at The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage and learn about their unique personalities and stories of rehabilitation from an elephant-keeper

- Enjoy a close encounter with the Rothschild giraffe at Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre

- Be led through the Maasai Mara by expert guide, Calvin Cottar, with a designated photographer on hand to capture the family memories

- Forage with local ‘hunter-gatherer’ Letilet for the ingredients that’ll be used to prepare your family lunch

- Soak in the view in a truly memorable bush-bath experience

- Visit a local Maasai village and learn about their village setup, healthcare, and livestock before heading to their local market

- Picnic at the iconic site of Pride Rock, overlooking the African plains

- Join rangers for their daily rhino-tracking and anti-poaching walks and learn more about this endangered species

- Take a helicopter ride over the Sugata Valley, witnessing hidden valleys, sparkling lakes, extreme deserts and volcanic craters

Explore the
collection

Explore the
collection

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We customise every trip to you and our quotes are bespoke. We’re here to offer advice, recommendations and answer your questions.

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