At the beginning of this year we received a World Wildlife Fund member’s advertisement for a trip to Kenya to witness the annual herd migrations across the Serengeti Plains. Well, why not! So we put our money down, got our shots, bought duffels and “bush clothes”. We expected a fabulous experience and we got that and much more. It was the experience of a lifetime. Kenya is a wonderful country which recognizes that its wildlife is its major asset. Because of this, the American visitor is treated very well and the satisfaction of his every reasonable need seems to be the business of every Kenyan. In fact, hunting is outlawed in the entire country and poachers (the former huge problem) are now shot on sight by law enforcement. As a result, wildlife is amazingly abundant and we always felt safe and welcomed.
Our entire tour consisted of 16 people who came to see the animals. We were given three Land Rovers and had the same three driver/guides during the entire time. These guys were great! They knew all the animals, what they were doing, and what they might do next. Not mere bushmen, these three had college degrees and each had over 15 years experience. Not only are they great guides, they are also good company.
We stayed at tented camps (oh, yeah – each had its own plumbing and electricity) in three different game preserves. Game preserves are the high profile features of Kenya and provide safe game viewing by people like us. Simply put – it is an inside/out zoo. We stayed in the Land Rovers and were driven around dirt roads looking at animals who were completely free and wild. It seems that all the animals in the preserves know that a vehicle is just another large and non-threatening creature. Therefore, we were able to get within 20 feet of many species like elephants, lions, and cheetahs. We were thrilled.
One note: I don’t think we saw a single non-Kenyan (read: Anglo) in any capacity anywhere. We got the feeling that Kenya is not an emerging third world country that is being helped along in the world. It seems to a solid nation in its own right.
This website is arranged in the order of our days. We hope you enjoy the site and feel free to come and go as you have time and interest