Kenya
Google
I had an opportunity to visit Africa for the first time on a trip organized by Imara Africa. The 6-day trip was centered in Kenya and included wildlife reserves in Nairobi, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Maasai Mara. Each location had unique experiences and the details were expertly curated through Imara Africa. We met the team, including our guide Simon, as soon as we exited customs in Nairobi, Kenya. They met us with lovely welcome gifts and explained our itinerary, answering all questions. What I did not understand initially was that Simon was to remain with us every step of the way. He was our driver, translator, facilitator, bodyguard, wildlife expert, concierge and companion. We could not have asked for a better guide helping us to maximize our experience. You will not travel wild Africa like we did without complications, diversions and the unexpected. Simon met each challenge with patience and good humor. It was a genuine pleasure to talk with him and see him at work. He knew where to go, how to get there and seemed to know everyone in Kenya! The lodgings were top notch, with world class service and excellent food. Lodgings and almost all food were included in the package. The team even upgraded us at one point to help celebrate an anniversary in our group. En route to Maasai Mara we traveled deep off-road and spent several hours with the nomadic Maasai people, walking their territory with them and visiting their village. We were partnered with a pair of Maasai men who demonstrated their way of life and answered all our questions. This was not a tourist simulation, but a very moving window into the lives of real people living as they have for centuries. The hours we spent with the Maasai were humbling and remarkable. I did not expect to be moved as I was by the vast grasslands. You may know that the Grand Canyon is a big hole in the ground but it still steals your breath when you stand at its edge. The Maasai Mara savannah is like that. Looking for miles in all directions, witnessing teeming herds of wild creatures, watching the cloud shadows race across the grass. It is a spiritual event. The safaris were the highlight of the trip. We traveled in the same heavy duty four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser each day, modified for the rough terrain of the savannah and safe animal observation. The large windows, pop-up top, individual charging stations at each seat and additional cushions made long hours in the vehicle comfortable and ideal for close but safe viewing of the animals. The animal encounters were intimate and almost too numerous to count. We saw dozens of lions, hippo, elephants, monkeys, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, antelope, gazelle, and exotic birds. We even saw elusive animals like hyenas, warthogs and white rhino. We visiting conservation centers dedication to rehabilitating orphaned animals (12 baby elephants simultaneously fed from 12 enormous baby bottles). The headliner for me was the 30+ minute encounter with a regal mother cheetah and her three fuzzy cubs. In short, I cannot imagine visiting the wonders of Africa with any other group. I will return with family and friends so I can share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with them. Imara Africa gets a 10/10.
nostresstraining
March 2026
