Author Topic: Kenya Safari TR  (Read 34898 times)

Offline Shunts

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Kenya Safari TR
« on: July 20, 2015, 07:14:49 AM »
Part 1

An African safari was always something on my agenda. This year it actually became a reality. Due to last minute planning, we weren’t lucky enough to get the flights we hoped for and were therefore forced to take any available routing.

 We would fly SFO-DXB-NBO on EK F and return NBO-ADD-LHR-SFO on ET and UA J with drives and hoppers once we were in Kenya. We wanted to do things differently, so instead of doing the typical Kruger Park etc, we opted for the more “authentic feel” and enlisted the help of a travel agency which did a phenomenal job tailoring a trip for us in Kenya.

The lounge in SFO was very empty and quiet and the flight was uneventful though the service was a bit underwhelming.


Lounge in SFO




The food was quite unappetizing, but I wasn’t expecting anything edible anyways.






We landed at 7:30pm which gave us enough time to check in to the Conrad and head out for our 10:00 Burj and a chance to check out the mall. We attempted chauffeur service and was denied because the perk is no more with Alaskan bookings. An Uber would have to suffice.




Our upgraded suite


Hotel Lobby

The train was cheap and only a few stops from the Conrad, so we figured it would be a way to see more of the city. We took a cab back because we were tired from all that walking in the mall.


Our train stop

I would have loved to be at the Burj during sunset, but that obviously wasn’t possible. It was fairly quiet though because of Ramadan.

Our flight out to NBO was 10:45 and I wanted to catch a morning swim, but the pool was too hot!


It looked so inviting.

We had the entire cabin to ourselves which was especially nice as there was a plane change with the updated suite configuration.

We landed in Nairobi at 4:30. We were transported by bus to immigration which is in a parking lot because the main terminal burned down in 2013. Our body temperature was checked with infrared prior to passport control - I guess this is normal practice? We were worried that our food was going to be confiscated as it contained meat. We actually had a full freezer bag which contained jerky, cold cuts and a bunch of frozen double wrapped meals that we will have heated for us at our camp. Thank you Dan for the Polar Bear bag recommendation! The items remained frozen for hours in the Dubai heat.

After our original plan to take Uber was scrapped because a lack of internet - which would have been free with T-Mobile, we took a pre paid fare to the Hilton. In hindsight, that was a much better outcome as traffic in Nairobi is from the worst in the world and Uber probably would have turned out more expensive.

We arrived at the Hilton 18km, $20 and 1.5 hours later.

We got upgraded to a suite because of our diamond status. I am genuinely concerned to know what a typical room looked like. We chose Hilton because it was the only name we recognized. It is a decrepit piece of crap.

 




We wanted to take a look around town and were informed to leave all valuables behind; I therefore don't have any pictures from the streets. When we asked where we should walk, the response was "don't go that way" pointing to the left; we heeded his warning. We dropped by the lounge for a quick local beer and headed out; to the right.
After a short walk we made our way back to the hotel for safety concerns.
Tomorrow we drive to Lake Nakuru.
 

Lounge at the Hilton


Lobby


View of traffic from our room





Offline Hershelsdeals

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2015, 08:04:22 AM »

Looking forward for the rest

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2015, 08:25:28 AM »
Can't wait to hear about the safari!

Offline morgs

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2015, 08:27:41 AM »
Finally a safari tr :D cant wait for the rest!!

Offline sammy n

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2015, 08:35:58 AM »
Nice! I love TR's!

Offline AJK

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2015, 08:45:09 AM »
Looking forward!
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2015, 09:52:53 AM »
Sounds like a fun trip. Waiting on the rest.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2015, 09:59:52 AM »
Keep it coming! And stay safe :)

Online Yaalili

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2015, 10:41:12 AM »
Wow, something new for a change!

Offline jj1000

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2015, 10:45:08 AM »
Wow first TR and it looks like a pro! This looks very exciting!

Nice job so far.
See my 5 step program to your left <--

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Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2015, 10:45:50 AM »
Wow first TR and it looks like a pro! This looks very exciting!

Nice job so far.
Well he has been around since 2013. Long-time lurker.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Proisrael

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2015, 11:55:53 AM »

Offline Platinum

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2015, 12:44:37 PM »

Offline Feivish

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #13 on: July 20, 2015, 02:18:27 PM »

Offline Platinum

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #14 on: July 20, 2015, 02:59:04 PM »
Because this was part of our trip that is being reported if you don't find it relevant then don't read it.

Offline Luvtotravel

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #15 on: July 20, 2015, 03:06:20 PM »
Because this was part of our trip that is being reported if you don't find it relevant then don't read it.
are you with shunts?
Don't wait for the perfect moment; take the moment and make it perfect.

Offline Platinum

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #16 on: July 20, 2015, 03:08:16 PM »

Offline Luvtotravel

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #17 on: July 20, 2015, 03:16:53 PM »
Don't wait for the perfect moment; take the moment and make it perfect.

Offline Shunts

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #18 on: July 20, 2015, 09:44:09 PM »
Part 2

We were up at 8:00am on Thursday to meet our driver, Nick, with whom we will spend the next day with.  After retrieving our precious freezer bag from the hotel staff which were kind enough to store it for us, we loaded up and headed to Lake Nakuru National Park. The drive takes about four hours traversing through many small towns. There is great elevation and the occasional nice view.

We stopped along the highway to check out a small shop selling its wares. There was a school, I would presume on a trip, with its students looking at us as though we were from an entirely different planet. We assured them we were human and their bewildered faces adjusted.

On a side note, our guide expressed to us that people are scared to visit Africa because of Ebola, not being aware that the Ebola breakout was closer to London than it was to Kenya.


Our vehicle


View from the car


It’s sad; lots of the city looks like this


School children and shop


We regrettably had to turn down his corn

We checked in to Sarova Lion Hill Lodge and were greeted with a cold eucalyptus scented towels and fresh mango juice. It was here that we discovered that the hospitality in Kenya is incredible.
We were given a brief tour of the camp grounds and headed off for our afternoon game drive!


Our cozy cabin


From the outside


The grounds are very nice and tranquil


Bountiful occupied birds’ nests


As soon as we began the drive, a monkey came inside through the top of the roof and stole a bad of goodies. Realizing it contained nothing of interest, it dropped it on the road and took off running. What a great way to start, I thought!
I took a bunch of zebra pictures unaware that they are as common as cows in the Midwest.


Zebra, of course


There are usually more flamingo, they say


I don’t know what this is


Nor what this is


Ah, yes, a rhino






We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this guy

When we returned to camp and denied dinner, the chef requested to speak with us. He said he was expecting us and made a kosher dinner. We politely declined and attempted to explain that we keep “real kosher” and that what he made unfortunately didn’t fall into that category.
He begged with us just to see what it was he made for us.
Incredibly, he procured a brand new cutting board and knife! He also had a closed bottle of olive oil and plastic-ware.
He went on to say that he had a whole fish and potatoes double wrapped in the oven. We were shocked. We passed on the fish and opted for a salad instead.


Got to work right away


Dining area


Chef Nicholas


Turndown service

Tomorrow is our flight out to Masai Mara.

Offline Hershelsdeals

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Re: Kenya Safari TR
« Reply #19 on: July 20, 2015, 09:55:12 PM »