Magical Kenya Fam Trip

  • by Jana Meyer
  • 13 Jul, 2020

Kenya’s tourism slogan is "Magical Kenya", and we can confirm: Kenya delivers its magic over and over again. 

Game Drive in Samburu Nature Reserve
Maasai People
Kenya, vast savannahs peppered with immense herds of wildlife, snow-capped equatorial mountains, traditional people who bring soul and color to the earth – this is our Amazing and Magical Kenya! Kenya’s tourism Slovan is "Magical Kenya", and yes, Kenya delivers the magic over and over again.

Mirjam was fortunate to be invited by MKTE (Magical Kenya Travel Expo) to explore Kenya and the places in this beautiful country she had not seen before (and yes, she has been in Kenya plenty of times, but somehow Kenya is truly magical).

Before their actual famtrip began, they group enjoyed a perfectly well organized „pre-famtrip“ education at two of the Heritage Hotels.
They started in Samburu National Reserve – a magical place. Known for the Samburu Big 5. Never heard of this Big 5? No worries, they are obviously not as famous as the Big 5 (elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard), but the Samburu Big 5 are definitely worth a visit and should not be missed out on any Kenyan safari experience!

Gerenuk

Ever seen an antelope walking like a human? Well, you can see that in this reserve. The creature in question is a gerenuk, which in the Somali language means ‘giraffe necked’. This useful height advantage, coupled with the animals ability to stand erect on its hind legs, means it can feed on the highest, juiciest leaves. Always a bonus when you’re competing for dinner in such an arid landscape.

Reticulated Giraffe

These mega-herbivores look very different from their cousins elsewhere in Africa, with striking red hides divided by a jigsaw pattern of white lines (reticulations). They blend in well with the red Samburu earth and love taking a morning stroll down the dried up river bed (also a great spot for a bush breakfast ;)). Reticulated giraffes are becoming quite rare with numbers falling dramatically over the last few decades, and Samburu is one of the few places you can still see them in all their glory.

Grevy’s Zebra

The Grevy’s Zebra holds a special place in wider local culture as a symbol of both peace and beauty, but also as its braying acts as both an alarm clock and barometer signalling daybreak and imminent rainfall. Isn't that amazing?

Somali Ostrich

These birds may be big, but they sure are elusive. Which is why having a local Samburu warrior guide to help track them down was kinda useful. 

Beisa Oryx

These guys like hanging out with the zebras, so they were pretty easy to spot. They looked especially superb in the morning and evening light with the sun bouncing off their pale hides.

From there they flew to the world famous Maasai Mara. If the Maasai Mara is not part of your bucket list yet, you have to add it! Many places in our Amazing Africa are well known for amazing wildlife experiences, but Mirjam was really impressed by the Maasai Mara. The sightings were phenomenal.

Can you imagine being in between buffalos chasing away lions? And you are lucky enough to be on the only vehicle that spots this amazing moment? Well, it is probably hard to image, but Mirjam was the lucky one.  

They were fortunate to see the famous "Fast Five" - a coalition of five male cheetahs. Which normally hunt on their own. We mean, one cheetah is already impressive and an amazing sighting, but how amazing is 5 cheetahs? WOW!
The fast five
A special and big THANK YOU again to the Heritage Hotel’s, which spoilt the group during the trip with nice and warm hospitality.

And if that’s wasn’t enough, the group worked very well together. They had lots of fun and overall an amazing time. Normally the participants make (or break) the trip and let it become a very successful one. And this was fortunately the case here :)
Amazing breakfast organized by the Heritage Hotels in Samburu National Reserve
Fire place/Boma in Maasai Mara organized by Heritage Hotels