Travel Review: Luxury Safari in Africa, Tanzania & Kenya, Nairobi, Ngorongoro Crater, Wildlife Photography, Culture & History

I was able to go on 15 game drives. Each camp we stayed at was a completely different experience than the last camp. As far as Nairobi went we could not have had a better guide than the one we had there. He made sure everything was done right. At the end of the trip on our way back to the USA he made sure the baggage handlers contacted him when we made it safely to our gate. 

 
Elephant Watch Camp was quite an experience. Since they have been in drought for about a year the landscape looked very desolate. The camp itself was in shade and very cool. The people that worked there could not have been more accommodating. The guide and the tracker were amazing. They looked everywhere for everything. In fact they were the only ones to find a Leopard. The food, which was cooked by local Samburu women was terrific. Also every male that worked at the camp is a Samburu warrior. The fact that the owner lives at the camp gives you a very different perspective. I do feel this should be everyone's first stop on there safari vacation. 

 
Ol Seki Mara was a delight. The manager was more than accommodating. Probably the most upscale of the camps. A big airy tent with the view of animals grazing was unforgettable. Our game drives were memorable for seeing the hippos, jackals and lions. Our guide was very adept at finding animals in the middle of nowhere. We found a family of Hyenas hiding behind a group of bushes. The food was tremendous. On my birthday I was completely surprised not only by a delicious chocolate cake (Which I hear you and Tracy schemed to get made), but the whole staff sang “Happy Birthday” to me. A very memorable 60th birthday. As we were leaving our tent to go to the airport our hosts entered our tent and gifted us with beautiful Maasai jewelry and necklace.

Kusini was the most commercial of all the places we stayed. The food was good but not as tasty as the other camps. The tent was spacious with a very nice shower. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable. He was a master at finding the lions. At one point we found 7 lions laying atop a rock formation. It was a real adventure eating breakfast out in the bush. Quite a treat. The most amazing thing we saw was a group of vultures picking apart a carcass. That was fascinating. The amount of Wildebeest to be seen was staggering. I'm really grateful that our host had someone get me early one morning to photograph a pride of lions eating a zebra which was located just inside the camp area. I was the only one to get the shots. 

Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp was by far the most "Rustic." It is located in the Forrest. Much cooler weather than the other camps. It is set right next to the entrance to the crater. It was nice to get into the crater early. Our guide got us to the action immediately. We saw lions right off the bat. 5 females, 3 males and 9 cubs in one spot. Unfortunately for one of the males it was attacked by the 5 females. Fortunately for me I got it on camera. Oh and the 2 other males were eating a wildebeest. It seems we were the last guests of the season. But you would not have known it. We were treated like royalty especially by our tent attendant. The food was great and the tents comfy. That will happen with a heater in the room and hot water bottle in the bed.

Let me say something about the tent attendants. They were spectacular at every camp. They were there to help Tracy and myself every step of the way. It was really appreciated.