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In the past few weeks me and my dad William went on an investigative safari to the best National Parks and Game Reserves in the country. Our main objective was to visit some of the best accommodation places within and outside the very best National Parks and Reserves in the country. Our first stop over was at the Mount Kenya region where we spent the night at Castle Forest Lodge which was renovated recently to accommodate slightly over thirty guests. The main house contains three double rooms, restaurant, bar / reception and a veranda surrounding it. On the three and a half hectares you will find a bungalow outfitted for four persons and eight cottages furnished for two, each one of them appointed with a fire place and bathroom. The activities at Castle Forest Lodge include: Mountain Climbing, Fishing and Nature Treks.

After having breakfast we drove to the the Meru National Park which covers a huge area, which includes Kora National Reserve, Bisanadi, Rahole and Mwingi and a tiny part of a rare Ngaya, which I hear is an elephant nursery. But apart from that, it’s a rare dry forest with no water in it. The International Fund for Animal Welfare(IFAW) helped restock the park with 66 elephants, 20 grevy zebras, 6111 common zebra, 411 impalas, 71 reticulated giraffes, 128 bohor reedbucks, 18 leopard and 65 rhinos.

Leopard Rock Lodge which is an exclusive, with 15 bandas. You can go for bush breakfasts and sundowners on the original Leopard Rock. Leopard Rock was once the domain of Joy Adamson as she climbed Kopje not far from the lodge that takes its name.

The game drive was interesting and we were spoilt for choice on the morning game drive. There’s colour everywhere. The lilac of the roller, the black of the ostrich with its purple neck, the kingfisher’s colours and so much more. Although it was hot, it’s a real treat to enter the foyer of Leopard Rock Lodge .

We visited Elsa’s Kopje after breakfast which is a luxurious oasis in the wilds of Meru National Park. Elsa’s Kopje was named after Elsa the lioness made famous by George and Joy Adamson in the film ‘Born Free’, released into the wild here in Meru. Elsa’s Kopje offers 9 stone and thatch guest cottages which are crafted around the natural features of the hill. Elsa’s Private House is set apart from the rest of the lodge, providing complete exclusivity and privacy. The house consists of two double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom with a large bath-tub. Some of the activities include: day & night game drives, guided bush walks, bush meals, sundowners, cultural visits to the Tharaka tribal village, day excursions to the Tana River with packed lunches, line fishing and massage.

After visiting the only two accommodation places in Meru National Park and having seen lots of wildlife within this pristine national park, we drove to Samburu National Reserve where we spend 4 nights at Samburu Intrepids which is set on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. This luxurious tented lodge offers 27 fully equipped modern tents all with a private view over the wildlife-rich riverbanks. Some of their activities include; game drives, walking Safaris, Camel rides, raft trips when the river is high and cultural visits to the local Samburu Villages.

While at Samburu we visited one lodge (Samburu Sopa Lodge ) and 2 tented camps set within the National Reserve and among them were; Sentrim Samburu and Elephant Bedroom Camp . Sentrim Samburu which is a new tented camp has 20 fully furnished tents set on the banks of Ewaso Nyiro. The tents are very spacious and boasts the very latest in luxury camping. Elephant Bedroom Camp was another luxurious camp that we inspected. This exclusive camp is located deep inside the reserve and guarantees close encounters with samburu’s shier species, including elephant, leopard and Samburu’s famous “Special five”.

The camp is small and exclusive camp of 12 luxury tents - an ideal honeymoon safari camp - all furnished in rustic African style while offering all the comforts expected of a luxury safari camp (hot & cold running water, electricity and herbal products). Samburu Sopa Lodge was the last lodge we visited, it’s perched in the middle of the northern part of the Samburu National Reserve . The lodge is approximately 30 minutes from the Ewaso Nyiro and 45 from the airstrip. The lodge offers 60 double rooms designed as dual adjacent cottages.

Our next destination from Samburu was Nakuru. We stopped at Maili Saba Camp for a quick inspection, the camp is a simple one but offers a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Each tent of the camp has a private verandah overlooking the magnificent Menengai crater. Activities at Maili Saba Camp include: Game drives to Lake Nakuru National Park which is 20 minutes away from the camp,Bike rides, visits to the famous hot springs of Lake Bogoria, Hellsgate or Thompsons falls, golfing, hiking, bush dinners, bush sundowners, horse rides, balloon rides and Gliding. After the short inspection we left for Mbweha Camp where we spent 2 nights. According to my dad this was the best accommodation place in Lake Nakuru. The camp is outside the park approximately 25 minutes from Nderit Gate – one of the gates into Lake Nakuru National Park . Mbweha Camp is tucked away on a private 6,400 acre game conservancy, nestled up against the Southern Boundary of Lake Nakuru National Park with views of Eburu & Mau ranges. The camp has 10 cottages built of lava stone and thatched makuti roof add glamour and style to its contemporary African ambience. The activities include: Game drives, Educational bush and Nature walks, Bike rides, Hiking, Bush Dinners, Bush Sundowners, Balloon rides & Gliding. The following day we visited Flamingo Hill Camp which is a small and exclsive camp comprising of 25 tents which are furnished with the amenities required by the modern traveler. The activities include: Game drives, Balloon rides, Excursions to Hells Gate National Park, Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria. The only disadvantage with this place is that it is set close to the town and once in a while clients complain about the noise. Later we took off for Lakiaro Camp which is a small, private and exclusive camp perched in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park. This small camp comprises of 6 camps overlooking Lake Nakuru. The activities include: Game drives, Balloon rides, Excursions to Hells Gate National Park, Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria.

After spending 2 nights at Mbweha Camp , we leave for the southern end of the Masai Mara National Reserve where we spend 2 nights at Naibor camp which consists of 7 large classic safari tents, 6 doubles and 1 twin, plus all have a 10 ft open verandah. All tents are made from pale khaki canvas and insect-proof white mesh. The activities at Naibor Camp include: Day & Night game drives, Nature walks, fly camping and visits to the local villges.

After spending the 2 nights at Naibor Camp, we passed by Basecamp Masai Mara which is located in area with optimal chance of viewing wildlife. It is particularly designed for eco guests, adventurers, nature lovers, hobby naturalists and photographers. The camp offers 15 spacious tents with double- or twin beds. This camp is only ideal for that basic clients whose main aim is seen the game. The activities here include: Game drives, balloon safaris, Nature walks, sundowner and bush breakfast.

The next place we visited was ILkeliani Camp which is an eco-friendly permanent tented camp, centrally located in the Masai Mara . ILkeliani has twelve tents with each guest tent positioned on the edge of the Talek River looking out onto the Masai Mara plains. Activities here include: Sundowner, nature walks, cultural talks and game drives. Later we visited Tipilikwani Camp which is the new treasure of the Masai Mara National Reserve . Tipilikwani Camp is set on the banks of the Talek River in Masai Mara surrounded by endless plains and acacia tree. Tipilikwani, is an exclusive camp offering 20 luxury tents - all furnished in rustic two design camp and lodge style offers all the luxury comforts expected. The activities at Tipilikwani are: Game drives, Bush walks, Bush meals, Picnic lunches, Sundowners, Masai cultural visits and Balloon Safaris. Later we head for Mara Serena where we will be spending 2 nights.

The following day we visited 2 camps, the first one been, Olonana Safari Camp which according to everyone, was not only nice but the best. The camp is situated on the banks of the picturesque Mara River, a premier bush camp whose unique location offers remarkable opportunities for safari adventurers. Olonana Safari Camp features twelve specious permanent bush pavilions, each tastefully appointed with two comfortable queen size beds, ensuite bathrooms with hot and cold showers, and specious river view terraces. The activities include: Game drives, walking safaris and visits to the Masai village called Enkaang. Then we visited Kilima Camp which was opened in December 2006 and is a luxurious private tented Camp bordering the Maasai Mara Conservation area. The camp consists of twelve tents and is located 1,800 metres above sea level, on top of the Siria escarpment, overlooking the Mara River (1,500 metres) with a phenomenal view, better known as “the Gods’ window”.

THE END – ONSKENIA SAFARI 2008