Photo: Anisha Shah
waving their trunks around to signal
hunger to the rangers. After feeding,
the elephants interact, play with each
other, roll around in the mud and raise
a chorus of sighs and laughter among
visitors. The experience will melt the
hardest of hearts.
Stop for lunch at upmarket Karen
Blixen coffee gardens. Driving
through Karen, you can’t fail to be
wowed by huge gated mansions, lush
tree-lined boulevards and large expat
community. It’s a wealthy enclave
with heavy security and some of the
city’s finest schools. Karen Blixen was
the Danish author best known for her
account of living in Kenya, made into
film ‘Out of Africa.’ The restaurant, set
amidst lush flower-filled gardens is
an oasis serving international cuisine
and cocktails. Expect to hear a range
of foreign accents, as expats from
around the globe fill the spot.
The Langata Giraffe Centre, run by
the African Fund for endangered
wildlife, is a haven for the rare
Rothschilds giraffe and runs education
programmes on conservation. The
elevated feeding platform is fun for
all the family to interact with and feed
the giraffes.
Nairobi has a fabulous food scene,
for all budgets. Tamarind remains a
firm favourite, situated on Karen Road
and serving up fresh seafood. My
personal favourite, Mandhari at the
Serena Nairobi serves the best Lobster
Thermidor in town. Be sure to try East
African staple, Matoke, derived from
green bananas, which can be cooked
in various ways and is inexpensive,
delicious and filling.
Kenya and safari go hand-in-hand
and has propelled the country to
international tourism stardom. The
most popular spot is the Masai Mara, a
short plane hop from Nairobi’s Charles
Wilson Airport.
Safari heart – Masai
Mara
Arrival can be a bumpy landing in the
bush on the small bush planes. You’ve
been warned. Wilderness begins here,
as curious animals line the runway.
Keep your eyes peeled as even the
drive to base camp is a game drive,
often spotting elephants and giraffe
almost instantly. Naibor Camp is full
of heart and soul. With unparalleled
wildlife, game drives that can last
all-day at the wish of guests, and
special touches at base and out in the
bush, Naibor is an intimate boutique
couple-run property with a family
feel. Secreted inside the bush, hidden
entirely by vegetation it is, in theory,
a mobile camp. An eco-warrior of the
bush, expect luxury in environmentally friendly and sustainable measures. With so many beautiful places in
the Mara, it’s difficult to distinguish an
exceptional base. Naibor’s heart comes
from the manager-couple. Originally
from Sydney, Ken and Michelle moved
to the Mara as passionate wildlife
photographers. What they bring is
the friendliest heartiest environment,
striving to make this home from home
for both themselves and guests. As an
intimate camp with few suites, guests
join a family ambiance. Socialise
over drinks around the fire at dusk
and communal meals always with
a healthy dose of roaring laughter
and fine wine. Michelle has firmly
imprinted her culinary stamp on the
kitchens, where she experiments with
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