Celebrations in Kenya - July 2026
By Darren Rees
Jambo! That’s Swahili for hello, and it’s a warm welcome we heard everywhere in Kenya, the home of the safari – safari’s another Swahili word, meaning journey.
Where to start to describe our journey? Since childhood I’ve wanted to visit Kenya - I’ve pictured grassy plains full of antelope, zebras and elephants, underneath a snow-capped Kilimanjaro. Well, the snow may have retreated a bit (it’s still there), but the iconic view of big game across the savannah of Amboseli lived up to the expectation. Yet this trip was much, much more than I imagined. Highlights came thick and fast, from mud-bathing elephants on day one, to our jeep being surrounded by both lekking Ostriches and rhinos on the last day – where do you look first? Night-time activities yielded muscular lions, cute bushbabies, silent owls and strikingly marked Genets and a Civet.
African Lion Zebra Malachite Kingfisher Long-crested Eagle Unstriped Ground Squirrel Spotted Eagle Owl Small Spotted Genet Hunter's Sunbird Hippopotamus Gerenuk
Wetlands were busy with an array of egrets, herons, storks, ibises, flamingos and pelicans. Aptly named birds such as Superb Starling, Gorgeous Sunbird, Lilac-breasted Roller and Red-and-yellow Barbet added a riot of colour.
Some things were unexpected, such as finding a rare black melanistic Serval. Some things we hoped for and our wishes were thankfully granted. Getting close to a trio of painted Wild Dogs was something I’ve waited for, for a long time - they were truly beautiful. So too was the female Cheetah that we watched for over an hour - first gazing across the savannah, then creeping furtively through to view a Thomson’s Gazelle that inched nearer and nearer and finally exploding into life, sprinting to catch its prey - this time Thomy got away.
African Elephant Cheetah African Lion Black Serval Hammerkop Hartlaub's Bustard Lesser Kudu Little Bee-eater Pied Kingfisher White Rhino Wild Dogs
There was so much wildlife wherever we journeyed, but perhaps our time in Tsavo National Park was the most special. We stayed at an intimate small lodge run by a Wildlife Trust, where we could witness first-hand their pioneering work with orphaned elephants. This was no zoo – we walked on foot with young elephants in the African bush as they were encouraged to mix with their wild cousins - a humbling experience and tears were shed. I really can’t praise the work of the dedicated team of keepers and staff enough. I do hope we can return – join me!
If you would like to join us on a bespoke trip, or indeed, to Kenya, please email us or phone 01479 812498 to register your interest. We shall let you know as soon as further information is available.
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