A day on Safari in Kenya |
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A Somak Driver
Have you ever wondered what a safari is really like? Are you curious to know what goes on behind the scenes? Here we follow Simon Wangai, one of Somak's driver guides in Kenya, for one day to get a 'behind-the-scenes' view of life on safari. Day 1 06.00 am - I am at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi waiting for the flight that will bring in my seven clients commencing the Samburu Safari. I am all packed, and have everything I need ready for a safari that will cover the most exciting parks and reserves in our country. Despite having led safaris for over ten years, every one is different and it is interesting to meet new people. Ten minutes to landing I join the representative, whose job it is to welcome the guests and give a briefing. I am happy to be allocated this safari as in the group are repeat clients who I took on a safari two years ago. The passengers clear immigration and soon we have everyone accounted for. Having made introductions we board the bus for the ten minutes drive to the Somak lounge. Our clients are pleasantly surprised to have a facility where they can freshen up and have some breakfast after the long flight. The group is already excited after seeing four giraffes sighted at the Nairobi National Park fence en route from the airport. While the representative is briefing the group, I chat with the repeat clients and we catch up on news since they were last here. They have specifically booked to see the wildebeest migration this year and are excited at the prospect. 08.30 am - After briefing, I collect my guests and we board the bus. I reintroduce myself to the other clients and go over the itinerary. We depart on our exciting journey winding our way through the city traffic. In no time we leave the city limits and are on our way for the first leg of our safari. I inform my clients of the countryside we shall pass through. The start of the safari covers Kikuyuland, home to the largest of Kenya's 42 tribes, with its rolling hills and bustling villages dotted with streams and fields of tea, coffee and maize. Some of the passengers see for the first time a coffee bush with berries... reminds me of a time when some guests thought coffee from Kenya came from a black cow... 10.00 am - We pass through Thika, good for pineapple plantations and the past home of Elspeth Huxley, famous author of 'The Flame Trees of Thika'. We continue north with a first washroom/fuelling stop at Sagana and on to Karatina and Kenya's largest open-air market. Our lunch stop and overnight is at an Outspan Hotel in Nyeri - a lovely country hotel on the slopes of the Aberdare range and Mt Kenya. Nyeri is Kenya's most heavily farmed area and was the home of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout movement. The area was also a stronghold of the Mau Mau movement in Kenya during the war of independence. 12.30 pm - We are in time for a buffet lunch. Some clients are now weary, others plan to take a dip in the inviting pool or take part in the hotel's activities. I am planning to get the bus cleaned and checked after travelling on the 'disco' sectors as we driver guides call the pot-holed road sectors. The repeat clients brief others in the group on sunburn and the wonders of Tusker beer. I add a reminder on Malaria medication. We also discuss tomorrow's plan. Heading north and crossing the Equator - there is a clear view of the majestic Mt Kenya. As the sun goes down my guests and I prepare for the evening¿ somewhere in the village, smoke is curling upwards from the hut and a grandmother is ready to recite stories to her grandchildren as they wait for their evening meal... Perhaps we have inspired you to join the Somak team! Here are some of the current UK based vacancies. Apply to join the team today, and who knows where it will lead? If you have any questions for our safari driver, simply address them to him at soglobal@somak.co.uk.
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