Kenya Safari: Dr Isabelle Standen’s Journey with Somak Luxury Travel

When Dr Isabelle Standen opened an old suitcase of her late father’s belongings, she wasn’t expecting to uncover a thread that would tie her family’s past and present together. Among the keepsakes was a reminder of his travels; journeys curated by Somak Luxury Travel decades ago. What she didn’t realise until that moment was that she had been unknowingly walking in his footsteps all along.

 

Her father, Mr Dias, had trusted Somak to design his tailor‑made holidays, and years later, Isabelle found herself doing the very same thing. The coincidence was striking: the same company, the same travel expert, and the same passion for East Africa. What began as her father’s tradition has now become a living legacy, carried forward by Isabelle and her own family.

The connection with Sanjay

Isabelle remembers her father often speaking about “an excellent travel agent in North London.” The name he mentioned was Sanjay. At the time, it was just a detail in her father’s stories. Decades later, when Isabelle began planning her own safaris, she realised she was working with the very same person.

“Little did I know that I was using the same agent for our tailor‑made safaris to Kenya 30 years later!” she says.

That connection has endured. Sanjay is still part of her family’s travel story, helping her plan her upcoming holiday to Tanzania and Kenya this coming February, which will be her eighth visit to East Africa.

Why Kenya keeps calling

 

For Isabelle, Kenya is more than a destination; it’s a place that feels like home:

“Our whole family loves Kenya. We first visited in 1992 for our honeymoon. We returned in 1996. In 2005 we took our daughters on their first safari when they were aged 9 and 11. We keep returning because Kenya is such a friendly and welcoming country. There is guaranteed wildlife, accommodation is superb and Somak guides are simply the best.”

Her words capture the essence of why travellers return again and again to book their dream escapes with Somak: the warmth of the people at service, the thrill of the wildlife, and the comfort of knowing every detail has been thought through.

 

Tailor‑made adventures

 

What keeps Isabelle loyal to Somak is the way each trip feels personal.

“We will always use Somak because they put together fantastic tailor‑made holidays for us at competitive prices. They listen to their clients and don’t send you to upmarket places with spa facilities and gourmet dining unless you request it.”

For her, it’s not just about luxury’s sake, it’s about experiences that fit her family’s style. Whether it’s wilderness adventures or family‑friendly safaris, Somak has always delivered holidays that feel like they were designed just for them.

 

Memories with guides

No safari is complete without the people who bring it to life. Isabelle speaks fondly of Somak’s driver‑guides, especially Martin Weru.

“Martin is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and a fantastic guide. Always knows the best place to position the Land Cruiser to get the best photos. One of my happiest memories is of Martin joining us for a swim in the natural pool at Buffalo Springs. A trip with Martin is like travelling with a best friend. We love him.”

It’s these moments, the laughter by a pool, shared stories on the road, the perfect photo captured at just the right time, that turn a holiday into a memory that lasts.

 

Looking ahead

As Isabelle prepares for her next adventure, she knows it will be another chance to connect with East Africa in a way that feels both familiar and new. The landscapes may change, the lodges may differ, but the spirit of discovery remains the same.

At Somak Luxury Travel, we are proud to have been part of journeys like this one, journeys that link generations, create lifelong friendships, and remind us that the best travel stories are the ones that keep growing.

Now it’s your turn to imagine the adventures waiting for you. Get in touch with our travel experts by email at holidays@somak.co.uk or call 020 8423 3000

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