{"id":10089,"date":"2019-08-15T08:56:53","date_gmt":"2019-08-15T08:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/AFRICAtime\/?p=10089"},"modified":"2020-07-07T09:05:30","modified_gmt":"2020-07-07T08:05:30","slug":"african-safari-diaries-the-marus-go-back-to-their-roots-with-a-family-holiday-in-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/african-safari-diaries-the-marus-go-back-to-their-roots-with-a-family-holiday-in-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"African Safari Diaries &#8211; The Marus go back to their roots with a family Holiday in Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Anixa and Suresh Maru recently visited Kenya along with their two children, who had never been to Kenya before. They chose Kenya as a destination for their family holiday as they wanted to show their children their roots.<\/p>\n<p>They consulted us and we helped to create a bespoke itinerary which would enable them to spend a few days in Nairobi, where Suresh was born, as well as enjoy a safari and beach holiday. They have shared their experience and some lovely photos from their trip.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">1. \u00a0Was this your first time visiting Kenya? What made you decide to visit?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">We had visited Kenya before but not with the children. We really decided to visit Kenya this time as we wanted to show the children our roots as my husband is from Nairobi and I was born in Uganda. We also wanted them to experience the Masai Mara and all the wonderful wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10098\" style=\"width: 778px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10098\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-10098 size-large\" title=\" On safari with Somak!\" src=\"http:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-15-20-41-27-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Somak safari vehicle\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-15-20-41-27.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-15-20-41-27-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10098\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On safari with Somak!<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10108\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10108\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-10108 size-large\" title=\"On safari\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-08-14-58-09-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"On safari\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-08-14-58-09.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-08-14-58-09-399x300.jpg 399w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-08-14-58-09-768x577.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10108\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On safari<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">2. \u00a0How did you choose your itinerary?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">We spoke to Parita from Somak Holidays and together we created a bespoke itinerary based on where we wanted to visit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>We spent 3 nights in Nairobi before heading to the Masai Mara for 3 nights, after which we spent 7 nights in Mombasa, before flying back to London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">3. \u00a0Where did you stay whilst on your trip and what was your favourite property and place?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">In Nairobi we stayed at Ibis Styles in Nairobi Westlands, at Mara Sopa Lodge when in the Masai Mara, and finally Neptune Paradise Beach Hotel and Spa in Mombasa.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">For me the Neptune was lovely, in a beautiful location.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10097\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10097\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-10097 size-large\" title=\"Time in Mombasa\" src=\"http:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-15-18-22-39-781x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Neptune Paradise Beach Hotel, Mombasa\" width=\"781\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-15-18-22-39.jpg 781w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-15-18-22-39-229x300.jpg 229w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-15-18-22-39-768x1007.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 781px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10097\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A beach holiday in Mombasa<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10096\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10096\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-10096 size-large\" title=\"Sunset in Mombasa\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-13-12-13-51-819x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Sunset in Mombasa\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-13-12-13-51.jpeg 819w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-13-12-13-51-240x300.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-13-12-13-51-768x960.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10096\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sunset in Mombasa<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">4. \u00a0 \u00a0What were the highlights from your trip?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">I would say the highlights were visiting a Masai tribe and experiencing their culture, the game drives and chilling in Mombasa on the beautiful beach.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10099\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10099\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-10099 size-large\" title=\"Children of the Maasai Tribe\" src=\"http:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-21-51-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Children of the Masai Tribe\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-21-51-2.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-21-51-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-21-51-2-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10099\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Children of the Masai Tribe<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_10100\" style=\"width: 736px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10100\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-10100 size-full\" title=\" Maasai Tribe\" src=\"http:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-30-45-2.jpg\" alt=\" Masai Tribe\" width=\"726\" height=\"564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-30-45-2.jpg 726w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-30-45-2-386x300.jpg 386w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10100\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Masai Tribe<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">5. \u00a0 Do you have any advice or tips for anyone thinking of going to Kenya for a holiday?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">I would say definitely do the safari and follow the instructions of your driver whilst on safari, for example not coming out of your vehicle. Good to pack a light jacket or jumper as we found morning game drives were chilly.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10091\" style=\"width: 778px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10091\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-10091 size-large\" title=\"An elephant in Masai Mara\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-05-17-22-55-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"An elephant in Masai Mara\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-05-17-22-55.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-05-17-22-55-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10091\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An elephant in the Masai Mara<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">6 What were your special memories from this trip?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Special memories would be seeing a leopard sleeping in a tree with its kill so close. It was amazing!<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Also celebrating both mine and my husband&#8217;s birthdays African style!<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10112\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10112\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-10112 size-large\" title=\"Leopard sleeping in a tree\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-33-47-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Leopard sleeping in a tree\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-33-47.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-33-47-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-16-17-33-47-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10112\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leopard sleeping in a tree<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\">My husband also got to visit his old school and home whilst we were in Nairobi, so it was a lovely trip down memory lane for him, as well as nice for the children to see in person the home that they had heard so much about from stories told to them by their grandmother.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Especially wonderful was Suresh&#8217;s visit to his school, Oshwal Boys Secondary School, which he left in 1971, and to his surprise discovered that the school register still holds his records from 1968!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/p>\n<p>If after reading about the Maru&#8217;s experience you would like to book a safari and beach holiday, you can read more about our range of holidays here:\u00a0<strong>https:\/\/www.somak.com\/kenya-safari<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We would love to work with you to plan the safari holiday of a lifetime. For more information on how our safari experts can help you, call Somak Holidays today on 020 8423 3000.<\/p>\n<p><em>Please note all photos featured are credited to Anixa and Suresh Maru.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":10098,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[437,603,440,442,604,11,600,1,580],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","category-african-safari-diaries","category-culture","category-family","category-inspiration-africa","category-kenya","category-testimonials","category-uncategorized","category-wildlife-and-safari"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/PHOTO-2019-07-15-20-41-27.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10089"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10089\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10856,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10089\/revisions\/10856"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}