{"id":11479,"date":"2022-06-10T13:09:03","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T12:09:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/?p=11479"},"modified":"2022-08-24T11:56:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T10:56:41","slug":"african-safari-diaries-celebrating-a-40th-birthday-in-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/african-safari-diaries-celebrating-a-40th-birthday-in-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"African Safari Diaries : Celebrating a 40th Birthday in Kenya!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On this edition of African Safari Diaries we are sharing Henry and his husband&#8217;s trip to Kenya for a 40th birthday celebration. It was their first time going on safari and we loved hearing all about their experience!<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>\u00a0 What made you choose to go on an African Safari? Was this your first time visiting Kenya and going on a safari?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The trip was a gift to my husband for his 40th Birthday. He is a big animal lover and his dream has always been to go on one, so I wanted to make it come true! It was our first visit to Kenya and our first Safari.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><b> \u00a0 How did you hear about Somak Luxury Travel?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We used Travel Designers who really recommended Somak. I then did a fair bit of research and was impressed by the reviews and that you are experts in Safaris especially. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, the fact you have your own guides and team on the ground made a big difference as I did not want a company that outsourced everything but actually cared and did it themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><b>Where did you stay whilst on your Safari and what was your favourite property?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"attachment_11487\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11487\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-11487 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4425-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4425-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4425-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4425-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4425-1536x1151.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-11487\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: Henry McLean<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We travelled around a fair amount which was brilliant as we got to see lots of different terrains and with it many different animals. We started in Aberdares then on to Samburu then Lake Naivasha and finally the Masai Mara. The whole time having our own guide (Dedan) who was really good and the most knowledgeable person about animals I have ever met! <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For me my two favourite places were Samburu and the Masai Mara, at both of these we stayed in these luxury tents by a company called Ashnil. The tents were amazing &#8211; the word tent does not really do it justice!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_11488\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11488\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-11488 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4865-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4865-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4865-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4865-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_4865-1536x1151.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-11488\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: Henry McLean<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although that said the lake was equally as magical as being in a boat with Hippos nearby was a memory I will never forget. Hippos are scary yet beautiful at the same time in an almost hypnotic way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><b> What were the highlights from your trip?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"attachment_11485\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11485\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-11485 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_5151-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_5151-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_5151-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_5151-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_5151-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_5151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-11485\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: Henry McLean<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There were so many, it was the trip of a lifetime! Probably the highlight was the number of animals we saw &#8211; the big five (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephants and Buffalo) and everything else we could possibly want to! Also, the people were a highlight, how friendly and welcoming everyone was.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><b> Any advice or tips for anyone thinking of going on a Safari?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do it! No seriously a few tips that were given to me that made a big difference were if you can get your own exclusive 4&#215;4. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_11489\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11489\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-11489 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7650-450x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7650-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7650-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7650-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7650-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7650-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-11489\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: Henry McLean<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This meant it was a much more intimate experience with the animals and we could focus on what we wanted to see.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_11484\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11484\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-11484 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7670-450x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7670-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7670-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7670-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7670-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_7670-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-11484\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: Henry McLean<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can, get a flight over the Masai Mara &#8211; we got a Safari Link plane and the experience and views were amazing. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_11483\" style=\"width: 543px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11483\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-11483 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_9778-533x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"533\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_9778-533x300.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_9778-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_9778-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_9778-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_9778-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-11483\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: Henry McLean<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also saved us a day of driving and meant more time on the stunning Kenya coast, that&#8217;s probably my last tip &#8211; have a beach holiday after while in Kenya as the beach and sea is breathtaking!<\/span><\/p>\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<blockquote>\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<div class=\"yiv6917582331\">\n<div dir=\"ltr\">If after reading about their trip you are tempted to book a trip to Kenya be sure to check out our itineraries here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/kenya\">https:\/\/www.somak.com\/kenya<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>All photos are credited to Henry McLean<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"ltr\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On this edition of African Safari Diaries we are sharing Henry and his husband&#8217;s trip to Kenya for a 40th birthday celebration. It was their first time going on safari and we loved hearing all about their experience! \u00a0 What made you choose to go on an African Safari? Was this your first time visiting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":11486,"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":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[437,603,522,557,440,475,5,435,604,487,558,555,11,521,547,472,567,560,471,580],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","category-african-safari-diaries","category-april","category-august","category-culture","category-december","category-destinations","category-holiday-type","category-inspiration-africa","category-january","category-july","category-june","category-kenya","category-march","category-may","category-november","category-october","category-september","category-when-to-go","category-wildlife-and-safari"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_6344-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11479","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=11479"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11545,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11479\/revisions\/11545"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}