JUST BACK FROM: EAST AFRICA
TANZANIA, KENYA, AND UGANDA
| JAMBO TRAVELER! |
Africa is enchanting, spellbinding and truly unforgettable. I’ve been lucky enough to visit three times and each trip has been full of memorable wildlife sightings and deeply meaningful adventure. I’m hopelessly in love with the continent and can’t wait to share it with you. But be careful, once you’ve seen the dreamworthy landscapes, iconic wildlife, and met the amazing people, chances are, you’re incurably hooked! The continent of Africa is larger than China, India, the (contiguous) United States and most of Europe combined. At roughly three times the size of the United States, the vast African continent is home to 54 counties, 9 of which are renowned for their world-class safaris. And each of those 9 countries has its own diversity of cultures, wildlife, and landscapes. |
| OUR JOURNEY |
| I recently returned from an unforgettable journey through Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda with Abercrombie & Kent. We started our journey with two nights on the island of Zanzibar before flying over to mainland Tanzania to begin our safari. In Tanzania we went to Tarangire National Park with its abundant elephant population, the famed Ngorongoro Crater with nearly 30,000 animals sustained within its walls, and the iconic Serengeti where a diversity of wildlife roams the endless planes. After Tanzania we crossed the border into Kenya to the Maasai Mara, home to a portion of the famous nomadic Maasai tribe who for thousands of years have co-existed with wildlife and finished our safari in Northern Kenya in the unique region of Laikipia where they are making tremendous headway in rhino conservation. To cap off our trip we traveled to Uganda to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. |
| DID YOU FEEL SAFE? |
That’s the number one question I’ve been asked since I returned. And my answer is a resounding yes. Everywhere we went health and safety was the upmost priority. Africa is a lot safer than most people think. Like any destination, travelers should always have their wits about them and be vigilant, as they would anywhere else. I didn’t put myself in situations to compromise my safety just like there are certain places here in the US that I wouldn’t travel to alone at night. That’s just common (travel) sense. But even walking through the crowded local market near Lake Manyara or the winding streets of Stone Town we were not approached, hassled, or ever threated. It’s also important to remember that when you are on safari you are typically always accompanied by a local guide and/or driver. And you’ll have access to a 24/7 guardian angel or concierge for the duration of your trip. To give you some added peace of mind, when you plan your trip with me you can know you are travelling with a respected and well-established local operator. Whether you’re an apprehensive, first-time traveler to Africa or a seasoned Africa addict you are in good hands, not to mention you can count on convenience, security, and seamless logistics during your trip. |
| HOW WAS THE FOOD? |
| The food will exceed the expectations of both the most adventurous and pickiest of eaters. The lodges are prepared to handle dietary needs and, in some cases, even Kosher meals. All food is prepared in kitchens following international safety, health, and quality standards. At every meal the selection of food is familiar to US tastes or you can venture to try a local dish. You will never go hungry, but don’t worry – calories don’t count when you’re on vacation! Although most travelers are cautious about drinking tap water in any foreign country, it is safe to drink from the tap in South Africa’s urban areas. Although this is not advisable in the more rural and remote areas including where I traveled in East Africa; however, the lodges where you will stay when you book with me will have state-of-the-art water purification and bottling plants. Recyclable glass bottles of safe-to-drink water, both still and sparkling, are provided in every guest suite, throughout the lodges, at every meal, as well as on every game drive enabling you to stay hydrated without any worry. |
| WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART? |
| We saw countless amazing wildlife including the Great Migration of Zebra and Wildebeest across the plains of the Serengeti, but my favorite part of the trip was the hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara in Kenya. It was a magical and truly unforgettable experience. Admittingly, I was not excited to take the hot air balloon ride as I am not a thrill seeker and don’t enjoy heights, but as soon as we took off all my fears were assuaged. As we floated over the snaking Masai River with the mist rising over the vast landscape it felt like a dream. We saw hippo pods cooling in the river, heard elephants trumpeting as we drifted by, and a watched a magnificent sunrise peak over the horizon. |
There’s nothing quite like going on safari. As Karen Blixen, the Danish author portrayed in the move “Out of Africa” said, “there is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne – bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”
ABOUT KYLIE EARLY TRAVEL
We specialize in designing custom luxury itineraries with a seamless planning process, making it fun and stress-free for you.
No two itineraries are the same because no two clients are the same. We travel extensively in search of the best of the best, the hidden gems, the forever favorites and the newly discovered destinations to better incorporate them into client itineraries.
Through our relationships with industry partners we ensure you receive exclusive access and preferential service. Our clients are flagged as “VIP” at hotels, receive added hotel amenities, and the best rooms.
