Group & Student Travel | IMA Safaris Africa & South America

Another unforgettable part of my trip was the safari excursions. During the past three weeks, I had the amazing opportunity to embark on two safaris: the Watamu Beach Safari and the Masai Mara Game Reserve and Nairobi Overnight Trek. The wildlife and culture showcased on each safari were incredible to encounter. Masai Mara was particularly memorable, as I have never seen so many animals thriving together in their natural habitat all in one place. Additionally, visiting the local Maasai villages was a fascinating experience, as it revealed how the Maasai people build a strong community despite their limited resources. Overall, both the Watamu Beach Safari and the Masai Mara Game Reserve and Nairobi Overnight Trek were amazing, and the wildlife and culture showcased on each safari were truly unforgettable.

My safari experience was genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The staff and our driver were exceptionally accommodating and friendly. The culinary offerings were truly delightful, and the safari itself—especially witnessing the grandeur of the Maasai Mara Reserve—was a breathtaking spectacle. The variety of animals we encountered added an extra layer of awe and amazement to the journey.

Beginning our four-day excursion to Maasai Mara, we departed for the airport at 6:00 a.m. The first part of the trip consisted of reaching Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. We landed in Nairobi around 9:30 a.m., where we were greeted by our safari guide, Cornell. We stopped at a mall for breakfast and cash before heading to the Sheldrick Orphanage. At the orphanage, they brought the elephants into an open area with a watering hole. Afterwards, we drove into Nairobi National Park for our first game drive, where we were able to see many rhinos, zebras, and giraffes. Following our two-hour game drive in Nairobi National Park, we ate at an adorable B&B. After this stop, we visited the Nairobi Giraffe Centre, where we had the pleasure of feeding Betty, named after one of the founders. The Rothschild giraffe’s tongue differs from the Maasai giraffes, who are known to be slobbery. Around 6:00 p.m., we reboarded the jeep with the final destination of our hotel. Nairobi is considered the New York City of Kenya, which became evident as we drove through the city to our hotel. Since it attracts a large number of businesspeople and tourists, it makes sense that the area is more developed. There are endless types of cuisine. When we arrived at the hotel, Ibis Styles, we were further shocked by how modern and beautiful it was—you could compare it to a fancy hotel in the States. It was so fancy that for the first ten minutes my roommate and I could not figure out how to turn on the lights. We even called maintenance before realizing you had to insert your keycard to get power. Originally, we had discussed eating out in the city since we had more cuisine options, but that idea quickly dissipated upon seeing the commotion of the streets. Luckily, the hotel had a rooftop bar overlooking the city where we stayed up too late enjoying drinks and food. Beginning our six-hour journey from Nairobi to Maasai Mara, we stopped at the Great Rift Valley observation spot. The Great Rift Valley extends from Jordan in the Middle East to Mozambique in Africa. The rift was created through the shifting of tectonic plates, resulting in the formation of several volcanoes. From this overlook, you can see Mt. Suswa, Mt. Kenya, and Mt. Korosi. Maasai Mara is located on the far left-hand side behind Mt. Suswa. Since there is only one main road leading through the valley, there is not a more direct route across to Maasai Mara. In Maasai Mara, we stayed at the Simba and Oryx Nature Camp. The camp contained a main lodge where meals were served and eight rooms. The rooms were similar to a large yurt—a wooden structure covered by a tent. The doors were glass, which enhanced the idea that we were one with nature. There weren’t any fans or air conditioning within the camp, but the evenings were cool like the high country. When leaving or returning to our room after dark, a guide escorted us because the camp is open to the reserve. The park is famous for its Great Migration of around 1.5 million wildebeest, but is home to many animals of interest. We were all dumbfounded by Cornell’s ability to traverse the landscape when hearing sightings over his radio. We were able to see all of the Big Five if you included the white rhino we saw in Nairobi. It is surreal to spend a total of twenty hours driving through lush savannah, seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. I don’t know that a zoo will ever be the same for me. Before leaving on our last day, we had the pleasure of meeting and entering a Maasai village. The Maasai are one of the many tribes found in Kenya, and they are known for the continued preservation of their culture. Many remain near Maasai Mara and uphold the traditional lifestyle of their ancestors. Maasai are easily identified by their red cloth. Red is said to be a color of strength and also stands out among the green vegetation. Before entering the village, we were welcomed with a dance from the men. One of the men wears a lion mane during the dance. It was incredible to be welcomed into their homes and learn about their lifestyle and beliefs after hearing so much about them in Mombasa. Overall, I really could not have asked for a better safari experience.