Africa is a very ambiguous continent, shrouded in myths, mystery and even a halo of danger.
And, nevertheless, only here you can plunge into the world of real wildlife and face to face with animals, about which they have always read in children's fairy tales and seen only in zoos. And a lion three meters from you, peacefully enjoying an afternoon nap or a family of hippos taking baths in the Mara River are pictures that haunt you for a long time.
The first time we arrived on a safari in Kenya with Anton in February 2016 - for a long time we were looking for something unbanal and memorable for our honeymoon. And so impressed that we even already had our first travel bachelorette party in September 2016.
Why am I writing this post? To inspire you on a journey.
Of course, we will be glad if you go with Girls in travel next year and experience all the emotions that safari gives: the dawn in the savannah and wild, majestic animals a meter away from you.
Because I believe that we have got the perfect trip for girls, even in such a country that would seem to be completely unsuitable for this.
But if you decide on this trip yourself - I want to dispel some myths and help you plan your dream trip. I also want you to fall in love with Africa and leave a piece of yourself here. She definitely deserves it.
Yes, we are talking about Kenya and Tanzania.
So let's go.
In the beginning, about inspiration. If I was going to Africa for the first time now, I would definitely watch and read these books and films:
To read:
An African Love Story by Daphne Sheldrick
"Born Free" Adamson Joy
Read or watch:
"White Masai" by Hofmann Corinna (it’s better to read, the film does not describe events so vividly).
"From Africa" Karen Blixen (better to watch, I love this film for the atmosphere).
This collection is my favorite of all read and viewed. Highly recommend.
1. NIROBI HOW TO DO NOT Spoil YOURSELF THE FIRST IMPRESSION
The first impression of Nairobi depends entirely on where you left off. Yes, yes, I know, this is not only in Nairobi, but in Africa it is especially noticeable.
In general, African cities are not at all conducive to long walks and searches for secret places and cozy coffee houses.
Last time, Anton and I decided to stay in the center, as it seemed to us - an ideal option. But after passing a couple of streets, we quickly changed our minds. We attracted so much attention! Each one told us something, poked a finger, tried to touch, the last straw was men with machine guns who required a passport, and told us not to roam around the city, but to return to the hotel. I understand that tourists here do not walk in search of cozy streets and atmospheric coffee houses. They lived in some terrible brothel with green walls, a fan under the ceiling and a window overlooking the well. And this happiness with the proud name Kipepeo cost $ 80.
This time the girls and I lived in the Westlands area - a wonderful hotel, near shopping centers, hipster coffee houses for girls, ideal supermarkets, palm trees in orderly rows along the road. Everything is so decorous and beautiful that I begin to doubt whether I am in the city the same as last time.
And I can’t even believe that a couple of kilometers from here there is Cyberra - millions of slums almost in the center of the metropolis.
Read about our first trip to Kenya here.
For example, how to get to Cyberra and how dangerous it is.
To go to Cyberra or not is up to you. But to feed the giraffes in the Giraffe center is a must.
You can also go to the elephants in the shelter of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, if it turns out in time, because they feed and let visitors in only in the morning.