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Sheila K
2024.03.05
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EXCELLENT SAFARI EXPERIENCE WITH SUNWORLD SAFARIS
I have just returned from a 15-day safari in Kenya, booked with Sunworld Safaris in Nairobi through Let's Go Africa in Austria. The main point of the safari was to visit the orphaned elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi Nursery and the three Reintegration Units in Ithumba, Voi and Umani Springs (only possible for Foster Parents). However, there was also plenty of time for relaxation and to go on general game drives. From the very first contact with Hr. Nowak (Let's Go Africa), I was impressed by the speed and efficiency in which he responded to my questions and advised me about the various aspects of the safari. Sunworld Safaris are well versed with the set up at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust units, so they were a perfect choice to organise the safari. I agreed the itinerary with Hr. Nowak and together we managed to find 6 more participants to join the safari, in order to make it affordable. I felt very safe and confident that everything was going to work according to plan, and it did! We had the experience of a lifetime and all our expectations were exceeded. We have come home with the wish to book the next safari with Sunworld as soon as possible! Sunworld Safaris' Airport Representative, Baraka, was waiting at the airport to collect us upon arrival. We were soon joined by Armstrong, who was going to be our driver and guide for the next two weeks. We can't praise Armstrong highly enough. He is an excellent driver and guide and he has extensive knowledge of the wildlife and birds in Kenya. He looked after us well, was always punctual, polite and friendly, and was good company. He really knew how to make our safari experience the best one possible. In Nairobi we were booked into the Tamarind Tree Hotel, which is ideally located and the perfect place from which to start the safari. Before the actual "elephant safari" started, we visited the giraffe centre in Nairobi. This was a good experience and we learnt a lot about the giraffe and were able to feed them. We also did a half-day safari in the Nairobi National Park, where we enjoyed a picknick lunch. The private visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's elephant orphanage was very special and we were able to meet our youngest adopted elephants (and rhinos) and spend some time with them. In Ithumba (Tsavo East) and Umani we stayed at the Sheldrick's Eco Lodges. They are very comfortable, clean and full of charachter. Each Lodge is enchanting in its own way and is set in peaceful surroundings. The staff were very friendly and did everything they could to make are stay pleasant and memorable. The food in the Lodges also exceeded all our expectations! The meals were prepared by the camp chefs and were so delicious. There was always a variety of dishes and the food was healthy and nicely prepared. In both camps we were able to visit our foster elephants three times a day. The head keepers and their teams were always on hand to answer our questions and give us loads of information about the orphans, ex orphans and wild elephants who visit. It was a wonderful experience. In between our stays at the Sheldrick Lodges we spent three nights at Leopards Lair in the Lumo conservancy. This small lodge is part of Sunworld Safaris' Soroi Group. It is very well situated, with lovely views. Again, the staff were most friendly and welcoming and the food was very good and nicely presented. The accommodation is full of character and it was very pleasant to sit and relax in the open living area. Our trip ended with three nights in Ol Tukai Lodge in the Amboseli National Park. The Lodge is very well situated in the middle of the park, but it is very large (80 rooms) and touristy and it took some getting used to following our stays in the previous three small, intimate Lodges. We preferred the smaller Lodges, but there aren't any smaller lodges in the centre of the Amboseli National Park. The food in Ol Tukai wasn't that good. There was a large buffet and the food was more or less the same for lunch and dinner and every day. However, the staff were friendly, polite and helpful. Also, we were able to enjoy some fantastic game drives in the park. All in all I can highly recommend Sunworld Safaris. Their service was excellent from start to finish and I will certainly book with them again in the future.