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Overland Safari 1 – departs from Kenya

Our first Overland Safari was a 32 day tour through Eastern Africa. We travelled from Kenya through to Uganda, onto Rwanda and finished with a week in Tanzania – our last stop being the beautiful Zanzibar. We averaged about a week in each country and although there were some long drive days, our itinerary was jam packed with game drives, nature walks, adrenaline junkie activities, relaxation and many funny moments with our fellow travellers.

This is a sensational way to travel through Africa where you truly take in the diverse landscapes, wildlife, culture and history as well as mingle with local communities to understand (a little) their way of life.

We initially chose Absolute Africa because this route. They were the only truck that drove through below Lake Victoria through Tanzania.

We initially chose Absolute Africa because of this proposed route. They were the only truck that drove below Lake Victoria through Tanzania. Most return to Nairobi from Rwanda, therefore double backing on themselves.

THE KENYAN DIARY:

Day 1: A day spent in Nairobi visiting the Giraffe Park where we got to kiss a giraffe – a weird experience but one that we all did. We then moved on to visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage for ‘feed time’. That afternoon we picked up supplies for the next few days and spent our first night camping in a campsite just outside of Nairobi.

Elissa about to get smooched by a beautiful giraffe....

Elissa about to get smooched by a beautiful giraffe....

Pete got a little desperate here one could say....

Pete got a little desperate here one could say....

The baby elephants were so cute at the orphanage

The baby elephants were so cute at the orphanage

Day 2: An early departure en route through the Rift Valley to the gates of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. An afternoon game drive allowed us to see 4 of the Big 5 in a matter of hours, although lions were quite a distance away. Probably most impressive were the leopards we found in the trees. Our first bush camp at night in the Masai Mara

The rift valley extends from Lebanon to Mozambique, but it is most dramatic in East Africa, dividing Kenya into two sections.

The rift valley extends from Lebanon to Mozambique, but it is most dramatic in East Africa, dividing Kenya into two sections.

African Elephants are so impressive to see on the savannah...

African Elephants are so impressive to see on the savannah...

Leopard cub perched in a tree, it's preferred home

Leopard cub perched in a tree, it's preferred home

Day 3: Early morning game drive through the Masai Mara then onto Lake Naivasha. We had perhaps been on the road for an hour before coming across family of Cheetahs. Overnight in Crayfish Campsite. .

A cheetah family. They are all related as usually cheetahs are solitary. 2 adults and 4 cubs

A cheetah family. This is a young family as usually cheetahs are solitary. 2 adults and 4 cubs

Cheetahs hard to see in the grasslands....

Cheetahs hard to see in the grasslands....

Cheetahs water hole looking at potential dinner, a southern crowned crane.

Cheetah family at a water hole.

Cheetahs water hole looking at potential dinner, a southern crowned crane.

Cheetahs at the water hole looking at potential dinner - a southern crowned crane.

Day 4: Rest day in Lake Naivasha – optional extra is a 3 hour nature walk (we opted for a rest day), then we all enjoyed an afternoon cruise to check out Hippos and the famous Fish Eagle Demonstration.

Our Home for the next 30 days or so.....

Our Home for the next 30 days or so.....

All of us getting ready for our hippo/fish eagle boat ride

All of us getting ready for our hippo/fish eagle boat ride

Hippos where the spend most of their days....

Hippos where the spend most of their days....

Fish Eagle grabbing the fish our guide threw it. An awesome display....

Fish Eagle grabbing the fish our guide threw it. An awesome display....

Day 5: Rest day in Lake Naivasha – optional extra is a 3 hour bike ride through Hells Gate National Park. We decided to do the 22km bike ride which set out at 8am. Using bikes that had no gears was pretty challenging mainly due to the heat but riding alongside giraffes, zebras and so many warthogs was a lot of fun (Entrance to the park costs US$20 and bike hire US$25). Dinner at the local restaurant.

Hells Gate National Park.

Hell's Gate National Park.

Elissa riding through Hell's Gate NP. A great way to explore a National Park, a highly recommended optional extra...

Elissa riding through Hell's Gate NP. A great way to explore a National Park, a highly recommended optional extra...

<p>Tess, Elissa, Holly and Bron at Hell's Gate NP</p>

Tess, Elissa, Holly and Bron at Hell's Gate NP

Masai Giraffe at Hell's Gate NP. We got fairly close to these majestic beasts, which was great considering we weren't in a vehicle.

Masai Giraffe and her calf at Hell's Gate NP. We got fairly close to these majestic beasts, which was great considering we weren't in a vehicle.

John, Dan, Barry, Pete and Dave enjoying the scenery....

John, Dan, Barry, Pete and Dave enjoying the scenery....

The Hells Gate Gorge was the inspiration behind the Wildebeest scene when Mufasa's is trampled in The Lion King. It was here they based the whole thing. Ironically we didn't see one wildebeest at Hell's Gate NP...

The Hells Gate Gorge was the inspiration behind the Wildebeest scene when Mufasa's is trampled in The Lion King. It was here they based the whole thing. Ironically we didn't see one wildebeest at Hell's Gate NP...

We enjoyed local food and experience at a restaurant in Navaisha. Goat, beef and Ugali was on the menu. No cutlery necessary!!!

We enjoyed local food and experience at a restaurant in Navaisha. Goat, beef and Ugali was on the menu. No cutlery necessary!!!

Day 6: Full days drive to Punda Milias Campsite (which means ‘Zebra’ in Swahili) near Nakuru National Park

Showers at Punta Milias campsite. Even though we were camping, this didn't mean the facilities in some campsite weren't very nice.

Showers at Punda Milias campsite. Even though we were camping, facilities as most of the campsites were very impressive.

Wash facilities in most campsites were quite nice.

Wash facilities in most campsites were quite nice.

Day 7: Full day Game Drive through Nakuru National Park then back to Punda Milias for BBQ and Games Night.

A Water buck in Nakuru NP. He was very experienced in the photography scene!!!

A Water buck in Nakuru NP. He was very experienced in the photography scene!!!

White Rhinos in Nakuru NP. We got so close to these amazing animals...

White Rhinos in Nakuru NP. We got so close to these amazing animals...

White rhino and calf. White rhinos are larger than the other African species, the Black Rhino. White rhinos are grazers and black are browsers. White rhinos get their name because they were called 'wide' rhinos because of their mouth part and it got misinterpreted to white. They are more or less the same colour as black rhinos - maybe a little lighter most of the time.

White rhino and calf. White rhinos are larger than the other African species, the Black Rhino. White rhinos are grazers and black are browsers. White rhinos get their name because they were called 'wide' rhinos because of their mouth part and it got misinterpreted to white. They are more or less the same colour as black rhinos - maybe a little lighter most of the time.

Liss taking a photo for National Geographic, hopefully!!!

Liss taking a photo for National Geographic, hopefully!!!

Zebra at a waterhole seen from the great lookout point at Nakuru NP.

Zebra at a waterhole seen from the great lookout point at Nakuru NP.

Flamingos at lake Nakuru.

Flamingos at Lake Nakuru.

Damo (our fearless tour leader) cooking our bbq dinner at Punta Villas, after our great game drive day.

Damo (our fearless tour leader) cooking our bbq dinner at Punda Milias, after our great game drive day.

Boys against girl in a game in which the boys SMASH the girls!!! As you would expect eh?

Boys against girls in a game of Celebrity Charades in which the boys SMASH the girls!!! As you would expect?!

Dan starting off the game he introduced called

Dan starting off the game he introduced called 'see who can pick up the box with your teeth without using hands or touching the ground' After each round Dan ripped off an inch or so around the weet-box until it was flat on the ground.

Pete playing the "Pick up the box without hands touching the ground" game....

Pete playing the "Pick up the box without hands touching the ground" game.... He made it to the final against Marlene and Kate. They won because he failed to to pick up a coin off the ground with no hands.... A talent he never knew he had.

Liss playing the pick up box game, she didn't make it as far as Pete which she wasn't too happy about!!!

Liss playing the pick up box game, she didn't make it as far as Pete which she wasn't too happy about!!!

Day 8: Drive day onto Eldoret, our last stop in Kenya. Overnight at Raj’s which boasts one of the coolest bar’s in Africa…and it was!

Raj's Bar, Eldoret....

Raj's Bar, Eldoret.... A really cool bar.

Raj's Bar Eldoret.

Raj's Bar Eldoret. So relaxing. Real camper's luxury.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Kenya…. Bring on Uganda now.

Check out some more photos of Kenya in particular its wildlife in the gallery below:

Hot Air Ballooning, Cappadocia

Tigers in India
MADAGASCAR VOLUNTEERING
GORILLA TREKKING
Ace Way to See Photos:Click
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