That's Kenya too... (page 4 of 8)

I would’ve loved to spare you my mug (once to say hello is enough in a travel journal 😄), but I don’t have a photo of them without me!

You’ve got a friendly face and you’re always laughing, so no worries!

I agree too. Otherwise, I can teach her how to "hide"



Sorry, couldn’t help myself

Otherwise, I can teach him how to "hide"



Sorry, I couldn't help myself

If you had followed along, you would’ve given him Laury Thilleman’s head 😛

If you had gone along with it, you would’ve given him Laury Thilleman’s head 😛

Definitely would’ve been an upgrade, Kate 😂

One sec, I almost thought I’d posted in the wrong forum

You never get bored here!

Just to clarify, Pascale: which “other forum” are you talking about?

I don’t have a specific name in mind, Bruno—I’m way too young for that kind of thing

Hello Christelle, So, you're starting a travel journal about the journal without telling us... I’m following Bruno’s adventures in Morocco 😄

Quick question for those who use a computer: are my photos still blurry or is it okay?

No, Christelle, your photos aren’t blurry 👍 Speaking of photos, I’ll remind you that I’m waiting for you in this month’s contest... you must have some great shots in your pocket 😄

Here, the only noise is from humans, and I won’t lie—it’s just *so* good 🤗.



I’ll try not to comment on every post, but this is *so* good—the cottage, the animals 😍 Your latest photo is *amazing* 👍

Hello Christelle, So, you're starting a travel journal without telling us... I'm following Bruno's adventures in Morocco 😄

Oh, we missed you too, Isabelle! 😉 You can subscribe to the travel journal section to get an email every time a new one is posted 😊

Hello Christelle, So, you're starting a travel journal about the journal without telling us... I'm following Bruno's adventures in Morocco 😄

Oh, we missed you too, Isabelle 😉. You can subscribe to the travel journal section to get an email every time a new one is posted 😁

Yeah, that's what I should do because I'm completely out of the loop 😅. I also missed the one about Hawaii 😢

Bye bye Naivasha



After that insane party 🥳😂, we’re ready to leave the next morning—even if we don’t really want to leave this paradise. Well, apparently the car doesn’t either: dead battery!

No big deal—after a whopping 3 seconds of deep thought, Frankie calls his favorite mechanic, just 10 km away.

While we wait, my wish comes true: Frankie invites me inside her house:



huge rooms,



stained-glass windows,



exposed beams and artwork everywhere—all created by her!!



And she doesn’t hesitate to take me upstairs, where I discover her "princess bedroom": roughly 50 m², a gorgeous four-poster bed draped in mosquito netting, all overlooking her own "Noah’s Ark" 🐾.

Leaving Frankie isn’t easy, but long live technology! We’ll meet up online because she’s determined to follow our trip—she knows about as much about Kenya as we do about France 😄.

Next up: a return to the capital via another wild road.



And honestly, driving in Nairobi isn’t any more complicated than in Paris.....



except when you hit an ostrich nest 30 minutes from arrival and the rear bumper didn’t *quite* like it!! In my opinion, it’s just some paint chipping, but according to Lulu, the whole bumper needs replacing 😱.

Well, our VISA insurance saved us once. This’ll make twice...........or not 😂.

I see our road troubles left you speechless, but don’t worry—there’s no need to 😢. The rental company told us they’d see a mechanic to send us the bill, and get this: nearly 6 months later, nothing. Zero, zilch, no news at all, and not a single charge on our bank account 🤷‍♂️🍾😄. A real mystery!

We're good here, Christelle, don't worry 😉

It's the shack that leaves me speechless!

The TripAdvisor forum, Routard, and Petit Futé—based on their opinion

So here we are in Nairobi, returning our rental car as planned—though it’s off to the repair shop now!

The next day, we’re catching the "Manakara Express" at the city station. It’s not exactly a typical train, with its coral-like appearance and charming "iron hostesses" (though this morning, it’s a bit of a struggle to wake up 😩).



But it’s a truly legendary train, crossing one of the country’s largest national parks, TSAVO, our destination for the day.

Fifteen minutes after departure, you’re plunged into endless nature. Vast landscapes stretch out against a backdrop of mountains shifting between light and dark green. And here, it’s not cows watching you pass—it’s thousands of ancient-looking baobabs! Then the train enters Tsavo. Soon enough, from your seat, you spot them in the distance, walking calmly: our first two elephants... but definitely not the last!



Now, it just so happens that not long ago, I celebrated my 51st birthday, and when my favorite husband asked what gift I wanted, the answer was quick: 10 nights in the arms of one of the super-chicos at Tsavo Lodge. Who knows why, but he said two would be enough (what a "cheapskate" 🐀).

It’s basically a tent village, like the municipal campgrounds of your childhood—just a *tiny* bit upgraded 😆: - We’re in the heart of the action, 12 km from the nearest paved road, but there’s electricity and 5G everywhere!



- We’re surrounded by red-billed hornbills, multicolored lizards, whole families of vervet monkeys, and the soaring spectacle of marabou storks in the azure sky.





- A platform lets us admire the animal-filled "bush," which changes hues every hour depending on the sky’s color and the creatures passing through.



- All topped off with a 30°C pool and an amazing buffet where you can eat to your heart’s content!





Not too shabby, right? 😩

The only small issue? Lulu and Cricri aren’t exactly thrilled by the "safari" vibe. We meet tourists from all over the world who often seem pretty self-absorbed. The contrast with the Kenyan staff is striking!



While the former greet you with cheerful "Jambos" ten times a day, our fellow tourists barely respond to our hellos!

Well, you’ll agree with me— that’s not why we’re here. So we’ll catch up with you tomorrow to dive into the full "safari" experience



and not just figuratively—time for a real dip! 😂

Love that you took the train 👍 Just watch out, Christelle—don’t get too used to those lodges and their luxury tents 😄 I’ll be following your Tsavo adventure with great interest—I’ve never been there at all! 👀

Oh yeah, nice taking the train from Nairobi. We’ve never done it, but a friend who lives in Kenya told us the organization was more "Chinese-style" than "Kenyan-style".... Did you stop in Voi, I assume? How did you get to the camp—did they pick you up? I think I recognize the Sentrim, right?

Nice that you took the train from Nairobi. We’ve never done it, but a friend who lives in Kenya told us the organization was more "Chinese-style" than "Kenyan-style"... right?

Oh yeah, Sylvie, good thing we were warned or I would’ve freaked out: they gather us before entering the station, line us up against a wall (about 40 people on each side facing each other) with our luggage in the middle. Then they order us not to move while soldiers pass by with their dogs to sniff all the bags! Weird vibe!

Did you stop in Voi, I assume? No?

Bingo.

How did you get to the camp—did they pick you up? No?

Nope, we booked an agency in Voi we found on Google Maps 😄.

I think I recognize the Sentrim, right?

Bingo again 😄. Looks like you know the area like the back of your hand

SO NOOOW, IT'S TIME TO HEAD INTO TSAVO

And it's Daniel and then Stephen who take us onto the tracks in a Toyota van—once again, pretty much top-tier. And it starts right off the bat, just leaving the station, with an incredible train of ostriches: 2 moms up front, 1 dad following, and about thirty teenage ostrich chicks!!



Then a family of Waller’s gazelles, all ears perked up, watching us pass by.



And I don’t even dare tell you about the giraffes we discovered in "herds," all around us at 360°!

Hey there! 😊

Here, it’s the "short rainy season," and that’s partly why we chose it: we’re not seeing any of the much-talked-about "Kenyan mass tourism." So, every time we cross paths with another vehicle, the drivers show real solidarity, sharing info to spot the animals. But they speak in Swahili, so there’s still a chance they’re sometimes thinking: "Man, my guests today are clueless 🤦‍♂️" 😊.

The best part is when the tone gets high and super excited. Then Stephen hits the gas to head in the right direction. Lulu and I exchange glances, debating whether to ask questions—but in the end, no: the suspense is just too good!

Four cars are already stopped, so you scan the bushes... and find nothing! Eventually, you ask, "So, what are we looking for?" And in a soft, smiling whisper, Stephen answers, "A biiiig cat!" And finally, you see them, lounging around—a mom and her three little ones: a Cheetah Family 🐆

A safari is magical 🧐! You never know what you'll see, but you're rarely disappointed.

You’re opening up new horizons for me, Christelle, with your trip and your way of discovering Kenya!!! I’m not sure if I should thank you or not, since I already had a list as long as my arm 😉

That Kenyan’s smile lights up the whole page !