Kenya and Tanzania Adventure This was my first proper holiday since the pandemic started and was well worth the wait. Overall the intinery was very well considered - we had just about the right amount of time at the two major highlights - the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. The time at Ngorongoro is short but also happens to be as much as the tour operators are allowed so don't be worried about missing out. I had a few misgivings about Zanzibar as I'm not really a beach person but it was a nice way to wind down - and also a very welcome return to having a bed instead of relying on a sleeping bag. Obviously the animals are the highlights of the trip. We saw all of the animals that you'd expect - highlights being a couple of cheetah finishing off a meal, a lion trying and failing to take down an impala at speed, giraffe necking. The one I'd really not expected to see was a serval at Ngorongoro. The success of any trip is made by the rest of the group and, crucially, the ground team. Jacob was an excellent and resourceful tour leader, Ray was a great chef - good variety of food both hot and cold throughout the camping part of the trip, Sam kept us safe with his driving on some very rough roads and Cash did some of everything. In fact - all four of the crew cover all of the roles - lead, cook, driver, mechanic - and there was real teamwork here.
Be prepared to hit the ground running and to keep going - Everything you may have read about his trips is true. Paul and the fantastic Kicheche guides work really hard to get you in the right place at the right time - leaving camp in the dark to be in the Mara when the sun comes up backlighting a cheetah and her four cubs, or watching the most amazing river crossings that even the National Geographic would be envious of.
Even if, like me, you are a complete novice you will get lots of helpful advice. Just when you think you will practice photographing a bee eater in flight (thinking Paul is far enough away not to notice) the radio will crackle from three vehicles away and you will be told your shutter speed is too slow!
But at the end of the day you will learn a lot and come home with some photographs you will be proud of and want to go again. This was my first trip with Paul and I have already booked another one - although I will have to try and master slow panning before then!
This adventure was amazing from start to finish. The food served was delicious and different each day and no one got ill which to be honest everyone expected to be at some point. There was plenty of action but also plenty of time to rest and the campsites had beautiful scenery. We hoped to see a certain amount of animals but we got way more than we ever dreamed of which was thanks to the efforts of the guide and drivers.
The campsites were fine and all had flushing toilets and showers (although not all hot). Camping made you feel even more with nature than camping in a fancy lodge as you hear the animal noises in the night and sometimes even have them come visit in the night.
