WEWE (you)

27/07------->04/08

Finally we're off!

I had been waiting for this vacation for more than a year. My greatest wish is to go on safari (something we couldn't do in Zanzibar because of the high cost), to see my much-loved Zebras (so much for the big five!!!).

As soon as I booked the stay (the flight alone cost me as much as the entire week!!) I contact Thomas and by email we define the duration and location of the safari. Organizing a safari with the local guys, the so-called "beach boys", is easy. Most of them have websites, blogs, they rely on local tour agencies, and, thanks to word of mouth among tourists, some of them manage to handle bookings already from Italy. Just like Thomas and Tuffo. And that's how I think various trips/excursions should be organized: it's useless for tour operators to insinuate doubts and fears about the professionalism of these guys. The final product is the same, the chain is shorter... so prices are lower. A necessary premise before starting the account of the trip!

The flight with Air Italy is on time, by lunchtime we're already at the Aquarius. The first impression isn't exactly positive, but only because, remembering the Gemma dell'Est in Zanzibar, we expected a "nicer" room. A judgment we change not long after. The resort is laid out in 3 "zones", we're in the Aquarius zone, near the restaurant and the reception (a bit far only from the sea) but that's fine! The other 2, I believe, were developed later and are closer to the beach. After lunch we have an appointment with Thomas, we'd like to leave right away for the safari so as to devote the last days to the sea. And so it was: Thomas already had 4 guys from the Jacaranda ready to leave: Amboseli Park and overnight stay at the Kibo and Tsavo East overnight stay at the Voi Wildlife. We leave at 03.00 in the morning, the trip will be long.

The Amboseli is about 700 km from Watamu and not all the road is paved. (Numa, when I think of you banging your head against the glass it still makes me laugh!!!). What's 8 hours of flying compared to setting off on a journey again???!! Thomas waits for us outside the hotel, we go for a coffee (Thomas, you still owe Mauro a coffee!) and then immediately on our way. The (photographic) expedition consists of me&Mauro, Betti&Numa from Brescia and Margherita&Davide from Genoa. I'd say a good group. We were lucky. Our guide (whom we pick up a few hours later) is the legendary Samuel, nicknamed Pantani. He, let's be honest, must be fed up with lions, giraffes, wildebeest.. In some periods (luckily for him) he even does 10 days of safari in a row.

After several stops we arrive at the long-dreamed-of gate of the Amboseli. Already at the park gates you can glimpse the first animals (my zebraaaaaaas). After the ritual photos at the entrance, we begin with the first game drive. I'd say the thrill of the first impact, for someone like me who has only seen the savannah and its animals on television, is something indescribable! Truly! Zebras, buffaloes, ostriches, Elephants, Hippos (cursed, from a distance!! grrrrrrr) and lions right away, as if it were a normal thing...but deep down it is! That's their land, maybe I'm the one out of place!?? The Kibo is a truly beautiful resort, and the choice (by Thomas) to have us sleep in the tented camp at the foot of Kilimanjaro is superb. Equally beautiful but perhaps more "western" is the Voi Wildlife Lodge.

Samuel and the driver are truly patient, even though they see elephants, wildebeest, zebras almost every day and.... they know that for us photographing even a small detail is important. We stop constantly, we photograph, photograph and photograph... Elephant, got it, giraffe, got it, antelope, got it, zebra, got it... still missing the rhino, the leopard (which someone luckier than us did see) and the cheetah.

The 2 safari nights fly by, the emotions, the places (Kilimanjaro beautiful) and the km are many. Back at the hotel we treat ourselves to a full day of total relaxation. On Sunday, however, we're already ready for the blue safari. And it's on this occasion that I got to know another "beach boy", TUFFO (he also organizes safaris). Having introduced himself the first day while I was waiting for Thomas, we ended up with him and "his clients" on the same boat. A truly helpful and generous person (he took us to Malindi the following day FOR FREE!!!!) You just have to look at his face to realize he's truly a good person. A day at sea, between lobsters and a superb octopus (my God how good that lunch was!!), 2 photos and a bit of chatting, and Tuffo is now in our hearts.

Unfortunately the week flew by, we say goodbye to the friends we met and leave a place where the real disease you can catch is Africa sickness.

We're happy and satisfied with the choices made, the hotel (in the center of Watamu, the safari done with Thomas (we have to come back for the Masai Mara!!!!!) and the places visited: the School of, the Masai village at the foot of Kilimanjaro and the Timboni orphanage.

Last thing, no less important, is: pens, notebooks, crayons, toys, clothes. Everything is welcome, especially in the less "touristy" places. By pure chance, returning from the safari we came across a school (I had notebooks, pens, crayons and markers with me) where these children had ONE sheet of paper and one pen: That's their "school kit". So much for winks and pokemon (or whatever the hell they're called). Small gestures that give smiles that shake you up!

Happy travels in Kenya to everyone.

ps: at the top of the page there are all the contacts for Thomas and Tuffo. Trust them, you won't regret it!