The time is getting closer, when we all touch down in NBO, the excitment is building in all of us.  Phone calls, e mails, with last minute details, don't forget a warm jacket, as it may be summer here, but it is winter there.  And Mount Kenya area is a bit cool.  All are packed, with many gifts for the schools in the rural area.  One lady has managed to get soccer uniforms for youth to give to the schools, so they can play soccer against each other.  I will be sure to have photos to post later.  And we will be visiting  the  building site of the Pre-School that is being built in the Kamba village, bringing with us a fantastic donation of $500, from two wonderful Doctors from Santa Barbara Area, Dr. G and Dr. C., with other donations from Bev and Jeff in Boulder Creek.  Again lots of pictures will be taken and sent out.  This trip, we have one lady, Lee, who has dreamed of this safari  for a long time,  she has even learned the language, Swahilli, so she can tell the locals just how happy she is to finally be able to come to Kenya and Tanzania.  Learning the language was not necessary as most all speak, read and write English.  More later when we arrive in my other home Kenya.

 

The Lee Safari group all came together two weeks ago in beautiful Santa Ynez valley.  Two drove from Boulder Creek area, one from Los Angeles, I drove from Santa Barbara, the other two live in the valley.  This was a meeting for the first time for them, they didn't take long to get to know each other, and soon the party began.  We had a mini safari briefing, went over all the things they needed to know, what to pack, their medications, don't forget those.  And then we had a great dinner and made sure everyone in the restaurant knew we were going to East Africa, Kenya and Tanzania.  The next day we met again and enjoyed a great brunch, before those that lived out of town had to leave.  Next time we all meet up will be in Nairobi, which will be in just a few days from now.  This safari has been planned for almost a year and a half.  So it has been a long wait for Lee, the lady the safari is named after.  My hopes with the clients is they will have as wonderful of time as I have had in each of the safaris I have put together.  I love Kenya and Tanzania, I feel it is my other home.  It is unlike any vacation you  ever had. 

Sunday July 22^nd will be the evening I touch down in Nairobi on what has now become my regular homecoming safari. After making my maiden trip in the year of our Lord 2005 I fell for the bite that is Africa. Over the years I have failed again and again the addiction that is this wonderful continent that is home to the most friendly and most hospitable people of all. I have traveled a lot the world over, however Africa has taken the top most of my favorite travel destination and remained atop ever since.

My travel agency has turned into the “safari bus” that has taken my friends and clients to a travel destination that is home to the undiscovered. I am now having trouble creating time from my busy schedules to make at least two trips a year that I have to undertake. Escorting my own safaris has become an assuring facility that many require to be convinced to travel to what my clients have returned home and declared “an experience second to none”.

As I oversee my upcoming safari with a load of five lovely ladies full with zeal looking forward to be rewarded with the excitement that continues to show on my face at first sight, I am already planning my next safari. We will be traveling under the umbrella of Lee Special Safari, next year it will be Maureen’s Special Safari – this safari is so special for Maureen because she will be making her 2^nd trip this time she can’t wait to have her friends by her side and share her experiences.

Watch this space for the dates of this safari and start packing your bags as well as commence the countdown for “Africa Touch Down”