Many people dream of an exotic safari holiday in Kenya. That has always been been my dream, as well. A couple of months ago, I made that dream a reality. Amazing wildlife views, a thrilling hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara plains, and a visit to a local Masai tribal village were on my agenda.

This past February, my early morning flight departed Boston, Massachusetts with a brief layover in New York City. Fortunately, Jamba Juice (Jamba Juice) at JFK Airport offered some vegan choices for breakfast. I ordered the tasty Primo Bowl containing açaí juice, soymilk, blueberries, strawberries and bananas, topped with organic granola, fresh bananas, fresh blueberries, and shredded coconut. The portion was quite filling. My beverage was the orange carrot juice.

After my morning meal, I boarded my Kenya Airways direct flight to Nairobi. Their vegan VGML lunch included an entree of quinoa, roasted peppers and cauliflower, and steamed broccoli; a side salad, mixed fruit, and a bread roll with vegan butter. All in all, it was a good meal.

Dinner onboard was a decent veggie sandwich of cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes on whole wheat bread.

The next morning, I was given a wonderful vegan breakfast consisting of scrambled tofu, sliced seitan, roasted potatoes, and veggies.

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After a lengthy flight, we had arrived in Nairobi, Kenya. I purposely booked my arrival time to be a day ahead of my tour. My afternoon was spent getting acclimated to my surroundings. Gorgeous greenery, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a gift shop, and other amenities encompassed the grounds of the impressive Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel .

A lovely stroll down the palm tree covered path brought me to the hotel restaurant. The chef was kind enough to prepare a vegan lunch for me. A plate of steamed broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and peas was my main entree. A side of spinach with onions and local ugali bread accompanied my meal. Everything was satisfying.

An afternoon nap gave way to dinner time. I decided to order delivery to the hotel for my evening meal. Chowpaty Restaurant (Chowpaty Restaurant) is an vegetarian restaurant with vegan options. They serve Indian cuisine. Their delivery person arrived at my hotel promptly. The delivery fee for restaurants appeared to be anywhere from free to a mere $3. My meal was a flavorful masala dosa and a side of sweet corn and veggie soup.

Breakfast the next day was quick and simple: hotel “room service” of a bowl of oatmeal and toast. It was then time to hit the ground running. My tour guide had arrived and gathered our group to commence our day’s adventure.

We boarded the van and headed toward the Great Rift Valley.
This region is part of an intra-continental ridge system that also includes salt lakes such as Lake Elementaita, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha. Our destination would be Lake Elementaita. Thankfully, our guide made a stop so that we could admire the breath-taking valley views from an overlook.

I was enamored with the lovely accommodations at Sunbird Lodge. My individual cottage had a thatched roof, a spacious deck, and comfy quarters with beautiful tribal and safari decor on the couch, bed and walls. A mosquito net covered and protected the stylish bed.

My cottage deck had a stunning view, overlooking Lake Elementaita.

We settled into our cottages, then met the group for lunch back at the main lodge. A entree of roasted potatoes and broccoli satisfied my hunger. Dessert was a plate of fresh papaya, melon, and banana.

First on our tour agenda was a nature walk around the property with a local Masai tribesman. He showed us various plants, trees, and flowers and described any medicinal value that they may have.

Our own tour guide met us a couple of hours later. We boarded the safari vehicles and headed to Soysambu Conservancy for our first safari drive of the week.

Soysambu Conservancy preserves the eco-system with its wildlife, from Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha. Located on Lake Elementaita, the Conservancy is home to 48,000 acres of diverse ecological systems. Approximately 450 bird species and 10,000 mammals of 50 different species reside in the area.

Soon after we entered the fields, species after species came into our view. Zebra, gazelle, waterbuck, impala, and dik diks wander about in groups, in pairs, and individually.

Colorful birds in blue and purple hues flutter from tree to tree.

Some of the adult gazelle are massive in size.

Warthogs are found quit frequently strolling about. While they may be seen in groups, these creatures also enjoy wandering solo.

Several varieties of monkeys reside in the Conservancy. They tend to travel in groups with others.

We encountered several varieties of large and small birds, some colorful and others in muted tones.

Buffalo graze along the savannah, as well.

Our first safari drive had come to an end. Next up was a visit to Lake Elementaita. The lake is a soda lake in the Greater Rift Valley Based on the season and water level, the number of flamingos in the lake can vary. We were fortunate enough to encounter a good number of Greater and Lesser Flamingos.

Our walk by the shore gave us a fantastic opportunity to see these gorgeous pink birds in fairly close proximity. Shortly thereafter, we hopped in our safari van and headed back to Soysambu Conservancy for an evening drive.

We encountered several species of birds and mammals that stroll about in the evening hours, in additional to the wildlife that we had seen earlier in the day.

Dik Diks are plentiful in the savannah. These small members of the antelope family love to frolic about the bushlands.

Rothschild giraffes were everywhere in sight. From solo travelers to pairs, trios, or larger groups, we were indeed blessed to be greeted by quite a few giraffes. They enjoy eating the leaves of the local acacia trees.

Sunset was approaching, while the savannah with its Candelabra  trees provided a stunning panorama.

Birds flocked together in formation, as they flew across the evening sky.

Prior to exiting the Conservancy, we noticed groups of eland, impala, gazelle, and other wildlife.

When we arrived back at Sunbird Lodge, it was time for a late dinner. I opted for the vegetable curry in coconut milk and a carrot ginger soup. The meal was superb.

My first day of sightseeing had come to an end. I truly enjoyed the picturesque Lake Elementaita with its colorful pink flamingos and the spectacular wildlife at Soysambu Conservancy. I looked forward to the next day’s adventure and the diversity of wildlife that we would experience at Masai Mara National Reserve.