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Back to the Game

Writer's picture: Heather KirkbyHeather Kirkby

It was a bittersweet moment to hit a paved road for the first time in a long time. It marked change. It marked the end of our time in remote tribal Kenya.



Our trip ended with more game drives but this time in Samburu Hills. We had lovely and safe close encounters with big animals. Andrew, one of our Rendille guides, joined us. He was catching a ride with us to go back to school in Nairobi.


There’s obviously little to no public transport in the far north, and very few people have cars. Several times we helped drive one of our local guides, or family member, somewhere they needed to go. Peter (Samburu guide from South Horr) and his daughter Sylvia tagged along with us for four days to get Sylvia back to boarding school. Two of those days spent waiting in Ngurunit while we trekked. There is time not money in these parts. It takes a village. I loved the evolving cast of characters on our journey. This is Sylvia’s school, many days journey from her home.

There is such a soft spot in my heart for Elephants, despite worrying a few days prior that I might be trampled to death by one. Perspective changes when you’re inside a Land Cruiser. Gentle lumbering giants.



Giraffes are just pure wonder.



We watched a sweet group of monkeys and their babies for a while. Lots of grooming and curious babies.



Those baboons know how to party. Ostrich, warthogs not so much. But gazelles definitely like to mingle!!



And the birds were a sweet delight. So many birds!



We continued to be awestruck by the landscape on the game drives.



As we wrapped up our time in Samburu Hills we bid farewell to David and Muya. They played huge roles in making our adventures possible. The designer, mastermind and lead guide behind it all, Jean, is standing next to Will in the second photo below. He realized his boyhood dream of becoming a guide in the African wilderness and in doing so helped our Kenyan dreams come true.



Our last night was spent on the lush flanks of Mt. Kenya. It helped facilitate a gentle re-entry to the chaos of Nairobi. We had come full circle. What an adventure. Utterly grateful for all of it. And now, wow, onwards after a quick visit to an ENT in Nairobi (good news is my ear is getting better, albeit slowly) and another trip to Decathlon.




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