A Nairobi Safari Walk ‘Romance’

Travel
Zebra

 

The first time I heard of Nairobi Safari Walk, my mind ran wild with romantic ideas…. I imagined worn paths through a gigantic forest, with birds chirping away while playing catch, and cheeky monkeys peering curiously at smitten couples, lost in their own world.

But then, with travel writing comes an insatiable curiosity…I badly wanted to see for myself what Nairobi Safari Walk is all about, and share it with other romantic hopefuls, like myself. 🙂 😉

So, with  my sister and Wanjiku Thuo in tow, the ‘date’ was a go.

Safari Walk

 

Unfortunately, my romantic notions met a sudden death at the Safari Walk entrance. 🙁  Wanjiku, ready as any photographer could be, had a camera bag and tripod. However, this drew the attention of the guards who assumed that we’d come for a ‘wedding’ photo-shoot. I can’t imagine what gave them that specific idea…? After all, dressed super casually in denim, neither of us girls was running for bride of the year! 😀

Apparently, we needed to pay an additional amount (above the entrance fee), to serve as a ‘shooting fee’. This was alarming, as we had not anticipated such a ridiculously high cost.

They finally let us in, after we promised profusely that we weren’t hiding any wedding gowns or cute stilettos to change into. That, plus a severe warning that if they found us posing for pictures, dressed in different attires we’d be in big trouble! It felt good to get in though, much like a foreigner whose long-suffering & awaited visa has finally been approved!

The Nairobi Safari Walk, as I discovered, is a small chunk of the ‘Nairobi National park’. It is designed to give visitors a taste of Kenya’s wildlife offering, in an enclosed setting. Easily accessible, it is 7km away from the city centre, and is run by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

As we walked in, I could feel nature pulling me in, into its wide alluring arms. I fell for the raised wooden boardwalks that offer a vantage point to see the animals, which are held within fenced-in structures.

Board Walk

The animals you get to see depend a little on luck and timing, because the animals maybe sleeping in and are not all always within view. But you will be pleasantly surprised all the same. Safari Walk

Rhino

Giraffe

For tree lovers, you will like it here, as it houses about 150 species of local trees. You can also expect to see a wide array of insects and birds.

Ostrich

Safari Walk

The most spectacular sighting for me was the ‘Albino Zebra’. Its light brown shade is exquisitely beautiful and unique. We jokingly referred to it as a ‘Light-skin Zebra’. 😀

Albino Zebra

Zebra

Black and white Zebra in all its glory

 

I was thrilled to see a lioness up close. 🙂 We learned some interesting facts about lions and their mating habits, from one of the guides we happened to meet. I found it funny that ‘male’ lions got the good looks with their thick, lovely manes, while the lioness got the role of seducing the male. Furthermore, she provides for her young by doing majority of the hunting, yet the lion literally gets the “lion’s share” of the kill.  Lucky guy!

 

Lioness

Lioness

 

Safari Walk is a good choice if you are short on time, since the place is not overly huge. But, if you are looking for a wider selection, you may opt to try out the other attractions in the same premises like the Animal Orphanage or go on a Game Drive into the larger National Park. There is a restaurant, on the grounds, that is worth checking out, as they don’t allow food into Safari Walk.

It doesn’t hurt that Safari Walk is quite affordable, and can make a good family outing or date venue. (winks) The entry fees range from Kshs. 250 to Kshs. 350 for Citizens and Residents, while Non-residents pay 25 USD. Unless of course, you are looking to do a professional shoot which attracts an additional cost, as we learned.

 

Safari Walk

The photographer, Wanjiku Thuo, finally gets captured in front of the camera 🙂

 

Yoga side plank

Stop and Drop Yoga Moment. (Side Plank)

Safari Walk

 

Having had the chance to test reality vs. my romantic notions, I came to this conclusion: Life is really what you make it. Though we had an iffy start, it did not keep us from relishing the beauty of Nairobi Safari Walk. And, as far as romance goes, not to worry- every day is a chance to learn something new as you let nature romance you 😉

Have you been to Safari Walk, what was your experience like? Share with me on the comments section below.

Stay Inspired 🙂

 

Photography: Wanjiku Thuo

Outfits Inspiration: Mercy Mithamo

 

 

Nairobi Safari Walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

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30 Comments

  • Reply
    6 Easy Yoga Poses For The Road - Scrapbook Journeys
    September 22, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    […] my Stop and Drop Yoga moment at the Nairobi Safari Walk Here […]

  • Reply
    Fenny
    May 31, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    Your choice of words and wrapped up humor is palatable my friend, so proud of you! Now i want to visit these places too 🙂

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      June 2, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      Aw thank you Fenny 🙂 Thanks for reading! Yes, please visit, I’d love to hear your take 😀

  • Reply
    Abraham Mariita
    May 25, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    Good work Marion. I like this!

  • Reply
    Sylvia Wanjiku
    May 12, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    Great read. Love the pics too…..keep up the good work dear. Looking forward to read more of your adventures

  • Reply
    Anthony Maina
    May 11, 2016 at 2:26 am

    Am very encouraged by your work, the photos and captions are well delivered. As a lover of photography and travel am getting a double treat from your blog. Well done Marion!

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 12, 2016 at 4:43 pm

      Thanks a great deal Anthony for reading and for the positive feedback. I am glad to read that you are getting a treat! Stay on as we discover more of Kenya 🙂

      • Reply
        Anthony Maina
        May 21, 2016 at 5:36 am

        Not a Problem Marion

  • Reply
    Nesh Kanja
    May 7, 2016 at 12:10 am

    Been there before but your piece and presentation makes me feel as if I have not been there before. Thanks again for showing the beauty of Kenya to the whole wide world to cherish and look forward to enjoying it’s beauty. Asanti sana

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 7, 2016 at 8:56 am

      Thanks Kanja for reading 🙂 😀 I hope you will go again on a date *winks* hehe

  • Reply
    Janet
    May 6, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    Great as usual. Had my first walk there and it was romantic ….*blushes …..Nice prose and nice pics .

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 7, 2016 at 8:50 am

      hahahaha blush away! Nice! Glad to hear someone has had a true romantic experience at Safari Walk 🙂

  • Reply
    Robert
    May 5, 2016 at 1:13 pm

    You write well Marion, It is a beautiful place and the pictures are wow! Kudos Wanjiku.This peace has made me nostalgic, I used to prefer it for dates and family outing including visiting with friends.It’s amazing how it is within the city yet far from the noise and hustle and bustle of the City.Keep em coming!

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 7, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Thanks so much Robert for reading. Hope you will come back to Nairobi again and again for such experiences 😀

  • Reply
    Stephanie
    May 5, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    Hey Marion. Beautiful blog you have here. A safari walk seems like a terrific idea and what would be really cool is having a giraffe feature in a selfie. This post as made me miss my home country.x

    http://www.stephylately.com

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 7, 2016 at 8:45 am

      Oh wow thanks Stephanie!! It is certainly a labor of love 🙂
      I agree! We missed that one-on-one interaction with the animals…I would have have loved to take a selfie with a giraffe 🙂 😉 And, I love your blog too!! Thanks for reading 🙂

  • Reply
    Pinchez
    May 5, 2016 at 10:33 am

    An Exquisite read, the Yoga pose on point!

  • Reply
    Neema
    May 5, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Yaay! I’ve been there and it’s always exciting cause really like you said, ‘…it’s what you make it’.

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 7, 2016 at 8:07 am

      Thanks Neema for reading 🙂 And true, it really is what we make it!

  • Reply
    Patricia Mithamo
    May 4, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    cool gals keep going ur on point

  • Reply
    nelius
    May 4, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    nicely put Marion you were so lucky to see a lioness. I didn’t get a chance to see one.

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 4, 2016 at 7:19 pm

      Oh wow, thanks! I am indeed glad we got to see the lioness…it was my first time to see one that close 😀 I hope you get to visit again, and she makes an appearance 😉

  • Reply
    Shiko
    May 4, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Lovely read Marion…….and the yoga moment…ON POINT

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 4, 2016 at 7:16 pm

      Thanks Shiko 🙂 🙂 Hehe we need to plan for a Yoga session soon 😉

  • Reply
    Wanjiku Thuo
    May 4, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    Very well put Marion.
    I also wish there was a better way to view the animals at the park (eye to eye) nstead of from the aerial view. And maybe feed the herbivores 🙂
    All in all it was a lovely walk.
    ….and Yes I got infront of Camera. Holding a lens. Reallly!

    • Reply
      Scrapbook Journeys
      May 4, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      Thanks Sue! I agree, there could be more interaction with the animals. We’ll plan for one of those 😉 Hahaha yes finally the photographer got caught 😀

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