'Wild is best'

For wildlife lovers, Africa is the ultimate adventure playground. So it’s always a pleasure to be hear how inspired how our guests have been by what they’ve encountered while out on safari with us. We’re delighted to be able to reproduce a letter from a recent guest, Andre, about how the wildlife-spotting anticipations were met while on safari with his wife and friends (interspersed with a couple of Andre’s great photographs from the trip):

Both David and I had been on safari with Africa House before, but that was a hardcore photographic event with 'Amateur Photographer Magazine' in 2010. We liked it so much that this year we wanted to bring our wives so that they could share in the fantastic wildlife of Kenya. This time we had two specific requests – the first was to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and the second was to see both black and white rhino in the wild. Africa House organised everything: safari camps, hotels, internal flights, game drives – everything. All we had to do was turn up at Nairobi airport.

A gorilla at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The gorillas were wonderful. You would never think that you could be so close to these magnificent creatures. Our initial fears were totally unfounded as they seemed totally at ease with our presence with the silverback passing within 2 feet of us as he went off into the jungle. The people of Rwanda are wonderful, so open and friendly and always smiling. Our guide, Eric, was very knowledgeable and gave us a great insight into the culture of Rwanda.

We started our Kenyan safari at Lewa Safari camp and were treated to a mass of wildlife including many rhino, both black and white – such fantastic beasts. In fact, the only animals we didn't see at Lewa were the leopard and the wildebeest and these we saw later at Little Governor’s and in the Mara. Whilst in Kenya we were accompanied by John, our guide, and Jackson, our driver. Their love of the animals shone through and really made an exciting safari memorable. We had a really great time.

Rhinos at Lewa Conservancy, Kenya

Initially, my wife Jan was concerned about being so close to lions, cheetahs and leopards in an open vehicle, having only seen caged animals before. Now she is totally at ease with the experience and really believes that 'wild is best'.

We've got to thank Karen and David for organising our trip of a lifetime. Will we be back? You bet!! All the best and hope to see you again in the not too distant future.

Andre