Client Blog: A special mum and daughter safari adventure in Kenya

If you’ve ever wondered whether a basic camping safari in Kenya could turn out to be the most magical adventure, let me introduce you to Andrea and her daughter, Danny.

They headed off on an Intrepid group tour – tents, bucket showers, animal noises at night and all – and had the time of their lives.

It was an incredible experience, filled with wildlife, laughter, and moments they’ll never forget.

Here’s Andrea’s story, in her own words…

This trip had been on our radar for a while. My daughter and I aren’t ones to lounge on sunbeds – we like to get out and see what a country has to offer, and this Kenya itinerary with Intrepid really stood out.

We’d never done a safari before, and while I’d previously been to Morocco and to Jordan on a group tour, and Danny had visited Ghana on a school charity project, this felt like the start of a whole new kind of adventure.

I actually found the tour myself and asked Elaine to take care of everything else – flights, hotels and transfers. No surprise, she sorted everything perfectly (as she always does!). Flights via Schiphol to Nairobi were smooth, and we were met and taken straight to our first hotel. On the way back, we finished in style at the luxurious five-star Crowne Plaza – a wonderful contrast to our week under canvas!

Before the tour, we explored Nairobi city on foot and then met the rest of our group at the welcome meeting – a brilliant mix of ages and backgrounds. There were 15 of us in total, ranging from 15 to 59 years old, with solo travellers, couples and even a family of four. We all got on incredibly well. No big egos – just interesting, easygoing people. Sharing the excitement of each day’s animal sightings over dinner added so much to the experience. A special mention to eagle-eyed Gary, who could spot animals from miles away before any of us!

The trip took us across Kenya – from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, the Rift Valley, and the Maasai Mara. Most of the time, we travelled in a big overland truck with brilliant drop-down safari windows. We even did a walking and cycling safari, where we found ourselves quite literally surrounded by zebra, giraffe, warthogs and buffalo. It was amazing.

We stayed at four campsites in total. While the trip was described as ‘basic’, we were pleasantly surprised – proper toilets, hot showers, and even little bars at each stop. The Maasai village campsite was a standout: two nights there with a tribal campfire, singing and dancing, and a real sense of being part of something special.

Every morning, we’d dismantle our tents and load up the truck together, and while this might sound like hard work, it actually built a sense of camaraderie. It was all part of the fun.

The food was fantastic – hearty, delicious meals cooked fresh at each campsite. Our chef worked miracles with limited space and a basic set-up, and we were never short of anything. There was always fruit on offer and every dietary need was catered for.

But of course, the real highlight was the wildlife.

When we booked, I had hoped we’d see a good range of animals – but nothing’s guaranteed. What we actually experienced completely exceeded my expectations. We were lucky enough to see 71 different species, including all of the Big Five. We rarely needed binoculars – the animals were so close.

On the very first day, we watched a leopard stalk and kill an impala, then drag it 20 feet up a tree to eat it. Our guide said she’d never seen anything like it. We also saw rhinos with babies, elephants mating (right in front of us!), crocodiles, hippos, hyenas, and even a sea eagle. There were lionesses and cubs, snoozing male lions, cheetahs, warthogs, giraffes, zebras – the list goes on. One evening, we nearly got locked in the Maasai Mara watching a pride of lions circle a buffalo – it was spine-tingling.

As we travelled, we got a real sense of Kenyan life. Kids waved from the roadside, locals were warm and welcoming, and the landscape constantly shifted from villages to vast open plains.

We also had the chance to buy handmade crafts from widowed women supported by a local charity – a small but powerful interaction that stayed with us.

Our guides were excellent – knowledgeable, friendly and incredibly well organised. Everything ran smoothly. Elaine’s meticulous planning definitely helped set us up for success, and Intrepid’s team on the ground delivered every step of the way.

If I had to pick a single favourite moment? Probably walking through the wild amongst hundreds of giraffes and zebra. But the truth is, there were so many highlights it’s hard to choose.

If you’re thinking of doing something similar, I’d say go for it – but embrace the experience fully. Talk to your group; take the plunge with the tent; watch the sun set with a cold drink and share the day’s sightings. It’s all part of the magic.

And don’t forget the essentials: flip-flops for the showers, a head torch, binoculars, long sleeves and trousers for the evenings, and plenty of mosquito repellent (I didn’t get bitten once!).

This trip was everything I hoped it would be – and more. Camping in the Maasai Mara with lions roaring in the distance, feeling perfectly safe yet completely immersed… it’s a memory that will stay with us forever.

Elaine made it all possible – and I always recommend her to everyone I know. She’s the best!