I got married on safari in Kenya
That was in 1998. We were actually over there when the Nairobi bomb went off. We were on safari at the time and knew nothing about it until we got back to the beach hotel. Wthere was extra security at the airpirt but that was it. Didn't visit Nairobi at all.
We went with Somak. They were very good.
We didn't actually see any bugs or flies or mossies. much less than when in Europe in summer! We did have malari tablets and all the vaccs before hand though, and used a mossie net every night. I got one bite on my first day at the airport and that was it.
We did a short safari, as well as an overnight stay at Shimba Hills reserve for the wedding. on out short safari we went to Tsavo West and then onto Amboseli.
Tsavo West is very much trees and it is much harder to spot the animals, but when you do it is amazing. This is where we got out lion sighting. Our hotel here wasn't that fab though - very basic.
Amboseli is plains and has so many animals, especially elephants. Our hotel here was brilliant.
I have the names of the Lodges, etc upstairs which i can find later.
We were driven between the two sites and it is a very long way. At least 10 hours a day in the van. And very bumby, uneven and unfisnished roads, even the so called main roads. But you do see wildlife most of the time, esp when in the parks. And we stopped off at a couple of villages for a wander round and a drink.
We went in a mini bus. There were just 4 of us in the mini bus most of the time. On the game drives within the parks there were up to 6. Everyone had a guaranteed window seat and could see out the top too. We had no fighting over views. And at all the parks we got out on our game drives for short periods.
We went just me and DH.
I felt safe whilst there yes, even despite the terrorist bomb occuring. the game drives have excorts who all carry guns. But this is the norm for them, and it is to stop poachers. Don't wear excess jewellwry though. I wore none other than my wedding ring.
We didn't do a balloon flight but it would have been magical. At the itme we couldn't afford the £200 each. And I m very scared of heights!
Next time we go, when Dd is old enough, we will do a much longer safari of at least 7-10 days and forgo the beach holiday part of it.
Essential things - warmish clothes as it gets chilly at night on safari and TBh Kenya was not as hot as we had expected it to be We went in August. And the malari tablets are a must!
We had a half day trip to Mombassa, but I wouldn't particuarly recommend it. I wouldn't bother again. Saw enough of it when driving through TBH.