This trip came all of a sudden. If you follow my blog, then you also may know that I work for the Travel Industry, and this trip to Kenya came as one of those office trips which I will not forget for a very long time. It was an all-organized and sponsored trip by our partner and my office, I was accompanied by 3 other colleagues.. so none of the travel criteria did this trip lived upto.. but still it was a memorable trip.. and surely I should share my experience of whatever little we manage to see in between our work.. the only thing I won’t be able to help you much with is cost bifurcation as I do in my other travel plans.. but will try as much as I can..
Kenya Travel Blog|| African wildlife || travelling to Africa || Aberdare, Kenya || Sponsored Trip
I will share the blogs in the order we followed our travel plan. Since 2 of us arrived late in the evening, we stayed for the night in NBO and started the next morning for Aberdare. If your flight arrives in Nairobi by morning, then straight away move to your places of interest like Masai Mara (about 5-6 hours drive considering traffic), or Aberdare (about 4-4.5 hours drive) from Nairobi.
I will talk about Aberdare here, as that’s where we started our journey from. After finishing our work, we arrived Aberdare Country Club and somehow saved ourselves from missing the lunch.. the lodge staffs felt pity on us and extended their lunch time by some time so that we could gobble the yummylicious food.
Ok, I should also mention here.. in Aberdare, you have only 2 options for stay.. one is the Aberdare Country Club and Ark Lodge.. both are managed by the same group. Things move like this..
You come to Aberdare, have lunch.. then check into Aberdare country club property for the night, dinner is also there..
OR
You can book your stay in Ark lodge.. in that case, you come to Aberdare country club, have lunch there (this is where lunch is served even if you are staying at Ark lodge), then check into the reception of Country club for your stay at Ark lodge (read that line again, I have written correctly), then the local shuttle bus will take you to Ark lodge.. again I have written it correct.. the journey is about 30-40 minutes.. beautiful.. I tell you, beautiful a ride it is.. then you get your room at Ark Lodge.. dinner here..
I know your eyebrows are about to touch each other and still your questions are unending.. pheww.. take a breath.. I am not running away.. okay let’s break down.. what’s some writing without some suspense eh!!
Let’s get back to Country Club again:
- no matter whichever property you are staying at, your first halt will be Country club.
- There are rooms available and it’s a huge spread-out property.
- There are deers, impalas, monkeys, bucks, peacocks, horses roaming around the property.. you can stay unharmed in between them
- Food is amazing here, you may also go for a walking safari of the place with a professional guide of course..
- And this place is quite family-friendly, your stay is in between the spread out nature.
Now, to Ark lodge:
- The check-in for ark lodge takes place from Country Club
- Lunch is served here
- Then one may proceed to ark lodge, and strictly the transfer is by the property’s shuttle bus
- Your car/ 4X4 land cruiser will stay back at Country club for the night along with your driver
- Upon arrival at Ark Lodge, your driver guide of the shuttle bus will tell you all the norms of staying in Ark lodge
- Ark Lodge is right in the mid of wilderness, you will encounter thrilling wildlife here just like those animal planet shows, and you can only stay inside the property.
- For everyone’s safety, no one can come out of the property after sunset, there is security all across
- Dinner is served here
- You are sure to see herds of elephants, African buffalos, hyenas at night, then many other animals and birds
- If you are lucky enough you may also encounter leopards, lions etc
- There are observation decks all across the property, hence viewing or photography isn’t an issue.
- Enjoy a cosy evening at the restaurants, bar area.
- This is a property promoting sustainable tourism
- You have to finish your dinner by 9:30 pm or as you will be informed at the time of check-in
Certain things you should not miss here.. the sunset and sunrise for sure.. both are charismatic and magical.. the sun rising from the peak of Mt Kenya is a moment to hold, see, capture, and inhale everything..
In all these properties, you have to include all your meals, as you don’t have any other option to go to a restaurant and eat.. you may offer yourself as a meal to the wild ones.. otherwise.. all properties apart from NBO hotels will offer full board.. they have good food.. drinks at extra cost..
***After mid-May, evenings and early mornings get chilly.. from mid-June to mid-Aug it’s winter there, hence carry some light warm clothes. Carry layers, as morning may get quite warm at times..
Duration:
You may stay a night or 2 in any of these properties. 2 nights is good enough to experience the place, maybe go to Country club for a walking safari, then come back by afternoon to ark lodge, experience the wilderness of the place.. 2 nights will be really good.
That was Aberdare.. more places to come.. stick around..
TurtleGotWings 
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