DAY ONE
Wednesday 12th June
7:26am
Somewhere on the Northern Bypass
Iโve always said that if I have to be up before 6am, I can rise but I cannot shine before my first cup of coffee. Not today, though. I was out of the bed as the alarm on my phone woke me up to the strains of Fur Elise, and I was ready in no time, like a student going on an exciting school trip. Except that Iโm no student and this isnโt a school trip, but the excitement is high.
Globetrotter Agency LTD have been absolutely brilliant. From the time I saw their Instagram post about the Samburu packages, right down to sending a well-equipped and comfortable van for the long journey ahead, theyโve left no stone unturned in all this. So, yes. Thatโs where Iโm off to. Samburu. The last time I went to Samburu was (Iโm laughing as I write this) when I was in high school. Maybe thatโs where the excitement stems from – the nostalgia. I canโt remember much of the last trip probably because it was a long time ago therefore Iโm all set to make new memories about Samburu.

7:58am
We are whizzing past the vast pineapple farms of Del Monte in Thika.
Iโm forcing the song Pineapple Fields Forever to the tune of Strawberry Fields Forever in my head. The Beatles would have been aghast at this. Good job my think-bubbles donโt come with sound. Mostly.
8:43am
Are we there yet?
9:18am
We arrive at Kibingoti which is a short distance after Sagana. Time to stretch the legs and back, and have a comfort break. Thereโs a massive curio shop run by the very smart Clement. Peter, the shop assistant, canโt get over the fact that I can speak Kiswahili and that Iโm not a mzungu. I almost gave him my national identity card number, Huduma Namba, and was also tempted to sit over a cup of tea and explain how my great grandfather came to Kenya. The temptation to eat breakfast was greater because of the scents wafting from the little cafe.
Samuel, our very chilled out driver, was already in the middle of polishing off his breakfast. The simple egg and toast washed down with Kenyan tea can be deemed soul food.

Because the economy of the country rests on my ability to fall for every marketing gimmick, I decided I needed a safari hat to look the part. Itโs besides the point that Iโve already carried a hat and a cap. I end up being gifted the hat and I’m feeling very happy and satisfied with my life.

9:55am
We are passing Karatina and Iโve been told the biggest open-air market on the continent second to the one in Lagos is in this area. Iโm fascinated.
10:10am
We turn left towards Kiganjo. We will bypass Nyeri. Mount Kenya is on the right. Itโs not very visible at this point but I can just about make out the range in the distance.
10:18am
We are suddenly chatty after the breakfast.
10:35am
We are passing through Naro Moru. The temperature is noticeably warmer compared with Nairobi. The fleece jacket has come off. The playlist is peppy. My teenagers would be horrified if I said itโs โlitโ.
(It IS lit.)
There are many ranches in this area. Samuel has informed us that the owners mostly live in Karen in Nairobi, and they fly to their ranches every now and then. My imagination can see a Cessna flying across the skies. Next thing Iโm thinking of is the Nairobi traffic. You know where my thought process is going with this…
10:45am
We are near the Nanyuki airstrip. Also there are many cops since the beginning of this journey, all kitted out in their neon jackets. The road is really good, too. I donโt think that has anything to do with the neon jackets.

10:56am
OH MY GOODNESS! WE ARE CROSSING THE EQUATOR! HOORAY!

Look. Itโs a big deal. The last major thing I crossed was the threshold of pain while getting my legs waxed. Allow me this excitement.
We didnโt stop because Samuel said itโs better to do so on the way back. He did graciously slow down at the signpost so I could take a picture for Instagram. As one does.
Nanyuki town is buzzing, by the way. Samuel said itโs a happy town. I have dear friends who hail from here. The railway line ends here. It was to go up to Ethiopia but when the builders reached here, they were very happy to settle down and not go any further.
Sorry, Ethiopia.
11:02am
Second cop stop. Heโs not about this life of smiling at anyone. Heโs checking the driverโs license, insurance documents and possibly thinking of the leftover custard and cake pudding in the fridge. Actually, Iโll take ownership for that last part. Iโm the one thinking about it.
Oh wait. He just waved at me and said, โSafi safiโ.
I waved back and grinned.
Hi. Fine.
11:11am
Gratitude for everything.
11:13am
We are now in Timau. Samuel says the best flowers in the world come from here. Is it me or is it suddenly chilly?

Mount Kenya would have been visible on our right hand side at this point but thereโs cloud cover.

11:38am
The climate is excellent for flower farming. The roses from here are far superior to the ones from Naivasha.
Apparently.
Iโm reeling from this information. Kenyaโs roses are the best I have ever seen.
On the right is Mount Kenya blanketed in clouds.
On the left is our presidentโs private wheat farm. Samuel is telling us all this. Iโm suddenly craving freshly baked white bread in all its glutinous glory. With thick cut orange marmalade.
11:51am
Samuel points out that Lewa Dam is there, yonder.

โDo you know that famous man called Michael Joseph? He lives here.โ
I smile serenely and name drop like Iโm related to him. Michael is the gentleman who gifted me my first ever iPhone. Iโve never looked back since.
Hi Michael!!!
12:25pm
Are we there yet?
1:03pm
We have just entered the Chokaa Gate at Buffalo Springs National Reserve. Iโve handed over my national identity card for the payment of park fees.
As we were driving, Samuel marvelled at my Kiswahili skills. Iโm smug and proud. I may start giving tuition.

1:09pm
Just spotted the first zebra. Itโs huge! And very beautiful too. Itโs stripes are aesthetically pleasing, and quite symmetrical. A white-socked giraffe too.

Now driving towards the lodge. The game drive will commence at around 4pm. A lot of animals tend to come out when itโs cooler.
2:09pm
As we come down to the main dining area for lunch, I spot an elephant. Within minutes, I see two calves a short distance away allowing me to conclude that theyโre probably with their mother. Could be an aunt. An uncle, even. How do I tell the gender of an elephant anyway?
Note to self: Google it

The lunch is delicious and the view is lovely. Itโs quite hot here even though itโs a bit cloudy. The infinity swimming pool looked very tempting but I think Iโd like to take a short siesta before heading out for a game drive in a couple of hours.