Conservancy Versus Reserve : You Decide ! – by Jackie Sheehan

Open sided 4x4 vehicles

If you havent been to Kenya or indeed on safari before then let me tell you that when you do take the plunge and book your trip of a lifetime , you are sure to fall in love with one of the most breathtaking and memorable  experiences you are ever going to have . If like me you are not an avid game watcher or you are not sure what to expect , then Kenya is definately a good place to start. You will not be disapointed .  From the moment I arrived in Nairobi to the moment I left  , each and every experience was unique whether it was on one of  the many  game reserves or conservancies that we visited. First stop was Samburu Game Reserve which is in the northern eastern area of Kenya but nestled amid sprawling andscapes and blessed by the presence of the Ewaso Nyiro River . This combination is a natural haven for wildlife such as elephants, giraffe, zebra as well as the elusive leopard and cheetah. We spent the nightt in Sopa Lodge which is located inside the park The lodge is very well maintained , and even though you are in the heart of the reserve , you can charge a mobile phone or plug in a hair straightner in your room which are beautifully scattered around , and  walking distance from reception. Perfect way to ease yourself into the safari experience without it being to much of a culture shock ! Dinner was served al fresco as such and even though it was nightime the view and the sights and sounds were amazing! Dinner was excellent and the atmosphere in general was top notch .Back to our lodge for a quick electric shower before we hit the sack. Unfortunately we didnt get to see all of the elusive animals  that make up  the big five,  but it was early in the trip and next stop was Porini Lion Camp and we were lead to believe this would not dissapoint in our game viewing expectations .

Porini Lion Camp is the perfect way to experience Africa and as it is a private conservancy , its the perfect way to experience first hand the intimate , private and romantic (if you like )  African wilderness. The camp consists of 10 tents which can accomadate up to 20 guests . All the Porini Camps are set in  private wildlife conservancies and have  exclusive Eco Friendly tents nesteled amongst acacia trees. Comfortably  furnished , lit with solar power , water saving safari showers and flush toilets , there is only one word for them . Amazing !!!The best thing about these camps is that they are completely staffed from the Maasai community and all guests have the opportunity to interact and learn about them and their culture.There are no tourist minibuses or large crowds vying for the best views but only the comfort of travelling in  your own personal 4×4. Having highly qualified safari guides  really  enhances  the whole  experience by educating the guests about every little detail of their much loved land. The Porini Camps were set up with the goal of working together with rural landowners and communities living alongside protected areas with the objective of running a viable business that enables the community to derive benefits in return for conserving wildlife and their habitat.This was the experience I was looking for. Even though we saw all of the big 5 in our day and our night drives and while we slept it wasn’t unusual to hear George the hippo outside roaming around ,  the Maasai people and their values were what mostly impressed me.From their unique dress to their very passionate and knowledgable guides and not forgetting the amazing showers , is what I will remember most. I will definately make a return trip.

CONSERVANCY OR RESERVE ? YOU DECIDE.