2017 Trip – 16 July

Erin Williams

Hey, just wanted to say that I’m doing well so far. The flights went well and we landed at about 1:30 in Nairobi without any major problems but we’re all tired since it was almost impossible to get any good amount of sleep while we were travelling. Still, we’re coping and I’m sure we’ll sleep soundly knowing all sorts of creatures could be right next to us just separated by canvas.

Going on the game drive this afternoon was when it finally sunk in that I’m actually in Africa as it doesn’t seem quite real that I’ve been given this opportunity. Seeing all the animals was amazing, it felt surreal how close we are to them sometimes. In regards to health I’ve been perfectly fine and the food here is amazing (even the veggie options). I hate heat and insects but still thought Africa was a good destination – fortunately I’ve enjoyed myself enough that it’s been worth it although I would kill for a shower.

I was surprised by the fact that I have stayed calm throughout the past two days and have found myself enjoying it without many worries as all of the staff are helpful and it has been really easy to get on with everyone I’ve talked to as everyone is incredibly friendly. Don’t worry about me!

 

Ellie Coulton

It only the first day in Africa and all I can really say so far is that it’s amazing. Iv seen so many wild animals like: cheetas, elephants, camels, and more. However the best part was coming back to camp to find a family of bamboo’s walking through the camp. It is honestly the best experience of my life so far. Iv learned everyone’s names, something im completely proud of. Im really ecstatic about the trip and ill miss all thoughts back home.

 

Isobel Mason-Nixon

My journey didn’t start off very well as I was travel sick so it didn’t start out the way I would have liked but I am fine now so I am enjoying myself. We finally landed in Nairobi at around 1:30 today and we were all extremely tired. We then had to collect our luggage and wait for the truck to turn up. When the truck turned up it finally felt real and I finally felt like I was in Africa. It was a very long and tiring journey from the airport to Kenya but luckily everyone went to sleep so we finally got some sleep. I was nervous to start with as I had different expectations to what Africa would actually look like. It is actually amazing and I am so grateful for this experience and opportunity I have been given. After we had our camp set up we had dinner and the got ready to go on a game drive which I was extremely exciting as I have always wanted to see an elephant as it is my favorite animal. While we were there we saw elephants, giraffes and cheetahs all up close and it was extremely exciting and a totally new experience that I will never forget. It was made me even more excited for the days to come on the rest of the trip and has calmed my nerves a bit. I am already having an amazing and unforgettable time and cannot wait for everything else throughout the rest of the trip. Missing everyone already but I am having an amazing time.

 

Stephanie Julier

I don’t know how to start, but my flights weren’t as bad as I expected. The take offs were easy to handle which was strange because I usually hate the take off. We landed early this morning and jumped on the truck. Instantly most people fell asleep. It then took us around 7 hours to reach where we are now, Ol Pejeta. We set our tents up, which for people who are small was a little bit difficult. After that we had lunch, which was tasty. We then got ready to go on a game drive. I took loads of pictures of all the animals like elephants and giraffes but my favourite photo I took was of a cheetah caught mid blink. We got back to the camp and found out we’d just missed an elephant up close! We then noticed bamboos in a tree not to far from our camp, the sounded like dogs. Even within 2 days of setting off I am already having a fantastic time. I miss everyone but I’m enjoying every second.

 

Polly Dowdle

We spent 28 hours straight traveling but I only got 12 hours sleep on Friday and Saturday night as it was hard to sleep. I think I got enough hours of sleep but I feel very tired. Today we went on a game drive which took about two hours and we saw so many animals. I used my telephoto lens to get up close images of creatures like cheetahs, giraffes, elephants and rhinos. I got a lot of good photos but I have loads of memory left. I’m much more excited about the holiday now I’m here!

 

Georgia Linton

We landed at 1:30 in the morning and from the airport we had a 7 hour drive to were we were camping so everyone is shattered but Africa is a different world. So far I’ve realised the people are so happy and polite and they speak better English than me! I’m really nervous for the challenging days as I already feel sorry for the crew even though they’re happy and doing the same as us but I just feel like its that natural care for them. We have all set our tents up and the toilet is a hole in the floor with no flush or toilet roll but it does have a seat! Just letting everyone know I’m already missing you all but I’m already enjoying it here! I’ve seen so many animals I haven’t seen before it was amazing and I just wanted to touch them. We literally have Baboons running around near us with little babies on their backs it’s so cute. The food we’ve had so far is fresh which a change from what I eat at home but we do eat plenty but I was dreading the food.

 

Rachel Smith

Travelling was great fun… but its thankfully over haha! The drive to the camp we are staying in now was 7 hours long but it was genuinely amazing to pass through different Kenyan towns. I have realised that although Kenya and the UK are worlds apart in so many ways, the daily routines of the people are incredibly similar. We passed so many colourful shops, beauty salons and the movies. I was so happy to see it! Anyway just want to let you know I’m doing great, thank you for everything that helped me get here and I cant wait to see what Africa has next in store,

 

Joe Carter

Only been here for a day and having such a great time already. Thankfully all the travelling is over for a few days as the flights seemed to last a lifetime, and the bus ride to the camp we are staying at took us seven hours during the night and we all managed to grab several hours of sleep but everyone is still very tired today. After we set up camp we had our dinner and I tried a ham sandwich with lettuce but too everyone’s surprise I wasn’t a fan. Later that afternoon we went on our first game drive, and managed to see some breath taking animals in the wild such as elephants, giraffes and cheetahs. The food for tea was the highlight of the day as it was my first full meal and it was spaghetti Bolognese with carrots and peas and I ate it all and had seconds.