2 Days Kenya Safari special Tsavo East and Taita hills Saltlick from Mombasa

Our adventure began with a beautifully coordinated trip on public transportation. Mapping out our journey using the Madaraka Express, my octogenarian uncle boarded the train in Mombasa while I departed from Nairobi early Wednesday morning. Our paths seamlessly converged at Voi Station, where our local guide, Sameer Khan, warmly welcomed us. As a third-generation Voi native of Indian descent, Sameer brought an incredibly rich layer of personal history to our trip. Driving a customized green Toyota safari vehicle, he navigated the hour-long drive to Salt Lick Lodge, captivating us along the way with stories of the landscape he has explored since childhood. We spent two and a half wonderful days with Sameer, and his intimate knowledge of the land completely transformed our experience. After that initial drive to the lodge, we took some time to rest before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Our style of travel was unpretentious; we moved with the ease of locals rather than rushed, typical tourists. Because Sameer knew the terrain so deeply, he never needed to drive fast or far to find the wildlife—we were treated to incredible, easy sightings of lions, zebras, giraffes, and other majestic animals right in their natural rhythm. Our slower, more deliberate pace also allowed us to appreciate the finer details of the sanctuary. We spent our second day exploring the wilderness in the crisp morning and the cool evening, dedicated not just to the large mammals but also to the rich birdlife. Together, we watched many magnificent types of birds—such as the brilliant, multi-colored lilac-breasted roller, distinct, red-billed hornbills, iridescent superb starlings, and vocal yellow-necked spurfowls—a quiet, rewarding spectacle that more hurried tourists completely missed. In addition to providing this unique perspective and giving us the local version of the tour in Swahili, Sameer shared a fascinating piece of family history—how his great-grandfather originally arrived in Mombasa from Gujarat, India, on a dhow pulled by the monsoon winds. It is a story so captivating I will have to save the full details for next time! Salt Lick Safari Lodge: Breathtaking Immersion and Intuitive Service Upon arriving at the iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge, we were struck by its breathtaking immersion into the Kenyan landscape. The lodge's spectacular architecture—featuring rounded rooms uniquely elevated on stilts—provides an unmatched vantage point over the surrounding terrain. Nestled within the stunning Taita Hills, the local environment is a beautiful tapestry of sweeping short grasslands, scattered shrubs, and hardy umbrella acacias that bring the wildlife right to your doorstep. While the natural beauty exceeded all expectations, what truly elevates Salt Lick is its exceptional, deeply intuitive service. Traveling with an octogenarian family member visiting from Kisauni, Mombasa, I was deeply moved by how the staff readily provided extra care and thoughtful attention without us ever having to ask. Ever since our trip, he has regularly been raving about how well he was looked after! Thanks to an exceptionally well-balanced staff-to-guest ratio, every interaction feels effortless. Dining is a seamless experience—used plates are whisked away the moment they are set aside—and the management team maintains meticulous precision in their communication both before and during your stay. Culinary Highlights While the meals are served buffet-style, Salt Lick entirely distinguishes itself by offering fresh, made-to-order preparation at vibrant live cooking stations. The cuisine is a wonderful fusion of diverse flavors: • African Favorites: Perfectly prepared traditional staples, including soft chapatis, authentic ugali, and fresh local greens. • International Classics: Continental and European dishes, featuring delicious noodles prepared exactly to your taste on order, alongside excellent desserts. • Asian Flavors: A fantastic variety of rich chicken curries and highly flavorful Asian vegetarian options. As a wonderful and rare bonus, the lodge freely provides guests with drinking water rather than charging extra for it—a refreshing, generous touch that beautifully sets them apart from peer facilities in the region. Takeaways from the Experience: A Global Standard for Eco-Tourism Whether you are traveling from within Kenya, the United States, Europe, or anywhere else in the world—even those accustomed to the pristine beauty of Switzerland or France near the Alps—Taita Taveta offers a uniquely refreshing and distinct experience. This destination is a haven for those who truly value genuine, respectful eco-tourism. The seamless care we experienced throughout our journey brings to mind the profound words of Nelson Mandela: "Elegance is not a matter of luxury, but of simplicity and respect." At Salt Lick, that elegance is felt in every detail—from the effortless attentiveness of the staff to the quiet grandeur of the landscape. It is a sanctuary that honors the finest traditions of African hospitality, balancing a deep respect for its guests with an understated grace. For an unforgettable retreat that treats your family with royal care, this lodge stands in a class of its own.

We came to Kenya for the first time and had a great safari with Ali, a really good guide. He responded to our wishes and ideas and speaks very good German. It was a very individual safari with many beautiful experiences and pictures. Thank you Ali for the wonderful care. Asante

That was a phenomenal great 2-day safari. Kenya without safari would be a sin. Ali, the guide, speaks very good German and is very educated. He can explain everything to you and is very entertaining. There is no fixed route, but he reacts quickly and flexibly and has thus given us a very great and successful safari. Thank you.

Fantastic experience with Jem and her team from start to finish. Can’t recommend them enough. We had the best holiday ever! Nothing was ever too much trouble and prices really reasonable. Thank you Jemmy Safari!

The guide picked ne up on time and we had a nice drive to tsavo. We saw plenty of animals the 4x4 was comfortable with a friendly professional guide . Jemmy is very professional in her work .Will use her again n again.