We are officially in the thick of our safari adventure, and it somehow already feels impossible that this is real life.

From Atlanta to Africa

Our journey began on January 6th as we left Atlanta, bound for Kenya. Two days, two continents, and two major stopovers later — Frankfurt and Istanbul — we finally touched down in Nairobi. By the time we arrived at our hotel around 5:00 a.m., exhaustion had completely taken over. We did what felt most appropriate: slept. For 16 straight hours.

Once we rejoined the land of the living, our one true adventure in Nairobi took us to Karura Forest, an urban oasis just a few miles north of the city center. Covering more than 2,500 acres, Karura Forest is one of the largest gazetted urban forests in the world and plays a vital role in Nairobi’s ecosystem — improving air quality, preserving biodiversity, and offering residents a rare connection to nature within a bustling capital city.

The forest is home to monkeys, bushbucks, reptiles, butterflies, and more than 200 species of birds. We encountered several monkeys along the trails, countless birds, and an incredible variety of plant and tree species. What surprised us most during our 7-mile hike were the pine trees — towering, abundant, and completely unexpected. We also explored waterfalls and caves, each turn revealing something new. Karura felt peaceful, alive, and deeply important to the city that surrounds it.

Our final day in Nairobi was spent preparing for what came next: safari. We would be flying in a 10-person plane, with a strict luggage limit of just 33 pounds per person. Every ounce mattered.

The flight to the Masai Mara was bumpy — and, if we’re being honest, a little terrifying (especially for Casey). But the views quickly became a distraction. From the air, we spotted herds of buffalo, elephants, and animals we couldn’t quite identify from that height. At our first landing strip, we were greeted by a herd of giraffes — including one standing directly on the runway, seemingly just as curious about us as we were about it.

After one stop and about 60 minutes of total flight time, we landed at our final airstrip where our driver welcomed us alongside our two game-drive companions visiting from San Francisco, Esther and Eric. Champagne was poured, snacks appeared, and just like that, safari had begun.

A Dream Called the JW Marriott Masai Mara

Our drive to our home for the next five nights — JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge — doubled as our first game drive. Even though this is considered the “low season,” the Mara did not hold back. Along the way we encountered hyenas, water buffalo, elephants (including babies), topis, warthogs, giraffes, gazelles, zebras, and — waiting just outside the lodge — hippopotamuses.

The lodge itself sits along the Talek River, deep within the Masai Mara, offering unobstructed views into wildlife territory. It’s one of the most exclusive safari lodges in Kenya, blending ultra-luxury with thoughtful sustainability and deep respect for the surrounding Masai community.

Upon arrival, members of the Masai community greeted us with a traditional dance — and at their insistence, I joined in. From there, our host escorted us across the suspension bridge into the lodge. As staff lined up to welcome us, I felt tears welling up. The day had already been magical, and the weight of gratitude hit me all at once. This was real. We were here.

If I had to describe the arrival vibe in one sentence: it felt like we were stepping into Season 4 of The White Lotus — safari edition.

Our Sunrise Suite is absolutely stunning. The tented suite blends luxury and nature seamlessly, featuring floor-to-ceiling views of the river, a private terrace, elegant furnishings, a massive bed, and a bathroom that feels like a spa. You can watch wildlife pass by without ever leaving your room.

That evening, we enjoyed an incredible dinner followed by a bonfire with a Masai warrior while watching hippos emerge from the river to feed. Every expectation we had was exceeded. Every detail is intentional. Everything is executed flawlessly.

Because wildlife freely roams the property, guests are escorted between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. by Masai warriors — hyenas, baboons, and hippos are very real nighttime neighbors. As we were guided back to our tent, we could hear hippos grunting and hyenas calling in the distance. Strange sounds, yes — but oddly comforting, like nature’s lullaby.

Lions, Rhinos, and the Circle of Life

Our first official game drive began at 6:00 a.m., just in time to catch an unforgettable sunrise over the Mara. Our driver, Jacob, was phenomenal — expertly spotting wildlife and answering our endless questions about habits, diets, and social structures.

We saw gazelles, topis, water buffalo, giraffes, hyenas, monkeys, lions, and an entire pride of lionesses. The highlight was watching the lionesses attempt a hunt. Female lions hunt cooperatively — moving slowly, staying low, spreading out to surround their prey, and communicating through subtle cues. Watching them stalk a warthog was thrilling… and while part of us was in awe of their precision, we were also relieved when the warthog escaped all five predators.

Most of my photos were taken using a high-end Canon camera provided by the lodge. At the end of our stay, the photography team will help edit our top shots and send us home with an SD card of everything.
Day 1 photo count: 523.

Our second drive delivered something even rarer — a black rhino. There are only about 44 rhinos remaining between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, largely due to decades of poaching driven by the illegal horn trade. Seeing one is special even for the people who live and work here. When Jacob got the call, we raced across the Mara alongside other vehicles. The adrenaline was real.

That evening ended with a cocktail bonfire in the open savanna, Masai warriors sharing stories of their culture — including marriage traditions (live and let live!). Dinner followed, featuring vegetables grown largely onsite — tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and herbs so fresh they practically ruined grocery stores forever. On our walk back, we spotted bushbabies — adorable, until a flashlight hits them and their massive eyes stare back at you.

Balloons, Cheetahs, and a Core Memory for Life

Day three started at 4:00 a.m. for our hot air balloon ride. It was the earliest morning of any vacation I’ve ever taken — and completely worth it.

Because of the wind, the basket was on its side for boarding. We climbed in and lay down until the balloon inflated. About 15 feet up, we were told to stand. And then… silence. Peace. Magic.

The captain explained he could only control altitude — not direction or speed. We floated wherever the wind carried us, watching the sun rise over the Mara. From above we spotted giraffes, hippos, ostriches, and even a leopard.

After landing, we enjoyed a bush breakfast complete with bottomless champagne and great conversation before heading back out on another game drive. Wildlife never becomes monotonous — every encounter is different.

When we heard a cheetah had been spotted, we rushed over. The first cheetah wasn’t interested in posing — just teasing us from the shade. But shortly after leaving, we received another call. A second cheetah. On our way back to the lodge.

What happened next may be the highlight of our entire safari.

We arrived just after she had completed a successful hunt of a gazelle. For 90 minutes, we watched the oldest female cheetah in the reserve eat, while vultures — three different species — gathered nearby, waiting. Her stomach visibly grew as she fed. She avoided the stomach to prevent attracting hyenas… but hyenas can smell blood from nearly two kilometers away.

Eventually, a lone hyena appeared. The cheetah finished her meal and walked away. Instantly, the vultures swarmed — aggressive, chaotic, relentless — until the hyena charged in, scattering them and stealing what remained.

In an hour and a half, we witnessed the full circle of life.

I took over 1,000 photos during that time alone.

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Just two and a half days into safari, we’ve already seen everything we hoped for — and so much more. In many ways, this experience reminds us of the Galápagos: wildly different, yet strikingly similar in the sheer abundance of life. It feels like stepping into a real-life episode of Planet Earth.

Tonight, heavy rain kept us in — a perfect excuse for a late lunch, photo editing, and writing this post. Dinner awaits, and tonight’s feature is Indian cuisine (one of our favorites).

Tomorrow, we head out again with no expectations — just gratitude, curiosity, and the joy of soaking it all in.

I can’t wait to share more photos with you soon. For now, I hope you enjoy what we’ve captured on our phones — and thank you for being part of this journey with us.

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