Giraffe Manor aka Heaven

Well, the last two days have officially been a dream come true.

After a very long travel day from Virunga National Park (in Congo) to Nairobi (Kenya) we FINALLY arrived at Giraffe Manor. We were given a quick tour before I was advised I had 30 minutes to make myself presentable before our giraffe photoshoot (not an easy feat after over 11hrs of travelling).

I ran upstairs threw some makeup on and let the magic happen. It was incredible the giraffes came right up to the house, ate out of our hands and even came in for a cheeky kiss. After 2hrs of feeding, playing and posing it was time for the giraffes tongo to bed and for us to have a family style dinner with the other guests in the dining room.

The room (well, the whole house really) felt like it was out of Cluedo - we were expecting Colonel Mustard to murder someone with a candlestick in the dining room.

This morning was just as incredible. We awoke to giraffes at our window and then dined with them downstairs for breakfast. After another few hours of photos and feeding we headed to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust p which is an orphanage for Elephants.

We were lucky enough to see 24 baby elephants  (aged 2 months - 2 yrs) feed and play in the mud. We are now off for a quick city tour before our afternoon flight to Zanzibar.

- K x

Do Not Fly

After meeting our guide Mark at Nairobi airport we flew the 1.5hrs into Kigali, Rwanda. We spent around 1.5 in the Geonocide Museum then headed back to the hotel for an early dinner before an early night.

The next morning we drove 3.5 to the boarder of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (yes, it's officially on Australias do not fly list). We had to walk across the boarder, get our temperatures and vaccination cardschecked and get into another car on the other side.

We drove through Goma (DRC) and learned that it has the worlds largest UN and Unicef presence. Not surprising as the city was improvierished chaos. Basically the presence there is to stop people shooting each other. We had lunch at a oasis restraunt by the lake where we were all shocked when the menu handed to us was in French!

We then drove another 1.5hrs up a mountain with an armed guard sticking his gun out the window (yikes) and found ourselves at a Lodge the middle of Virunga National Park. The surroundings were stunning but once again early to bed before a big day of trekking to see the Gorillas.

We woke early and trekked for 2.5hrs across fields and jungle to find the largest family group of Gorillas in the country. The group in total comprises of 35 but we were lucky enough to see around 18 of them, and when i say see i mean they surrounded us. Babies curious running up and trying to tug on our pants and doing acrobatics in the trees was amazing.

Our second trek today was just as magical,  we were lucky enough to be the first people to see a 2 week old baby gorilla and it's mum. She was so protective but eventually let us see it. We also gota little too well acquainted with a 30yr old Silverback who walked straight up to me and only turned with about 30cm to go. I have never been so terrified in my entire life!

This afternoon we headed to a new (fancier,  with wifi!) Lodge and saw their Gorilla orphanage.

5.30am wake up tomorrow morning before a long day travelling back to Nairobi.

- K x

Masai Mara

We arrived at the shoddiest looking airport in the world, that consisted of essentially metal huts. My hopes were not high and my fear of flying was certainly prominent. Our plane was a 12 seater and I was not impressed. Luckily we landed safe and sound. Our guides Moses and Murufu took us the scenic route to our new home at Salas Camp where we were welcomed by Zebras, Giraffes and lots of Wilderbeast.

Our tent is more like a luxury hotel with its plunge pool, banana lounge and ensuite overlooking the Serengeti. We were told we would be doing two safaris a day, one at dawn and one at dusk. The next few days were a blur of animals. We saw everything from Lion Cubs playing, to Cheetahs hunting (successfully) and lots of Zebra bums! We have had stunning hot days and very wet nights, perfect weather for the animals.

On our final full day we visited a Masai village, the danced for (and with) us and shared stories of their culture and traditions with us. I think Mum also almost tried to adopt one of the gorgeous children who were hanging around us and loved to be picked up and cuddled.

- K x

DubHi

After 2 long months we finally met up with Tom in Dubai. Minimal tears but lots of chatter later we checked into the Park Hyatt to indulge ourselves on the breakfast buffet and al la carte offerings. We made it to the Dubai Mall by 10am (apparently the largest mall in the world) to do some diamond and watch shopping - just kidding although I did see a stunning radiant cut Bulgari solitaire valued at $750,000 (start saving Doug).

We purchased Tom some sunglasses  (hot pink, don't ask) and were on our way back the hotel for our desert tour.
Our desert tour started with an hour drive out of Dubai, saw a falcon show and then spent an hour 4 wheel driving through the sand dunes. After sunset we arrived at a massive site filled with tables and stalls. We took our seats and had some of the yummy Arabian buffet on offer.  Eventually the belly dancing show started and was incredible, the dancer was balancing swords on her head and twirling in front of the crowd. We piled back into the car where I proceeded to sleep the whole way home.

The next morning  (once again after a fantastic breakfast) we went up the top of the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world. We didn't have much time afterwards so raced home and to the airport where Tom managed to eat through the business class lounge. We arrived in Nairobi a few hours later and had a quick dinner and an early night before our morning flight.

- K x