Leslie & Vickie’s 2026 Safari

Just when you think it can’t get any better….. Our guides are incredible! First, I must point out that they are all certified by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. They are all rated at the silver level which means they have had extensive studies and examinations to achieve this level. There is a minimum 3 years experience in the field to even get the bronze level designation. All of our guides have at least 15 years of field experience and it shows. They know how to track and anticipate where the animal will travel. Even if it feels like we are going in the opposite direction. We always end up with a direct line to animal. And the eyesight and hearing of our trackers has been fine tuned to see in trees and bushes or shrubs. The running joke is: Tracker: see the elephant on the horizon? Us: Oh you mean the slow moving boulder? 🤣😉 or more often than not our answer is “No- how can YOU see that?”

Today we were blessed to see all 3 big cats, cheetah, leopard and lions. The ‘cat trick’. But first let’s begin with a sunrise.

We start our drive to the west to find the mother and son cheetahs. They aren’t very hungry as they had eaten recently, so their hunting wasn’t very serious. Always best to know when your next meal will come though.

Then our guides get word that the boy leopard, son of Sankuit, is out and about so we drive in the direction of where we found mom the day before. When we arrive the 10 month old boy is sitting within 5 feet of the rangers truck looking up longingly at them! Almost as if he wanted to jump in for some treats! This boy has not been named officially but his nickname is “happy one” and it is apparent. Once he reaches 2 years of age he will receive his name and I’m sure it will be his nickname.

Many have asked about being safe during these game drives. While we do make eye contact with all of the animals and they may even brush up against the trucks- they really don’t care about us humans. I think they look at us with curiosity just as we look at them.

Time for breakfast… but first some sight seeing on the way.

Bernard and Micah announce that they forgot our Bush Breakfast so we drive back to camp. But first a detour to look at some monkeys…. But what we find ahead are not monkeys but instead, the camp staff waiting for us with a hot breakfast buffet in the bush! 🥰🥰🥰

After breakfast we drive for a bit and then head back to camp for some RnR before lunch… because we certainly don’t get enough food on these trips!

The afternoon game drive is a success to finish the Cat Trick day- where at the end we find a pride of lions. The affection they show for each other is much like the domestic cat. They will love you on their terms

And just a hop, skip and a jump away are 2 male elephants having a ‘sparring” session. It appears the bigger bull is trying to teach the younger, smaller bull how to fight.

It’s time to head back to camp as dinner is waiting.

This is our last night at Valley Camp and the chef outdoes himself again. The food is delish. What we also love about these folks is the sincere humbleness and desire to share many things about their food and culture. Their expertise at hospitality always goes above and beyond.

We head to Bush camp on Sunday with a game drive on the way. Another early morning.

Lala Salama

Leslie and Vickie

🦁🐆🐘