We left Nairobi and its surroundings to begin exploring the rest of this magnificent country with its diverse landscapes and hospitable people. We drove north to Sweetwaters Tented Camp, which lies in the heart of the privately-owned 22,000-acre reserve, where we enjoyed magnificent views across the bush to the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kenya. Overlooking a floodlit waterhole, the Camp offers visitors an opportunity to watch and photograph wildlife in its natural habitat.

At Sweetwaters Tented Camp, visitors have the opportunity to watch and photograph wildlife in its natural habitat. Photo by Tim Lewthwaite.

We arrived on Monday afternoon and quickly were out in the park on our first game drive. It didn’t take us long to find our first family of elephants–one of whom was a rather curious little youngster.  We stayed with them for a while, enjoying their peaceful grazing through the Kenyan bush.  Other animals we saw included the common zebra, impala, water buffalo, hartebeest, and reticulated giraffe.

Later, we are off on a night drive where we hope to come across either lions or leopards. With all the sounds of the African bush that are currently resonating around my tent, I can’t imagine that it will be anything other than a thrilling night!

Tim is traveling with AZA Commercial Member Classic Escapes. Be sure to visit the Animals Inc. website to view photos of his experiences in Kenya and to learn more about actions you can take to help protect the species that live there.