Family Christmas in the Mara

Audley client Dr Ian McCurdie writes about his family's Christmas vacation to the Masai Mara in Kenya.

Like so many other families hoping to get away over the festive season, our plans for a dream vacation over Christmas and New Year looked increasingly under threat as the snow and icy weather paralyzed the UK’s transport network. Seemingly against the odds, our flight to Kenya departed on time from Heathrow on 21st December and so began our family adventure.

Within 24 hours we were enjoying our first taste of safari in the magical Masai Mara. Driving out from the Governor’s Camp with our guide and new friend Joseph, we soon met many of the local residents, including lion, leopard, giraffe, elephants and many more. The abundance of wildlife was truly overwhelming.

That first evening was our daughter Fiona’s 20th birthday, which was celebrated in memorable style by a group of local dancing Masai warriors, complete with birthday cake! Our first Christmas away from home a few days later would turn out to be just as special. We were treated to carol singing, roast turkey and even Christmas crackers — who needs snow.

To celebrate a birthday and Christmas far away from home was, not surprisingly, a very different experience, but one that we thoroughly enjoyed. To have spent the time with the wonderfully friendly people of the Governor’s Camp among the enchanting wildlife of the Masai Mara made it an experience we shall treasure forever.