In February 2025, we embarked on our second safari with Gamewatchers and Porini Camps, and once again, it was beyond incredible. Having previously stayed in ultra-luxury lodges on our first trip to Kenya, we can confidently say that Porini Camps offer an unbeatable experience—the same stunning wildlife as the fancy camps next door, but with a more intimate, immersive, and authentic feel.
The Journey Begins: Overcoming Travel Hiccups
Our adventure started with an unexpected hurdle at the Asheville airport, where we were told we had no tickets—even though the Delta app showed seat assignments. Thankfully, the Delta ticket agent was amazing and worked tirelessly to fix the issue. Thanks to a calm and patient approach, we got everything sorted, though it meant a nine-hour layover in Charlotte. The silver lining? We arrived in Nairobi nine hours early!
From London, we called our travel agent and Rick from Gamewatchers, who reassured us that everything would be fine. And he was right—when we landed in Nairobi at 7:30 AM, the Gamewatchers team was already waiting for us. After a comfortable night in a hotel, we met up with our friends Rob and Diann at breakfast the next morning, and our adventure truly began.
Ololo Camp: The Perfect Start
Even though this was our third safari, we had never stayed at Ololo Camp, located right next to Nairobi National Park. From the moment our guide Steve picked us up, the wildlife sightings began—we saw almost all of the Big Five before we even arrived at camp!
At Ololo, we crossed a massive swinging bridge and were greeted with cold towels and fresh berry juice. The camp manager, Lemmy, warmly welcomed us and surprised us with an upgrade to a suite—which turned out to be bigger than our home! With a bathtub, glass shower, fireplace, and an enormous veranda overlooking the savannah, it was the perfect start.
Lunch by the savannah-side pool was delightful, and later that afternoon, Steve took us on a wild game drive where we saw giraffes, rhinos, warthogs (Pumbas!), impalas, ostriches, and monkeys, ending with sundowners while watching lions.
That night, in our tent, we listened to the roars of lions and the grunts of hippos echoing through the dark African night—a thrilling reminder of how close we were to the wild!
Ololo is a true eco-camp, growing all its own vegetables, fruits, and herbs, raising pigs, cows, and goats, and even making its own furniture!
Porini Rhino Camp: Wildlife at Our Doorstep
Next, we flew to Porini Rhino Camp, a camp we had visited before and loved. We requested Room 5 for its incredible view of the watering hole, where animals gathered all day long. Over our three-night stay, we saw 14 elephants at once, and one day, a majestic black rhino appeared!
The camp manager, DG, was one of the best hosts we’ve ever had—engaging, present at every meal, and ensuring every guest felt special. Our guides, John and Ben, worked their magic, finding us every animal we wanted to see and more, despite no longer being able to off-road.
One of the biggest surprises? The camp organized a fantastic birthday celebration for me—an experience I will cherish forever.
Porini Lion Camp: Our Favorite Camp
After three nights, we flew to Porini Lion Camp, where we immediately felt at home.
Our guides, Bill and Anderson, were simply outstanding. Since this was our third time in Kenya, we weren’t just snapping photos—we were searching for those once-in-a-lifetime encounters, and they delivered. We saw incredible predator action, elephant herds, giraffes, and more.
The General Manager, Dan, was incredibly welcoming, and we were thrilled to have Jonas as our houseman again from our previous trip. We stayed in Tent 1, and at night, we could hear lions roaring, hippos grunting, and hyenas calling—one of the best parts of sleeping in the African bush!
The food at Lion Camp was exceptional, even better than before. They accommodated my dietary preferences (I don’t eat fish, goat, or lamb), ensuring I always had something special.
One small but memorable moment—at lunch one day, I loved the avocado salad but missed out on seconds. The staff noticed and, without me saying a word, brought me a plate of avocado later at dinner. That level of attentiveness made us feel so at home.
After four unforgettable nights, we didn’t want to leave!
Porini Mara Camp: A Perfect Ending
From Lion Camp, we took a scenic drive to Porini Mara Camp, where we spent three incredible nights.
Our guides, Stanley and Edward, found us some of the most amazing wildlife encounters, including a mother lion with three adorable cubs! The restaurant staff and General Manager were welcoming and made our stay truly special.