The film Out of Africa brought Eastern Africa, particularly Kenya, to the minds and hearts

of people throughout the world. Through the beauty of the scenery and the poignancy of

the story, the African bush, sky and ambiance actually touched the souls of many people who

felt the need to visit this amazing continent. The film – as stunning as it is – does not come

close to the real experience.

My first trip to Africa was to Kenya in September of 1980. At that time the airport in Nairobi was a very small building on a vast runway. You had to take steps off the plane to get onto the tarmac. That was the first time my heart stopped. This past July I went back to Kenya – it had been too long. Our Anastasia’s Africa program has taken me throughout Southern Africa a few times and back to Tanzania - but on this trip- a site inspection for business – I needed to update myself on the “new” Kenya and on parts recently opened to tourism in Tanzania… With me was Kimberly Kovtun of Anastasia’s Africa, (currently on a gorilla trek in Uganda) and my dear friend, Margery “Butch” Philipsborn of Frosch Travel in Chicago. I met Butch in Kenya on that very first trip and we remain Africaphiles and great friends today.  She is the Africa expert for her company and uses us quite often for customized safaris.

Our plan was to go through Kenya first with my partner there, David Sugden, and then on to Tanzania to meet up with our guru there, Tom Lithgow. David took us to see so many places – some old and some new – that it boggled my mind. The good news is that this vast land can support the additional lodges and camps. Now there is something for everyone accommodation wise. In particular we liked Rekero also in the Mara and Siracoi at Lewa Downs Conservancy for the semi and permanent tented experience.

And my favorite high end Lodge and Villa accommodations (and there are now many choices in this category) was by far Ol Malo in the northern frontier. There is no point in staying in Nairobi at all. The suburban area has many wonderful hotels & lodges. In particular we liked Ngong

House – with its very “African” feel – most of the rooms are tree houses! Yes! In trees! And there is a lovely private house that we were privileged to use that can easily become a home-away-

from-home!  Too easily. The food is excellent too.

Also, House of Waine makes you feel like you are staying at the Beverly Hills hotel – even the grounds! Karen Blixen’s and Giraffe Manor are two other excellent spots to spend your arrival and departure days and nights.

Bidding adieu to Kenya we flew to Arusha, Tanzania and were met by Tom’s beautiful wife, Belinda. We had our share of R&R cocktails that night and headed out early in the morning to fly to Katavi – a truly wondrous, somewhat “newly-opened” game area in Tanzania, very different to the popular Serengeti plains. This area is so “virgin” there are only a handful of camps - semi-permanent camps at that. The camp managers and guides do not even know for sure what game is wandering about – the area is so vast and unexplored. This makes for some serious safari-time. Tracking becomes the norm as opposed to just “seeing” game everywhere. It is very exciting.  There are amazing “sections” to Katavi – with rivers and streams and even waterfalls. There are open plain areas and jungle-like parts as well. We saw all four camps and met everyone - all 10 or 15 people that operate the camps during the season. A close knit community, for sure.

From Katavi we took a short charter flight to the new airstrip along the shore of Lake Tanganyika

where we were a short boat ride away from Lupita Lake and Tom’s new lodge. What a phenomenal place. It is impossible to imagine what it must have been like to construct this beautiful facility on this hilly, no-man’s-land island. The setting is beautiful. Lupita Lodge is a masterpiece of design and construction and interiors.  The “houses” are spacious and beautiful down to the smallest detail. The views are stupendous. It is a worthy stop on a journey where some water sports and R&R become a welcome retreat. Lots to do including snorkeling, diving,

fishing, and exploring!

After our refresher course on “what’s new” in Kenya and Tanzania, our Anastasia’s Africa team is ready as always to share our knowledge and experience beyond what most operators know – and we know it first hand. We proudly include these wonderful destinations and lodges and camps in our portfolio of experiences for Africa.

Of course Southern Africa is also amazing, particularly South Africa – for the glamour of its posh lodges and close up and personal game experiences – and its beautiful coast line and cities. Then on to Zambia & Zimbabwe for their natural gifts from God and the intrepid spirit of their tented camps and Zambezi River adventures and array of animals. Then onward to our beloved Botswana for its many ecosystems within the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert

regions and its unique game and excellent accommodations. Then Namibia, Mozambique,

and on and on. It’s now possible to combine trips to Eastern Africa and Southern Africa as the

air connections are finally all in place. All you need is some time. And that becomes the true trip of a lifetime, waiting for you now . . . Anastasia