A curious black-and-white colobus monkey
near Mount Kenya; luxe safari accommodations
and amenities at the Fairmont (below)
and vehicular traffic. After basking in
East African city life, which provides
once-in-a-lifetime experiences in its
own right, I board a bush plane en
route to Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-
highest peak.
most
scenic way to get from point A to B
in the 580,000-square-kilometre
country. Domestic flights throughout
Kenya are quick, readily available and
surprisingly affordable. (And you can
book flights with AMA before you
leave.) During my two-hour ride, I
glimpse Kilimanjaro, the continent’s
tallest mountain, and herds of giraffe
clumsily trotting below.
Disembarking from the Cessna onto
the tiny Laikipia airstrip, it hits me:
I’m in Africa! The air feels different.
It smells wild (if “wild” could be bot-
tled like some exotic perfume). And the
landscape looks… massive. Rolling hills
spread out for what seems like an eter-
nity; blue sky stretches as far as I can
see. I learn that feeling of vastness is a
common one, owing to Laikipia’s
the
location, smack-dab on the equator at
an elevation of 1,890 metres.
After a short drive to the hotel—
during which I resign myself to the
fact that I’ll be covered in red African
dust for the next several days—it’s time
to explore. With its manicured lawns,
leather club chairs and walls lined with
twisting antlers, my plush accommoda-
tions at the Fairmont Mount Kenya
feel plucked from the pages of Out
of Africa. (Book great African accom-
modations for the best available rates
at AMATravel.ca/Hotels.) The hotel
was originally founded in 1959 as the
Mount Kenya Safari Club, a private
members’ club catering to British and
American expats. One can imagine
posh ladies and linen-clad gents sipping
tea on the lawn of the inner courtyard.
Seeking something a little less
refined, I wander down to the on-site
wildlife sanctuary, which houses
rescued animals from nearby game
reserves, most orphaned due to
poaching. It’s one of many examples
of Kenya’s ongoing commitment to
wildlife conservation. Caretaker James
Muraya walks me through the animal
orphanage where frenetic ostriches,
grey-crowned cranes and a giant
154-year-old tortoise roam freely.
Larger animals live in enclosures,
including a pair of cheetahs, Kenya’s
most endangered cat. “They’re the
smallest of the big cats and they
almost never attack humans, so they
have become easy prey for poachers,”
Muraya explains. After much reassur-
ance, he coaxes me into the enclosure
GettinG there health trip insurance safety
ESSENTIALS air Canada and klm
offer flights with
connections to nairobi plan ahead to
ensure a safe and
healthy adventure
in africa ama has travel counsellors
who specialize in africa.
they can work with you
to find the best possible
prices and experiences When travelling to africa,
get hepatitis a and B,
yellow fever, cholera and
meningitis vaccinations,
as well as malaria pills.
Visit medicentres to
save 15% on select travel
consultations and injection
fees: AMARewards.ca/
Medicentres purchase emergency
medical and trip
cancellation/interruption
insurance with ama when
you book your trip (see
p. 22). you’ll want to
protect your investment
on this trip of a
lifetime: AMATravel.ca/
TravelInsurance to safeguard against
crime, there is constant
and visible security
in malls and hotels.
always be aware of your
surroundings and only
travel with licensed
drivers from your hotel
or tour company
30
WINTER 2017
planninG
AMA INsIdER
Air trAvel is the fAstest and