LUX Autumn 2018

8 The UltimateTwin Centre Experience sun, sea, safari and sundowners For explorers, adventures and animal lovers alike, a trip to Africa is a life-changing experience. I must admit when Hayes and Jarvis invited LUXlife to a luxury twin centre experience to Africa, I was excited yet, understandably, nervous about what to expect... First things first, a flight from London Heathrow to Samburu Airport via Jomo Kenyatta International in Nairobi, Kenya took us to our stunning destination. Located in the heart of the Samburu National Reserve, the airport offered an interesting first impression of my new home for the next few days. Venturing through archetypal savannah plains, peppered with rugged shrubs, and tight clusters of Senegalia and Acacia, we were blessed with appearances from Antelope, Oryx, and Elephants, to name but a few, which set the tone perfectly for the days to come. It offered the promise of an adventure: to see and experience things I couldn’t experience elsewhere, and to push the limits of my, admittedly, nervous disposition in the face of a Black Rhino (more on that later). Even from that first moment, I knew this trip was going to be special- something to treasure. So, with no small amount of anticipation, we arrived at our first accommodation. On the approach, the Saruni Samburu lodge looked, by all regards, like something from a sun-drenched dream. A delightful blend of best-in-class luxury and a rustic ‘true-to-life’ setting, it offered a genuine African experience, without catering too much to foreign sensibilities. After a fly-by stop to collect our local Saruni guide, we headed further through the Kalama Conservancy, known for its plethora of wildlife, and then journeyed further to just north of the vast Samburu National Reserve. Along the winding path our knowledgeable guide pointed out noteworthy landmarks, wildlife and other noteworthy sights. Drawing our attention to Explore Exclusive Reticulated Giraffe, and, for the briefest of moments, to a lioness lounging almost invisible in the midst of a dusty plain, our guide kept us enraptured throughout the drive. We stopped by the Ewaso Ng’iro river for a wonderful picnic lunch, before setting off again back to the lodge. By this time, I was starting to relax and enjoy the glorious natural beauty of my surroundings. No longer was I expecting to be ambushed by a herd of elephants or a particularly irate ostrich; I was in a state of perpetual awe and enjoying every second. With this awe-inspiring journey behind us, the remainder of the day was spent relaxing. We enjoyed refreshing cocktails and sampled the exceptional hospitality that has led the lodge to become a beacon of luxury travel for visitors from around the world. A wonderfully traditional communal dinner rounded-off the evening before we all retired to our luxurious beds for the night. The next day, I was told that we were going to meet the elusive, and unfortunately rare, Black Rhino. With some air of collective apprehension, we departed early for our new home, Saruni Rhino, a campsite in much the same vein as our Samburu lodge but with the added bonus of being located in close proximity to the stomping ground of these majestic creatures. Unlike Saruni Samburu, Saruni Rhino is a 3-banda camp, situated alongside a spectacular dry river bed lined with Duom Palms. All the bandas had flushing toilets, as well as hot and cold