Ask an expert: Conversations with a CAA Travel Consultant on…Kenya & Uganda!

In this new feature from CAA Travel, we catch up with our resident travel expert, Katherina Khourey, as she returns from crisscrossing the globe in search of the latest trends in the greatest destinations.

You just came back from Africa! How was your trip? 

I went to Kenya and Uganda, and it was – in a word – amazing! I went on a G Adventures itinerary in which we used permanent tented campsites and also had camping gear that we would set up – a unique way to see and experience the African wilderness. I fell in love with the destinations on my Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park safaris. They were wonderful. When I got to Uganda, I got a private guide that brought me to do local activities, such as exploring the marketplace, visiting the ancient temples and graves of past kings, and eating fresh tilapia in Lake Victoria, which I found out is the only place in the world that still has fresh (not farmed) tilapia!

What was the highlight of your trip?

The highlight for me was being able to see the “Big Five.” The term was coined by big-game hunters, and used to refer to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo. These days, it’s used (in gentler form) by tour operators and those on safari! There’s something very special about seeing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat – not in a zoo. I was fortunate to be able to see all five in the five days I was on safari. For me, the absolute highlight was seeing the migration – it is truly beyond imagination. Hundreds upon hundreds of animals thundering by… and your chances of seeing the Big Five are that much higher!

Did the rest of the trip live up to your expectations?

That’s hard to say, because a destination like Kenya or Uganda couldn’t be more different from Canada, so it’s difficult to even have an expectation of what a trip like this would be like. There is definitely some culture shock and the towns are very different, with a lack of infrastructural development compared to North American cities. However, the people are amazing – kind and warm-hearted. And, of course, the animal sightings and nature went above and beyond expectations.

What kind of traveller do you think this destination would appeal to? 

That’s easy – the perfect person for an African safari is someone who loves adventure. This is a person who has “been there and done that” in most destinations. Someone who is well-travelled and is perhaps looking for a new and novel way of seeing the world. This is someone who has an explorer’s heart - a person who is looking to discover the world and would thrill at the chance to see animals up close. This is not for a traveller for whom creature comforts are of paramount importance – they have to be flexible, open to new experiences, and willing to occasionally “rough it.”

What’s one tip you could share about this destination? 

 Make sure to choose a travel company that has open jeeps for safaris, so you can get the most out of your experience. It wouldn’t have been as impactful for me to be on safari in a closed vehicle. With an open car, you really get the sense of being right in the heart of the action. Also, here’s a bonus tip: always bring toilet paper everywhere you go, as bathrooms may not always be readily available. 

Discover Africa with CAA Travel

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