I was delighted last May when Ian agreed we could organise a trip back to Kenya. It's been 4 years since we were last on safari when, thanks to Covid delays, we did 2 trips in the space of about 4 months which ended up a bit hard going (on us as well as our bank account).
We start off back at Tortilis Camp in Amboseli, known for its large tusker elephants, before heading to two different conservancies in the Mara region, neither of which we've been to before but they are still Kicheche Camps which we like.
British Airways Premium Economy was booked both ways, but in November I saw a deal for upgrading to Business Class on the outbound leg and so spent a load of Avios securing that. I know many people would say the fully flat bed is wasted on a daytime flight, but equally the superior catering and services is wasted on a night flight when all you really want to do is sleep - besides which the upgrade for the inbound flight was silly money.
We stayed the night before at the Travelodge in Stockley Park and agreed it'll probably be our last stay there (except for the one already booked for June) as the room is tiny and now Premier Inn prices have come down a bit, it'll make sense to stay on Bath Road and just book the car into Purple Parking for an extra night. Still Stockley Park to Bath Road is only about 15 mins drive so we didn't need to get up as early as we would have driving from home and there were no worries about road closures - the way forward I feel.
Check-in at T5 has changed considerably since we were there last; the huge bank of staff ready, willing and able to check customers in has reduced to about 6 and there is a Rottweiler telling everyone to check themselves in at the automated kiosk otherwise they'll be waiting an hour. So we went to the kiosk area and immediately requested help as we've tried on several occasions to attach our baggage tags and it never ends well. Just as well we did as she was able to tell us we then had to queue up separately to have our Kenya ESTA checked. I don't know what would have happened if we'd missed that bit - turned away at the plane I guess. Anyway the whole process is a huge backward step in BA's constant desire to turn themselves into a budget airline!
We checked which lounge would be best for us and as we were flying from B gates we headed to the South Lounge which was nearer the shuttle and also quieter (further away from check-in). Food and drink options were the same as usual and we spent a pleasant 1 1/2 hours there before heading for B gates and dropping in on the lounge there for a cheeky swift one.
Nice to be back at the front of the plane and enjoying a glass of fizz whilst the remaining passengers board.
I opted for Chicken Yassa, I didn't have a clue what it was but it was very nice, if a little spicy.
Overall the flight, staff and catering were all average - nothing special but certainly nothing to complain about and we landed 8 hours or so later fully refreshed from our lazy flight.
During Covid times Safari Consultants utilised a firm to help people navigate immigration etc which I can understand as dealing with the ever changing documents and tests was new to everyone, but it would appear that their services are still being used and we were met as soon as we reached the terminal by a young lady from Umbato. She then led us straight through the Diplomatic Channel of Immigration and to the baggage carousel where unfortunately for all 3 of us we had a very, very long wait for our 1 bag. She went off at one point and was able to ascertain that the bag had indeed been loaded at Heathrow but that for some reason it was being held back for checking. We racked our brains for anything that might cause a problem but couldn't think, so she phoned “a friend in customs” and once our bag finally arrived we went straight through. A few palms greased, I think.
A rep from Benroso Safaris was waiting outside for us, but sadly it wasn't our friend Jackson who'd driven us on our previous two visits. We learnt from Stan that Jackson had died shortly after we saw him last in February 2022, which to be honest wasn't a total surprise. He told us then how he'd been very ill with Covid and hadn't been able to afford conventional treatment but felt he was finally getting better. We were surprised then to learn he was only 50 (he looked considerably older) and had a young son - very sad.
We also learnt that our flight from Wilson to Amboseli was to leave 1/2 hour earlier so that means we'll have even less time at the Tamarind Tree Hotel - hey ho.
We were welcomed back like long lost friends even though the receptionist didn't even work there when we last visited and showed to our room. A lovely room for the 6 hours we'll be in it, but when Ian flushed the loo the cistern didn't refill and the water poured straight through. We tried to phone reception but no answer so I redressed and went down and within a few minutes a maintenance man arrived to fix it. But still another few precious minutes of sleep lost.