Akira Safaris

The Best Birthday EVER!

From the moment I landed in Nairobi at 3am after nearly 24 hours of travel, Akira Safaris went above and beyond in ways I could never have imagined. The owner, David Odongo, welcomed me into his home and even offered me a spare bedroom so I could rest before our departure for the Masai Mara. His daughter, Alynne, surprised me with a birthday gift, a stunning sweater embroidered with the Akira Safaris logo, and I was nearly moved to tears by the family’s warmth. Within minutes of meeting them, I felt like I had found family in Kenya.

What followed was beyond my wildest expectations. I grew up watching nature documentaries and assumed safaris for tourists would be limited to driving along pre-planned routes, hoping to catch a glimpse of distant animals. Instead, I felt like a real Nat Geo explorer. Our guide, Jeff, would get a call on the radio, flash us a smile, and say “hold on tight” before cutting through chest-high Masai grass, chasing the next unforgettable sighting. With binoculars around my neck and cameras in hand, I felt like I was living out my childhood dream of filming Planet Earth.

Jeff made all the difference. His knowledge, humor, and camaraderie with other drivers turned the Masai Mara into a brotherhood of explorers rather than competitors. When a Jeep got stuck, others rushed to help. When we spotted something extraordinary, Jeff shared it with others, and they returned the favor. I later experienced other safari companies in other parks, and the difference was night and day. With Jeff, every moment felt alive, purposeful, and safe.

And the wildlife… words barely do it justice. I witnessed lionesses feasting on a fresh zebra kill, a cheetah with its morning gazelle, and, the crown jewel, the Great Migration. Though the Mara River was too high for a crossing, Jeff’s patience and skill led us to a smaller creek where we witnessed hundreds of thousands of wildebeests leaping across. The engine off, silence all around us except for the thundering hooves, it was like stepping straight into a documentary. I captured the entire scene on video, a memory that will never fade.

Beyond the animals, Akira Safaris gave me the gift of culture. Visiting a real Maasai village, being welcomed with song, dance, and laughter, and learning their traditions was a dream fulfilled. From start to finish, logistics and comfort were seamless. I never felt like just another customer, I felt like family. Even small gestures, like Jeff buying me an ice-cold Tusker lager and toasting to my 40th birthday, made this trip deeply personal.

This safari changed me. It opened my heart, gave me lifelong friends, and reminded me of the power of kindness and connection. I’ll never forget it, and I’ll spend the rest of my life paying forward the love I felt in Kenya.

If you are considering a safari, do yourself a favor and book with Akira Safaris. And if you can, request Jeff as your guide. You won’t just see wildlife , you’ll feel what it’s like to truly live in the wild, safe in the hands of people who care about you like family.