65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
12 Days Accessible Safari Tour in Kenya: A Journey Beyond Expectation
A month ago, I took part in a twelve-day accessible safari group tour to Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli, arranged through Judy at Lorna Safaris, an accessible tour company, traveling alongside a group that included both people with and without disabilities. As a wheelchair user, I had wondered just how accessible the tour would truly be, and whether it could accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. However, those concerns were quickly dispelled — thanks to the well-arranged accessible rest-stop facilities during the five- to six-hour journeys from Nairobi to each national park (most participants chose to fly, but I deliberately chose to travel by jeep instead), the thoughtful transportation, and the accessible lodging along the way.
The wildlife itself exceeded every expectation. We witnessed a lion feeding on a zebra, and after waiting quietly for a full hour for a cheetah to stir, we were rewarded with the sight of it in motion — a moment our guide assured us was a genuine stroke of luck. Just as memorable, though, were the long-distance jeep rides between Nairobi and parks. Being jolted along unpaved roads for hours — what's often wryly called an "African massage" — was far from comfortable, yet I found myself captivated by the chaotic, vivid scenes passing by the window: scattered villages, children waving and calling out from the roadside, vehicles and pedestrians weaving together, and vendors selling their wares amid the flow of traffic. It was through these long drives, more than anything, that I felt I truly experienced Kenya's communities and its magnificent scenery.
If you really want to see the real Kenya, try traveling to the parks by jeep. It's a long drive — five to six hours from Nairobi, with bumpy roads for the last stretch — but it's absolutely worth it.
I hold nothing but heartfelt gratitude for Judy and her team of drivers and guides — Jimmy, Don, Anthony, and Teddy — who provided us with truly exceptional service throughout our journey. Their skillful driving, expert guiding, deep knowledge of the wildlife, remarkably keen eyesight for spotting animals from a distance, and thoughtful attentiveness to accessibility needs left a lasting impression on me — as did their unfailing kindness, warmth, and sense of humor.
When the Amboseli lodge's entrance proved inaccessible, Judy and her team of guides/drivers worked with the hotel to address it, and by the very next day it had been flawlessly renovated — a level of responsiveness I can hardly imagine back home in the U.S. or Japan.
By journey's end, I had grown genuinely close to this team, as though they were family, and saying goodbye was surprisingly difficult. As someone who navigates life from a wheelchair, being able to travel to Africa once again and have such a remarkable experience is something I owe entirely to Judy and Lorna Safaris. I am truly, deeply grateful, and I hope they continue crafting many more extraordinary tours — and go on offering services that allow so many individuals with disabilities to realize the items on their own bucket lists.
I highly recommend Lorna Safaris, whether you have a disability or not. And if you go, be sure to ask for Jimmy, Don, Anthony, or Teddy — they're some of the best guides/drivers around.
