How to See the Big 5 in Kenya and So Much More

Two elephants -

The Big 5 in Kenya has drawn animal and photography lovers for decades. I’ve been to the country four times on safari and loved every minute of it, but on my most recent trip, I explored facets of the country’s culture and wildlife I’d never experienced before. Over 5 days, I spent time in Nairobi, […]

How to Plan An Amazing Kenya Wildlife Safari

Giraffe silhouette in front of rising sun - Kenya Wildlife Safari_-201

You’ve been dreaming about going to Kenya wildlife safari. Good choice. There’s no better time to go. Kenya Airways now has a direct flight from New York to Nairobi, which means the usual 22-hour journey, including a layover, is now a 14-hour direct flight. Trust me, even though it’s still a long-haul it’s so much better than going […]

Review: Kenya Airways’ Direct Flight to Nairobi From JFK

The Windows on the inaugural flight of Kenya Airways JFK to Nairobi

When traveling to long-distance dream destinations, the time you spend getting there is often a nightmare. Anything that cuts down on transit time is worth its weight in gold. I’m not one to write about specific flights or airlines per se, but as a self-confessed safari addict, Kenya Airways’ (KQ) direct flight from New York’s […]

All You Need to Know Safari Photography Tips

Close up of lion face in the Maasai Mara, Kenya | How to Take Amazing Wildlife Photos on an African Safari

On an African safari, wildlife is nothing less than spectacular but creating truly memorable images is challenging. Animals don’t appear on command and when they do, making sure we make great pictures isn’t high on their list of priorities. A professional photographer knows amazing wildlife photos are not only made in the moment but in […]

The Dance of the Samburu Tribe

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The young girls from the Samburu Tribe whisper to each other, their hands cupped over their mouths in playful secrecy. I can’t help but laugh to myself; it’s funny how some things are so universal. The scene reminds me of my high-school days, my friends and I giggling over my latest crush. A few feet […]

Two Kenya Safari Lodges with Spectacular Views

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There are beach people and there are mountain people and I am most definitely the latter. There’s something inherently peaceful about looking at the countryside from above. Serenity washes over me as if the worries of the day are exhaled along with my breath. I’ve always been drawn to the clouds. So it’s not too […]

In the Midst of a Namibian Desert an Oasis Awaits: Serra Cafema Camp

Serra Cafema main deck

After five days exploring the depths of the desert, it was surreal to wake up to the smell of water. Outside, the Kunene River separating northern Namibia from Angola rushed westward at the foot of my private deck on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. I was a guest of Serra Cafema, the last stop […]

The Rare Desert Lions of Namibia and the Man Who Loves Them

Two male lions (called the Musketeers) laying next to each other next to the Hoanib Riverbed in Namibia

Learning about Lions Across the dimly lit tent stands Dr. Philip “Flip” Stander, the world’s foremost expert on Namibia’s famed desert-adapted lions, looking every bit the grizzled, stereotypical scientist who’s spent most of his life alone in the field––sun-baked skin, hair askew, a scraggly beard, and a lanky frame all elbows and knees. He stands […]

Picture Perfect Namibia: Embracing the Silhouette

The Kunene river mountains near Serra Cafema camp in Namibia

In photography, professionals will always tell you to “look for the light,” but sometimes it’s more fun to focus on the dark, to embrace the beauty of a silhouette. A good silhouette adds drama, mood, and depth to an image. It serves up a fresh narrative and gives another reason for a viewer’s eye to linger.  There […]

The Ultimate Day Trip: Traversing the Wilds of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

The jagged coastline of Namibia's Skeleton Coast

The teenager stood 10 feet in front of our vehicle, a large branch hanging like a giant frown from his mouth. His ears were spread wide and his trunk, held long and low, tipped up at the end to smell us. He looked and he waited, shifting slightly from one foot to the other. It was […]