Maddy Cooke shares a recent trip – taken with Laura Coomber and Zuzana Fekete – to Nanyuki, in Laikipia, Kenya, where they spent time with colleagues Squack and Mij Evans and their boys Liam and Rhys. Being able to work remotely means we are based in three different countires, two of them in Africa. Nothing, however, beats the opportunity to catch up in real life and enjoy nature together.
Myself, Zuzana, and Laura recently had the opportunity to visit our colleagues Squack and Mij, and their boys, Liam and Rhys, in Nanyuki, a town nestled at the foot of Mount Kenya.
We spent a few days at their family home, soaking in the warmth of their hospitality and sharing stories over delicious home-cooked meals. One of the highlights was visiting Liam and Rhys’ school, which gave us a glimpse into their family life and showed us some of the vibrant energy of life in Nanyuki.
From Nanyuki, we headed north on an adventure to Loisaba. We stayed at three stunning Elewana properties—Lodo Springs, Loisaba Tented Camp, and Starbeds. Each of these unique properties offered a different experience, from the luxurious Lodo Springs, with its serene views and intimate feel, to the more adventurous, yet equally breathtaking, Starbeds, where we slept under the stars, lulled to sleep by the sounds of the African bush (and then awoken again by a nearby pod of noisy hippos!)
The game viewing was spectacular. In our short time there, we were fortunate enough to witness two lion brothers on the prowl, elephants grazing peacefully, countless gazelle and a giant herd of buffalo. The diversity of Laikipia’s landscape and wildlife is incredible, and we were all reminded of the extraordinary richness of this part of Kenya.
Spending the week with Squack, Mij, and their boys in Laikipia was a priceless experience. Their knowledge of the land, its people and wildlife is something truly special. Having them as our guides through this magical place made the trip even more meaningful.
