The plan had originally been for me to accompany the winning guides from The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year to London back in 2020. But thanks to Covid it was back to the drawing board. With the UK borders remaining firmly shut, we chose Victoria Falls as an alternative travel prize that would really get the winning guides excited.
On a bright, sunny morning in May, we made our way JKIA to catch our flight to Livingstone, Zambia. Our group included the winning guides, Antony Kiplunghurt, Leshan Sayialel, Daudi Lolotuno and Joseph Njapit, and Sammy Komu from Angama Mara. Needless to say the guides arrived well before the 2 hours required – it was their first international flight after all. And, of course, they were dressed in full Maasai regalia, attracting much attention outside the terminal.
Making our way through security and Covid checks, we headed to Duty Free for shopping, a cup of tea and a quick hello with my dad, Kipchoge Keino, a world-famous Kenyan marathon runner, who posed for a few photographs with the group.
Aboard our Kenya Airways flight, we discovered we had been upgraded to First Class – an eye-opening experience for sure – with the excitement mounting even further as the flight attendants announced our group to a round of applause from our fellow passengers. Enjoying an in-flight movie and views of Kilimanjaro, we landed in Zambia where our guides, Amanda and Everisto from Bush Boys Africa Safaris welcomed us. Then came more Covid checks and many more photographs – with the immigration officials seeing the Maasai in traditional attire.
Off we travelled to the amazing Royal Chundu River Lodge, right on the banks of the Zambezi River overlooking Zimbabwe. A warm welcome awaited us with drinks and a shoulder massage – what a way to relax after our travels. After settling into our beautiful suites, we took a sunset cruise followed by a dinner.
Early in the morning, the Zambezi was calling us back for a birding and fishing expedition. Rods were at the ready to try our luck at landing a tiger fish. Two hours later, we gave up on the fishing, but with the guides being birding enthusiasts, the time wasn’t wasted at all – even the Zambian guides were impressed with the Kenyan guides’ bird knowledge.
The next few days were filled with great comradery and laughter, with highlights including white water rafting, as well as a visit to a local village, with the guides once again dressing in their traditional Maasai regalia. The group were surprised to discover that the community’s way of life wasn’t all that difference from the Maasai and Samburu – and the ladies seemed quite mesmerised by the guides!
Of course, no trip to Livingstone is complete without a tour of the famous Victoria Falls. A scenic hike took us to the top, where we had the option of raincoats to avoid getting wet from the spray from the mighty waterfall. I was the only one who took that option; all the guides wanted to feel the full power of the water from the Falls. And indeed, they got completely drenched.
Then it was time to head over the border to Botswana where our guides from Chobe Game Lodge, where we would be spending the next few nights, were waiting for us. We were surprised to discover that most of their guides and staff were female – including the guide who took us on our first safari in the Chobe National Park.
It was wonderful to see the guides sharing their vast knowledge, comparing their experiences in the different ecosystems of Chobe and the Mara. More safaris, a sunrise cruise, wonderful food and great conv
