My partner and I had already experienced several safari destinations in Kenya but we wanted our next trip was to feel different. We weren’t necessarily searching for another traditional lodge where we’d spend the day on game drives and return to our rooms in the evening. We wanted something that would make us feel like the wildlife experience continued even after we had finished watching.
That was what attracted us to The Ark Kenya in the Aberdare National Park. From the moment we started our journey into the Aberdare forests, the atmosphere changed completely. The open savannahs we were used to seeing on safari gradually disappeared, replaced by thick green vegetation, tall trees, misty landscapes and winding forest roads.
It felt like we were entering a completely different side of Kenya. When we eventually arrived at The Ark, I remember my partner and I looking at each other with excitement. The building itself immediately caught our attention but it was the location that really fascinated us. We weren’t simply surrounded by nature the wildlife would actually come to us. This is when we realized that this would be a very different kind of safari.
Our First Evening
One of the most unusual things about The Ark os the opportunity to watch wildlife from the comfort of the lodge. Instead of combining into a safari vehicles and driving around searching for animals we could simply sit in the viewing areas and wait. The lodge overlooks a water hole and salt lick that attraacts wildlife making it possible to observe animnals as they come and go.
Our first evening was almost like watching a live nature documentary. At firsr we saw a few buffalo approaching cautiously. The more animals started appearing and before long the area around the waterhole had become suprisingly busy. My partner and I spent a long time standing together at the viewing decks quietly observing everything unfolding below us. We watched elephants arrive to drink and interact with one another while buffalo gathered nearby. Every few minutes something new seemed to appear. The best part was that there was no pressure to leave. We could step away for dinner, return later and continue watching. It made the the entire experience feel wonderfully relaxed.
The Forest Gave Our Safari a Completely Different Character
Our experience at The Ark wasnt about endless open plains stretching towards tge horizon. Instead we found ourselves surrounded by the mysterious beauty of the Aberdare forest. The cool temperatures were a welcome change for some of the hotter safari destinations we’d visited before. Mist ocassionally drifted through the trees, creating an almost magical atmosphere that made the surroundings feel increadibly peaceful. During the day we explored the area and enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy the Aberdare ecosystem. The scenery was completely different from the Maasai Mara or Amboseli and that’s what made the trip so interesting.
We kept our eyes open for wildlife moving through the forest while also appreciating the smaller details that are easy to miss when you are focused only on spotting the Big Five. Birds moved between trees, monkeys appeared in the vegetation and every turn along the forest roads seemed to reveal another beautiful view. For us the slower pace worked perfectly. We weren’t constantly rushing to find the next animal. Instead, we were emjoying the environment as a whole.
Nighttime Experience
If I had the chance to choose one part of our visit that I would recommend to every couple it eould be the night time wildlife viewing. There’s something completely different about watching animals after darkness falls. My partner andI part of the evening at the viewing area quietly observing the waterhole under the night sky. The atmosphere was completely different from the daytime. The darkness made every moment more exciting and we found ourselves becoming increasingly curious about what might appear next.
At one point we noticed elephants moving around the waterhole their silhouttes visible in the dim lighting. We stood together watching them barely speaking because we didnt want to interrupt the moment.
It was one of thosse expereiences that photographs simply cant capture prorperly. The sounds of the forest, the occcassional movement of animals and the feeeling of being so close to nature created amemeory that the both of us will carry for a long time.
We Left The Ark With Memories That Felt Completetly Different
By the time our stay came to an end we both agreeed that The Ark had given us something that we hadn’t experienced in our previous safari. This wasn’t just about ticking animals off a safari list. It was slowing down and allowing nature to come to us. We loved the unusual setting the peaceful atmosphere and the excitement of never knowing which animal might appear at the waterhole next. The experience gave us the chance to appreciate the Aberdare ecosystem in a way that it felt intimate and personal. For couples seeking for a unique safari experiencein Kenya, I would definately recommend considering The Ark.
