Kenya
Every now and then, a trip comes along that just feels a bit different.
We had one of those recently with a group of 30 choir singers from Sydney called Ising on the Cake. What started out as a fairly normal Kenya safari ended up being something really special, and definitely one we won’t forget anytime soon.
Starting at Ololo
We began at Ololo, which is always a nice place to ease into Kenya. After a long flight, it’s great for people to settle in, get some fresh air, and still be right on Nairobi National Park.
But this time, instead of just heading out on a game drive, we kicked things off with a joint session with the Nairobi Chamber Chorus.
It was one of those moments where you don’t quite know how it’s going to go, but within a few minutes everyone was singing together like they’d known each other for years. No real structure to it, just people enjoying it. It set the tone for the whole trip.
Out to the school and Rongai
One of the days, we took the group out to Oloosirkon School, which we support through the Ololo Foundation.
This was probably one of the highlights for me. The kids were so excited, and it quickly turned into a bit of a back and forth of songs, clapping, laughing, just a really genuine exchange. Nothing staged, which is always when these things are at their best.
We also stopped in at a local church in Rongai, where the group joined in with a service. Again, not something overly organised, just turning up and being part of it. Those are usually the moments people remember most.
Down to the Masai Mara
From there, we drove down to the Masai Mara.
This part of the trip was more what people expect from a safari. Early morning drives, long afternoons out, and some really good wildlife. We had lions, elephants, plenty of plains game, so it definitely delivered on that side.
But what made it different was the time we spent with the local Maasai communities.
Instead of just visiting, the group ended up singing with them. We had a couple of sessions where Maasai songs blended with the choir, which sounds like it shouldn’t work, but somehow it really did. Not perfect, not super rehearsed, but really memorable.
Finishing in Lamu
We ended the trip up in Lamu, which is always a nice contrast after safari.
It’s slower, a bit quieter, and feels quite removed from everything else. No cars, just walking through the town or heading out on boats.
The group connected with a local church group and sung for a couple of hours, in the back alleys of Ol Lamu Town.
One afternoon we went sailing on a dhow boat, then ended up down on the beach with a fire going, just singing as the sun went down and into the night. No plan, no schedule, just one of those really simple moments that ended up being a highlight.
Looking back
We do a lot of safaris, and they’re all different in their own way, but this one stood out.
Yes, there was great wildlife in the Masai Mara, and it was a brilliant Kenya safari in the usual sense. But what made it special was everything around that, the people, the music, and the shared experiences along the way.
It was a good reminder that a safari doesn’t always have to follow a set format. There’s a lot of room to make it your own.
If you’re thinking about coming out to Kenya, whether it’s something like this or a more classic safari, we’d love to help you plan it.
Jim