Sept 14–17 · 4 nights
Mara Plains Camp
Arrival by Cessna 206 via Olare Motorogi. Private safari vehicle reserved for September 15 and 16.
Trip at a glance
A return, not just a safari.
The journey moves from Nairobi to Mara Plains Camp, then south to Campi Ya Kanzi and Chyulu Lodge. It is also a return to places JP and I knew together — with time for photography, old friendships, flying with Luca and a quiet remembrance overlooking Mount Kilimanjaro.
New York
Nairobi
Mara Plains
Campi Ya Kanzi
Chyulu Lodge
Nairobi
New York
Sept 18–21 · 4 nights
Campi Ya Kanzi
Return to the Chyulu Hills and the community eco-lodge. Amboseli on September 19, plus a day flying with Luca and a private return to the Mount Kilimanjaro overlook.
Sept 22–23 · 2 nights
Chyulu Lodge
Two final safari nights in the Chyulu area, including a Tsavo National Park excursion on September 23.
Why this trip matters
Returning with JP
Kenya was one of the places JP and I loved most. This trip brings me back to two places that hold especially good memories for us: Great Plains in the Maasai Mara and Campi Ya Kanzi in the Chyulu Hills.
During the Campi Ya Kanzi stay, I plan to take a small portion of JP’s ashes to an overlook with Mount Kilimanjaro just to the west and scatter them there — a quiet, deeply personal return to a place we shared.
The other open day at Campi Ya Kanzi is set aside for flying with Luca — traditional bush flying, the way Luca and I have done on previous trips.
A place of remembrance
The Great Mountain at sunset
Mount Kilimanjaro at sunset, seen from the country around Campi Ya Kanzi — a landscape that carries special memories of JP and our time here together.
Campi Ya Kanzi remembrance
Mount Kilimanjaro to the west
One of the two open Campi Ya Kanzi days will be reserved for a private return to the overlook. The exact day will remain flexible for weather, light and the view.
There, I plan to scatter a small portion of JP’s ashes — a simple remembrance in a place that meant a great deal to both of us.
Day by day
The schedule
SEP 12
New Orleans → New York
Travel to New York and overnight before the nonstop flight to Nairobi.
SEP 13
Depart JFK for Nairobi
Kenya Airways KQ 003 departs JFK Terminal 4 at 1:45 PM. Boeing 787-8, nonstop overnight flight.
SEP 14
Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 10:45 AM. Meet & greet, then Cessna 206 charter to Olare Motorogi and Mara Plains Camp.
SEP 15–16
Mara Plains · private vehicle
Two days with a private safari vehicle reserved for game drives and photography.
SEP 17
Mara Plains
Final full day at Mara Plains Camp.
SEP 18
Maasai Mara → Campi Ya Kanzi
Cessna 206 charter from Olare Motorogi to Kanzi. Begin four nights at Campi Ya Kanzi.
SEP 19
Amboseli excursion
Planned day excursion to Amboseli.
SEP 20–21
Campi Ya Kanzi · two personal days
One day for traditional bush flying with Luca, as we have done on previous trips. The other is reserved for a private return to the Mount Kilimanjaro overlook to scatter a small portion of JP’s ashes. The order will remain flexible for weather and conditions.
SEP 22
Chyulu Lodge
Move into Chyulu Lodge for the final two safari nights.
SEP 23
Tsavo National Park
Planned Tsavo National Park excursion.
SEP 24
Chyulu Hills → Nairobi → New York
Cessna 206 charter back to JKIA and departure meet & greet. Kenya Airways KQ 002 departs at 11:35 PM.
SEP 25
Arrive New York
KQ 002 arrives JFK Terminal 4 at 7:35 AM, followed by onward travel home.
International flights
Kenya Airways nonstop
KQ 003 · BOEING 787-8
JFK 1:45 PM → NBO 10:45 AM +1
Sunday, September 13Nonstop · 14 hours · Terminal 4 to Terminal 1A
KQ 002 · BOEING 787-8
NBO 11:35 PM → JFK 7:35 AM +1
Thursday, September 24Nonstop · 15 hours · Terminal 1A to Terminal 4
Looking back
Great Plains · 2024
JP and I spent part of our 2024 Kenya trip with Great Plains in the Maasai Mara. These photographs bring back some of our favorite memories of the camp, the landscape and the extraordinary wildlife.
Looking back
Campi Ya Kanzi · November 2024
These photographs are from our Campi Ya Kanzi visit in November 2024. Returning here in 2026 is one of the most personal parts of the journey — a place filled with memories of JP and the time we shared here.
Useful contacts
Travel support
If travel plans change while I am in Kenya, these are the primary travel-support contacts.
Muthaiga Travel Ltd
Emergency contact+254 718 002 103 / 012
Jackie Njambi
Travel agent+254 722 648 965
jackie@muthaiga.co.ke