Drumbeat Autumn 2025

4 Who would win an arm wrestle between a hyena and a leopard? Who would win a swimming race between a dolphin and a sailfish? If you know anyone with a thirst for knowledge (or the answers!) and an obsession with all things wildlife, Kenya offers the perfect family holiday. Karisia Walking Safaris has undergone an incredible transformation since my last visit in 2012. The main base camp, Tumaren, has larger rooms and the longest lap pool in Laikipia and is a haven for Grévy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, oryx and fabulous birds. The guide’s intricate knowledge of avian life is particularly impressive. The real highlight is heading out on foot with a caravan of camels laden with supplies, affectionately called AirBnC (air bed and camels). The tent and fly camp is comfortable and well-equipped. The expert guides and trackers show you tiny signs of the wild that indicate a dik-dik territory, or the exact location of two-week old lion cubs given away by bird activity; this is where the real learning starts. Over two days, we walked close to giraffe, watched an aardvark rooting around late at night, found a lone buffalo, heard leopard close to camp, and developed an enthusiastic fledgling interest in birds. The Sands at Chale Island, Kenya’s only private coastal island, offers a stay every bit as rich as a safari, and it’s only right to highlight what makes the team so justifiably proud. It’s a coastal lodge with a conscience. The marine centre, geared to all ages, is a hub of information. Each morning, there is an activity board describing various adventures, including scuba diving in one of the best-equipped dive centres I have seen, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, mangrove tours, and turtle nest site visits. Learn about the marine mammals and the problems our seas are facing from the centre’s biologists on a guided snorkelling trip or low tide walk. This is the ultimate disconnect-to-reconnect experience. We walked, rock climbed, learned, laughed, and saw life completely differently, and one discovery in the wild seamlessly led to the next, creating an ongoing journey of exploration. ALICE Owner and travel expert Get in touch: alice@aardvarksafaris.com The hotel itself is immaculate with spacious rooms, funky sunset bars, and a relaxing spa. Getting to the island is an adventure in itself. Accessible by tractor at low tide and by boat at high tide, the island makes it impractical for beachboys and a haven for marine life to flourish. Even if beach holidays are not your thing, a trip to The Sands at Chale Island should be. Combining a Karisia Walking Safari with a stay at The Sands at Chale Island (or experiencing them individually) promises an active and incredible family adventure. Ken y a Walking safaris Who would win an arm wrestle between a hyena and a leopard? Who would win a swimming race between a dolphin and a sailfish? If you know anyone with a thirst for knowledge (or the answers) and an obsession with all things wildlife, Kenya offers the perfect family holiday. The conservancies of the Masai Mara are famous for incredible wildlife, which can occupy guests for days with its volume and variety. Laikipia offers even more layers of discovery and adventure, and Kenya’s coast is fantastic for a marine safari and a relaxed beach escape. Ken y a A firm favourite for families