Looking for a photography bing on wild animails and a penchant for the finer things? I’ve just returned from a rather magnificent escapade, a nine day jaunt through Kenya and Tanzania that redefined my understanding of ‘getting away from it all’. Forget cramped planes and lukewarm instant coffee; this was an exclusive luxury safari, and let me tell you, it was pure, unadulterated bliss. Imagine this: you’ve landed, not at some bustling international hub, but at a small airstrip, the kind where the welcome committee consists of a few smiling faces and the distinct scent of wild sage. From there, it’s a short hop in a private charter flight, skimming over landscapes that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a David Attenborough documentary. The destination? The legendary Masai Mara. Our first lodge was something else. Think elegant, sprawling tents that would make a five star hotel blush. We’re talking four poster beds, private plunge pools overlooking the plains, and staff who anticipate your every whim before you’ve even had the thought. My butler, bless his cotton socks, seemed to materialize with a chilled gin and tonic the moment my throat felt remotely dry. It was utterly disorienting, in the best possible way. The game drives themselves were, naturally, the main event. But this wasn’t the jostling for position you might imagine. Private vehicles, knowledgeable guides who could spot a leopard miles away, and the freedom to linger, to truly soak in the majesty of it all. We saw the Big Five, of course, and then some. The sheer scale of the wildebeest migration was breathtaking, a river of life flowing across the plains. There was one moment, watching a pride of lions lounging in the shade, utterly unbothered by our presence, where I had a rather profound moment of self reflection and a wonderful photo chance. Here I was, a creature of concrete jungles and deadlines, observing these magnificent beasts living their best lives, free and untamed. It’s humbling, really. From the Mara, we soared to the Serengeti. If the Mara was grand, the Serengeti was… immense. A vast, seemingly endless expanse of golden savanna. Again, the lodges were exquisite, each with its own unique charm. One even had a resident giraffe who’d poke its head over the deck for breakfast. Honestly, I’m starting to think I’ve been doing life wrong all this time. Waking up to the roar of a distant lion, sipping perfectly brewed coffee as the sun paints the sky in hues of orange and pink, all before you’ve even thought about emails. It’s a different pace of life, a luxurious decompression from the everyday. Our final stop was Lake Manyara, famous for its tree climbing lions and vibrant birdlife. Again, the exclusivity was paramount. We enjoyed sundowners on a private deck, the sun setting behind the distant mountains, a symphony of bird calls as our soundtrack. It felt less like a holiday and more like being granted access to a secret, opulent world. Looking back, this nine day safari was a masterclass in elevated travel. It was about the thrill of the wild, yes, but it was also about the gentle hand of luxury, ensuring every moment was as comfortable and unforgettable as the last. It’s made me slightly unbearable at home, I suspect. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rumage again through the hundreds of amazing photos taken.