We had all been looking forward to this getaway for months! Diligently saving up for it. And when the day finally arrived, we were nervous (for our first group safari trip) but stoked and ready to unleash our inner safari queens.

We boarded the SGR’s inter-county train from the Nairobi terminus in Syokimau and got off at the Voi station. A four-hour journey. From the Station, a pick-up van arranged by the lodge we were staying at was parked ready to take us to our destination. Boma Simba Safari Lodge was that destination and you could smell the excitement in the air as we inched closer to it.

We had reserved the whole lodge exclusively for ourselves for the next three nights. The lodge was everything we could have hoped for and more. The staff was warm and welcoming and the welcome refreshments tasted heavenly. After going through the check-in formalities, we were each escorted to our cabins, and oh boy! We were blown away by the creativity and thoughtfulness that had gone into designing the indoor and outdoor spaces.

The choice of an African-themed decor that incorporates earthly tones and the use of local natural materials was a genius idea and definitely blended in well with the surroundings of the park. We were all in awe and also feeling quite fancy in our safari gear, ready to explore the vast wilderness around us.
As soon as we settled into our luxurious A-frame cabins, we met again at the lodge’s restaurant to have lunch, which was pleasantly set up al-fresco to afford us the stunning views of the park beyond. We were quite impressed by how delicious the lunch was and went the extra mile to meet and thank the chef.

After lunch, we toured around the lodge and chatted away for a short while as we waited to head out on our first game drive. It was incredible to see all the animals up close and personal. From majestic elephants to cute little dik-diks, we were in awe of the beauty around us. At one point, we even got to witness a lioness taking down a warthog. It was a brutal sight, but also a reminder of how wild and untamed nature can be.

After the game drive, we headed back to the lodge, tired but exhilarated. We decided to retreat to our cabins, freshen up and rest until dinner time which we were all secretly looking forward to if the sumptuous lunch we’d had earlier was anything to go by. Later that night, we had a lovely dinner at the lodge’s restaurant, followed by some stargazing. The sky was clear, and the stars were shining bright. We even spotted a shooting star, which we all made wishes on (we’re still waiting to see if they come true).

The next morning, we woke up early and headed out for another game drive. This time, we were lucky enough to spot a herd of giraffes. They were so tall and majestic, and we couldn’t stop taking pictures of them. We even managed to get a selfie with one of them in the background. After the game drive and lunch, we decided to relax by the restaurant’s deck (which might have been our favorite spot during the stay, but can you blame us? The views are to die for!).

We ordered some cocktails and lounged there, chatting about our favorite moments from the trip so far. It was nice to just take a break and enjoy the moment. That evening, we had a bonfire at the lodge. We roasted marshmallows and shared stories from our past travels. We all agreed that this was one of the best trips we had ever been on, and we were already planning our next one.

Our third and last day was spent hiking at least for six of us as the rest opted to stay back and indulge in some rest and relaxation. The rest of us would join them after our hike which we found to be quite challenging but also very refreshing.

On that last night, as we prepared to head back to our cabins after yet another delectable dinner, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for this experience. It was such a unique and unforgettable trip, and we had all grown closer as friends. Bonding in the wild is a thing, who would have thought? Looking back on our lady’s weekend getaway to the Boma Simba Safari Lodge and by extension the Tsavo East National Park, we realized that we didn’t just go on an ordinary safari, we had a safari of the soul.

We had challenged ourselves (in saving up, planning, and taking the trip), stepped out of our comfort zones, and discovered a new appreciation for the natural world around us. And we did it all while having a lot of laughs and making some unforgettable memories.

If your Chama group is looking for a budget-friendly, intimate, and fun trip to undertake, we certainly recommend visiting the Tsavo East National Park and staying at the Boma Simba Safari Lodge. You will be very well taken care of.