A little bird told me I could relax, enjoy a great game drive and in particular, learn more about conservation in Naivasha. As usual, I took the more scenic road option where, I got to see a lot of amazing topography as well as the famous viewpoint along the way. This time, it was a bit foggy and I held my breath, crossing my fingers that I arrive safely to enjoy my envisioned holiday. It took me two hours to get there, at Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary, and being a private conservancy, with wildlife around, there are signs everywhere warning people not to trespass. Later on, I learnt that the signs were for safety purposes as animals, both dangerous and human friendly, passed along the route.

This sanctuary, which is an ideal safari escape, has two luxury properties; Chui Lodge and Kiangazi. I settled on Kiangazi, a beautiful ranch house overlooking Lake Naivasha and Lake Olaidien. I was greeted by stillness as I arrived in this ranch, which is built in an old traditional style of local stone and timber.

Since it was lunchtime, I was served a delicious meal outside at the lush gardens and tended lawns. In front of me was a magnificent view of the conservancy, the two lakes: Oloidien Bay as well as part of Lake Naivasha, and also various wildlife such as warthogs, zebras and giraffes roaming around. I finished my dessert at the lounge which had a huge fireplace, and waited to be ushered into my room. My eyes came across a library and the bookworm in me could not resist borrowing two books to learn more about this place: Oserian: Place of Peace by Charles Hayes and The Flowering Dutchman: Horticulture in Harmony with Wildlife by Hans Zwager.

Kiangazi, which is derived from a Swahili word meaning a season that is hot and dry, has three cottages with en suite bedrooms that are beautifully decorated. Detached from the main house, just beyond the swimming pool, are four luxurious en suite rooms which have the perfect view of either the lush gardens or the waterhole. I loved the freshly cut roses in my room, which as I later learnt, were from their flower farm, all part of the personalised experience that this house seeks to make guests experience.

We set out for the game drive at four in the evening and my tour guide, Mr Chrispus Thuo, took me round the 18,000-acre wildlife sanctuary which is surrounded by an electrified fence to keep illegal cattle grazers out as well as the wildlife from straying into the nearby farmlands. While we were on the game drive, we received a phone call from Mr Geoff Mayes, the hotel manager, to go watch him do some conservation work. Little did I know it involved carrying a python! I asked him for how long he had done this as it seemed so natural to him and his wife.

“I’ve been doing this since I was 13 years. I’ve always had a passion for snakes and the bush,” he said as he ushered a terrified me closer to look at what he was doing. Since the management of wildlife in Kenya is controlled, the snake balances the ecosystem by feeding on the smaller animals in the food chain. I don’t know how I managed to overcome my fears and even take a photo with Mayes and the snake. Afterwards, the snake was released to the papyrus swamp and I continued with my game drive as Mayes went to freshen up for an interview with me over a sundowner.

I love game drives because every day is a different experience and one gets to learn a lot about nature. The wildlife here boasts of over 400 species of animals, and I was lucky to have a view of a variety, including warthogs, elephants, Grévy’s zebras, giraffes, hyenas, kudus, oryxes, buffalos as well as a some birds like the ostrich, guinea fowl, and the secretary bird. We continued our drive to catch the sundowner, where I found Mayes ready for our chat about this flora and fauna paradise over drinks in front of a bonfire.

“The Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary was launched in 1996 by the Zwager family. Previously, it was used mainly for the cultivation of wheat and cattle farming and now, it has been transformed to be a refuge to the resident species of wildlife”, he said as he stretched his hand to show me the expansive stretch of land. “I can say that this place is a great alternative to the Masai Mara. This Sanctuary is exclusive to guests of Kiangazi House or Chui Lodge, but can be visited at a fee by other travellers who may not wish to stay in the lodges,” the conservationist went on. I was impressed by the fact that profits accrued by tourism to the sanctuary are dedicated to supporting wildlife, conserving the reserve as well as the sustainability of the neighbouring community. The beauty with this place is that unlike other game reserves that close at 6pm, one can still have their bonfire till late. You should add it to your ‘places to visit’ this year!