By MARTIN MWITA
Nigel Archer, Founder and Director of Nigel Archer Safaris, started his safari company in 2000, following in the footsteps of his father who first started mobile safaris in 1957.
Nigel Archer Safaris operates mobile safaris across all of Kenya’s national parks and game reserves.
The camp’s remote locations ensure an intimate connection with nature. Speaking during the recently concluded Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2024 in Nairobi, Archer emphasised the eco-friendly nature of his mobile safaris.
“Our mobile safari setup is a highly sustainable way of travel, unlike permanent camps, our camps are set up temporarily and leave no trace once dismantled, ensuring minimal disruption to the natural landscape or wildlife”.
From starting with just one tent, today, Archer’s venture has grown significantly, now boasting 18 tents, with a total capacity of 36 people, as well as four trucks with a crew of 50 people. “Each mobile camp has a minimum stay of three nights and a maximum of 14 days, which allows guests to immerse themselves fully into the wilderness,” Archer added.
Archer’s most favored destination for mobile safaris in Kenya is Meru National Park, a wilderness area rich in unique wildlife, birdlife flora and fauna, a varied landscape with 13 rivers flowing through the park.
A typical day on safari begins early, with guests waking at 5:30 a.m for a light snack before setting out on a morning game drive at 6:15 a.m. e rising sun makes for stunning photography.
Guests enjoy a picnic breakfast at 9 a.m. By midday, the group returns to camp for a leisurely lunch, followed by a restful afternoon siesta. The adventure continues with a second game drive in the late afternoon, with guests returning to camp just before dusk.
Evenings are spent around the campfire, where drinks and snacks are shared as stories from the day’s adventures unfold.