Travel Tuesday: An Unforgettable Kenyan Safari

From a hot air balloon trip over a wildebeest migration at dawn to sleeping alongside elephants, Teresa Pemberton-Jouany loved every moment of her eight-day safari in Kenya this past July. Her travels took her through the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Matthews Range—and her Anatomie wardrobe was with her every step of the way. “Because of the long days in safari jeeps, Anatomie was the best for comfort. There was no time to be uncomfortable in jeans or tight-fitting clothing,” says the Tampa-based makeup artist. “I also felt it was important to look chic on safari. You want to look your best in those memories that are captured by photos and video!”

Teresa shares her trip highlights with Anatomie:

“I was introduced to Anatomie though my photographer husband Christophe Jouany [who took the photos for this story]. Carlye Nabers, who has been their campaign model—such a beauty and a dear friend from our careers together in NYC—knew we lived in Florida and recommended Christophe to Kate and Shawn Boyer of Anatomie. So I would see all the gorgeous clothing while he was editing film at home! And when we were on our way to Africa, packing Anatomie was perfection.

We planned our safari for July. A dear friend Beth O'Donnell, who is also now an Anatomie fan, is an artist and lives part-time in Kenya. She made an awesome schedule for our eight-day safari. Her first choice in guides was David Githu, a sensational Gold-level guide from Africa Wilderness Journeys. He met us in Kenya and was just brilliant.

As you may imagine, my luggage was delayed when we arrived in Nairobi. Luckily I happened to be traveling in a dark grey Anatomie pantsuit and was able to hand wash and dry it at our first camp! A dream of a camp called Cottars 1920s camp.

From there, David planned a hot air balloon trip for us over a wildebeest migration—seriously insane. We departed at daybreak with the sun rising. This was one of the highlights of our trip; I highly recommend it. From the balloon we were able to see the movement from atop of the massive herds; all the dust and colors of the dyed plains were so impressive—something you only see in photos or video footage was now live! With the wind in my face, it was the most exhilarating and fascinating image of the magic of the African plains.

While on the ground from safari jeep, we viewed lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, hippos—and the birdwatching is a whole safari in itself. One poignant memory was how tender and loving the male lion was when he was mating the female and they were just feet away from our jeep—it was chilling!

We also stayed for a few nights at the incredible Sarara Camp, only accessible by a charter flight. It had some of the best dining I have every experienced—it was insanely fresh. And the camp comfort is five-star, different five-star than Cottars, but so happy we found it. The camp’s sitting room overlooks a pool used by the elephants and other game as a watering hole.

Another high point was our stay at the Elephant Watch Camp—run by a warm-hearted activist family. Saba Douglas-Hamilton opens her six-tent camp to people who are interested in living with the elephants. And I mean sleeping with them—while they rest just outside your secure tent! Also not to be missed is their research center. Saba’s father is Ian Douglas-Hamilton who came from England in the 1960s to study elephants and they are doing amazing things there to try to keep the species from extinction.

Because of the long days in safari jeeps, Anatomie was the best for comfort. There was no time to be uncomfortable in jeans or tight-fitting clothing. I also felt it was important to look chic on safari. You want to look your best in those memories that are captured by photos and video!

The only time I was not wearing Anatomie was when I surprised my husband with a ritual ceremony to renew our wedding vows in the Samburu tribal style. I wore my vintage lace wedding dress, the same one I wore on the beach in Saline, St. Barth when we were married. Saba organized a long hike with the warriors up to a mountain plateau to catch the sunset. Little did my husband know that under my oversized T-shirt and sarong was a surprise. We sang and danced for hours. We were traveling with our lovely friends the Seth family, whose charity Children Beyond Borders does phenomenal work to help children in need. Sharmila Seth is now a fan of Anatomie.” 

Click here to watch a video from Teresa's trip.

To arrange your VIP safari experience, please contact our family-owned and operated partner company Trans Africa Safaris. Jennifer Paterson, Managing Director, [email protected]