187,200 Hours of Enriching Lives and Counting!

As we celebrate our 40th year, we would like to share some stories about the people and history of Big Five

In July 1982, Mahen, his wife Usha and their five-year-old son, Ashish, set out from Nairobi on a four-hour drive through the country over rough, bumpy roads to Lake Baringo in northern Kenya in the Rift Valley.  They carried with them bottles of champagne carefully wrapped to protect them from breaking.

These were to be presented to Mrs. Sigrist and her son Ernest.  Mrs. Sigrist came to Kenya every July from 1976 to 1984 to celebrate her birthday with the people and animals of Africa.

And, this year, 1982, was even more special — Mrs. Sigrist was there to celebrate her 80th birthday!

“We always called her Mama Sigrist,”  Mahen recalls. “I did not want to miss such a special event for our friend and loyal guest.  I never forgot the look on her face as she stepped onto the verandah of the lounge and spotted me and my family.  She started to cry.  It was very moving to me.”

“I have met such wonderful people like Mama Sigrist during my life that I feel so blessed that I have been able to follow my dream.

bigfive

About the Author: Big Five's overriding mission is to turn dreams into reality. We offer customized luxury travel for individuals and small groups. Our luxury journeys are tailor-made to meet the discriminating tastes of our guests to any of our exotic and exciting destinations in Africa, Asia, Orient, Latin America and South Pacific.

Recent Posts

2025 Sri Lanka Dispatch Part II – Meeting Krishanti

I Love Kandy Part II of our Sri Lanka dispatch takes Tatiana’s journey further south.…

2 days ago

2025 Sri Lanka Dispatch Part I – The Incomparable Charmi

Ayubowan Welcome to 2025 Sri Lanka Dispatch Part I My fellow Big Five colleague Tatiana…

1 week ago

Food Stalls and the ILTM booth

Bhrigu and Trish have their work cut out for them I first visited Singapore when…

2 weeks ago

Mahen’s Alphabet of Emotional Intelligence – I

The Next Letter We started off the year sharing my father’s work, an alphabet he…

4 weeks ago

2025 Argentina Dispatch Part II – Quebrada de Las

I found my new home Part II of our Argentina dispatch is from our colleague…

1 month ago

2025 Argentina Dispatch Part I – The Strange Tailed Tyrant

Laura’s Adventure When you think of Argentina, what comes to mind? I would be willing…

1 month ago