KENYA SAFARI WITH UBC ALUMNUS GREG SHARAM

Transcription

1 Open to alumni UBC and friends KENYA SAFARI WITH UBC ALUMNUS GREG SHARAM THE GREAT MIGRATION: SOUTHBOUND OCTOBER 15 26, 2018 Kenya is one of the most diverse African countries and we will experience much of this fantastic variety of landscape and wildlife on this classic safari. The lush highlands, open savanna, dry thornvelt, and the great migration on the Masai Plains are all part of our two week safari through historic southern Kenya. Our safari (Swahili for journey) is planned for October, at the end of the long dry season when wildlife are concentrated in protected areas near rivers and watering holes. We ll start our safari in Nairobi, the capital, which sits a mile high on the central plain near Mt. Kenya. From Nairobi, we ll journey north to the Shaba Game Reserve, where the central highlands meet the northern desert plains of Kenya. The scenery is a classic savanna; a grassy plain with majestic umbrella thorn trees (Acacia tortilis), overseen by the towering Shaba volcano. Elephant, lion, cheetah, buffalo, oryx, Grant s gazelle, dik dik and waterbuck are found here, as well as the endangered Grevy s zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk. We ll stay at the Sarova Shaba Game Lodge at a natural spring on the Ewaso Nyiro River. Enjoy a sun-downer and gaze over the same savanna Joy Adamson described in Born Free. Next, we ll cross the Kenyan highlands and the Rift Valley, and travel south-west to the Masai-Mara Game Reserve. The MasaiMara in Kenya and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, make up the Serengeti Ecosystem. Together, they host the annual Great Migration of 1.5 M wildebeest and 500,000 zebras. These animals spend the dry season (May-November) in Masai-Mara and travel south into Serengeti for the wet season (December-April). I started my research in the Serengeti ecosystem in 1998, and it is one of my favorite places. We ll be staying at Kichwa Tembo tented camp (Swahili for the elephants head) tucked into a patch of forest on the Sabaringo River, below the Oloololo escarpment. The camp has amazing views over the Masai Plains of the reserve. It s a different scene at the Tsavo West National Park on the Kenyan coastal plain. Here, red dusty elephants walk in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. This park is mostly dry thornvelt, with dry adapted species like rhino, kudu, gerenuk, and hirola, along with elephant, buffalo and lions. It was here 100 years ago that Colonel Patterson wrote The Lions of Tsavo about the man-eaters that stopped the construction of the East African Railway. We ll visit a green oasis in the centre of the park, the clear-flowing Mzima Springs, with its abundant wildlife. We ll stay at the Kilaguni Serena Lodge, built into the rocks and overlooking its own watering hole where wildlife visit in the evenings. Finally, we ll return for a rest in Nairobi at the Ole-Sereni Hotel before returning home, to a beach vacation on the coast, or your next adventure. Throughout your safari, you ll be travelling in a 4x4 jeep driven by an expert safari guide. We ll be able to travel easily to the best viewing points and you ll have a window seat and a pop-top roof for fantastic observation and photography. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BY: Bring your camera. This will be an amazing safari!

2 WHY ALUMNI UBC TRAVEL CLUB? Watching the wildebeest move south en masse at Maasai Mara Observing hippos and crocodiles in the Mara River Learning about the social dynamics of elephant herds from Dr. Sharam Traversing the volcanic ridges of Tsavo West National Park Photographing lions resting beneath Toothbrush Trees Maasai Mara Shaba National Reserve TANZANIA KENYA Nairobi Tsavo West N.P. Indian Ocean Zanzibar STUDY LEADER Greg Sharam Is a wildlife biologist, spending his summers in the Canadian Arctic, working on large mammals: grizzly bears, muskox and caribou. He completed graduate work at UBC with a PhD (Zoology) in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and an MSc (Botany) in the Yukon Territory. His interests in wildlife biology and conservation and his role as technical director at Environmental Resource Management have taken him around the world. He is an avid photographer. Greg led our celebrated Tanzania safari for alumni UBC in 2017.

3 DETAILED ITINERARY Monday, October 15: Arrive at Nairobi Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where a transfer to your overnight Hotel has been pre-arranged. Overnight: Tamarind Tree Hotel Leopard Tuesday, October 16: Nairobi s people, art, and animals After your first breakfast in Kenya, set off for a day tour in Nairobi, starting with the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage. Its parent organization was established in memory of David Sheldrick, who was the founding Warden of the Tsavo East National Park. Each day in the hour before noon, the elephants (and the occasional rhino) are fed by the keeper. The Giraffe Centre operates a captive breeding program for the endangered Rothschild Giraffe, and allows close encounters with these gentle animals. On the city s outskirts, see the former farmhouse of Out of Africa author Karen Blixen. Meaning small and beautiful in Swahili, the Kazuri bead centre is a women s self-help project where marvelous hand-made jewelry and ceramics are created and sold. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure before a special Welcome Dinner at a fine restaurant. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight: Tamarind Tree Hotel Wednesday, October 17: Drive to SamburuIsiolo Game Reserve area Depart Nairobi after breakfast and head north to the Samburu Isiolo Game Reserve area, which comprises the Shaba, Buffalo Springs, and Samburu reserves. The natural springs around Sarova Shaba Lodge make this area a green oasis in an expanse of arid land. Enjoy a welcome lunch upon arrival here, and then head to the Shaba reserve below for your first chance to observe big mammals in the wild. Large lion prides rest beneath Toothbrush Trees by day. The reserve s most famous lioness, Elsa, was raised here by conservationist Joy Adamson. Dinner this evening at the lodge restaurant overlooks the river. Overnight: Sarova Shaba Lodge Thurs-Fri, October 18-19: Exploring Shaba and Buffalo Springs reserves Settle in for two full days exploring the Shaba Game Reserve and area. A morning reserve visit is planned each day to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities. Expect to see many more lions, as well as large herds of elephants. Cheetahs and Leopards are also likely. Birdlife is especially rich in the gallery forests along the Ewaso Ngiro River where the presence of hippos and crocodiles serves as a reminder to take a second look at lumps and logs breaking the water s surface. Also, keep an eye out for the reserve s endemic species: Grevy s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Somali Ostrich, and Gerenuk. Fans of the film Born Free and the film adaptation of Out of Africa may recognize certain landscapes that were featured in both films. Overnight: Sarova Shaba Lodge Saturday, October 20: Flight to Maasai Mara National Reserve After breakfast, transfer to the local airstrip for a short flight southwest to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. Though different in name (and country) from the adjacent Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Maasai Mara is really just the Serengeti s northern limits where some 1.5 million wildebeest congregate from July to October as part of their epic mass migration. By the end of October, the rains move south into the short-grass plains of the Serengeti, so the herds follow suit back across the Kenya/Tanzania border to feed on the rain-fed green shoots of grass. Our three-night visit here has been specially timed to coincide with this magnificent southward movement. Overnight: Kichwa Tembo Camp Sun-Mon, October 21-22: Wildlife viewing in Maasai Mara National Reserve Each of these two full days at Maasai Mara includes morning and afternoon safaris. Kenya s largest elephant herds and lion prides live here, making for excellent photographic opportunities. Leopards, Cheetahs, and Spotted Hyenas join lions as the prominent predators of the grasslands. Prepare to see many more big mammals, including Thomson s and Grant s Gazelles, Elands, Impalas, Black Buffalos, Topis, warthogs, zebras, and giraffes as the safari vehicles traverse the the grasslands and acacia-dotted Plains Zebra

4 savannahs. Birdlife at the Mara is rich, especially in riverside forests. Keep a special eye out for Kenya s national bird: the exquisite Lilac-breasted Roller. Back at camp, enjoy a fireside cocktail, or take in a Maasai dance performance in the evenings. Overnight: Kichwa Tembo Camp Tuesday, October 23: Flight to Tsavo West National Park Relax during a free morning in the Mara, and then after lunch transfer to the airstrip for the short flight to Tsavo West National Park. The transfer from the airstrip there includes a safari through a vast expanse of savannah interspersed with a varied array of distinct habitats. Dramatic reddish outcrops, winding lava flows, and extinct volcanoes make for a rugged landscape. Woodlands and semi-open scrubland can make wildlife viewing challenging at times, but also provide homes for species not found elsewhere. Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Lodge Lilac-breasted Roller Oryx Thursday, October 25: Drive to Nairobi Depart the lodge after breakfast for the drive back to Nairobi. Arrive in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day as you please in the nation s capital. Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Ole-Sereni Hotel Friday, October 26: Depart Nairobi Group services conclude with a transfer to the airport for homeward flights. If you wish to extend your stay in East Africa, give us a call to hear about our trip extensions to Mafia and Zanzibar Islands of Tanzania s Indian Ocean coast. Meals: Breakfast Wednesday, October 24: Tsavo West National Park safaris Morning and afternoon safaris are scheduled for today. One of the highlights is a visit to Mzima Spring, which is an underground seepage of water from the Chyulu hills where hippos congregate in large groups. Tsavo West is situated along the migration pathway of numerous European breeding birds such as River Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, and Common Whitethroat. Many of these species return to their southern wintering grounds by October. Though rare, the endangered Black Rhinoceros is making a slow comeback in the Park, and there is always a chance of encountering one. Stands of acacia trees are home to Yellow Baboons and Vervey Monkeys. Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Lodge Note: The itinerary and accommodation described here are subject to change due to logistical arrangements and to take advantage of local events.

5 Rhinoceros TOUR DETAILS Tour Cost (per person): US$6395 Taxes and gratuities (per person): US$300 Single Supplement: US$1395 We would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to, the single supplement will apply. Group Size: Limited to 16 participants What s Included: Accommodations based on double occupancy in hotels, lodges, and camps listed or similar Transportation in 4 x 4 jeeps, each with a safari guide/driver All activities as listed, including guided safaris, park entrance fees, internal flights, and airport transfers Meals as indicated in the itinerary Bottled water on safari vehicles Services of local English-speaking driver-guide Fully hosted by UBC professor Greg Sharam Gratuities Not Included: Roundtrip airfare from your home to Nairobi, Kenya Beverages with meals Items of a personal nature (e.g. laundry, drinks, phone calls, excess baggage charges, etc.) Additional arrangements required due to an emergency Travel insurance Any item not mentioned in What s Included above Payment Details: A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a space on this tour. A payment of US$1000 per person is required 6 months prior to departure. Final payment is due at least 90 days prior to departure. HOW TO BOOK Please contact Worldwide Quest

6 WHAT TO EXPECT Joining Instructions This tour begins on Day 1 upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya where a representative is on hand to transfer you to the hotel. A welcome briefing takes place in the hotel lobby after breakfast on Day 2. Level of Activity: Easy We will be doing most of our game viewing from the comfort of our pop-top safari vehicles and vans, as it is illegal to get out and walk in the parks. The elevations do change, so be mindful of how your body reacts to higher altitudes, especially if you have had sensitivities to this in the past. Note that roads are frequently bumpy and dusty, and you should be prepared for this. Please contact our office for further information. Accommodation We are staying in a wonderful mix of lodge and tented camp accommodation. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms with showers and WC, hot and cold water, beds with mosquito nets, hair dryers and tea/coffee making facilities. Lodges and camps have been selected for their exceptional views in wildlife rich environments. Transportation You will be travelling throughout your safari in a 4 x 4 safari vehicle either open sided or with pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography. Each vehicle is driven by an expert safari guide. Greg Sharam will circulate and accompany each vehicle at different times. Weather October is the end of the coolest and driest period. Expect mainly clear skies, and temperatures between 25 and 30 C (77 to 86 F). By month s end, small amounts of rain are possible, but unlikely. Travel Documents You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return date. A visa is required for Kenya and can be obtained online prior to arrival; we will send you instructions for obtaining this visa. ADDITIONAL INFO Terms and Conditions For additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # ). Cancellation Policy All payments are non-refundable, however you may transfer your initial deposit for any land tour to another tour 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. Initial deposits for cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable. Your second payment and your final payment are nonrefundable and non-transferable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are nonrefundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing. Travel Insurance We urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours. TRAVEL WITH ALUMNI UBC It s your travel experience. Indulge your curiosity as we take you to unique places you ve always dreamed about. UBC experts and knowledgeable local hosts provide context. That allows you to develop a deep connection to the people you meet and the cultures, cuisines and landscapes you re exploring. Best value in educational travel Meaningful local experiences Thoughtful itineraries See our complete list of tours at: WorldwideQuest.com/alumniUBC TICO#: The University of British Columbia Alumni Association will not be responsible for the financing, the arranging, or the conducting of these tours. They assume no liability or responsibility for damages or financial loss to person howsoever arising from the negligence, omission or otherwise of travel services arranged through Worldwide Quest International. Refer to the General Terms and Conditions established by Worldwide Quest International with respect to participating in this tour.