11-DAY CONSERVATION SAFARI TO KENYA

Transcription

1 11-DAY CONSERVATION SAFARI TO KENYA Luxury flying safari to Samburu or Solio/Maasai Mara/Nairobi FEATURES OF YOUR SAFARI Program highlights: Our re-vamped original Giraffing Off safari features luxury accommodations from the Safari Collection portfolio of smaller lodges and camps. The diversity of adventure activities includes both day and night game drives, walking and hikes, and exploring by horseback and camel. This safari brings to light, and focuses on sustainable experiences with conservation. Utilizes scheduled charter flights to fly between the parks. You will have an opportunity for cultural interaction of both the Samburu and Maasai people. Enjoy special 30-35% savings with 7 night stay at the Safari Collection Portfolio of camps East Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 600 Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A Tel: Tel: Fax: safari@africanadventure.com

2 Day Destination Accommodation 01 USA Europe Travel 02 Europe Nairobi Lazizi Premiere Hotel 03 Fly Nairobi Samburu or Laikipia Afternoon game drive 04 Samburu or Laikipia Enjoy game viewing 05 Samburu or Laikipia Enjoy game viewing 06 Fly Nanyuki Maasai Mara Afternoon game drive Sasaab or Elephant Watch or Solio or Lewa or Ol Lentille Sasaab or Elephant Watch or Solio or Lewa or Ol Lentille Sasaab or Elephant Watch or Solio or Lewa or Ol Lentille Sala s Camp or Serian Camp or Naiboisho or Mara Expeditions Maasai Mara Sala s Camp or Serian Camp or Naiboisho or Mara Expeditions 09 Fly Maasai Mara Nairobi Transfer to your lodge Afternoon at leisure 10 Breakfast with Giraffes Fly Nairobi Europe Giraffe Manor Travel 11 Fly Europe USA Home

3 ITINERARY DAY 01 USA/EUROPE Depart on an overnight flight to Europe. DAY 02 EUROPE/NAIROBI Arrive in Europe. Continue onwards to Nairobi. Upon arrival this evening you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Nairobi, Kenya s capital, is situated at an altitude of about 6,000 feet (1,830m) and means place of cool waters in the Maasai language. The Lazizi Premiere is a luxury hotel located at Nairobi s International Airport. The hotel features 144 spacious rooms each with modern en suite bathroom, premium linens, air-conditioning, hair dryer and satellite television. Enjoy around-the-clock dining in Kitchen 9 or a cup of coffee at the Aroma coffee bar. The Velocity Bar offers a variety of cocktails, beers and wines. The gym, spa and swimming pool are ideal places to relax before or after a flight. Accommodation: Lazizi Premiere (B) DAY 03 NAIROBI/SAMBURU or LAIKIPIA After breakfast transfer to the local airport for your onward scheduled charter flight to Samburu or Laikipia. On arrival you will be transferred to your camp. Enjoy an afternoon game-drive. *PLEASE NOTE* There is a luggage limit of 33lbs (15kg) per person on the flight so please pre-pack your luggage accordingly in a soft-sided bag. Scheduled Charter flights times are estimates and may include multiple stops. Samburu Option ~ Arid, rugged and savagely beautiful, the area is protected as the Samburu National Reserve and the Buffalo Springs National Reserve, together covering an area of about 187 square miles. With less than 12 inches of rain a year the wildlife depends for its very existence on the Ewaso Nyiro River, whose headwaters rise in the Aberdare Mountains, 185 miles away.

4 The area is very scenic with hilly crags and trees, which follow the river courses and more vegetation of scrub desert, thorn bush, riverine forest, and swamps. The Samburu region is noted for several wildlife species not found in other Kenya parks south of the equator, the most striking of which include the reticulated giraffe, Grey's zebra, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. Bird life is particularly abundant in this region with more than 400 species being recorded. Lion, cheetah and leopard are also found here, and elephant are plentiful. The region is also home to the colorful Samburu people, cousins to the Maasai. They share much in common with the Maasai including their language, Maa, their dress and most particularly, their love of cattle. Sasaab is perched above the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, capturing views across the Samburu land, Laikipia plateau and Mathews Range. The elegant lodge is located on Samburu community land and was constructed using local materials with a Moroccan flair. The camp accommodates 18 guests in nine individual rooms each with en suite facilities and private plunge pools. Accommodation: Sasaab (Full Board) OR Elephant Watch Camp sits on the northern bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River, a few miles upstream from Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton s Save the Elephants Research Center. There are six spacious desert-style tents with en suite bathrooms. The mess tent is decorated with local fabrics and dead acacia furniture knocked down by the elephants! The camp lies in the heart of northern Kenya s elephant country and from here you have unprecedented access to Samburu s elephant families. The camp is run by Oria Douglas-Hamilton who has been working alongside her husband Iain in elephant conservation for 30 years. There are three professional elephant trackers in camp. Activities include trailblazing elephant walks, tracking of elephant from the research camp, and visits to local Samburu projects. Accommodation: Elephant Watch Camp (Full Board)

5 OR Laikipia Option ~ Solio Game Ranch is recognized as the most successful private rhinoceros breeding reserve in Kenya, and is today home to over 74 black rhinoceros and 155 white rhinoceros, which live in harmony with other wildlife including buffalo, zebra, giraffe and plains game such as eland, oryx, impala, waterbuck, thompson's gazelle and warthog. Cats include lion, leopard and cheetah (Solio has some of the best leopard viewing in the country). Nestled in the valley between the dramatic slopes of Mount Kenya and the rolling peaks of the Aberdare Mountains, Solio Lodge is one of Kenya's most luxurious camps. The lodge has six luxurious rooms, each en suite with large glass pane windows to take in the panoramic views of the landscape, which is framed by Mount Kenya. Each room has a private lounge area warmed by a corner fire, as well as large bathrooms with double sink, bath and shower. The outdoor living features a deck in front for relaxation during the day. Accommodation: Solio Lodge (Full Board) OR Lewa Wilderness consists of nine cottages, accommodating sixteen guests, and is located near the Lewa Downs Ranch House, which has been the home of the Craig family since Meals are home-cooked highlighting the organic vegetable garden. During leisure time, there is a salt water swimming pool to enjoy. Activities include day and night game drives, nature walks, and horse and camel rides. Accommodation: Lewa Wilderness (Full Board) OR The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is located on 40,000-acres in the extreme northern escarpment of the Laikipia plateau. This property is an example of cutting edge conservation tourism and joint-partnership with the Maasai community and owners, John and Gill Elias. Game is varied and you may see elephant, leopard, wild dog, cheetah, hyena, zebra and greater kudu. Ol Lentille has four luxury villas each with their own lounge and dining areas and stunning terraces with panoramic views. The larger villas have plunge pools. Guests enjoy the service of their own butler, valet, Maasai guide and 4wd vehicle. Your stay is designed to do what you like when you like. Begin with a private breakfast in your villa followed by a private activity of your choice.

6 There is a wide range of activities to enjoy such as private morning and night game drives, walking safaris, camel rides, riding out on the quad bikes, climbing Ol Lentille Hill, riding the horses along the animal trails and hanging out (plus playing soccer) at the local Maasai school. An afternoon can be spent in a Maasai Community Village that has been set up for tourists and run by a woman s group from the four neighboring villages. Accommodations: The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille (Full Board) DAY SAMBURU or LAIKIPIA Enjoy two days of game viewing activities. Activities at Sasaab include game drives, camel riding, cultural and school visits, bush walks, bush breakfast and sundowners. Game viewing at Sasaab Activities at Solio include horseback riding, walking, mountain biking, game drives, bush breakfasts and sundowners. Optional fishing trips to Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, in-room massages and helicopter trips are available at additional costs. Game viewing at Solio Lodge Accommodation: Sasaab or Elephant Watch or Solio Lodge or Lewa Wilderness or Ol Lentille (Full Board)

7 DAY 06 SAMBURU or LAIKIPIA/MAASAI MARA Return transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to the Maasai Mara. On arrival you will be met and continue to camp. The Maasai Mara is undoubtedly the finest wildlife area in Kenya. All of the big game is here: elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and buffalo. Commonly seen species include zebra, wildebeest, Thomson's gazelle, Defassa waterbuck, eland and Maasai giraffe. This is the only place in Kenya where topi are common. Maasai Mara National Reserve, a northern extension of the Serengeti Plains (Tanzania), is located southwest of Nairobi and covers 590 square miles. Open plains, acacia woodlands and riverine forest along the banks on the Mara and Talek Rivers are home for many hippo, crocs and waterfowl. As the park teems with resident wildlife, game viewing is good year-round. The migration is when great herds of wildebeest (1.4 million) and zebra (250,000) reside in the Mara, from approximately July to October. During the migration, prides of 40 or more lion may be seen. From the southern Serengeti a major portion of the migration moves northwest toward Lake Victoria, then north across the Mara River into Kenya in search of grass, usually returning to Tanzania in late October. The best time to witness large numbers of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River is from mid/late July to mid/late September. Sala's Camp is located at the convergence of two rivers, in the southern end of the Maasai Mara. This secluded spot offers tremendous views along the Sand River towards Tanzania and the Serengeti. During the migration of the wildebeest from early July to the end of October, Sala's Camp is ideally located to witness dramatic river crossings and the predators. Accommodations include seven en suite tents with hot showers and flush toilets. Electricity is solar powered and there is a standby generator to charge any equipment and camera batteries. Activities include game drives in 4x4 vehicles, bush breakfasts, sundowners and bird watching. An optional balloon safari can be arranged and the camp is 25 minutes drive from the launch site. This is a seasonal camp and is closed annually in May and November. Accommodation: Sala s Camp (Full Board) Forest Tent

8 OR Serian Camp is the charismatic bush home of Alex Walker, filmmaker and guide in the Maasai Mara. An exclusive wilderness camp set beside a secluded valley flanking the Mara River and close to the Siria Escarpment. The private tents are shaded by large olive and walburgia trees that cover the site, and provide a tranquil setting that borders one of the finest game reserves in the world. There are five en suite marquee-style tents, each decorated with colonial style furniture. The bedroom area is fitted with large double beds, under a mosquito net, flanked by twin writing desks. The private bathroom includes a shower, soaking tub and toilet. A dedicated staff is on call to enhance your stay, from bringing you morning tea, organizing your laundry and arranging your personal dining menu. With your specialist guide, the experience at Serian is focused on viewing wildlife, in particular, the Big Five - Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant and rhino. The migration of one and a half million wildebeest, zebra and topi that pass through the Maasai Mara, makes it undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of East Africa. Morning and night game drives and guided walks are offered. Optional balloon safari can also be arranged. There is also the chance to fly camp. Put some adventure into your safari, walking with experienced armed guides. They will take you into the heart of the Mara. You will immediately notice the difference between a game drive and a walking safari. Senses that may have been a little dulled in a car will strain to perceive indications of the wild game that surrounds you. At night you may camp under the stars enjoying a wholesome meal in the company of roaring lions. Accommodation: Serian Camp (Full Board) Private guide & vehicle OR Naboisho Camp is located in the Naboisho Conservancy, a 50,000 acre private game concession east of the Mara/Serengeti eco-system. The region is host to a variety of animals including the big cats, elephants, giraffe, plains animals and rare wild dogs. The exclusive camp features eight luxury tents with en suite facilities and private verandahs with expansive views. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, night game drives, off-roading, and fly camping. Optional balloon trips are available (the launch site is approximately 45 minute drive from camp). For a more cultural experience the guides invite you to visit their hometowns. Feel enriched by this very personal encounter, which will always be genuine and unobtrusive. And of course, in addition you could join talks and presentations by researchers, as part of the wildlife research programs in the conservancy. Accommodation: Naboisho Camp (Full Board) The Conservancy limits the number of visitors by holding on to a ratio of one tent per 700 acres. No crowded vehicles, but guaranteed spectacular, unspoiled and exclusive views of wildlife. Accommodation: Naboisho Camp (Full Board)

9 OR Mara Expedition Camp is a semi-permanent mobile bush-camp located just inside the Mara Reserve with game drive access to the reserve and the 70,000 acre Mara North Conservancy. The intimate camp features a traditional bush experience with five en suite tents with flush toilets and showers, twin beds and overlooking the banks of the on the Ntiakatek River. The camp is seasonally closed mid-april to mid- June. Accommodation: Mara Expedition Camp (Full Board) DAY MAASAI MARA Enjoy two days of game viewing. Accommodation: Sala s Camp Forest Tent or Serian Camp Private Guide & vehicle or Naiboisho or Mara Expedition (Full Board)

10 DAY 09 MAASAI MARA/NAIROBI This morning board your scheduled charter flight to Nairobi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Giraffe Manor is a delightful family lodge situated outside of Nairobi. The manor is known for its Rothschild s giraffes, which often stick their heads through the windows of the lodge to greet you. Each of the six luxury rooms offer en suite facilities, and sumptuous surroundings. Enjoy evening cocktails in front of the fireplace before a delicious gourmet dinner. Complimentary activities include walking in the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) Sanctuary or visiting local workshops such as Marula Studios and Kazuri Beads. Accommodations: Giraffe Manor (B,L,D) Superior room DAY 10 NAIROBI/EUROPE Enjoy the day at leisure. (An optional dayroom can be arranged additional fees apply.) This evening transfer to the airport for your departing overnight international flight. DAY 11 WELCOME HOME! EUROPE/USA 2018 LAND ARRANGEMENTS: Based on Sasaab or Solio and Sala s Camp Jan 6-Apr 2 / Oct Jun-Sep Per Person sharing $5, $6, * All rates are per person sharing a room ~ Rates reflect 7-night SPECIAL (30-35% off accommodations) ~ Surcharges apply for: Please Request Elephant Watch Camp, Lewa Wilderness, Ol Lentille, Serian Camp, Naiboisho or Mara Expedition

11 INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: (subject to change until ticketed) Please note the following sample airfares. Lower promotional airfares are offered throughout the year so please take a moment to contact our in house air department for even better pricing options! ECONOMY AIR: From $1, per person (low season) From $1, per person (high season) BUSINESS AIR: From $6, per person (low season) New York/Nairobi/New York (via Europe) - Please call for add-ons from your departure city. LAND ARRANGEMENT COSTS INCLUDE: - All accommodations - All meals and game activities (Full Board) on safari - Airport, road and charter flight transfers - Park fees and guiding fees - Flying doctor service - Bottled water on game drives - Local Drinks and laundry in the safari camps and Giraffe Manor NOT INCLUDED: - Tips to staff and driver/guides - Other drinks and laundry at Hemingway s - Optional ballooning safari in the Maasai Mara ($ per person) - International scheduled airfares (quoted as air arrangements) - Items of a personal nature - Travel insurance - Kenya visa NOTES: 1) Sala s Camp is closed April 3-May 31 and Nov 1-30, ) This safari can be customized to your preference by adding extra nights in any of the camps. 3) If travel occurs over two date ranges, the rate is subject to change. 4) Single supplement is based on a minimum of two people traveling together. Trip Report: Wow! Such a fabulous trip. We were very well taken care of throughout our 2 weeks. Thank you for your excellent planning! Overall we had a great experience - there are just a few things I would do differently. The Giraffe Manor was unbelievable - having the giraffes come to our window in the morning and then poke their heads in at breakfast was incredible. The Manor itself is beautiful and the service and food were really good. But there is not a lot do aside from interacting with the giraffes a few times a day. The Karen Blixen Museum was nice and we enjoyed the elephant nursery but those two activities took only half a day. The guide and driver were excellent. It was my idea to spend three nights there and it was one too many. We had one day with nothing to do. So my feedback is that 2 nights (one day) at the Giraffe Manor is just right. Skippy Banker We had an amazing time, thanks to you, Saskia and the rest of your staff. We loved the trip, the accommodations (Solio, Sasaab, Sala s and Giraffe Manor), our guides and spotters, and of course all of

12 the incredible animals we saw. We really don't have words to express how much we loved the trip. Julie and Pat Arner Then off to Giraffe Manor. To be honest, I thought it might be a bit cheesy, but I was so wrong. We had such a delightful time, feeding and kissing the giraffes. It is amazing to see those beautiful animals up close and personal! Meeting and eating with the other guests was also great fun, sharing experiences and looking forward to those yet to come. It is truly a unique place, and we loved that is small and so personal. We also visited the Giraffe Center. Sally Stalker To Giraffe Manor - What a wonderful introduction to Kenya! The Kelly room was spectacular and the atmosphere was magical with the giraffes. The rose petals on the floor and bottle of sparkling wine were beautiful and a very special way to mark our anniversary. And, we had our first taste of Amarula! Pam and Mark DiMaria