Kenya Agricultural Tour

Transcription

1 P a g e 1 Kenya Agricultural Tour Nairobi - Aberdare National Park - Samburu National Reserve - The Rift Valley - Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara 14 Days / 13 Nights 10 July July 2019

2 P a g e 2 Accommodation Accommodation Destination Start End Basis Duration Overnight Travel 10 Jul 11 Jul 1 Night Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club Nairobi 11 Jul 13 Jul B&B 2 Nights The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park 13 Jul 14 Jul FB+ 1 Night Elephant Bedroom Camp Samburu National Reserve 14 Jul 16 Jul FB+ 2 Nights Mbweha Camp The Rift Valley 16 Jul 18 Jul FB+ 2 Nights Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge Lake Naivasha 18 Jul 19 Jul FB+ 1 Night Tipilikwani Mara Camp Masai Mara 19 Jul 22 Jul B&B 3 Nights Overnight Travel 22 Jul 23 Jul 1 Night Key B&B: Bed and Breakfast FB+: Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities Daily

3 P a g e 3 Day 1: Overnight Travel (Tue, 10 July) Flight Information Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 10 Jul VA693 (Scheduled) Virgin Melbourne International Airport [MEL] 18:15 Perth International Airport [PER] 20:40 10 Jul SA693 (Scheduled) South African Airlines Perth International Airport [PER] 23:40 OR Tambo International Airport [JNB] 04:50 (11 Jul) Day 2: Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi (Wed, 11 July) Connecting flight Johannesburg to Nairobi. Flight Information Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 11 Jul SA185 (Scheduled) South African Airlines OR Tambo International Airport [JNB] 10:10 Jomo Kenyatta International Airport [NBO] 15:05 Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your Hotel for check in. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. Situated in along the Nairobi River in beautiful Kenya, the capital of Nairobi is East Africa's most cosmopolitan city. It serves as an excellent starting point for African safari trips around Kenya. Nairobi is Africa s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place, and although it has developed a reputation which keeps tourist visits brief, there are some fascinating attractions: its cafe culture, unbridled nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and most notably just 20 minutes from the city centre wild lions and buffalo roam in the world s only urban game reserve. Make sure you pay a visit to the elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

4 P a g e 4 Overnight: Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club The Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club is a cluster of impressive Victorian style buildings with 130 deluxe rooms comprising twins, doubles, studio suites and cottages all overlooking our spectacular 18-hole championship golf course and are tastefully decorated with five-star amenities in each room. A 16-hour business center and Stay Fit gym ensure you won t miss a moment of excitement when you choose to stay at the Windsor. Day 3: Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi (Thu, 12 July) Enjoy breakfast and depart for the nearby Ruiru Coffee Research Institute for a guided tour of the Institute. You will have the opportunity to view preparation of the seed beds, processing which involves cherry picking, sorting, pulping and pre-grading through to farm management including a brief on good agricultural and hygiene practices. We ll walk through the Laboratory to see how the Biological research is undertaken and visit the Coffee Museum within the Institutes which compares different kinds of coffee from around the world. A lovely lunch will be served on the lawns of the Institute. We will leave to proceed to Thika Coffee Millers where you will have the opportunity to see the mechanized processing, grading and packaging of coffee, tea and nut. We might be lucky to see a live coffee auction. If time permits, visit their large scale coffee Farm. Day 4: The Ark Lodge, Aberdare National Park (Fri, 13 July) Breakfast at the hotel we cruise to the Aberdares National Park. A warm welcome at the Aberdares Country Club where we will have our lunch and also store any excess luggage we may have, pack what we need for the night in sleeping bags then board lodge vehicles to our tree lodge. The Ark enjoys a great, serene location inside the thick rain forest of Aberdares. We will spend this afternoon and the night game viewing from the lodge balconies. The flood lit water-hole is a quite a magnet for a wide variety of wildlife species who come to drink, bath or salt lick. These include; Cape buffalo, the Savannah Elephant, leopard and water bucks, giant forest hogs, lions among many others. The Lodge is designed with 'decks' from which numerous balconies and lounges that provide superb vantage points for game viewing. A lot of silence is required so that animals are not scared away so remember to speak in low tones. A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you closer than you would believe possible to the wildlife. Dinner and overnight at our tree lodge. PLEASE NOTE: The nights get very cold so you need to have some warm clothes with you.

5 P a g e 5 Located northeast of Nairobi, Kenya, the Aberdare National Park was created to protect the Aberdare Mountain Range, the peaks of which soar to 3930 metres. The landscape is characterised by steep forested slopes, expansive moors, and deep ravines scattered with cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear streams and rushing rivers. The park is inhabited by a variety of African wildlife such as: elephant, lion, spotted hyena, rhino, black leopard and the very elusive bongo antelope that lives in the high altitude bamboo forests. The park offers the perfect environment for picnics, camping in the moorlands, trout fishing in the rivers, and excellent bird watching with over 250 species of birds including hawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers. Aberdare National Park Overnight: The Ark Lodge The Ark has four viewing areas from which to observe the ever-present animal activity at the waterhole and saltlick. There is also a ground level hide - the perfect spot for the discerning photographer. From this vantage point, photos of animals can be taken at eye-level. So as not to miss any animal sightings, the resident guide will buzz your room when special animals come to the waterhole. Simply throw on your provided robe and slippers, grab your camera and view nightlife at the waterhole! The sister property to The Ark the Aberdare Country Club, is a short distance away and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Activities include a game walk on our 1300 acres, golf, tennis, horseback riding, relaxing at our health club or swimming pool, or simply enjoying the gorgeous gardens.

6 P a g e 6 Day 5: Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu National Reserve (Sat, 14 July) Our guide driver will warmly meet you at the hotel after breakfast, help you load your luggage into the Safari land cruiser then proceed to Samburu. We have a stop at the Kisima Farm where we will engage in an educative chat with the managers and farm workers on the farm. Here wheat, bearley, potatoes, sunflowers are grown. They are also engaged in flower farming. The farm also does dairy & beef farming. We may visit other farm of interest on our way.. We enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive enroute to the camp. The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species; including the Gerenuk (twiga gazelle) due to her long neck, the beisa Oryx, the Reticulated Giraffe, the Somali ostrich and Grevy s Zebra. Samburu is also an ornithological paradise, home to many birds including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vivacious Dove. Enjoy dinner and overnight at our camp Resting on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River and neighbouring the Buffalo Springs National Park, Samburu National Reserve is remote, hot and arid. The reserve spans over 165 square kilometres of spectacularly scenic landscape featuring rugged hills, undulating plains and riverine forests. The park is home to abundant wildlife including a variety of rare species such as the reticulated giraffe, the long necked gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Grevy's Zebra and Beisa Oryx. Samburu was one of the homes of 'Elsa the Lioness', star of the best selling book and awardwinning movie 'Born Free'. Visitors can enjoy viewing over 900 elephants, a variety of predators, and over 450 bird species. Overnight: Elephant Bedroom Camp Set on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve surrounded by doum palms and other beautiful indigenous trees and shrubs sits this small and exclusive camp of 12 luxury tents - all furnished in rustic African style while offering all the comforts expected of a luxury Camp (hot & cold running water, electricity and herbal products). The lounge and dining area offer vibrant safari colours with original oil paintings, soft intimate lighting designed to relax guests returning from an exciting game drive. Huge herds of elephant, prides of lion or the solitary leopard amongst other game are regular visitors around the camp providing excellent game viewing in spectacular scenic background of rugged rolling hills. Dining is a culinary experience with al-fresco breakfast, 3 course lunch and 4 course candle lit gourmet dinner set either under the African sky or inside the well-appointed dining area.

7 P a g e 7 Day 6: Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu National Reserve (Sun, 15 July) Enjoy a full day game viewing in both Samburu and Buffalo Springs Game Reserves. Samburu National Reserve Day 7: Mbweha Camp, The Rift Valley (Mon, 16 July) This morning after breakfast, we drive to Lake Nakuru national Park. After breakfast we depart for Lake Nakuru National Park with a brief stop at the Thompson's Falls for a breath-taking view of the great scenery. We arrive for lunch. This afternoon we enjoy a game viewing drive. The environment here is welcoming, one of the best places to relax, to unwind, to enjoy nature s beauty. The scenery is breath-taking; a sight of the virgin forest is re-assuring. Some of the interesting places to visit include the baboon cliff, the lion hill and the Mau escarpment. The park is one of the best game viewing parks with various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, wart hogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffes, the black & white Rhino, the Burchell s zebra, impalas, and the elusive leopard among many others. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here too. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places to see the endangered black and white Rhino. Enjoy dinner and overnight at our Lodge.

8 P a g e 8 The Rift Valley is a colossal geological feature stretching for 6000 kilometres. It runs from the Middle East all the way down Africa to northern Botswana into Kenya and can be visited just a short drive north of Nairobi. The ground drops away and opens up to a massive valley which is home to lakes, soda lakes, savannah and impressive volcanic formations. This spectacularly scenic landscape is scattered with abundant plains game, a string of reserves and Maasai villages. Visitors can soak up these stunning panoramas against beautiful backdrops. Some highlights include: the dramatic cliffs of Hell's Gate, Mount Longonot, Lake Elmenteita, and the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru The site of thousands of flamingos feeding on the Lake s shallows or taking off in unison is an iconic Kenyan one and this is where it happens. The soda Lake and its surrounds are home to more that flamingos with more than 400 species of birds and the National park is a sanctuary for Rothschild Giraffe, Black and White Rhinos and plenty of other plains game. Overnight: Mbweha Camp Tucked away in the spectacular Great Rift Valley on the private 6400 acre Congreve Conservancy, Mbweha Camp is nestled up against the southern border of Lake Nakuru National Park with beautiful views over the Eburru and Mau ranges. Congreve Conservancy is part of the greater conservancy area called Soysambu which has a large part of Elementaita within its borders. Rustic lava-stone cottages with thatched roofs are surrounded by euphobia candelabra, yellow barked acacia and other indigenous trees.

9 P a g e 9 Day 8: Mbweha Camp, The Rift Valley (Tue, 17 July) Enjoy breakfast then depart for a visit to the commercial maize and wheat farms around Nakuru and Njoro area. Maize is the staple food in Kenya. Large as well as small-scale farmers produce the crop and a large percentage of the population depends on Maize farming as an income-generating crop. Since maize is adaptable to a whole range of climate conditions, it is the single most extensively grown crop. However, the chief growing areas are Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, Bungoma, and Uasin Gishu counties. Maize require Warm temperatures above 15 C. These are experienced in most parts of the country. Time permitting you might visit the Gain Silos in Nakuru town, however this is subject to confirmation nearer to time. Here you will be able to see where maize is stored after harvesting. Day 9: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Lake Naivasha (Wed, 18 July) Enjoy an early breakfast. Visit a Horticultural Farm that dot around this magnificent lake. Return to lodge for lunch then this afternoon head out on a short but exciting boat ride towards Crescent Island, a private sanctuary, for a walk amongst Zebra, Wildebeests, Gazelle, Vervet Monkey, Genet and Giraffe. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Lake Naivasha is the highest of the Great Rift Valley Lakes and despite having no outlet, it is one of only two Rift Valley freshwater lakes. This beautiful lake is fringed by papyrus and acacia trees, a unique geologic landscape and supports a vast array of over 450 bird species. It serves as the main drinking hole for wildlife in the area such as zebra, eland, hippo, waterbuck, buffalo and much more. Visitors can look forward to excellent game viewing, intriguing night safaris, boating excursions around the lake as well as to Crescent Island for spectacular bird watching

10 opportunities. Other popular activities include: guided nature walks, horse riding, village visits and tours to neighbouring national parks. P a g e 10 Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge Set in one hundred and fifty acres of grassland studded with Acacia bushes and trees, the resort is not only home to our resident giraffe, waterbuck and both Vervet and Colobus monkeys, but it is also a night stop for the hippos when they leave the lake every night to come and trim the grass on our expansive lawns. With Sopa s traditional and conscientious care for the environment, we carefully positioned all the buildings on our property so we did not have to fell any of the many trees there. As a result of this, we had to come up with a radically innovative and artistic design for the main public area building which now snakes its way between the trees with long and graceful curves. The lodge features two swimming pools with a children s section and a pool complex with its bar, snack kitchen, pizzeria and health spa; tennis court and two conference halls with their four differently sized meeting areas. Day 10-12: Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Masai Mara (Thu, 19 July to Sat, 21 July) Enjoy TWO Full days in Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game viewing drives in search of the 'big five'. Masai Mara is the northern most extension of the Serengeti Plains and one of the richest wildlife Game Reserves. It is home to the awesome black-manned lion, the elusive leopard, stately giraffes, and vast herds of elephants, rhino, thundering herds of zebra, migrating wildebeest and numerous other plains game. In one of the days, you will visit to a traditional. Maasai village (Manyatta) where we will spend memorable moments with these wonderful people. We will be able learn and participate in the day to day activities they engage in, listen to their stories, legends, songs and myths. These have faithfully been based through generations. Despite influence from the modern culture, the Maasai have held to that which they have known and learned from their fore-fathers. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

11 P a g e 11 The Masai Mara together with Tanzania s Serengeti form Africa s most famous wildlife park, the Masai Mara National Reserve. The image of acacia trees dotting endless grass plains epitomises Africa for many, then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The undeniable highlight of the Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration traversing the vast plains of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. It is known as the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet with more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, elephants, giraffes, gazelles and eland can also be spotted in the reserve. Aside from horse riding safaris and traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Mara plains has become almost essential. Masai Mara OPTIONAL - Hot Air Ballooning Maasai Mara Additional Cost Hot Air Safaris offers balloon flights in Kenya s Masai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is the northernmost part of the spectacular Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, home to the Great Migration and scores of other wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, hippos and crocodiles. Overnight: Tipilikwani Mara Camp This uniquely situated luxury camp on the banks of the Talek River overlooks the mottled plains of the Maasai Mara, where vast herds of wildlife co-exist with the colourful Maasai people between June and October the Maasai Mara plays host to one of the most spectacular wildlife shows on earth the great annual migration of over a million wildebeest and zebra as they enter the Mara ecosystem from Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. Tipilikwani's tents enjoy river frontage and are decorated with warm, rich Maasai colours. Game drives offer the unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the diversity of animals and birds living permanently in the Maasai Mara, as well as many migratory species. Guests can also learn more about the Maasai people, proud pastoralists and warriors, many of whom still retain their traditional nomadic lifestyle.

12 P a g e 12 Day 13: Overnight Travel (Sun, 22 July) Wake early for your last game experience in the African Savannah before returning to the Camp for breakfast. After check out you will be met for and depart for Nairobi arriving in time to check in for your departing flight. Flight Information Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 22 Jul SA185 (Scheduled) South African Airlines Jomo Kenyatta International Airport [NBO] 15:55 OR Tambo International Airport [JNB] 19:00 (23 Jul) 22 Jul SA280 (Scheduled) South African Airlines OR Tambo International Airport [JNB] 21:15 Perth International Airport [PER] 12:20 (23 Jul) Day 14: End of Itinerary (Mon, 23 July) Flight Information Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time 23 Jul Scheduled Virgin Perth International Airport [PER] 17:35 Melbourne International Airport [MEL] 23:00 Lvl 1, 13a Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218 (PO Box 7473) // groups@swagmantours.com.au

13 P a g e 13 COST: $9,890 per person twin share* Subject to a minimum of 15 passengers travelling *Tour cost is subject to air/tax increases plus currency fluctuations. Non-refundable deposit required: $1,000 per person Balance required no later than: 15 May 2019 Single Supplement: $1,485 per single Main Tour cost includes: Economy International airfares and applicable tax ex Australia Use of custom designed pop-up roof Safari Land Cruise while on Safari Twin share accommodation throughout with en suite facilities All meals as per itinerary and one complimentary drink per meal (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) All entry/park fees as indicated in the itinerary All farm visits and technical visits listed in the itinerary An experienced and knowledgeable national tour guide, with local guides in each city Unlimited bottled water in the safari vehicle Unlimited game viewing drives Complimentary Fly Doctors cover while on Safari Main Tour cost does NOT include: Travel Insurance this is COMPULSORY to have in place prior to travel Items of a personal nature (eg laundry/phone/souvenirs) and any optional extras listed in the itinerary Beverages and any meals not listed in the itinerary Cost of passport or any medication required Visa for Kenya obtained online prior to departure IMPORTANT NOTES: The tour cost is subject to change due to currency fluctuations, visa fee increases, airfare, fuel surcharges and / or tax increases. As this is a group package, all passengers must travel on the same outbound flight to Dublin. Post touring options are available and will incur an amendment fee of $75.00 per person plus extra touring and insurance costs. PASSPORTS AND VISAS All travellers will require a full valid passport, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid visas for all countries visited on your holiday, and/or sufficient blank pages for any visas and for entry/departure stamps. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your holiday. If you have more than one passport, we recommend that you use one passport only for the entire journey. This will save problems and potential delays at border crossings. Requirements differ depending on your nationality - check with the appropriate embassies for details. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. Swagman Tours cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation. Please check the actual requirements with the necessary embassy or your Travel Agent. Please also do not assume that any inaccuracies within your documentation will be detected or can be rectified - you must ensure, that your "paper-work" is in order. There will be times during the trip, when your passport will be collected e.g. by your tour leader, hotel reception staff, or police. HOLDERS OF FOREIGN PASSPORTS: Travellers holding non Australian passports must have the relevant re-entry permit to return to Australia and must check with their National Consulate of any visa requirements to your holiday destination country(s). NOTE: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate. FARM & TECHNICAL VISITS: A fully furnished list of confirmed visits both to farming properties and technical stops will be given with your ticket wallets approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. * Changes and alterations may take place from details listed in the itinerary *.