The Masai Mara in Depth: Kenya Wildlife Tour With Mike Mockler 12th 25th November 2018 & Optional Extension to Laikipia in Northern Kenya 24th 29th November 2018 The Ultimate Travel Company Wildlife Journeys
Outline Itinerary 12 Nov London Nairobi 13 15 Nov Kicheche Valley Camp, Masai Mara 16 18 Nov Kicheche Bush Camp, Masai Mara 19 23 Nov Kicheche Mara Camp, Masai Mara 24 Nov Departure 25 Nov London Optional Extension 24-27 Nov Kicheche Laikipia Camp, Laikipia, Northern Kenya 28 Nov Departure 29 Nov London
Detailed Itinerary This tour will concentrate on the Masai Mara, regarded by many as the finest game-viewing area in Kenya. However, whereas most lodges in the Masai Mara are large, crowded, hotel-style establishments, we have selected three delightful small tented camps which are situated in three distinct areas: Naboisho Conservancy, Olare Motorogi Conservancy and Mara North Conservancy. Although all three areas are rich in wildlife, they are subtly different and provide an excellent overview of the Masai Mara s ecology. Night-drives are available at Valley Camp. Lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, elephant, hippopotamus and many plains game species are to be found in the vicinity of the camps and birdwatching is superb throughout the Mara. Game-viewing will be in the camps own specially adapted four-wheel-drive vehicles, driven by their own highly-skilled Masai guides. We shall endeavour, wherever possible, to avoid crowds of vehicles which can spoil one s enjoyment of wildlife encounters. A four-night stay at Kicheche Laikipia Camp in Northern Kenya is also available as an optional post-tour extension. Located in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which offers 90,000 acres of wilderness and an un-crowded environment to enjoy quality game viewing. The Conservancy is home to East Africa s largest population of black rhino, large numbers of elephant, cheetah, lion, leopard and plentiful plains game. Other uncommon species include Grevy s zebra, Jackson s hartebeest and patas monkeys. Night drives are available here too, providing the opportunity of seeing nocturnal species. Black rhinoceros Juvenile tawny eagle 12 Nov London - Nairobi Please make your way to London Heathrow Terminal 3 to check in by 07.00 hrs for the departure of the British Airways flight BA 065 to Nairobi at 10.10 hrs. It is advisable to double check departure time the day before departure on the BA flight information number 0844 493 0787. British Airways does not allow seats to be pre-allocated before check in when discounted tickets are used (all our tour operator rates are for discounted, non-flexible/non-refundable tickets). However you can check in on the website (www.ba.com) 24 hours before departure and request your seats then. If you have a BA
Executive Card of silver status or above you can request your seats in advance. Alternatively there is the option to pay to choose your seat in advance. Further details will be given once the tickets are issued. Otherwise seats will be allocated to you at the airport. Please note that when you are flying on the domestic light aircraft flights within Kenya, your luggage weight limit is 20 kg total per person (including hand luggage). You will be charged for excess weight. Arrive in Nairobi at 21.35 hrs. Transfer to the Boma Hotel where one night is spent. Dinner under own arrangements. One night Boma Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis Lion yawning Bateleur eagle 13 Nov Kicheche Valley Camp, Masai Mara Morning departure to Wilson Airport for a light aircraft flight to Kicheche Valley Camp, located within the Naboisho Conservancy bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Naboisho Conservancy, through its strict limit on bed numbers, offers an incomparable game viewing experience without crowds. The camp has six spacious well-appointed tents that provide guests with privacy and good views. Bathrooms are en-suite with a flushing toilet and a hot water shower. There are comfortable chairs and a hammock outside the tent, which are perfect for relaxing when not out on game drives. There is a spacious well-furnished lounge and dining tent, although you may dine alfresco if weather permits. The Masai Mara is blessed with an astounding concentration of animals, and panoramic vistas across plains and dotted woodlands. Covering an area of some 1,500 square kilometres in the south-western corner of Kenya, the Masai Mara is unfenced, bordered in the west by the Oloololo escarpment and the east by the Ngama Hills. When we are there, the majority of the migration herds of wildebeest may have departed for Tanzania, though the resident herds will still be around. There will also be many newly arrived migrant birds. At all times of the year the Masai Mara is home to an abundance of wildlife that includes lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant and a variety of plains game. Three nights at Kicheche Valley Camp on a full board basis. 14 15 Nov Kicheche Valley Camp, Masai Mara Game viewing at Kicheche Valley Camp.
16 Nov Kicheche Bush Camp, Masai Mara Transfer by vehicle to Kicheche Bush Camp for a three night stay with game-viewing en route. Kicheche Bush Camp is located within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy bordering the National Reserve, which is all part of the Masai Mara ecosystem. The Olare Motorogi Conservancy, through its strict limit on bed numbers, offers an incomparable game viewing experience without crowds. The camp has six spacious well-appointed tents that provide guests with privacy and good views looking out to the plains. Bathrooms are en-suite with a flushing toilet and a traditional safari bucket shower. Three nights at Kicheche Bush Camp on a full board basis. 17 18 Nov Kicheche Bush Camp, Masai Mara Game viewing at Kicheche Bush Camp. Masai giraffes Steppe eagle 19 Nov Kicheche Mara Camp, Masai Mara Transfer by vehicle to Kicheche Mara Camp for a five night stay with game-viewing en route. Kicheche Mara Camp is located in the Mara North Conservancy of the Masai Mara, which borders the National Reserve. The camp is in a lovely location in a prime wildlife area and game viewing starts right from the camp itself. The camp only has eight tents, which therefore creates a friendly and intimate atmosphere. Each tent is comfortably furnished with an en-suite bathroom, bucket shower, flushing toilets and low wattage lighting. The majority of the tents are in secluded positions overlooking grassland and nearby hills. The spacious Nyati tent acts as the camp lounge with comfortable seating, a library, board games, cards and local crafts. Five nights Kicheche Mara Camp on a full-board basis. 20 23 Nov Kicheche Mara Camp, Masai Mara Game viewing at Kicheche Mara Camp.
24 Nov Departure Morning flight by light aircraft to Wilson arriving in the late morning. Lunch under own arrangements. On arrival transfer to the Boma Hotel where day rooms will be available to freshen up. Dinner under own arrangements. Transfer to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for the British Airways flight BA 064 departing to London at 00.30 hrs. 25 Nov London Arrive London Heathrow Terminal 3 at 06.15 hrs.
Optional Extension 24 Nov Kicheche Laikipia Camp, Laikipia, Northern Kenya Fly by charter flight from the Masai Mara to the Ol Pejeta air strip, then drive to Kicheche Laikipia Camp, located in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. A former cattle ranch, the Conservancy, which extends to 90,000 acres, now combines cattle-herding with wildlife conservation and offers a blissfully un-crowded environment to enjoy quality game viewing. The Conservancy is home to East Africa s largest population of black rhino, so the conservancy is largely fenced for their protection. However other animals can come and go. These include elephant, cheetah, lion, leopard, wild dog and plentiful plains game. Ol Pejeta lies on the equator a short drive from Nanyuki airstrip and has wonderful views of Mt Kenya. Night drives are available to search for nocturnal species. For more information about the Ol Pejeta Conservancy go to www.olpejetaconservancy.org. The camp consists of six luxurious tents nestled among indigenous woodland overlooking a waterhole in the centre of the Conservancy. Four nights Kicheche Laikipia Camp on a full board basis. Male cheetahs feeding on recently killed zebra, Laikipia Wild dog, Laikipia 25 27 Nov Kicheche Laikipia Camp, Laikipia, Northern Kenya Game-viewing at Laikipia Camp. 28 Nov Departure Fly to Wilson Airport, Nairobi. On arrival transfer to Boma Hotel for day rooms. Lunch and afternoon at leisure. Dinner under own arrangements. Evening transfer to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for the British Airways flight BA 064 departing to London at 00.30 hrs. 29 Nov London Arrive London Heathrow Terminal 3 at 06.15 hrs.
Price TOUR COST PER PERSON: 7,980 Single supplement: 1,140 EXTENSION COST PER PERSON: 2,545 Extension single supplement: 340 World Traveller Plus Supplement: Business Class Supplement: TBC TBC The tour cost includes: economy class scheduled international flights air passenger duty, passenger service charge, airline security charges, airport taxes and fuel surcharges where applicable - currently 306 (liable to change without notice) light aircraft transfers airport transfers accommodation, meals and activities as stated laundry and drinks (excluding premium import brands) at the camps park fees the services of your tour leader The tour cost does NOT include: travel insurance; items of a personal nature; personal gratuities premium import brand drinks at the camps government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 20.09.17 Changes to the Itinerary Please note, that certain elements of this itinerary, and/or the order of events, may well be subject to alteration due to circumstances beyond our control. Fitness to travel There is unlikely to be any activity that will trouble any reasonably active, mobile adult. We regret that our tours are not suitable for people who have difficulty in walking, may require wheelchair assistance at any time, or are unable to keep pace with the group. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of a tour, please make this known to us before you book and we will advise you accordingly. The Ultimate Travel Company reserves the right to decline a reservation without necessarily giving a reason. Airline Tickets As a tour operator we have access to special airfares. While these offer good value, they do carry certain restrictions applied by the airline. Please ask us for details.
Note: If you are thinking about using air miles to upgrade to a premium cabin on the flights, please check with us first as fare restrictions might not permit this.
General Information Luggage allowances on internal flights If you are flying with the group there is a luggage allowance of 20 kg total per person on all scheduled and chartered light aircraft flights in Kenya that is strictly enforced. If you are not travelling with the group the maximum will be 15kgs including hand luggage. Please take soft-sided squashy bags - lighter than suitcases and easier to stow in the hold of a light aircraft. We strongly recommend that you carry overnight essentials and any prescribed medication in your hand luggage on international flights, particularly if connecting to an onward destination. Immigration & visas UK passport holders do require a visa for entry into Kenya and this can be obtained prior to travel or you can purchase your visa on arrival. The single entry visa fee is currently $50 per person if you get your visa on arrival. Your passport should have a minimum validity of six months remaining from your date of departure from Kenya, as this is an immigration requirement. We will be sending information on how to apply nearer the date of travel. Holders of foreign passports must check entry and visa requirements with us or the relevant embassies. Currency The monetary unit is the Kenya Shilling. We advise you should take US Dollars cash. It is advisable to take dollars in small denominations. It is a very complicated and time-consuming exercise to change Shillings back to a hard currency so this should be avoided if at all possible. Visa and Mastercard Credit cards are accepted in all Kicheche Camps. They can incur a high service charge of around 5%. Tipping In all instances tipping should be treated as a personal matter and a gratuity should only be given if you feel the service deserves it. Our local agents will be able to give you more exact advice when you arrive in Kenya, but the following should serve as a useful guideline. Camp Staff - $5 to $10 per person per day. Guides - $5 to $10 per person per day. Climate/clothing Kenya lies astride the Equator and the range of altitude produces numerous localised weather patterns. The rainy season runs approximately from November to May. Temperatures alter very little from month to month. In Nairobi and the highlands the days are warm, an average of 22 C, but nights are cooler - temperatures can drop to below 10 C, so bring adequate warm clothes for early morning game viewing and evenings in camp.
You should not underestimate the intensity of the equatorial sun and it is essential to bring hats, sunglasses and plenty of protective cream. On safari you do not have to wear khaki coloured clothing but we would advise against bright or bold colours such as red, black or white. The following items may be useful as a recommendation: Long-sleeved cotton shirts T-shirts Long trousers Shorts/ skirts Sweatshirts Woollen jersey/ fleece Lightweight waterproof jacket Bush/sun hat Good walking shoes Sunglasses Personal first aid kid Sun protection cream Insect repellent Small torch & spare batteries Camera and spare memory cards Binoculars Health We suggest that you consult your local doctor or health authority for up-to-date medical advice. In particular you should ensure that you are protected against Malaria, Hepatitis and Typhoid. You should also check that your Polio and Tetanus protection is up to date. Electric Current 240 volts AC. Kenya has the same plug sockets as the UK. Please be aware that the electricity service can be erratic or even non-existent in some of the more remote bush camps you should always travel with a torch and spare batteries and don t rely on an electric razor or a hair dryer! Camera batteries can be recharged in the camps, but we recommend that you carry a spare camera battery. Time Kenya is three hours ahead of GMT. These details are correct at the time of printing. Although The Ultimate Travel Company has no intention of making changes, it is possible that alterations may have to be made as a result of factors that are beyond our control.