P R E S E N T S 09 August THEGREAT MIGRATION WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR TO MAASAI MARA AND LAKE NAKURU 2018 5 Nights at Mara Triangle 2 Nights at Lake Nakuru
TM INTRODUCTION THE GREAT MIGRATION Each year around the same time, the circular great wildebeest migration begins in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of the southern Serengeti in Tanzania and loops in a clockwise direction through the Serengeti National Park and north towards the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya. This migration is a natural phenomenon determined by the availability of grazing. During February, the wildebeest spend their time on the short grass plains of the southeastern part of the ecosystem, grazing and giving birth to approximately 500,000 calves within a 2 to 3-week period. As the rains end in May, the animals start moving northwest into the areas around the Grumeti River, where they typically remain until late June. The crossings of the Grumeti and Mara rivers beginning in July are a popular safari attraction because crocodiles are lying in wait. The herds arrive in Kenya in late July / August, where they stay for the remainder of the dry season, except that the Thomson's and Grant's gazelles move only east/west. In early November, with the start of the short rains the migration starts moving south again, to the short grass plains of the southeast, usually arriving in December in plenty of time for calving in February.
TM MASAI MARA The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a large game reserve in Narok County, Kenya, contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Mara Region, Tanzania. It is named in honor of the Maasai people (the ancestral inhabitants of the area) and their description of the area when looked at from afar: "Mara," which is Maa (Maasai language) for "spotted," an apt description for the circles of trees, scrub, savanna, and cloud shadows that mark the area. Wildebeest, topi, zebra, and Thomson's gazelle migrate into and occupy the Mara reserve from July to October. Herds of all three species are also resident in the reserve. All members of the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, African elephant, cape buffalo, and black rhinoceros) are found in the Maasai Mara. Hippopotamus and crocodiles are found in large groups in the Mara and Talek rivers. Leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, and bat-eared foxes can also be found in the reserve. The plains between the Mara River and the Esoit Siria Escarpment are probably the best area for wildlife viewing, in particular regarding lion and cheetah. Antelopes can be found, including Grant's gazelles, impalas, duikers and Coke's hartebeests. The plains are also home to the distinctive Masai giraffe. The large roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, rarely present elsewhere in Kenya, can be seen within the reserve borders. More than 470 species of birds have been identified in the park. It is globally famous for its exceptional population of lions, leopards and cheetahs, and the annual migration of zebra, Thomson's gazelle, and wildebeest to and from the Serengeti every year from July to October, known as the Great Migration.
LAKE NAKURU Lake Nakuru is in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park. There are over 400 resident species of birds on the lake and in the surrounding park. Thousands of both little grebes and white winged black terns are frequently seen as are stilts, avocets, ducks, and in the European winter the migrant waders. Most of the big safari animals are present in Lake Nakuru NP with the exception of elephants. The park is known for its populations of black and white rhino. White rhino is particularly common, and different groups can be encountered throughout the day. Hippo, waterbuck, Burchell's zebra and Thomson's gazelle are common on the flood plains. The park isn t very good for predators, but leopard is occasionally spotted. The park is an important stronghold for the rare Rothschild's giraffe. It was introduced to the park in the 1980s and has now become locally common. Aside from the widespread vervet monkey and olive baboon, the beautiful black-and-white colobus monkey can sometimes be found in the acacia forest. TM
THE PROGRAM Day 1 August 10, 2018 Friday Mumbai - Nairobi - Lake Nakuru National Park Meet your tour skipper at Mumbai Airport and board Flight (Rwandair Express WB 501) scheduled at 01:45 AM. Reach Nairobi Airport at 11:05 AM and transfer to Lake Nakuru which takes around 3hrs and 30m. Have lunch en route. Check in to your accommodation at Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary for Rothschild giraffe, both black and white Rhino and Leopard. The park is renowned for its magnificent birdlife, beautiful scenery and array of wildlife. Afternoon game drive in the park. Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Nakuru National Park. Day 2 August 11 Saturday Lake Nakuru National Park Spent the full day in the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives or full day of game drives in the reserve with lunch boxes. All meals and overnight stay at the Lake Nakuru National Park. Day 3 August 12 Sunday Lake Nakuru NP - Masai Mara National Reserve Post breakfast transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve and check into the camp. Post lunch enjoy the afternoon safari at Mara Triangle. It is perhaps the TM
only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. Return to the camp in the evening and stay overnight at the camp at Masaimara. Day 4-7 August 13-16 Monday - Thursday Masai Mara National Reserve Spend full day in the Mara Triangle and enjoy full on wildebest migration. Return to the camp in the evening and stay overnight at the camp at Masai Mara. Day 8 August 17 Friday Masai Mara Enjoy the morning safari in the park and post lunch drive down to Nairobi Airport and board flight to Mumbai (Rwandair Express WB 403) scheduled at 09:00 PM. Day 9 August 18 Saturday Mumbai Reach Mumbai International Airport by 11:05 AM. This tour ends on arrival at the Airport. TM
TM
TM INR 1,69,000/- + 5% GST Accommodation at Masai Mara (5N) and Lake Nakuru (2N) in twin share basis. All meals (B/B/L/D) starting from Day-1 lunch to Day-8 Lunch. Bottled water. All park entry fees. All transfers in Kenya according to the itinerary. All safaris as mentioned in itinerary in 4 X 4 Landcruiser. Tour skipper Air Ticket/Train Ticket. Cost of personal habit or any other personal expenses like laundry, telephones, beverages etc. Tips (@ USD 60-80 approx per pax for the entire tour). Food other than mentioned in the inclusion. Travel insurance. Anything that is not mentioned above. Cancellation Terms: Cancellation fees would be charged as following: 90 days or more before departure: 50% of package cost. 89 to 60 days before departure: 50% of package cost. 59-30 days before departure: 75% of the tour cost. 29 to 0 days before departure or no show: 100% of the tour cost.
CONTACT indianwildtours@gmail.com www.wandervogeladventures.com TM