THE MASAI MARA IN DEPTH

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1 THE MASAI MARA IN DEPTH NOVEMBER 2019 OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO LAIKIPIA NOVEMBER 2019 Tour Leader: Mike Mockler

2 VA S T L A N D S C A P E S A N D U N F O RG E T TA B L E WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS This tour will concentrate on the Masai Mara, regarded by many as the finest gameviewing area in Kenya. However, whereas most lodges in the Masai Mara are large, crowded, hotel-style establishments, we have selected two delightful small tented camps which are situated in two distinct areas: Naboisho Conservancy and Mara North Conservancy. Although both 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 conservancies. Game-viewing will be in the camps own specially adapted four-wheel-drive vehicles, driven by their own highly-skilled Maasai 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. The camp is located in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which offers 90,000 acres of wilderness and an uncrowded 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.

3 13-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 11 NOVEMBER November London / Nairobi Please make your way to London Heathrow Terminal 3 to check in by hrs for the departure of the British Airways flight BA 065 to Nairobi at hrs. Arrive in Nairobi at hrs. Transfer to the Boma Hotel where one night is spent. Dinner under own arrangements. One night at The Boma Nairobi on a bed and breakfast basis November 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 wellappointed 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. Game viewing at Kicheche Valley Camp on 13 and 14 November. Three nights at Kicheche Valley Camp in a Double Tent, inclusive of all meals, local drinks, laundry and scheduled game drives and walks November Kicheche Mara Camp, Masai Mara Transfer by vehicle to Kicheche Mara Camp for a seven 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 ENQUIRY@THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK

4 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. Game Viewing at Kicheche Mara Camp from November. Seven nights at Kicheche Mara Camp on a full board basis, including all meals, local drinks and scheduled safari activities. 22 November Departure After lunch you will be transferred to the airstrip in time for your light aircraft flight to Wilson arriving in the early evening. Transfer to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for the British Airways flight BA 064 departing to London at hrs. Dinner under own arrangements. 23 November London Arrive London Heathrow Terminal 3 at hrs ENQUIRY@THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK

5 TOUR PRICES PER PERSON Tour Price 7,980 Single Supplement 940 EXTENSION PRICES PER PERSON Kicheche Laikipia Extension (based on 6 people) Single Supplement 2, PRICE INCLUDES International and domestic flights in economy class Pre-paid airport taxes Airport transfers in private vehicles (unless otherwise stated) Accommodation, meals and activities as stated Park fees PRICE EXCLUDES Visa fees Travel insurance Locally paid airport departure taxes Meals not stated Personal gratuities Items of a personal nature Premium import brand drinks at the camps Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on OPTIONAL KICHECHE LAIKIPIA EXTENSION November Kicheche Laikipia Camp 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 cattleherding with wildlife conservation and offers a blissfully uncrowded 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 Mount 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. Game Viewing at Kicheche Laikipia Camp from the November. 4 nights at Kicheche Laikipia on a full board basis to include all meals, selected beers wines and spirits and scheduled safari activities such as game drives and bush walks. 26 November 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 hrs. 27 November London Arrive London Heathrow Terminal 3 at hrs.

6 w YOUR TOUR LEADER MIKE MOCKLER For over 30 years, Mike has travelled the world in a quest for unforgettable encounters with wildlife and stunning photographs of the natural world. And, for more than a quarter of a century, he has shared his passion for wildlife with others through his photography, writing, lecturing and, most notably, his tour-leading and safari-guiding. Having completed more than 100 African safaris, Mike is, not surprisingly, best known as a safari guide and his wildlife tours to Africa have been hugely popular for many years. Author of two successful and popular books, Birds in the Garden and Flights of Imagination, Mike has also written many feature articles about wildlife, ornithology, conservation, travel and Africa. These have been published in a variety of magazines and newspapers including Wildlife, Bird Watching, Birds Illustrated, RSPB Magazine, Country Life, The Independent, The Guardian and The Observer ENQUIRY@THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK VANSTON PLACE LONDON SW6 1AZ