Epic Big Cats: Masai Mara & Ruaha Led by Lion Researcher Bill Given

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2 2 ITINERARY Sept 28 Sept 29 Sept 30 Oct 01 Oct 02 Oct 03 Oct 04 Oct 05 Oct 06 Oct 07 Oct 08 Arrive to Nairobi, Kenya. Met at airport and transfer to the Eka Hotel. Depart after breakfast to Wilson Airport in time for a 10:00 flight that arrives to the Mara at 11:00. Met by our private guide, Ping, and transfer to Enaidura Mobile Camp. Mara River. Enaidura Mobile Camp Mara River. Enaidura Mobile Camp Mara River. Enaidura Mobile Camp Game drive ending at the airstrip in time for an 11:00 flight that arrives to Nairobi Wilson at 12:20. Met and transfer to the International Airport to check in for a 15:25 departure arriving to Dar es Salaam at 16:50. Met and transfer to the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel. Depart after breakfast to the airport in time for an 8:30 departure that arrives at 9:50 to Ruaha National Park. Met by our guide and game drive transfer to the new Jabali Ridge Camp. At Jabali Ridge we have opportunities for night drives and walks. Ruaha National Park. Jabali Ridge Camp Ruaha National Park. Jabali Ridge Camp Ruaha National Park. Jabali Ridge Camp Morning game drive. Following lunch you will have a 14:30 flight to Dar es Salaam arriving at 16:10. You are transferred five minutes to the International Airport to connect with your homeward bound flights. NOTE : you can also fly out to Dar arriving at 13:50 if you need an earlier time. The Wild Source th St, Golden, CO

3 3 SAFARI COSTS Cost is $8,750 per person sharing, single supplement $1,000 Note this is a pay by check or bank wire cash discounted price. Payment by credit card at the non-cash discount price is $9,100 per person sharing, and $1,040 single supplement. Included Costs Four internal flights, accommodation, meals (except dinners at City Hotels), drinks at safari camps, laundry, park/conservation fees, and activities. Not Included Out of Pocket Costs to Consider International to Nairobi and from Dar es Salaam. Flight from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam. Tips On safari we recommend $25 per person per day -- $15 to your guide, and $10 to the camp staff. In city hotels $1 a bag. Entry Visas (currently $100 pp in Tanzania and $50 pp in Kenya) Travel Insurance is required by the camps we can assist with Travel Guard or you are welcome to secure your own policy. Health visit to a Travel Clinic and any medications or vaccines needed. The Wild Source th St, Golden, CO

4 4 INTRODUCTION Epic Big Cats is a unique itinerary dreamed up by big cat/lion researcher Bill Given. The challenge was to put together a combination that maximizes the chances for observing active lions, while spending time in exceptional areas for the other big cats cheetah and leopard. The result is a remarkable safari that combines the classic Masai Mara, with the best frontier/safari secret in Ruaha National Park. We will have a private mobile camp along the stunning Mara River. Here we have legendary guide, Ping Nkukuu, the absolute best guide for predicting big cat action. The Mara is unrivaled for big cats, arguably the best area for observing cheetah. The presence of the great migration (typically including dramatic river crossings at this time of year) also makes this the most likely time and place to witness lions hunting. Next we venture to what is possibly Africa s best kept secret Ruaha National Park! Tanzania s largest national park is incredibly diverse as wildlife from East and Southern Africa overlap in this special place. Ruaha holds 10% of the world s lion population and The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

5 5 is outstanding for leopard too. Elephants, huge buffalo herds and giant baobabs dominate the awesome landscape. We have timed out stay to be late in the dry season, it is a hot time, but also hot for action as the park is known for its lion super prides (greater than 20 individuals) that frequently hunt huge prey favoring buffalo and giraffe. No guarantees but we will devote time to try and get lucky with these titanic battles. We hope to dedicate time to observe the family dynamics in these unusually large lion pride that form for the dry season as well. Mid-day if the action turns sleepy we can retreat to the highly anticipated Jabali Ridge Camp, which will become Ruaha s most luxurious camp when it opens September 1 st fortunately we are taking advantage of an opening free night special. The camp design is exquisitely styled and will be a great place to share the tales from our time with big cats. Conservation Biologist Bill Given is your big cat specialist guide throughout this safari. Bill is the owner of The Wild Source, and known for his hard core game drives to find outstanding wildlife and the patience to observe a full range of behaviors. Bill has conducted research on African lion, cheetah, leopard, jaguar, and puma/mountain lion. He loves to share his passion and knowledge with his safari guests. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

6 6 BILL GIVEN CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST/LION RESEARCHER/SAFARI GUIDE Working for two decades as a Wildlife Biologist, Bill has conducted studies on a diverse array of species ranging from endangered butterflies and jumping mice to owls, Mexican wolves, cheetah and African lions. Currently, as a Research Associate of the Denver Zoo and member of the Botswana based Kalahari Research & Conservation group his focus is as the Principal Investigator of a lion research project in Botswana. The study is an effort to determine the effectiveness of trans-locating lions from cattle areas back into protected reserves. Bill is also applying a powerful technique, conditioned taste aversion, for the first time on African lions and if successful it could be a revolutionary conservation tool for predators around the globe. Since 2004 Bill has organized and guided small group safaris where he is able to share his knowledge and passion of wildlife with his guests. Bill is focused on seeking out the great predators and spending time with them to witness their unique behaviors, as well as appreciate how evolution has sharpened the skills of both predator and prey. While the predators and other megafauna are the draw for most visitors and worthy of the attention they receive, Bill also likes to instill an appreciation for all of the diverse life encountered on safari. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

7 7 EKA HOTEL NAIROBI, KENYA 1 Night Eka Hotel Nairobi sits along Nairobi's Mombasa road, offering new heights in contemporary Comfort, Convenience, and Efficiency. Located just 5km from the city centre with easy access to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Wilson Airport, Nairobi National Park, most Corporate, Government and Diplomatic offices, Eka Hotel is the ideal venue to host your guest and events. The rooms at Eka Nairobi are designed and equipped with the latest in-room technology and present the perfect environment to work, relax and enjoy. Two restaurants in the hotel offer the freshest flavours of locally sourced produce. The Galaxy offering selected buffet breakfast and all-day snack menu dining, and the Spur renowned for its succulent steaks, tasty chicken, seafood, mouth watering carveries, salads and vegetarian meals. Two bars offering array of wine and beverages with favourite bites and snacks to nibble while enjoying your drink. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

8 8 JOHNSON PING UA NKUKUU OUR PRIVATE KENYA GUIDE Ping is an extraordinary guide. Ping was named one of Conde Nast s Best 25 Safari Guides for all of Africa. He possesses an uncanny ability to predict animal behavior, making him legendary for being in perfect position during action events. Ping is a Maasai, and time spent with him is excellent for cultural learning. As a boy Ping was always interested in the wildlife and environment around him. His early days in guiding included a long stint guiding for CC Africa, which had an outstanding training program including time spent in South Africa and under the tutelage of Kenyan legend Paul Kirui. A unique opportunity arose when Ping was recruited to help Disney create and open their Animal Kingdom Park in Florida. This allowed Ping to experience living in America and increase his knowledge of cultures from around the world, which he credits to making him a better guide. Ping s reputation took off as he became the head guide at Mara Plains Camp. In large measure to his guiding Mara Plains became widely recognized as the top safari camp experience in Kenya. In 2015 Ping decided to pursue his dreams to be an entrepreneurial freelance guide, partnering with The Wild Source in the formation of the Lalashe Guide Co-Op. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

9 9 ENAIDURA MOBILE CAMP MASAI MARA, KENYA 4 NIGHTS Enaidura Mobile Camp is the migratory home of legendary guides! Enaidura means migration in the Maa language and fits perfectly as this camp moves seasonally around the Masai Mara ecosystem to always be in the most amazing wildlife location at any time of year. The other distinguishing feature is the camp has been tailored to serve as a favored base for Kenya s best guides, true legends of the safari world. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

10 10 This camp is like no other because it is completely built around guiding and being flexible for the best locations. We have formed a special relationship with the best guides in Kenya, who have their own freelance businesses, but have needs for marketing, logistical/reservations support and a flexible bush camp that can cater to their hard core game viewing needs. This model gives us rightful claim to having the best guided safaris in the Mara, while further empowering the success of the local guides. Our portfolio of guides includes legends Johnson Ping ua Nkukuu (known in the safari world as Ping), Paul Kirui, and Jackson Looseyia. All three were named to Conde Nast s 25 Best Safari Guides list (which covered all of Africa). Jackson was a presenter on the Big Cat Diaries and guided for the filming of Disney s African Cats, Planet Earth, Human Planet and a number of other wildlife productions. Paul was the second guide in Kenya to achieve Gold Level status and also guided filmmakers for African Cats and numerous other BBC productions. Paul is President of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. Ping was mentored early in his career by Paul, before becoming a star in his own right. Ping has earned a reputation for having an innate ability to read animal behavior and get his guests in the perfect position to observe big cat action behavior. Despite all the accolades and fame, each of these guides remains amazingly humble. They have unrivaled passion for the bush, matched by intimate knowledge and desire to share the magic of the Mara with our guests. The Mara system is unrivaled for game viewing, and in particular big cat viewing is astounding. The great migration adds an incredible influx of hundreds of thousands of animals, typically between July and October, and this is the time for dramatic river crossings. The resident year round wildlife is always stellar and many visitors actually prefer the lesser visited months like January/February which is when some of the best predator action occurs. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

11 11 The camp is a high specification traditional mobile camp, comprising of a dining tent with lounge seating area and up to eight guest tents. The guest tents have double or twin beds and have ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets and a safari bucket shower that the staff will deliver hot water for. Each tent has solar power for lighting and charging batteries. Drinks and laundry are included. Our custom designed tents debuted in 2016 to great reviews. This is a classic camp that is meant to keep you connected to the bush at all times. Personal service and fantastic meals are a welcome part of the camp experience. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

12 12 SERENA HOTEL DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA 1 NIGHT An oasis of luxury at the very heart of Dar es Salaam, the elegant and cosmopolitan Dar Es Salaam Serena Hotel enjoys an exceptionally high-profile clientele and regularly plays host to both regional and international events. Encircled by tropical gardens and just minutes from the broad sweep of Indian Ocean beaches that characterize this vibrant city, the 230-room Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel offers a unique mix of pan- African style, world-class professionalism and 5 star facilities. Located just 10 minutes from the International Airport the hotel is very convenient for one night stop-overs or day rooms. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

13 13 JABALI RIDGE RUAHA NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA 4 NIGHTS Ruaha remains the safari frontier, despite being Tanzania s largest National Park, and supporting one of the most spectacular concentrations of wildlife. There is a beautifully diverse landscape that ranges from baobab forests, granite kopjes, and open plains to rivers and dry river beds that serve as magnets for wildlife activity. Ruaha retains a remote unexplored feel, and is arguably the best secret in the safari world. Ruaha houses a tenth of the world lion population known for large prides of twenty strong or more that dramatically hunt buffalo and giraffe. Elephant herds occur in greater concentration than anywhere in Tanzania. The park is amazing for leopards that can be dwarfed by giant baobab trees. This is where East and Southern Africa meet, leading to an incredible amount of biodiversity. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO

14 14 Jabali Ridge brings a new luxury level to Ruaha, but maintains the opportunities for adventure. Activities include outstanding game drives, but also features night drives and walks which is not common in prime parks of Tanzania. The camp features ten luxurious suites nestled amongst the boulders and boasting a premium view overlooking a vast landscape down to the Mwagusi Sand River in the distance. Suites are equipped with louvered shutters, king size beds, private decks, rain showers, and flushing toilets. Guests also have access to a plunge swimming pool and spa. The Wild Source th St., Golden, CO