CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI TRIP NOTES

Transcription

1 CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI TRIP NOTES Trip Code: WYM (AYM) Country: Kenya Amended: October 2013 Edition No: TH Valid from: 01 Jan - 31 Dec 2014 HIGHLIGHTS Comfortable safari at an intimate tented camp with walk in tents and en suite facilities Prolific wildlife of the Masai Mara including lion, elephant, hippo, and giraffe Lake Nakuru, famed for its wonderful Black and White rhino population Game drives, game walks and optional cultural village and walking excursions SUMMARY For many who have not travelled to Africa, their impressions are often of acacia dotted plains, flocks of flamingos and game reserves teeming with wildlife. This safari embodies all of these fantastic images but also does it in style, a classic safari in a classic destination. When you only have a week in Kenya it is essential to maximise time in the reserves and not waste time travelling all over the country. Happily, although there are a couple of long drives, most of the driving on this trip is in the parks. Kenya is a beautiful land bisected by the Rift Valley and almost all of the safari is spent within this extraordinary phenomenon. The drive down into the valley is memorable in itself and the lakes here are a truly beautiful spectacle. From our lodge at Lake Elementaita we can walk to the lakeshore and enjoy the fantastic flamingo and birdlife that abounds here. Lake Nakuru National Park is perhaps the best small park in East Africa; not only does it boast the birdlife of Elementaita but it also has a very healthy population of rhino, leopard and plains game. No visitor to Kenya should miss the Masai Mara: contiguous with Tanzania's Serengeti, the Mara is, quite simply, the most prolific game park in the world. Whether it is migration season or not, the game is usually teeming throughout the Mara eco-system. Lion, cheetah, wildebeest, giraffe or elephant, you can rest assured they will be accessible. It is not just game, however, it is towering escarpments, proud Maasai warriors, exciting walking, incredible skies, impossibly beautiful sunsets and a bush camp so in tune with its surroundings that once you arrive you will never want to leave, that makes this trip truly extraordinary. When you recline after a sumptuous brunch and enthralling early morning game drive, the song of the emerald spotted dove or paradise fly-catcher sonorous in your ears, you will truly understand why the call of Kenya and in particular the Mara is such an infectious one. This is Africa at its intoxicating best. Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 As a climax, there is the also the option of taking a sunrise balloon ride over the African plains (subject to the weather conditions and availability). (B,L,D) Day 6 (Day 7 Ex London) flight Masai Mara to Nairobi for overnight We leave after breakfast heading back towards Nairobi. A picnic lunch will be taken en route. In Nairobi we will have access to day-use rooms at Twiga Hill Lodge before those on the group flights transfer to the airport for their return flight. The land only portion of the trip ends on arrival at the Twiga Hill Lodge in Nairobi. (B,L) For those on group flights, these depart in the evening and will arrive in the UK the following day. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? A small group safari in safari buses with two long drives. Most of the roads are reasonably good. Driving in the reserves can be quite rough and is often on dirt roads. In wet weather driving conditions do become more difficult and a little patience may be required at times. As well as some very exciting game drives, there are opportunities for walking both at Lake Elementaita and in the Masai Mara. For both animal and bird lovers there are many chances of seeing countless game and birds as well as rare and endangered creatures. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 (Day 2 Ex London) Arrive Nairobi; drive to Lake Elementaita On arrival, we meet with those not travelling on the group flight at the Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel in Nairobi. We drive north to the edge of the escarpment over the Rift Valley before descending into the valley and running parallel to Lake Naivasha, arriving at Lake Elementaita after approximately three hours. This is one of Kenya's famous lakes and home to many flamingos, though their population has been dwindling. After lunch at the lodge there is plenty of time for an afternoon optional game walk (recommended) on which you might see plains game including gazelle, impala and sometimes giraffe, as well as plenty of birdlife. Alternatively you can simply relax by the pleasant hotel swimming pool with views down to the lake. (L,D) Day 2 (Day 3 Ex London) Nakuru NP Early start for a full day's game drive at Lake Nakuru, about 30 minutes away. The national park (285 km sq) is world-renowned for its flamingo population made famous by Denys Finch Hatton's flight over it in the film 'Out of Africa'. Nakuru is also the best place in East Africa for White rhino and it is not unusual to see at least a dozen in a day. Coupled with this, there is a healthy buffalo population, many other plains game and frequent leopard sightings. A picnic lunch is taken at one of the picturesque sites inside the Park. We head back to Elementaita as the sun sets and enjoy dinner at the lodge. (B,L,D) Days 3/5 (Days 4/6 Ex London) Masai Mara A long, beautiful and bumpy drive to the Mara on which we stop for lunch in Narok. We will arrive in the Mara mid to late afternoon and do game drive en route to camp. This is the first of several game drives in this remarkable game area. During time off you can relax in your private tents, the lounge tent or watch game go by from the deck of your tent. If you fancy a lie-in one day or an optional nature walk, this can easily be arranged. It is the game and scenery that make this area so incredible: huge prides of lion feasting on an abundance of plains game. Once a year the plains darken with the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. This is an astonishing spectacle of almost two million plains game searching for the best grass. It is impossible to predict the scale or the exact timings of the migration into the Mara as this varies from year to year, but it occurs some time between July and October. At this time the plains game are relentlessly pursued by the big predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs. ZANZIBAR EXTENSION Please call our Sales team for current prices. If you are keen to end your holiday on a very relaxed note Zanzibar is a place to relax on the beach, to explore the colourful reef offshore, or to simply relax and soak up the sun! You can choose to add on as many extra nights to your trip as you wish; your time on the island will be at leisure for you to do as you wish. We transfer to Nairobi Airport and fly to Zanzibar, on arrival we transfer to the south west coast of the island. The accommodation used, Fumba Beach Lodge, is far from other developments, the feeling of peace is all encompassing and there is a long strip of private beach, pool, spa, diving centre and spacious rooms. Please note that on Zanzibar you will be met and transferred between the airport and hotel but you are not escorted or guided. If you choose to take advantage of this opportunity then we can arrange flights for you to Zanzibar as well as booking the hotel on half board and included all the transfers needed. When entering Zanzibar, you may be asked to show your yellow fever certificate. You will also have to get a Tanzanian visa (US$50). Upon leaving, there is a departure tax of US$48 payable locally. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD For the first two nights we stay in Lake Elementaita Lodge. The lodge used to be the home of an early colonial settler and the restaurant and house retain an early 20th century charm. All rooms are en suite and there is also a well-maintained swimming pool. In the Masai Mara we generally use Ilkeliani, or similar. Nestled in a river glade in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, the area is a favourite for elephants coming to drink from the Talek River. Ilkeliani camp consists of only 17 tents from which you may see some wildlife action throughout the day. The tented rooms are raised up slightly on earth mounds, overlooking the river and the plains. These mounds are covered in vegetation, and feel quite natural, and each one has been sited under its own cluster of shady indigenous trees and you do feel like you are out in the wilderness In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day. All meals are included except lunch on Day 3 and dinner on the last day before flying home. Typical meals Dinners at Lake Elementaita are 3 course affairs and we have one picnic lunch in Lake Nakuru National Park. In the Mara hot drinks with freshly baked biscuits are provided before your game drive. A packed breakfast consisting of fruit, cakes, juice and coffee/tea is taken out on the plains or a cooked breakfast can be taken at camp. Lunch can be eaten at camp or is sometimes packed if there is reason (to see the migration, for example) to be out the whole day. Tea and cakes are taken mid afternoon before the game drive. A 3-course dinner is taken each evening in the open dining area. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Single Accommodation: A single supplement can be booked depending on availability. Please ask our sales team for further details. 2

3 Extra Accommodation: Extra accommodation in Nairobi and private transfers to and from the airport can be booked through Exodus. Please ask our Sales team for further details. TRANSPORT We travel in minivans that comfortably carry 6 passengers. All seats are window seats and there is a roof hatch, which greatly enhances game viewing. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY JOINING THE TRIP IN NAIROBI 6 days, normally start Nairobi Sun, end Nairobi Fri Clients who have not booked the group flights should meet the group at the Southern Sun Mayfair on day 1 (day 2 ex London). Please note that the start point of the trip may be difficult to reach on your own and, due to the distance from the airport, a private transfer would be expensive. Therefore, you will have to make sure that you will be at the Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel on time to be collected by the group on their way to Lake Elementaita. You also need to advise Exodus in advance if you are planning to do this. If you are making your own way, the start hotel at Lake Elementaita is approximately 3 hours drive from Nairobi airport. The pick up time will be advised on the joining information that will be sent to you approximately 2-3 weeks before departure. If you book pre- or post-tour accommodation in Nairobi it is possible to book a private transfer from and to the airport. Please contact our sales team for further information and prices. Also, please note that the end location of the land only tour in Nairobi is the Twiga Hill Lodge. It may be possibly to join the group transfer to the airport if you are on the same evening flights, if on an earlier flight you will need a private tranfer. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. Kenya straddles the equator so showers can occur at any time of year, however the wettest period is April and May (we have no departures then) Due to the altitude of both Nakuru (1600m) and the Masai Mara (1550m) the night-time temperature is beautiful, cool yet not cold. Daytime temperatures can get as high as 30 degrees but with low humidity. There can be light rains at the end of the year, but if anything this is a good thing as it cuts down the dust and brings out the colours. In the wet the roads can become difficult and a little patience and pushing may be required! Please be aware that over recent years weather patterns have changed and are now somewhat unpredictable. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 8 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sat Itinerary Start The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of the itinerary. The properties we use employ local staff and cook using local produce. We use local guides. Exodus has supported a number of projects in the area over the years. Currently Exodus supports a project which aims to build predator proof bomas (enclosures). The aim of this project is threefold: first to reduce the number of predator attacks on livestock, second to reduce the number of retaliatory attacks and poisoning of predators from community members who have lost livestock, and thirdly to reduce deforestation caused by alternative means of boma construction. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Kenya Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. 3

4 Most nationalities do now require a visa for Kenya, including Britons, most EC nationals, Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians. The cost for British Nationals is $50 and the visa can be obtained on arrival. Please ensure that you have at least one blank page free of immigration stamps in your passport to enter Kenya. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for this trip. Recommended vaccinations for this trip are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Yellow Fever. Malaria prophylaxis is essential on this trip, and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited on this trip. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Local Time GMT + 3 hours Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 4 and 12 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The trip is lead by one or two English speaking guides. The staff at Lake Elementaita and Ilkeliani are very helpful and friendly. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Schilling (KES), with an exchange rate of 140 to the UK and 88 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. Ideally you should get hold of Kenyan shillings before your travels. If this is not possible, we recommend that you take most of your money in either Sterling or US dollars. It is best to change money at the airport in Nairobi on arrival. We recommend that you change money into local currency in Nairobi, as dollars or sterling are not accepted everywhere and outside Nairobi the exchange rate might be poor. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques Changing Traveller's Cheques can be quite longwinded and their use is limited to cities: we do not recommend you bring traveller cheques. ATM machines are available in Nairobi. Credit Cards are accepted at Ilkeliani and Lake Elementaita Lodge. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Drinks are at your own expense. Food not included - approx US$20 Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) Lake Elementaita walk approx US$20 Masai Mara Nature Walk approx US$55 Masai Village Visit approx US$30 Hot Air Balloon approx US$455 Tipping (leader and local staff) We recommend about US$40 on tips for your driver(s)/guide(s) and about US$20 for the lodge/camp staff. 4

5 WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Torch Sunhat Sun cream Soft holdall Sunglasses Hat Daypack Camera with a telephoto lens (preferable) Binoculars (highly recommended) Lightweight walking shoes Fleece for early mornings Very light wet weather top Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 23kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Reading List: Kenya - The Rough Guide, Richard Trillo (Harrap Columbus) East Africa - a Travel Survival Kit, G. Crowther (Lonely Planet Publications), Useful and practical guide. Guide to the National Parks of East Africa, Collins, Overall guide to the parks, the animals and the birds. Good value. Field guide to the Birds of East Africa, J.G. Williams (Collins, 1980) Field guide to the Mammals of East Africa, Hatlenorth and Diller (Collins), Excellent guide to the animals. Maps: There are numerous road maps of Kenya, none 100% accurate. Perhaps the best at present is the 1: from the Nelles Maps series. Another good map is the 1/ scale Michelin map number 955 (about 4.55) which covers all of Southern Africa. If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO 5

6 HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 6