MASAI MARA LONG WEEKEND TRIP NOTES

Transcription

1 MASAI MARA LONG WEEKEND TRIP NOTES Trip Code: WYW (AYW) Country: Kenya Amended: November 2013 Edition No: TH Valid from: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2014 HIGHLIGHTS The fantastic wildlife of the Masai Mara Staynig in a luxurious tented camp Flying all the way to the reserve The Great Migration (August to October) One of the most memorable week-ends you'll ever have SUMMARY You could spend your weekend at home, doing some DIY, or going out with friends to the same old restaurants and pubs, you could go for a hike somewhere nearby or you could go on safari in one of the greatest wildlife reserves in the world. Going to Kenya just for a few days may sound eccentric but when you think of it, it's just a really great weekend get-away. With very little time difference and overnight flights when coming from Europe we maximise our time in the Masai Mara by flying directly into the reserve. Here we spend three nights in a luxury permanent tented camp and spend two full days and two half days in the reserve searching for the prolific wildlife that call this savannah home. The Masai Mara has featured on countless wildlife programmes the world over and rightly so. Its wildlife is spectacular, large herds of antelope, wildebeest and zebra attract hungry predators such as lions, cheetahs and leopards. Adding to the list elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas and baboons, not to mention countless birds and numerous smaller mammals and you have a recipe for an unforgettable weekend. The reserve is great to visit any time of year, even during the rainy season, the grass may be taller and the trails muddier but you are practically guaranteed to have the reserve to yourself. From August to October the Masai Mara is the venue for what has been dubbed the Greatest Show on Earth, the Great Migration when millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles attempt to cross the Mara and Talek Rivers where crocodiles and lions lie in wait for easy prey. The only question left is: What are you doing this weekend? IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? This is a trip for people who want to do something special for a long weekend. With direct flights to Nairobi from London and various other European cities and only a minimal time difference, going to Kenya just for a few days is easier than you might think. Flights from London leave on Wednesday evening and return very early on Monday Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 morning. Once in Kenya we save time by flying straight into the reserve allowing us to focus purely on the safari itself. Accommodation is very comfortable in a luxury permanent tented camp. All tents are en suite and all meals in the Masai Mara are included. Game viewing is done by specially designed 4WD safari vehicles. Note that this trip is not accompanied by a leader but rather you are looked after by the guides and staff from the permanent tented camp. Depending on numbers you will go on game drives with other guests staying at the same camp. In Nairobi you will be transferred to Wilson airport but will fly to the Mara unaccompanied. Camp staff will pick you up from the airfield in the Mara and look after you from then on. This trip runs throughout the year and can be organised on a private basis as well as group basis. Families can book on this trip with children as young as 5 though you should note that if you wish to do so there needs to be at least one adult per 2 young children as there are triple tents but not family tents available. For those on group flights, these depart in the evening and will arrive in the UK the following day. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD The duration of the trip we stay at the luxury Ilkeliani Permanent Tented Camp. 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 each commanding views of the plains and the 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 All meals are included whilst in the Masai Mara. Hot drinks with freshly baked biscuits are provided before your early morning 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. TRANSPORT Game drives are done in specially designed 4WD safari vehicles with roof-hatches which open. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). There are also two domestic flights between Nairobi and the Masai Mara. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY Day 1 (Day 2 Ex London) Fly to Masai Mara; afternoon game drives After clearing customs and immigration at the airport, a shuttle bus will transfer those on group flights to Wilson Airport on the Western side of the city; Land only passengers will join here. This is normally during rush hour so expect some traffic. Wilson is a nice airport and there should be time for some refreshments before boarding the 45 minute flight to the Mara. Here 4WD vehicles await for the transfer to our luxury permanent tented camp. (L,D) Days 2/3 (Days 3/4 Ex London) two full days of game viewing We spend two full days with morning and afternoon game drives and optional game walks. As the best time to view game is early morning or late afternoon we will return to camp during the hottest part of the day where we can relax in the common areas and even look out for game right from the porch of our tents. We never know what we will see when out game viewing but many emblematic African animals are commonly seen here including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeest, hippos, rhinos and numerous others. It is also possible to see some of the more elusive ones such as leopards and Wild dogs. During the Great Migration season, from August to October, we spend some time watching one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles on Earth as millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles attempt to cross the river from the Serengetti whilst crocodiles, lions and other predators lie in wait. Those interested can also take an optional hot air balloon ride for a bird's eye view of the African plains and its fascinating wildlife. (B,L,D) Day 4 (Day 5 Ex London) Morning game drive; afternoon flight to Nairobi 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 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. The main rainy season is April and May, though rains normally come in short storms rather than continuous day-long sessions. During this period 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. This morning we have a final game drive before flying back to Nairobi in the afternoon. Those on group flights will be transferred back to Jomo Kenyatta Airport in time for their return flight home. (B,L) 2

3 JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 6 days, normally depart London Wed, return Mon Itinerary Start The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of the itinerary. 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. JOINING THE TRIP IN NAIROBI 4 days, normally start Nairobi Thu, end Nairobi Sun Clients who have booked their own flights and are not on the group flights, will have to meet the group on day 1 (day 2 ex London itinerary) at Wilson airport to join the internal flight to the Mara. A final document with the detailed joining instructions and the meeting time will be sent to you approximately 2-3 weeks before departure. 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. 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 retaliatery attacks and poisoning of predators from community members who have lost livestock, and thridly to reduce deforestation caused by alternative means of boma construction. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: 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. 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. 3

4 Please note that the weight limit on the internal flights is 15kg including hand-luggage. 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. Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of 15kg. 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. Local Time GMT + 3 hours Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 2 and 6 people. Note that this trip is not accompanied by a leader but rather you are looked after by the guides and staff from the permanent tented camp. Depending on numbers you will go on game drives with other guests staying at the same camp. In Nairobi you be transferred to Wilson airport but will fly to the Mara unaccompanied. Camp staff will then pick you up from the airfield in the Mara and look after you from then on. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 5 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 137 to the UK and 85 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. 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. It is possible to pay for things in Kenyan shillings or US Dollars at the lodge, though the exchange rate may not be the most favourable. It is also possible to use credit cards at the lodge. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques Extra Expenses and Spending Money You will need spending money for drinks, souvenirs, and optional activities. 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? Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) 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$20 on tips for your driver(s)/guide(s) and about US$10 for the lodge/camp staff. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Torch Sunhat Sun cream Soft holdall Sunglasses Hat Daypack Camera Binoculars (highly recommended) Lightweight walking shoes Fleece for early mornings Very light wet weather top 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? 4

5 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 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. 5