passport to adventure Commences in Nairobi June 19-29, 2014 Led by: Steve McCusker
The footsteps of your Safari Kigio Conservancy Lodge The Ark Sweetwaters Tented Camp Mara Sarova Camp Samburu Intrepids Camp Arusha UNEXPECTED EVENTUALITIES Safaris are planned well in advance. Hence variations may occur. Sometimes it is necessary to make last minute changes for the good of the safari due to road conditions, floods and bridges (or lack of them), drought, animal movement, local situations, elephants who have the right of way, and any other unexpected eventualities. While on safari, be prepared to go with the flow (and keep your sense of humor), as this is truly AFRICA and not a theme park. Always keep in mind that you are not on holiday youre on SAFARI!
WILDLIFE ADVENTURE TO Please note that International Air Transportation from your home city to Nairobi is not included in this proposal in order to provide passengers with the opportunity to use Frequent Flyer Miles or other Awards and/or to seek promotional airfares which are sometimes lower than our contract rates. We are of course available to arrange this transportation and provide ticketing for those who wish us to do so. Day 1 Wednesday, June 18, 2014 san antonio / detroit / amsterdam - suggested flight schedule Depart aboard KLM Royal Dutch/Delta Airlines flight to Amsterdam. Enjoy traditional, fine hospitality this evening. (meals on board) Day 2 Thursday, June 19 amsterdam / nairobi Early morning arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport. You will have a few hours between flights to check out the duty free shops. Then enjoy the daylight flight on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to Nairobi. Upon arrival, clear customs, meet your driver, and transfer to the Safari Park Hotel for overnight. (meals on board) Day 3 Friday, June 20 nairobi / sweetwaters After breakfast, depart for Sweetwaters Tented Camp. A sheltered oasis, clustered around a waterhole and set in the pristine calm of a private wildlife conservancy. Sweetwaters Tented Camp is in a class of its own. Abounding with wildlife, unfettered by the more rigorous strictures of the Kenyan National Parks and designed to offer a charming blend of under canvas ambiance and uncompromising luxury. It has long been the preferred retreat of wilderness and safari lovers alike. One of only four private game reserves in Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy excels in the provision of privileged seclusion and private game viewing. Thanks to its private status, it also allows such unforgettable pleasures as the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary (the only place in Kenya to see these highly endangered animals), night game drives, guided bush walks, and camel-trekking across game-teaming plains. B/L/D Day 4 Saturday, June 21 sweetwaters / samburu game reserve After breakfast, visit a school and continue to Samburu Game Reserve, where it is game drive enroute to the beautiful Samburu Intrepids Lodge. Located deep inside the reserve, it guarantees close encounters with Samburus unique species. The Samburu are related to the Masai although they live just above the equator where the foothills of Mount Kenya merge into the northern desert and slightly south of Lake Turkana in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. They are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose lives revolve around their cows, sheep, goats, and camels. Arrival in time for lunch and then rest during the heat of the day. Take an afternoon game drive to see some of the rare and wonderful mammals and birds to be found in this area. Return to the lodge for meals and overnight. B/L/D
Days 5/6, Sunday/Monday, June 22/23 samburu game reserve Here you will find reticulated giraffe, Grevys zebra, the unusual gerenuk, olive baboon as well as the Somali ostrich and the magnificent Beisa oryx. There are also herds of elephant, impala, gazelle, and buffalo. It is in this reserve that you actively seek the two elusive cats...leopard and cheetah. Return to lodge for meals and overnight. B/L/D Day 7, Tuesday, June 24 samburu game reserve / the ark Breakfast at the lodge. Your hosts are on hand, as you travel overland to the Aberdare Country Club nestled on the slopes of Mweiga Hill. After lunch embark on a half-hour drive to The Ark. The Ark is a Tree Hotel, hence ONLY overnight soft bags are allowed. The rest of the luggage will be stored at the Aberdare Country Club awaiting your return. Set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, this unique game lodge resembles (and is named after) Noahs Ark. It overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, which attracts a host of wildlife, including the Big Five: elephant, rhino, leopard, bushbuck and occasionally an elusive bongo or giant forest hog. Your comfortable cabin is fitted with a buzzer, which is used day or night to announce one or more of the Big Fives arrival at the waterhole. Dinner and overnight at the Ark. B/L/D Day 8, Wednesday, June 25 the ark / Kigio conservancy After breakfast, drive to Outspan for a short visit. Enroute you will stop at a tea and coffee plantation before arriving at the Kigio Wildlife Conservancy, a 3,500-acre conservancy between Nakuru and Naivasha on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. This beautiful conservancy, with its wide ranging habitats of riverine and euphorbia woodlands to short grass and Leleshwa shrub, holds approx. 3,500 head of wildlife (including the endangered white rhino and Rothschild giraffe, a 200 strong herd of buffalo, impala, Grants and Thomson's gazelle, eland, hyena, leopard, hippo and over 200 bird species). The conservancy's rich bio-diversity has been recognized internationally by Tusk Trust, Born Free Trust, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and several private donors who have provided funds to improve the infrastructure in the conservancy and to help wildlife conservation and surrounding communities. The conservancy is at the forefront of eco-tourism in the Rift Valley lakes area. Kigio Wildlife Camp is a superb, all-suite camp built within beautiful Yellow-fever woodland overlooking the Malewa River. The camp is built from sustainable pinewood, local earth from the conservancy, traditional thatch provided by the surrounding community, and canvas panels -- there has been minimal usage of cement and steel in the construction of the camp. Power is provided by solar panels, and the environment was carefully preserved during the construction of the camp. Accommodations consist of eleven spacious suites, built on decks with large bedrooms, sitting areas, a private bathroom with flush loo, shower, and a balcony. At night hippo and buffalo visit the camp to feed on ground salts and vegetation. The dining and sitting areas are situated in a glade overlooking a towering red cliff that houses colonies of beeeaters. An attractive bar sits between two tall fever trees facing the cliff and dining decks that extend to the Malewa River. Wholesome meals are cooked from fresh ingredients sourced daily from local farmers. Activities include nature walks with rangers, day and night game drives, fishing, and biking. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the camp. B/L/D Day 9, Thursday, June 26 Kigio conservancy / Masai Mara game reserve After breakfast, drive to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, arriving at the Mara Sarova Lodge in time for a late lunch and an afternoon of rest, either in your comfortable room or at the pool. Birds and butterflies abound and elephant often wander through this lodge! End your day with a late afternoon game drive. Return to camp for dinner and overnight. B/L/D
Days 10/11, Friday/Saturday, June 27/28 Masai Mara game reserve These days are filled with activities, as you enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with your experienced professional guides. The great expanse of Africa stretches away across the beautiful plains of the Masai Mara one of the most life-filled wildlife sanctuaries on earth. The wildlife is varied and plentiful, as you observe herds of gazelles, impala, and wildebeest as well as a variety of other antelope species such as topi and hartebeest. Large prides of lion may be seen as well as cheetah on the open plains and leopard in the shady riverine areas. Elephant and buffalo are numerous; you will return to camp exhilarated by the wealth of wildlife just observed. The birdlife is also spectacular, you may see weavers, rollers, egrets, herons, hornbills, storks and a variety of raptors. Return to your splendid camp for meals and for each overnight. B/ L/D Day 12, Sunday, June 29 Masai Mara game reserve / nairobi After breakfast, drive to Nairobi for dayrooms at the Panari Hotel. Enjoy leisure time then transfer to the airport, where you board the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight to Amsterdam. B Day 13, Monday, June 30 amsterdam / detroit / san antonio Early morning arrival in Amsterdam. Time for shopping and to stretch before clearing customs and immigration formalities and connecting onto your domestic flight for home. (meals on board) Optional Fishing / Birdwatching Excursion to Lake Victoria Starts with a charter flight over the farmlands and western part of the reserve with arrival at Rusinga Island in Africas largest lake in time for breakfast. This meal is a hearty one and often includes imaginative fish dishes as well as the normal fare. Then an exciting morning with your local fisherman guide on the Lake itself. Cruise along the shore, and see the fishing villages visit one if you wish. At your favorite fishing spots (usually near the rocky islands) your guide will help you to put out the lines in the hope of hooking a Nile perch. For those who do not wish to fish, these islands are perfect places for outstanding bird watching, as here you may find rookeries of herons, egrets, storks and cormorants. The magnificent fish eagle will watch you with a wary eye as will tawny eagles and several other species. Return to Rusinga Island in time to refresh before your charter flight returns you to camp. If you have been successful in your fishing, take your catch back to camp for the cook to prepare for your group. Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride Your optional ride starts at daybreak and takes you high over the great expanse of the Mara, which is the northern extension of the great Serengeti Plains. From this elevation, you may observe the great herds beneath you and enjoy the breathtaking view of the mountains, rivers and valleys. Upon your return, a champagne breakfast of a scrumptious omelette, bacon and eggs, or even a dainty crepe awaits you! Return to the camp with time to rest and relax before the afternoon activities.