Archive for the ‘Kenya Safari’ Category
April 14th, 2010 | 
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When asked on my recent trip to Kenya which is my favourite property, I find myself unable to choose just one - they are all so individual and it really does go down as my most varied trip to date! I visited an exhilarating mixture of conservancies, group ranches, cattle ranches, a grandiose house from the 1920’s, traditional tented camps, very contemporary tented camps, national reserves, national parks and a fantastic mix of coastal properties south of Mombasa. Everyone is catered for here whether its honeymooners, families or the very well travelled safari goers looking for that next wilderness experience.
Nowhere else can you find yourselves repeatedly clambering up impressively large kopjes (huge rocky outcrops) to watch the sun go down with an uninterrupted 360 degree view of stunning wilderness and dramatic scenery. There is SO much more to Kenya than the Big Cat Diary and the Masai Mara.
In addition to the traditional game drives I also saw game from a stunning shiny yellow bi-plane (think Biggles), from horseback, from the top of a camel, tried out some quad-biking, snorkeled around the coral reef, had a yoga class with an Indian guru and slept out on a roll-bed on the floor in the bush with nothing between me and the thousands of stars above with hyenas calling into the night.
I also had some fascinating first hand cultural education from my Masai and Samburu guides including a unique visit to a very secluded Samburu village. Along the way I learnt a huge amount, from some very interesting characters, about the increasing co-operation that is allowing the nomadic tribes to continue to roam the land with their cattle and goats whilst conserving the wildlife of the land to everyone’s benefit without over-grazing ruining the ecosystem. Everyone is working together for the benefit of all, and it seems to work!
The political troubles of December 2008 have certainly not deterred the hardy Kenyans and the fascinating mixture of its inhabitants from building some stunning new properties in amazingly exclusive areas far away from the crowded areas….next time I want to do a camel safari even further north to Lake Turkana!
Steppes Travel
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/on-location-dec-08-kenya-691706.html
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I always go to the Middle East for the summer (usually Cairo) and am strongly considering flying down to Kenya to go on a safari. Can anyone tell me how expensive this might be or any other information that would be useful?
I’m trying to wade through all the information online, but there’s tons! And the information is conflicting in some cases.
Thanks in advance!
The safari offers I came across were around $120 a day to the maasai mara reserve. This includes the park entry fee which alone is around $80 a day. I don´t think you can cycle or do it cheap, you´d have to be in a car. You should do a minimum and maximum of 3 days, because you only get the afternoon on the first day and the morning on the second day as you´ll probably be going from and to Nairobi. I met some Germans who did a 6 day safari and said it was way too long… would you like to spend 6 days continuously at the zoo? These cheap safaris won´t have you sleeping inside the Mara either, because to save costs they drive you out of the park at night and back in the next morning, because there´s no budget sleeping places within the reserve. There´s absolutely no problem finding a safari company- you get offers from within the airport itself. If you´re choosing based on friendliness of the person you´re talking to, ensure they´re the one actually leading the safari, as otherwise you´re spending your time with a complete stranger, though Kenyans are usually amiable.
The cheapest accommodation in Nairobi is about 600 shillings a night for a dorm bed. There are cheaper local hotels but I don´t know how safe you or your stuff will be. A good thing about a packaged tour including everything is you´ll be safe, because Kenya´s streets are generally too dangerous to walk at night.
There are numerous ways in which you can save on your trip to Kenya.
Flights:
To get cheap flights to Kenya, you need to travel in the low season. You could save over $200 as compared to traveling in the high season. Kenya’s high tourist season is between January and February and June to September.
Additionally, taking direct flights could also save you on airfare. For instance, if you are traveling from Britain, you can travel with Qatar, Ethiopian or Emirates Airlines. They take much longer as you have at least one stop over, but they are usually cheaper. British Airways and Kenya Airways fly direct to Kenya from London Heathrow or Gatwick. Most of the times they are more expensive but you could still get a good deal if you book early.
Accommodation:
It’s quite easy to save on accommodations in Kenya. Rather than book your stay in a hotel, you could stay in a hostel or choose a home stay. Hostels like YMCA, YWCA and the Nairobi Youth Hostel offer reasonable rates -up to $10 per night.
Home stays have come to be the best option in Kenya budget travel. Here, you get to stay with real Kenyan families and you will experience Kenya from a Kenyan’s perspective. Home Stays usually cost about $14 per night inclusive of all meals and usually laundry.
For the adventurous ones, camping is a good option too. If you have your camping equipment, it will only cost you $5 a night. Some campsites will rent a mattress and beddings at about $3 per night.
Kenya Food:
Food in Kenya is generally cheap! You can choose to eat at local fast foods or restaurants. These will be much cheaper than eating out at exotic restaurants or hotels. When going out on a safari, it may be well worth it to visit the supermarket at the start of your journey and buy some things. This may include fresh fruits, juice, bottled water, sandwich items, crisps and the like.
If you get these three areas right, you are likely to save over $500 on your trip to Kenya.
Maggie Nguyo
http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/how-to-travel-to-kenya-on-a-limited-budget-681498.html
On an African Safari Kenya you are will encounter the Maasai, and be introduced to their culture, if you choose as your destination the Masai Mara Game Reserve in South Western Kenya or Amboseli National Park on the Southern Edge of Kenya along the Tanzanian border.
The Maasai are tall, lean. They proudly lay claim to the ancient heritage of warriors. The Maasai migrated to Southern Kenya from the Nile Valley in the North of Africa. Their traditional nomadic way of life, herding cattle, has been threatened in recent times as the relentless pulse of modern civilization continues to permeate Kenya.On your African Safari in Southern Kenya you can meet local Maasai and learn about their customs.
Maasai men pass through several initiations into manhood, and then again into status as a wise elder in the community. There are no chiefs of the Masaai tribes, but rather spiritual leaders who take charge within their tribe. Maasai men stretch their earlobes to outrageous size and tattoo their cheeks. They like to wear bright colors, especially red. A Maasai warrior stands tall against his enemy the lion, with his red cloak flowing behind him and his spear planted firmly in the ground to demonstrate his strength and lack of fear.
Traditionally in their nomadic life herding cattle, the Maasai used every part of the cow. They ate the meat and drank the blood, subsisting solely off the animal. They used cattle and goats for bartering. Today they have more settled lives and they grow crops and buy fruits at the local market. They eat maize and rice, potatoes and cabbage. The new way of life can be hard on the Maasai spirit. Once you farm the land it can no longer be used for grazing. This goes against the grain for this proud people who have lived for centuries as nomads.
On your African Safari Kenya you will see Maasai huts made of mud and sticks. Traditionally they build their homes in clusters and live there while the cattle graze the land, then they abandon these temporary shelters when it is time to move on and seek new pasture.
Maggie Nguyo
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/african-safari-kenya-shocking-discoveries-about-the-masai-people-681483.html
An African Safari Kenya will give you a deeper insight into Kenyaâs history. Modern Kenya is the evolution of many cultural influences. Â Long ago, native African migrations filled Kenya with Nilotic and Bantu populations whose diverse native cultures were steeped in African traditions. Â Nomadic peoples followed herds as the rains moved across the plains creating natural pasture and watering holes for animals and humans.
These paths are still followed by thousands of animals as they seek greener pastures. Precise timing of your African Safari Kenya still allows you today to witness thousands of wildebeest moving across the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania to the Masaai Mara in Kenya as they follow the same migration path they have taken for thousands of years.
The Kenyan coast also has a story to tell. In the 8th century, Arabs and Persians developed trading routes to the Kenyan Coast, visiting what today are the towns of Mombasa, Malindi and the islands of Lamu. A visit to Tsavo East National Park will bring you in easy traveling distance of Mombasa on your African Safari Kenya.
By the sixteenth century, the tides had turned and Arab and Persian influences gave way to Portuguese influence as Vasco De Gama brought Christianity to the coastal town of Mombasa. Fort Jesus today is a magnificent architectural reminder of the Portuguese presence. Fort Jesus became a hub for trade with Europeans who flocked to the towns of Malindi and Mombasa in search of slaves. Â
Standing in the ruins of Fort Jesus the distant ghosts of imprisoned slaves echo through the centuries. By contrast, on your African Safari Kenya where you will experience herds of wild antelope galloping freely across the protected lands of Kenyaâs National Parks.
The Portuguese were overthrown by Arabs from Oman, and Kenya, once again, was subject to Arab influence. The remains at Gedi, close to Mombasa still bear witness to the influence of a rich Omani Sultan who once ruled the Swahili people during the time of the Portuguese overthrow. The British arrived in the late 19th century and exerted their own stringent rule. The British influences live on today and permeate the Kenyan culture, language and food.
Kenya finally found independence in 1963. Today, Kenya is allowing its own diverse and unique African style to burst forth and blossom in the freedom of modern society. As you plan your African Safari in Kenya, remember that Kenya offers more than animals.
You can read more about the African safari Kenya adventures right here; http://www.my-kenya-guide.com/african-safari-kenya-classic.html
Maggie Nguyo
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/african-safari-kenya-bringing-kenyan-history-to-life-688642.html
Most people seeking wildlife Safari to Kenya would be thinking of doing the ‘traditional’ type in which most of the catering and accommodation needs are included in the package. That means your meals, accommodation, transport and sometimes even laundry needs are taken care of. You simply sit back and ’shot’ the African wildlife with your camera, while your safari operator worries about these on your behalf.
However, besides this traditional, conventional, guided, full-board accommodation safari in Kenya, one might also consider other types of safari arrangements. One of these is the self-catering safari. This is for the more adventurers. As long as you are willing to sacrifice a little comfort and luxury, then you should consider this option. In some places you might have to go without running water or flushing toilets. But the alternatives to this comfort are bearable and at the end of it all, is worth the experience and the savings on your pocket.
The self-catering Safari would be ideal for budget travelers who may be on a shoestring budget or students with limited financial resources.
What is the difference?
The self-catering safari does not differ much from the guided, full-board safari. The major difference is on food and accommodation arrangements. While on the guided full-board safari, you depend on meals prepared by the hotels and lodges in the areas you will be visiting. You will have paid for all these meals in advance. But on the self-catering safari, you will be preparing your own meals. In fact, some facilities have cooks available so that you only need to come along with your food, and they will cook it for you. You get to determine, to a large extent the type of menu that you prefer and you are also in control of the cost to a large extent. And, as mentioned, a few luxuries are foregone.
First things to consider when thinking of self-catering safari
Depending on your interest in terms of what you would like to see and experience on your safari, you will need to define your routing. The choice of routing is of course dependent on the availability of accommodation facilities that will enable you to do your self-catering. It also depends on the number of days you have for your Safari.
Whichever routing you opt for, and whatever number of days you may have, accommodation while on self-catering safari will be limited to about 3 main options:
The first option is to use of the Kenya Wildlife Services self-catering facilities
Kenya Wildlife Services, the organization that is basically in charge of taking care of wildlife in Kenya, runs and maintains some self-catering facilities. These are spread out fairly well through out the country covering a good number of wildlife viewing areas. For example on the southern circuit, there are self-catering facilities in Amboseli National park and Tsavo West National park. Further, south, along the coast, you will also find their bands at Shimba Hills National Reserve, at Shimoni near Wasini Island and in Malindi, on the north coast side.
In the central Kenya area, you will find KWS self-catering facilities in Aberdares National park and in Mount Kenya area. On the western Kenya route, Kenya Wildlife Services have self-catering facilities in Kakamega, Ruma, Sibiloi and Mount Elgon.
On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, they have facilities in Lake Nakuru - Naishi Guest House.
The second option is to pitch up your own igloo-type tents at designated Campsites
This option means you carry your own tents that you pitch up and dedicated campsites. Such campsites have share public facilities that you can use for cooking. You also share bathroom facilities. You might need your own utensils and certainly need to have beddings. Sleeping bag is a must-have item on this option.
The third option is to use semi-permanent Tents run by private or community groups. As the name suggests, these are semi-permanent canvas tents that are basic. At the campsite, most facilities will be shared - the bathrooms, dinning hall, cooking area etc. Such facilities are not as spread out to the whole country as the ones managed by Kenya Wildlife Services. They are found in Amboseli National park, Maasai Mara, Samburu Game reserve and in Lake Naivasha area.
Transportation mode while on Self-catering safari in Kenya
Once you have designed your routing and picked your accommodation location, you will need to shop around for transportation. If you are traveling in a group of up to 4 persons, you might want to consider renting a SUV that will tackle the sometimes-difficult terrains of the national parks and reserves. Another thing to consider at this point if whether you are better off on a self-drive basis or if you might need a local driver. If you shop around well, you might be able to get one who will triple up as driver/guide/cook.
For groups of more than 4 persons, you probably needs to rent a bigger 4WD vehicle- one that can take up to 8 passengers. If you are 6 persons for example, you still have enough space for your bags and other items that you need on such a safari. In Kenya, such vehicles are always rented out together with a driver. You will hardly find a car-rental company willing to give it to you on a self-drive basis. This should serve as an advantage since the local drivers know their way around, especially for first-timers.
Arrangement for park and reserve entrance charges
Your entrance fees to the various game parks and wildlife reserves need to be arranged in advance and this requires your attention. Kenya Wildlife services does not allow handling of cash by officers at the entry point for the payment of these fees. This is a measure to reduce possible lose of such monies by way of corruption. They have therefore employed the use of a smart card system that demand that you make the payment at designated points of sale.
Even in the case of the game reserves that are run by the local county councils, councils in part of Maasai Mara have designated agents from whom you must purchase the tickets in advance.
In fact, if you have not engaged a travel agent or tour operator to help you in putting together your self-catering safari, you certainly will need a couple of days before the start of the safari so that you can arrange all the aspects for a smooth-running safari.
If you are using a guidebook to gather information as you plan your tour, please crosscheck the currency and reliability of the information you get by consulting as many sources as possible.
Other areas of concern while on self-catering safari: Safety, Security and Health matters
When planning your self-catering tour and designing your itinerary, one major concern will your safety and security during the safari. Again, take your time to consult and get the most current of updates on the security situation. This will guide you on what areas you might want to stay clear off even if they might be of high interest to you.
If you opt of the self-drive option, find out about the road conditions, availability of gasoline and acceptability of credit cards. When on the road, watch out for reckless drivers who might pose danger to you!
Needless to say, on your health matters, take the required precautions against Malaria and other tropical diseases. Ensure you buy and stock enough clean water and only drink bottled water during this time in the bush. Take along water-treatment tabs just in case the need arises.
Enjoy your self-catering safari!
Solomon Okila
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/looking-for-a-lowcost-budget-kenya-safari-consider-a-selfcatering-option-699361.html
In the roster of safaris, Kenya is topping the list by any yardstick with the Kenya Safari. Apart from the divine white sand beaches that it boasts of, Kenya stands tall for the grandiose of Mount Kilimanjaro and the tranquil environs of its wildlife. The landscape has to be visited to believe the pristine beauty that inhabits a concoction of wildlife with its variant culture. Kenya has a plethora of natural wilderness ranging from Masai Mara savannah to Tsavo, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. This is the land where the concept of romantic safari, now known as the Kenya Safari took birth and there on continued to addict the world with its bliss. Mainly, Masai Mara is considered to be the best Kenya safari for inhabiting the rare sight of elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and Kenyan leopards and lions. Though their time of migration cannot be calculated, but it is a rare beauty. The âbig fiveâ, as they are called, migrate from the arid and scorched lands of Serengeti in Tanzania. The Kenya safari is designed to film this ebb tide of wildlife migrating which is well worth the effort. Though exact moments of this migration can never be fixed but it depends on certain factors like rainfall, winds etc. Thus it can be at any time of the year and you can avail the luxury of witnessing this never-before event at any time of the year. Just so that your timing should be correct! The gaming reserves of Kenya are a once in a lifetime and the warm locals make it more memorable. In the parched zone of Kenya lies the Samburu Game Reserve which harbors a tiny oasis. As this is atypical of the other features, Kenya safari to this area can enliven the spirit of spotting many rare species. This is a habitat to long neck reticulated giraffes, gerenuk antelopes, Grevy zebras, Somali ostriches and likes. It is a delight to be able to see any of these with your naked eye and get a glimpse of their activities. Different kind of Kenya safaris allude to different style of entertainment. Thus, the experiences are majestic and the exhilaration is king-sized. Along with the Kenya safari, you can visit a couple of national parks nestled in the vicinity. These parks are witnesses to huge animals navigating around the area in search of water holes to gratify their quench. In the Amboseli National Park, you can expect to catch a sight of baboons, cheetahs and lions. Even large herds of elephants can be spotted at times, crossing the savannah in search of edible feeding lands. A smaller version of the national parks is that of Lake Nakuru which is mainly known for offering homes to rhinos. An added feature of this park is bird watching leisure that is at its best in the world. There is no end to the vast profusion of Kenya safari and its wildlife. It is an unending tale of divine beauty and explicit pleasure acclaimed naturally. A trip to this land of wildlife to view the Kenya safari can be best fruitful if planned around the dry winter months or shiny spring season. You could also customize the Kenya Safari as per you needs!
Max Info
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/kenya-safari-cheap-tanzania-safari-africa-safaris-706000.html
I AM CONSIDERING A 2 - 3 WEEK TOUR WITH A REPUTABLE TOUR COMPANY. MY PRIMARY GOAL IS THE BEST WILDLIFE VIEWING TIMES AND PLACES.
You have chosen the ultimate Travel Destination because Kenya and Tanzania have Africa’s largest Game Reserves to spot wildlife. The best period to go to Kenya and Tanzania would be during the Great Migration when zebras, gazelles and wildebeest migrate, followed by many other animals. The Great Migration takes place every year between july and october so that would be the best period for you to spor wildlife in action. Here are some pictures!
http://www.yukiba.com/763-masai-mara-kenya-africa-trip.html
This is a video about the violence in Kenya that erupted following disputed national elections.
Over a thousand were killed and hundreds of thousands more were displaced.
There were many victims of horrific rapes and sexual attacks.
CARE seeks justice for these victims by collecting testimonials and presenting them to the commission who are investigating the violence.
Learn more about our work at:
www.careinternational.org.uk Distributed by Tubemogul.
Duration : 6 min
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Planned Parenthood provides vital reproductive health services in Kenya.
Duration : 2 min 58 sec