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AMBOSELI
NATIONAL PARK
The
392 sq. km Amboseli
National Park is
one of Kenya’s most
popular National
Parks in Kenya with
its large herds
of resident Elephants
and the most beautiful
views of the snow
capped 5895m (19,340ft)
Mt. Kilimanjaro
from any national
park or reserve
in east Africa.
Mount Kilimanjaro
or the border between
Kenya and Tanzania
is the second tallest
Mountain, and the
tallest free standing
mountain in the
world.
The Park
boasts an abundance
of wildlife animals
including elephant,
wildebeest, zebra,
eland, waterbuck,
lion, leopard, cheetah,
giraffe and buffalo.
Birdlife includes
the madagascar Squacco
Heron. Amboseli
is also
home to the world
famous Maasai, famed
around the world
for their beauty,
bravery and culture.
TSAVO
WEST & TSAVO EAST
NATIONAL PARKS
The
combined area of
Tsavo East and West
National Parks makes
Tsavo one of the
world's largest
game sanctuaries,
larger than
Wales in Great Britain
or Jamaica in the
Caribbean. It
covers more than
20,000 sq. kms (7720
sq miles) halfway
between Mombasa
& Nairobi.
A
model national park
in both layout and
its geophysical
and animal and plant
diversity, Tsavo
West has more than
2,000 kms of well-maintained
murram roads, well
sign-posted to lead
from one natural
wonder to another.
Chief
among these must
rank the recurring
marvel of Mzima
Springs, replenished
with twenty million
litres of crystal-clear
water a day, from
the underground
streams of the nearby
Chyulu Hills. The
Springs form a haven
for a rich wildlife
pageant with elephant
soaking half immersed
in the waters, light-footed
but ponderous looking
hippo, apparently
weight-less, tip-toeing
across the bottom,
crocodiles basking
on the bank or swimming
through the water,
gazelles, zebra
and giraffe wandering
around the banks
through the thick
acacias together
with hundreds of
birds
and monkeys.
The
water from these
springs has for
many years provided
the main supply
for Mombasa. An
observation platform,
well-marked trails
and an underwater
glass tank provide
varied vantage points
to enjoy this remarkable
oasis.
Not far
from Mzima Springs,
along a well-marked
track, lies the
precipitous magnificence
of the Ngulia escarpment
at the foot of the
Ngulia hills which
rise to 1824m (5974ft).
Each year,
during the autumn
and fall seasons
of the northern
world Ngulia has
become the base
of a unique phenomenon.
Over 60,000 birds,
of 40 palaearctic
species have been
ringed. Reports
of ringed birds
have been received
from as far north
as Leningrad and
from countries as
widely separated
as Germany, Oman,
Iran and Malawi.
TSAVO
EAST
The
11,747 sq km Tsavo
East National Park
is one of the oldest
and largest national
parks in Kenya and
has been home to
wide array wildlife
including lion,
leopard, rhino,
hippo, crocodiles,
buffalo, cheetah,
giraffe and other
plains game like
zebra, wilebeeste,
kudu, gerenuk, waterbuch
and some of the
largest herds of
elephant in Africa.
There are over 500
species of bird
including Ostrich.
Tsavo East is a
harsh semi arid
region and together
with Tsavo West
form and Chyulu
Hills, the total
protected area is
21,754 sq km. Game
viewing in the wilds
of Tsavo East is
a bit more
challenging that
in the other parks
because of its huge
size but is often
more rewarding.
It is a wonderful
region for photography
of its amazing views
including the Mudanda
Rock, Yatta Plateau
and the Shaitani
Lava, the world’s
largest lava flow
TSAVO
WEST
The
9,065 sq km Tsavo
West National Park
west of the Nairobi-Mombasa
road and is home
to lion, leopard,
cheetah, elephant,
the endangered black
rhino which live
in a small, heavily
guarded 70 sq. km
sanctuary, buffalo,
giraffe and plains
game including the
lesser kudu, eland,
waterbuck, zebra,
crocodiles and hippos.
Birdlife includes
Ostrich, Fischer's
Starling and birds
of prey bustards,
sunbirds and weaver-birds
The Park’s habitats
include Chyulu
Hills, semi arid
plains, riverine
groves and Shaitani
lava.
Tsavo
West has several
excellent
nature trails for walking
in addition to the
Chaimu volcanic
crater.
Numerous
rivers flow down
from Mount Kilimanjaro
providing water
for wildlife and
plants of Tsavo
East. Mzima Springs,
a natural spring
water pool with
its underwater viewing
hides for observing
hippos and crocodiles
wheree the melting
snows of Kilimanjaro
pump over 50 million
gallons of water
out of the ground
each day is certainly
Tsavo West’s undisputed
showcase with is
crystal clear
bounty of water
in an oasis of palms
and fig trees.
CHYULU
HILLS NATIONAL PARK
Framing
the vast plains
of Tsavo and lying
within view of majestic
Mt Kilimanjaro,
are the Taita Hills.
Situated some
190 km south east
of Nairobi and 30
km south west of
Kibwezi, the Chyulu
Hills are considered
to be some of the
youngest volcanic
mountains in the
world, born out
of the earth only
500 years ago. The
range is composed
of ash cones and
craters. The beautiful
hills are bordered
by an expanse of
black lava flow
known as Sheitani,
the source of many
local legends. The
hills hold no permanent
surface water but
rainfall percolating
through the porous
rock feeds many
permanent fresh
water sources in
the surrounding
plains, notably
Mzima springs and
the Tsavo and Galana
rivers. The hills
are relatively undisturbed
and shelter indigenous
vegetation and wildlife.
The Chyulu
Hills National Park
comprises the
eastern flank of
the hills including
about half of the
forest area and
its boundary runs
down the center
of the hills along
the line of the
peaks. The western
half is part of
the West Chyulu
Game Conservation
area, owned by several
Masai group ranches.
Chyulu
Hills National Park
is a paradise of
elephant herds,
plains game, cheetah,
remote Maasai villages
and wonderful views
of Mt Kilimanjaro
TAITA
HILLS NATIONAL PARK
Close
to Tsavo East National
Park, the nearby
Taita Hills are
home to a private
game sanctuary,
Taita Hills Wildlife
Sanctuary, a privately
owned 17,000 hectares
of rolling savanna
accented by dramatic
rocky outcroppings
and small plateaus.
The sanctuary
has a wide variety
of game including
Lion, cheetah, elephant
and plains game.
Prolific bird life
includes the very
rare Taita Falcon,
a bird recorded
in early Egyptian
hieroglyphics. Because
there is plenty
of water, many animals
seek shelter there
and large herds
of elephant and
other plains game
migrate to the sanctuary
from Tsavo each
year.
The Taita
Hills are in fact
three groups of
hills, the Dabida,
Sagalla and Kasigau.
In nearby Taveta,
there are two beautiful
lakes Jipe and Chala,
fed by streams from
the snows of Kilimanjaro.
Chala is particularly
stunning, its deep
blue waters lying
beneath a perfect
view of Kilimanjaro.
This region
is more remote than
the more visited
parks of
Kenya,
the perfect destination
for anyone looking
for an opportunity
to get away from
it all and relax
in the wild.
NAIROBI
CITY, THE NATIONAL
MUSEUM & SNAKE
PARK
Nairobi,
the capital city
of Kenya is a modern
city of almost 4
million inhabitants.
It was established
in 1907 as a trading
point along the
Kenya/Uganda railway.
It attracted
world attention
as the center of
big-game safaris
for the rich and
famous of the world
and became the centre
of the colonial
administration in
Kenya.
Today,
Nairobi is a fabulous
modern city with
all the amenities
including an excellent
communication system
with the rest of
the world, cinema
halls, wonderful
international restaurants
including Chinese,
French, Italian,
Japanese etc. It
also has numerous
shopping malls for
African artifacts,
jewelry, clothing,
tapestry and a wonderful
and hospitable citizenry.
Nairobi hosts the
United Nations Environment
Program headquarters,
the only UN Agency
headquarter in the
third world. It
is a business and
conference center
for East & Central
Africa and base
for international
tourism to the
safari circuits
of E. Africa.
The
National Museum
of Kenya, the adjacent
snake Park, the
Karen Blixen Museum,
the Giraffe Centre,
the Kenya National
Archives etc are
just some of the
attractions to visit
during your free
time in Nairobi.
NAIROBI
NATIONAL PARK
The
144 sq. km Nairobi
National Park was
established in and
is a haven for a
large number of
game just 10 kms
(6 miles) from the
city centre of Nairobi,
the capital City
of Kenya.
Other
than elephant, a
visit to Nairobi
National Park whilst
brief provides an
opportunity to see
the other members
of the Big Five;
lion, leopard rhinoceros
and buffalo and
other plains game.
KAREN
BLIXEN MUSEUM
Karen
Blixen Museum gives
visitors a glimpse
of life in Kenya
during the colonial
era that lasted
from 1900s to the
middle of the 20th
century. ‘Mbogani’,
the vast coffee
estate was Baroness
Karen Blixen’s home
from 1917 to 1931.
The museum houses
most of Karen’s
original belongings
while items lost
over the years have
been replaced with
expertly done replicas.
The house
enjoys excellent
views of Ngong Hills
and was featured
in the film Out
Of Africa.
GIRAFFE
CENTRE
The
Giraffe Centre and
adjacent Giraffe
Manor are the headquarters
for the African
Fund for Endangered
Wildlife AFEW established
in 1983 as a sanctuary
for endangered Rothschild
giraffe. There are
opportunities to
learn about giraffe
at the centre library.
But the true highlight,
the unforgettable
experience, is the
chance to personally
hand-feed a fully
grown giraffe as
you watch these
giants at eye level
from a raised platform.
DAVID
SHELDRICK’S ORPHANAGE
Daphne
Sheldrick, widow
of pioneer wildlife
ranger David Sheldrick
set up David Sheldrick’s
Elephant Orphanage
on the edge of Nairobi
National Park to
raise orphaned wild
animals (mainly
elephant and rhino)
and reintroduce
them into the wild.
The David Sheldrick
Wildlife Trust was
founded to commemorate
the groundbreaking
conservation work
of wildlife warden
David Sheldrick,
who led the fate
of Kenya's Tsavo
National Park from
1948 to 1976 and
created a legacy
for Kenya's wildlife
and nature.
The orphan elephants
and rhinos are just
some of the many
wildlife commitments
of the Trust. The
Trust does not solicit
funds and relies
entirely on donations
from caring and
compassionate friends.
Visiting
is between 11.00
and 12.00 hrs when
the animals come
to the waterhole
and are bottle fed
with milk.
Daphne
offers her heart,
compassion and life
to help orphaned
animals. Together
with the Trust,
they have been instrumental
in spreading awareness
and supporting conservation
programs. She is
one of a kind. We
encourage anyone
who loves elephants
to support her.
ABERDARE
NATIONAL PARK
The
766 sq. km Aberdare
National Park, part
of the Aberdare
Mountain Range whose
peaks soar to around
12,900ft (3,930m,
was established
in 1950). The
parks has some of
Africa’s richest
alpine landscapes,
with ancient cedar
forests, heather
moorlands and bamboo
groves divided by
icy streams and
deep waterfalls.
In the forest
are red Duiker,
suni, Bushbuck -
some of the old
males are nearly
black - Elephant,
Buffalo, Giant Forest
Hog, Leopard- all
black examples have
been recorded -
and colobus monkey.
Bird life is abundant
and varied.
The Aberdares’ peaks,
were famous hideouts of Mau Mau
freedom fighters
in the 1950s.
Kenya’s
tallest waterfall,
the 1,000-foot Gura
Falls, and its neighboring
Karura Falls formed
the famous aerial
scenes in Out of
Africa. The higher
slopes, however,
should be avoided
during July and
August due to thick
‘mountain mist’.
The forests are
home to many species
of wildlife including
elephant, lion,
giant forest hog
to the shy leopard,
serval cats and
the shy chestnut-coated
Bongo.
MOUNT
KENYA
Mount
Kenya, Kenya’s tallest
mountain at 5199m
sits astride the
equator. The mountain
above 3200m contour
forms the Mount
Kenya National Park.
Mount Kenya is the
source of mighty
River Tana, source
of much of Kenya’s
electricity supply.
Mount Kenya is a
rugged mountain
and climbing requires
considerable rock-climbing
skill. The
slightly lower peaks
can all be reached
by the fit and adventurous.
Point Lenana, 4985
m (16355 ft) can
be easily reached.
Wildlife
within the forests
below the park boundary
includes elephant,
buffalo, lion, several
species of antelope
including the rare
bongo and occasionally
both melanistic
leopard and serval
cat can be seen.
Most of these animals
can be seen from
Mountain Lodge,
lying just inside
the forest to the
south of the mountain.
Mount Kenya Climbing
tours from day excursions
to a 7 days hike
up around the mountain
can be organized.
SWEETWATERS
RANCH
The
23,000-acre Sweetwaters
Game Reserve is
part of the expansive
Ol Pejeta Ranch
and enjoys unparalleled
views of Mount Kenya
to the east, Kenya’s
tallest mountain.
In additional to
the usual wildlife
in most parks and
reserves in Africa,
Sweetwaters is also
home to several
orphaned rhino,
chimpanzees from
the Jane Goodall
Institute in Burundi
and warthog one
of which was the
model for Pumba,
in Lion King, the
movie), which are
a wonderful treat
for kids and grown
ups alike.
LEWA
DOWNS
Lewa
Downs, the home
of the Craig family
since 1924 is one
of Kenya’s original
ranches and is host
to a large variety
of large mammals
including elephant,
black and white
rhino, lions, leopard,
cheetah, reticulated
giraffe, Grevy and
common zebra, greater
kudu, and large
numbers of gazelle
species like eland,
gerenuk, etc. Lewa
Downs is also a
Rhinio Sanctuary
and hosts almost
10% Kenya’s endangered
black rhino. Activities
at the ranch include
horse riding, night
game viewing drives
and nature/bush
walks with an armed
ranger.
BORANA
RANCH
Borana
Ranch welcomes guests
to come and stay
at Borana Lodge
on this 35,000 acres
property on the
edge of the Laikipia
Plateau. Adjacent
to Lewa Wildlife
Conservancy, its
unique geographical
situation makes
the 35,000 acre
ranch a haven for
a wide diversity
of wildlife: lion,
elephant, Jackson's
hartebeest, buffalo
and great herds
of antelope roam
the plains while
the cooler forest
shelters bush buck,
colobus and leopard.
MERU
NATIONAL PARK
Meru
National Park contains
a variety of landscapes
and wildlife unmatched
in any other Kenyan
park of its size.
Bordering the arid,
open plains that
dominate the park
are a huge diversity
of different ecosystems,
ranging from emerald
green swamps and
towering indigenous
forests in the west
to huge palm groves
and baobab-studded
bush in the east.
This rich slice
of equatorial Africa
is home to an equally
broad variety of
wildlife, from large
elephant and buffalo
herds to hippo and
crocodile, leopard,
cheetah and wild
dog, and the lions
that remain the
park’s most enduring
symbol.
Meru
is best known as
the inspiration
of the film Born
Free - the place
where George &
Joy Adamson released
their famously friendly
charges into the
bush. The park’s
870 sq. kms
are watered by 5
major rivers and
surrounded by large
protected buffer
zones that provide
a dispersal area
for its animals,
which include the
world’s largest
herds of Cape buffalo.
SAMBURU
GAME RESERVE
The
104 sq. km Samburu
National Reserve
in Kenya’s northern
frontier districts
is a harsh and savagely
beautiful wilderness
Offering unique
vistas of rounded,
rugged hills and
undulating plains
that all depend
on the Uaso Nyiro
River for their
existence. The Reserve
if home to a wide
variety of wildlife
species only found
north of the equator
including the Grevy’s
Zebra, the long
necked Gerenuk,
Beisa Oryx
and reticulated
Giraffe. Crocodiles,
Somali Ostrich,
Hippo, Lion, Hyena,
Cheetah, Leopard,
Elephant, Eland,
Buffalo and even
the elusive leopard
can be seen along
the river banks.
The reserve also
boasts an estimated
more that 400 species
of birds. Together
with neighboring
Buffalo Springs
and Shaba National
Reserves, Samburu
comprises 833 sq
km of protected
semi-desert land.
This is the home
of the Samburu tribe,
cousins of the Maasai,
who share the same
nomadic, cattle-herding
existence, and an
even stricter adherence
to their age-old
rites and customs.
OL
ARI NYIRO/MUKUTAN
RANCH.
Ol
Ari Nyiro, The Place
of Dark Waters in
Masaai, is a sanctuary
and a fully operational
ranch as well as
home to the Gallman
Memorial Foundation
(GMF). An oasis
of breathtaking
beauty where wildlife
dwells undisturbed,
Ol Ari Nyiro is
renowned for the
variety of its landscapes,
from the open savannah
to steep gorges,
endless vistas of
hills covered in
wild sage and thorn
trees; for its herds
of elephant, buffalo,
antelope and it
may lions. The ranch
is a sanctuary to
the largest known
population of undisturbed
indigenous black
rhino outside National
Parks.
LAKE
BOGORIA
The
107 sq. km. Lake
Bogoria National
Reserve surrounds
the spectacular
Lake Bogoria which
was described by
J W Gregory, the
great geologist
who first saw it
in 1892, as “The
most beautiful view
in Africa”.
Lake
Bogoria is most
famous for its hot
water geysers that
sprout from the
underground all
along its eastern
shoreline proving
what many visitors
popularly refer
to as open air saunas
that are fabulously
enjoyable. Although
there are pockets
of wildlife in Lake
bogoaria National
Reserve, it is more
a scenic it reserve.
There are also many
species of birds
and especially when
nearby Lake Nakuru
waters are low and
hundreds of thousands
of flamingo fly
off to Lake Bogoria.
Wildlife in
the reserve includes
the rare greater
kudu, buffalo, zebra,
cheetah, baboon,
warthog, caracal,
spotted hyena and
many other plains
game.
LAKE
BARINGO
Lake
Baringo lies in
the semi-desert
of northern Rift
Valley in harsh,
rugged, but stunning
surroundings. Until
recently, Lake Baringo
was considered ‘off
the beaten track’.
Explorer, J. W.
Gregory traveled
to Lake Baringo
from Mombasa in
the 1890s and made
his theory of the
creation of the
Great Rift Valley
from evidence found
here. In the earlier
years, the slave
trade caravans passed
through Baringo.
The ruins of Fort
Baringo which was
built to try and
stop this brutal
trade are still
visible.
Hippo,
Crocodile and Birds
abound in the Lake
and may be seen
on boa rides in
the lake. One may
also visit a local
Njemps village to
see how this cultured
community lives
or visit the new
Baringo Reptiles
Park and see some
of the many species
of snakes to be
found in this savage
wilderness.
LAKE
NAKURU NATIONAL
PARK
The
188 square kilometers
Lake Nakuru National
Park that covers
the areas surrounding
the shallow and
alkaline Lake Nakuru
in the floor of
the Great Rift Valle,
is famed around
the world for the
greatest bird spectacle
in the world – a
gathering of often
over a million pink
flamingos which
covers the lake
pink as they feed
on the algae in
Lake Nakuru’s shallow
warm waters.
The flamingoes are
joined by pelicans
and other birds
including stilt
and, avocets on
their day long feeding
orgies as they provide
visitors with a
most amazing bird
viewing experience
all year round.
Lake
Nakuru National
Park is also home
to numerous other
wildlife including
the largest buffaloes
in Africa, zebra,
Rothschild’s giraffe,
eland, lion, leopard
and a variety of
other plains and
forest game. It
is also a Rhino
Sanctuary and the
best place in the
country to see both
black and white
rhino. Lake Nakuru
is also one of the
park/reserves where
it is easiest to
find the elusive
leopard in East
Africa.
LAKE
NAIVASHA
Naivasha
lies some 95 kms
west of Nairobi
in the Great Rift
Valley. Naivasha
began in the 1930s
as a wheat farming
and cattle breeding
area for the settler
community in Kenya.
Today, it is mostly
a horticulture farming
area. Because of
its proximity to
Nairobi and excellent
climate all year
round, Naivasha
has today become
one of the most
popular tourist
destinations within
Kenya. The main
attraction is Naivasha’s
relaxed atmosphere
and the crystal
clear Lake Naivasha,
6,000 ft above sea
level, the only
fresh water lake
in the Rift Valley.
The lake is home
to hundreds of hippo
and more than 400
species of birds
which can be seen
on boat rides on
the lake. Deifferent
species of wildlife
can also be seen
in the game sanctuaries
run by some of the
lodges and farms.
Naivasha’s
proximity to other
popular tourist
sites like Hells
Gate National Park,
Lake Nakuru National
Park, Maasai Mara
National Reserve,
Aberdares National,
Lake Baring0 and
Lake Bogoria has
added to its importance
as a base for safaris
to most of Kenya’s
tourist sites. Naivasha
plays host to some
of Kenya’s most
charming and luxurious
holiday resorts.
MAASAI
MARA GAME RESERVE
The
1510 sq. km Maasai
Mara is one of the
most famous wildlife
reserves in the
world with one of
the highest concentrations
of wild game anywhere
in the universe.
Maasai Mara open
savannah, woodlands
and tree-lined rivers
is part of the Serengeti/Mara
eco-system which
plays host to thousands
of animals and bird
species all year
round. Wildlife
includes large numbers
of lion, all over
the park, cheetahs
that are easily
found, elephant,
buffalo, zebra,
giraffe and numerous
species of gazelle
and other animals.
The elusive leopard
is regularly seen.
Every
year, almost 3 million
wildebeest and hundreds
of thousands of
zebra and other
herbivores embark
on the phenomenal
annual wildebeest
migration that begins
in southern Serengeti
in the first months
of the year and
enters the Maasai
Mara from late July
to stay on until
September. Joined
by opportunistic
predators out for
a kill including
lions, hyenas and
cheetahs, the wildebeest
migration provides
visitors with an
unforgettable experience,
to view wild game
in their highest
concentration. Demand
for accommodation
in Maasai Mara is
c normally high
during the wildebeest
migration months
because they also
happen to be the
best months weather-wise,
August/September
are dry months.
It is advisable
to book early to
secure accommodation.
But
life in Maasai Mara
is never dull. There
are numerous resident
game scattered across
the entire reserve
and a visit at any
time of the year
is always rewarded
with excellent game
viewing opportunities.
Maasai Mara is the
principal home of
the Maasai people.
The Maasai
morans (warriors)criss
crossing the wilderness,
young boys herding
goats, elders gathered
under a tree discussing
community issues,
the women fetching
firewood and water
are all a sight
to behold, Their
tribal music and
dances are an absolute
wonder and fascination
to watch.
HOT
AIR BALLOONING
After a dawn wake up call,
you will be transferred from your Maasai Mara Camp or Lodge at 0530 hrs to the
balloon launch site. At site, sip tea/coffee and biscuits as the balloon is
inflated with gas burners to raise it up. Once the balloon is upright, as the
first rays of light illuminate the Maasai Mara wilderness, you will climb into
the balloon basket and take your positions before the experienced balloon pilot
pumps more hot air for a smooth rise into the skies above Maasai Mara. Once airborne, the balloon floats gently over
the plains giving you splendid aerial views across the plains and unto the
animals below. Elephants and other large mammals look insignificantly small
from the balloon. The pilot will sometimes take you high up or bring down to
have a closer look at the animals. You will also be able to see other animals
including giraffe amongst the treetops; antelope grazing; lions; probably an
eagle guarding his eerie; cheetah glancing up as the shadow of the huge balloon
crosses their paths. After about an hour in flight, drifting wherever the air blows your balloon to but
with some control by the pilot, you will come down, bumping
over the anthills as you hold onto the flaps in the basket until the balloon
topples over on its side with you face up. You will then get out of the balloon
basket and move over to the breakfast site where other balloon crew have
already arrive to make your breakfast using the balloons gas burners. So your hot air balloon safari finishes with a
flare as you toast your return to earth with a champagne breakfast in the
Maasai Mara bush. After breakfast, you will be returned to camp or lodge with a
brief game viewing en-route, absolutely delighted you ever were on this balloon
flight. It is an experience you will
never forget.
Hot Air Balloon
Flights are offered from most camps and lodges in Maasai Mara. Because of space
limitation, it is best to pre-book in advance to guarantee space. Please call,
or e-mail us to make your reservation/booking or if you need more information
LAKE
VICTORIA EXCURSION
The
67,493 sq kms Lake
Victoria lies at
the heart of East
Africa forms a natural
boundary between
Kenya, Tanzania
and Uganda. Lake Victoria
is the world’s second
largest fresh water
lake and source of the
mighty River Nile,
the lifeline of
Egypt that flows
through Uganda,
the Sudan
and Egypt before
pouring into the
Mediterranean Sea.
A sight seeing cum
fishing day trip
to, or an overnight
stay at a lodge
at one of the islands
of Lake Victoria can be organized
from Maasai Mara.
After
a dawn wake up call,
with coffee, tea
and biscuits, guests
are transferred
from the Maasai
Mara Camp or Lodge
at 0530 hrs to the
nearby airstrip
for a 0630 hrs light
aircraft flight
(25 minutes) to
an Island on Lake
Victoria. On
arrival on the airstrip,
you will be welcomed
by your hosts and
transferred to the
camp for breakfast.
After breakfast,
join your boats
crew for rides over
the Lake Victoria
waters as you try
your hand at fishing
for Nile Perch and
other fish. You
may also visit the
local fishing communities
who live alongside
or on nearby islands
and see how the
do it the traditional
way. The boat rides
also come with excellent
bird viewing for
the African Fish
Eagles,
so spectacular as
they glide down
to the water surface
and bare their claws
to catch fish. And
there are other
birds too and amazing giant monitor
lizards. Afterwards,
return to the camp
for your flight
back to Maasai Mara.
On arrival at the
Maasai Mara airstrip,
you will be transferred
back to camp where
you arrive in time
for lunch. This
excursion, maybe
substituted with
take off from Maasai
Mara at 0830 hrs
arriving at Lake
Vitoria after breakfast
and leaving after
lunch. You then
arrive back in Maasai
Mara in time for
an afternoon game
viewing drive.
Overnighting
guests stay overnight
with dinner andreturnthe
next day in the
same way.
MAASAI
VILLAGE VISIT
The
Maasai are one of
the most famous
tribes in Africa
and the world. Since
time immemorial,
they have strongly
held onto their
cultural values,
ensuring little
or nothing has changed
in their lifestyle
odespite tremendoes
change in the rest
of the world.
The
life of the Maasai
is governed by strict
morals & discipline.
The most important
ceremony for their
young men is circumcision
which marks passage
into adulthood.
Girls still undergo
female circumcision
to usher in adulthood
and readiness for
marriage. The Maasai
live on a diet of
milk, meat and blood
from their large
herds of cattle
and goats. Wealth
is measured by the
number of cattle
and goats one owns.
Despite living in
the wild with the
wildlife, the Maasai
do not hunt the
wildlife. They
generally have a
live and let live
attitude with the
animals except for
when there is a
conflict with the
animals when they
may viciously fight
back.
Tall and
magnificent looking,
the Maasai have
always been warriors,
feared and respected
by their enemies.
Their
manyattas, villages
are but temporary
fixtures that they
desert whenever
they move on in
search of grazing
land for their livestock.
The huts are built
by the women. When
they move, the Manyattas
are not destroyed.
They are left standing
so that should other
Maasai come by,
they can use them.
During
a visit to a Maasai
Village, visitors
have an opportunity
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