Wednesday, December 10, 2008

AASKC01: 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Tours

Day 1: Nairobi/ Maasai Mara
Pick you from your hotel after breakfast; thereafter depart for Maasai Mara game reserve stopping at the view point of the Great Rift Valley and at Narok town for lunch. Arrive in time for a late afternoon or early evening game drive in this park that is essentially the northern extension of Tanzania’s Serengeti national park as an artificial border separates the two. Proceed to the campsite for dinner and overnight.

This park animal concentration is second to none and the big five can be spotted here. The Mara’s landscape is scenic savannah grassland on rolling hills which enables the reserve to attract sufficient rainfall to maintain and support a large population of herbivores, together with the predators that follow.

Day 2: Maasai Mara

After breakfast have a full day of game viewing with a picnic lunch at the Hippo pool where you will have a good opportunity of spotting Hippos and crocodiles basking in the sun at a close distance. Return to the campsite in time for dinner and overnight.


Mara is renowned for its great herds of plains game and virtually every type of wildlife to be found in Kenya. This is also where the annual migration of close 800,000 zebras and wild beast takes place between the two parks in early July to September. The animals’ move as a great mass across the savannah in a follow the leader fashion, they follow the rains and when they arrive from Serengeti there is new succulent grass. They return to Serengeti when the grass begins to whither and when rains are over

Day 3: Maasai Mara/ Nairobi
Have an early breakfast followed by your final game tracking with your guide, in this park that is rich in wildlife on your way back to Nairobi. You will be arriving here in late afternoon or early evening, with full of good memories of your trip as you will have seen the best of Kenya.

AASF: 9Days - Sweet waters/Samburu/Lake Nakuru/Maasai Mara/Nairobi

Day 1: Nairobi
Your safari adventure begins with a warm welcome by our customer service representatives upon your arrival at JKIA Airport and dropped at your city hotel.

Day2: Nairobi-Sweetwater’s
Your home tonight will be at the exquisite Sweetwater’s Tented Camp in the secluded heart of the Ol Pejeta Ranch and Rhino sanctuary. Built within a private ranch, the camp is a -Rhino heaven- which also supports a wide variety of other wildlife such as elephants, giraffes etc, it is only here that you can have a night game drive at extra cost. 25 of the 30 luxurious tents overlook the water hole and some are built on stilts to offer you a better view. This luxurious tented camp comes with en-suite facilities, a patio (verandah) and is set under a thatch roof. A visit to the Chimpanzee sanctuary should not be missed and remember to pack your swimming gear because the camp has a swimming pool, table tennis, board games and satellite television. Meals and overnight at luxurious tented camp.

Day 3: Sweetwater’s - Samburu

After breakfast, we drive further north to Sarova Shaba Lodge. Its located high above the banks of the life-giving Uaso Nyiro River in the Shaba Game Reserve. The lodge beautifully incorporates the existing natural springs as one of its special features. The 1989 movie "Born Free", a true-life story of George and Joy Adamson was shot in the Game Reserve and some of the scenes were shot at the lodge- making it a true African wildlife safari. An open-air restaurant over looking the river, swimming pool, curio shop, bars, and it's location at an oasis make it a perfect base from which to explore the Shaba Reserve, as well as its sister reserve - Buffalo Springs to the west.
Apart from being the only location in Kenya where you will find Gerenuk, the reserve is renowned for its unique collection of other species of animals, such as Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Grevy Zebra, Cheetah, and Lions. After enjoying an afternoon Game (wildlife) viewing in the reserve filled with scenic beauty, we return for dinner and overnight at a lodge/campsite

Day 4: Samburu
Before dawn we head out in search of Africa's wild cats. From the game drive we return to the lodge for breakfast and relax perhaps read a book/novel, sunbathe and go for a refreshing dip in the uniquely designed swimming pool before heading out again on your afternoon game drive. All meals & overnight at a lodge/campsite

>Day 5: Samburu - Lake Nakuru
After an early breakfast drive south through Isiolo, crossing the northern most foothills of Mount Kenya, until we reach Nanyuki town. Heading west we make a brief stopover at Thomson Falls and then drive southward to Lake Nakuru. Lake Nakuru is known as an ornithological paradise by birdwatchers because the lake is world famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth which boasts any where between one and two million lesser and greater pink flamingos that feed on the abundant algae thriving in the lakes warm waters. The park has also been established for the protection of endangered species such as the rhino and is also home to Columbus monkeys, Leopards, Giraffes, and a variety of plain antelope.
Lunch will be served at the lodge. An afternoon game drive around the lakeshore will be the main feature for the afternoon, dinner & overnight at a hotel.
Day 6: Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
After an early breakfast, our safari will be destined for Lake Naivasha, the only freshwater lake in the Rift Valley. The lake is home to a large colony of hippos and it's also a Mecca for bird watchers and researchers since over 400 different species of birds have been recorded here.
The lakes location and wildlife makes it an ideal place for an afternoon boat ride. A visit to the liberating Crescent Island, which is completely undeveloped, wild and free, is one of the few places on earth where you can walk among herds of zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, giraffe and dik diks. There are no predators and no fences so it will be quite a liberating and exciting feeling to walk among the wildlife an experience only possible in the African safari.
Lunch will be served at Lake Naivasha. In the afternoon enjoy an unforgettable and memorable boat ride. Later enjoy your dinner prepared from the freshest lakeside produce and ingredients. Dinner and overnight at a hotel
Day 7: Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara
Today our safari expedition will take us to the jewel of Kenya's parks, the world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. This is Kenya's number one park and is always on every tourist’s Must see list. Full of life with various types of animals and birds, Masai Mara crown's the climax of every safari in Kenya. Apart from the big five, the Masai Mara is most famous for the spectacular annual migration of over a million wildebeest, zebra, gazelle etc from the Serengeti in northern Tanzania crossing the Mara River into Kenya in search of fresh feeding grounds, which takes place in late July or August. Maasai Mara the true home of the African lion safari. Dinner & overnight at a lodge/campsite.
Day 8: Masai Mara
An early morning game drive before dawn, followed by breakfast, is the perfect start of another unforgettable and memorable day in Africa. In between the morning and afternoon game drives you can take time out to swim in the pool or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lodge and the natural flora and fauna surrounding it.All meals and overnight at a lodge/campsite
Day 9: Maasai Mara - Nairobi
After breakfast we drive back to Nairobi with pic nic lunch, arriving early afternoon.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

13 Days Kenya Wildlife Safari Trail

A safari to see the best game parks in Kenya and also the world famous bird sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley Lakes before taking you down to the Coast to enjoy at leisure the beautiful sunny beaches of Mombasa, Malindi or Lamu.

Samburu National reserve is becoming one of Kenya's most admired stops after the Mara. Sights of the peculiarly branched doum palms and taut thorn trees give an unusual look to the region. Likewise, the permanent water supply acts like a lure for the abundant species found here, some endemic to the North of Kenya.

This trip brings you to Lake Baringo - Kenya's bird watching centre with over 1200 different species native to the country and more than 450 sighted here. Further onwards, the small park of Lake Nakuru provides sightings of Rothschild’s giraffes, endangered white and black rhinos, leopards and abundant bird species.

The Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodland following the looping meanders of the Mara and Talek rivers. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.

Amboseli is situated on the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro very close to the Tanzanian border. Despite its small size (392 sq km), this fragile ecosystem supports a wide range of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400 species). On clear days the looming Mt. Kilimanjaro offers great photo opportunities.

Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya (at 22,000 sq km), and is comprised of Tsavo East and West. Due to the abundant vegetation cover, more effort is required to spot the wildlife, but the fantastic landscape and comparatively few visitors compensates for this.


Day 1 – Samburu:
Depart
Nairobi in the morning heading north via the shoulder of Africa's second largest mountain, Mt Kenya to the Samburu Game Reserve. Accommodation in our semi-permanent campsite is beautifully set under a canopy of trees or we may pitch tents o­n the edge of Uaso Nyiro River (meaning Brown in Samburu). Cold showers are available which are amazingly refreshing in the hot, dusty climates.

Day 2 – Samburu

Day spent game viewing in the park appreciating the diverse landscape and variety of animal species.

Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse landscape of thorn scrub, red dirt, dried river beds, broken volcanic rock, steep hills and rocky outcroppings. The region is home to the uncommon Grevy’s zebra with huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with numerous varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle. Leopard sighting is also a special feature here.

Day 3 – Baringo

Depart in the early morning across the scenic Lerochi Plateau (with lunch enroute) towards Lake Baringo. Arriving this fresh water lake in the late afternoon, we enjoy an evening boat ride in search of hippo, crocodile, fish eagle and a variety of other birds.

Lake Baringo is the most Northerly of Kenya’s small Rift Valley lakes; creased with papyrus and well developed acacia forest. Hippos, crocodiles and monitor lizards are effortlessly seen from the shore, as is a magnificent display of water birds. This is Kenya's bird watching centre with over 1200 different species native to the country and more than 450 sighted here. A bird watcher's haven but beware, this is malaria land so its best to come prepared with plenty of mosquito repellent !

Day 4 – Lake Nakuru

A 30km drive south to the spectacular Lake Bogoria with hot springs and geysers being the main attractions. The lake has been called ‘the new home of the flamingo’ with a nomad population of up to two million birds. Lunch and then proceed for an afternoon game drive at the Lake Nakuru National Park.

This small park (180 sq km) is home to warthogs, waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. White and black rhinos were introduced to the park some years ago and you will find white rhino at the southern end. The park has also retained its reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species of bird found here. We spend the night at a campsite just outside of town.

Day 5 – Masai Mara

Heading further south towards Narok, we proceed towards our permanent campsite on the Talek River. Here we have stand-up tents with beds or small wood cabins for those after a touch more comfort. If all are occupied, we pitch tents.

On clear days, the Mara offers fantastic orange tinted sunsets and you will definitely want to capture this moment while sipping on a sundowner back at our campsite. The Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodland following the looping meanders of the Mara and Talek rivers. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.

Day 6 – Masai Mara

The day is spent exploring the Mara magic. Wherever you go in the Mara you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest. Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos also exist in great numbers. It is common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot but are still reasonably common.

The ultimate action here is without doubt the annual wildebeest exodus in July and August when millions of these grass eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before turning south again in October.

Balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the savannah plains and the wildlife after which you come back down for a beautiful champagne breakfast. These trips can be arranged at our office upon booking.

Day 7 – Nairobi

We break camp and drive to Narok where Masai souvenirs can be bought, thereafter proceeding towards Nairobi. Overnight in the comforts of a hotel.

Day 8 – Amboseli

Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive via Namanga on the Tanzania border to reach Amboseli early in the afternoon. We view game as we proceed towards the campsite for dinner and overnight. This small park (at 392 sq km) is the second most popular park in Kenya after Masai Mara, mainly due to the spectacular backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the southern boundary.

Day 9 – Amboseli

Day spent exploring this park. The waters from melted snow drain down the mountain under lava flows and surface on the Amboseli plains, creating a green belt of swampland amidst dusty plains. Here elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, wildebeest, hyena, jackal, warthogs, zebra and the Masai giraffe are likely to be seen.

Day 10 - Tsavo West

We leave soon after breakfast for Tsavo West National Park. Visit the Chyulu Hills and the Mzima Springs, which are favorite haunts of both the hippo and crocodile that can be seen from an underwater observation chamber if time permits. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya (at 22,000 sq km). Tsavo West covers a wide variety of landscapes, from swamps and natural springs to rocky peaks, extinct volcanic cones and rolling plains. The dramatic Chyulu Hills are a collection of ancient volcanic cinder cones with splendid views of Kilimanjaro and populations of elands, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest.

Day 11 - Tsavo West

Day spent exploring the park including the nature trails. In Tsavo West birds are very common - look out for the white-bellied go-away bird, red-beaked hornbills and bateleur Eagles. There are also large populations of elephants, zebras and leopards. Look out for dung beetles rolling huge balls of elephant dung along the tracks.

Day 12 – Tsavo East

Early in the morning we drive to Tsavo East. This park was famed for its large herds of elephant covered in red dust and fine scenery. We visit the scenic Lugards Falls, Mudanda Rocks (attracts elephants in the drier season) and Aruba Dam as we view game if time permits.

The landscape in Tsavo East is flatter and drier, despite having one of Kenya’s largest rivers flowing through the middle. Much of the wildlife is concentrated on the Galana River, which has plentiful crocs and hippos. Likewise, Kudus, waterbucks and dik-diks are common along the river banks.

Day 13 – Mombasa

Early morning game drive. Soon after breakfast we proceed to Mombasa arriving there in good time for clients to find their way to their hotels and the tour ends.

Our offices in Nairobi can arrange Flights, Transfers and Hotels for you anywhere in East Africa.

More wildlife safaris are found at http://www.afripotsafaris.com/

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Kenya,Tanzania,Uganda Budget Camping Safaris

Afripot Adventure Safaris specializes in East Africa Adventure Camping, Tanzanaia Wildlife Safaris, Uganda Vacation Tours-Other tours that we offer to the intrepid traveler also include the following adventure wildlife safaris namely Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing, Mt Kenya Hiking, Mt Ruwenzori Trekking, Kenya Walking Tours, Mombasa Beach Holidays, Kenya Budget Safaris, Kenya Luxury Adventures, Uganda Gorilla Tours, Kenya Coast Tours, Western Kenya Ecotourism Packages, Tanzania Adventure Travel, Tanzania Budget Camping Tours, Zanzibar Beach Holidays, Nairobi City Tours, Mombasa City Safaris, Indian Ocean Beach Travel



8 Days Kenya /Tanzania Adventure Wildlife Camping Safaris

Day 1 & 2: Amboseli.
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive via Namanga, on the Tanzania border, to the plains below Mt. Kilimanjaro where Amboseli is situated. After a stopover lunch we proceed into the scenic Amboseli National Park with game drive enroute to the campsite.
The days are spent viewing game and bird life with game drives in the morning and afternoon.

Day 3: Lake Manyara
We break camp and drive into Tanzania via the Namanga border. We also pass through Arusha to Lake Manyara National park with lunch enroute. Meals and overnight at the campsite.
Lake Manyara’s main attractions are its rich bird life, tree climbing lions and its hippos, which you can see at a closer range than many other places.

Day 4 & 5: Serengeti
An early morning game-drive in Lake Manyara National Park followed by breakfast in the cool morning air. We then drive to the great Serengeti National Park game viewing and with a picnic lunch enroute. Dinner and overnight stay at the Seronera Campsite.
Full day spent in search of game.
Serengeti is Africa’s most famous and Tanzania’s largest park covering 14,736 sq km and is adjoining with the Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya. With a wildebeest population of about 2 million and several other hoofed species. Elephants are relatively scarce and the few remaining black rhinoceros are restricted to the Moru Koppies area.

Day 6: Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge
After an early breakfast, we drive south to the magnificent Ngorongoro crater via the historical Olduvai Gorge whilst game watching only interrupted by a picnic lunch enroute. Meals and overnight at a campsite.
The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest whole volcanic caldera and is arguably the most stunning arena. It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world, not only because of its geological magnificence, but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s largest populations of large mammals.

Day 7 - Tarangire
Morning crater tour and with pic nic lunch and proceed to the less congested wildlife paradise, Tarangire National Park.Meals and overnight stay at the campsite.

Tarangire is more densely vegetated than the Serengeti, covered primarily in acacia and mixed woodland including baobab trees and supports similar large mammals to the Serengeti. It is also home to a variety of bird species and becomes most active during the dry season between July and November.

Day 8: Arusha
After breakfast we proceed on the early morning game drive followed by lunch at the campsite, before continuing to Arusha for dinner and overnight in a hotel of your choice at an extra cost.




More wildlife safaris are found at http://www.afripotsafaris.com/