Maasai Mara
Samburu or Amboseli
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The Mara Game Reserve, as it was originally
known, an area of some 1,812 sq Km (700 sq Miles), was establish din 1961.
It's Southern boundary is contiguous with Tanzania's Serengeti National Park,
and it is divided into two sections. The inner reserve has been developed
on the lines of a National Park, no intrusion or Human settlement have been
allowed, while the outer remains and undeveloped area where local Masai are
permitted to pasture their cattle but which is otherwise undisturbed.The reserve
extends from the edge of the Loita hills in the East to the Mara triangle
and the base of the Siria escarpment in the West. The inner section, with
it's network of roads specially constructed for Game watching, embraces the
area around the Keekorok Lodge and Westwards to the Mara River. Everything
in the Mara is Big. It is a country of breathtaking vistas, a panorama of
vast rolling plains and rounded hills, of intermittent groves of acacia woodlands
and thickets of scrub. The whole is bisected by the Mara river and it's tributaries
which are margined by luxuriant riverene forests. And in every direction,
there are seemingly endless herds of game animals. Mara possesses the largest
population of Lions to be found in Kenya, it boasts large herds of Topi and
a small population of Roan antelope, animals not found in many Kenya parks
or reserves. Elephants are fairly common and a traveler may sometimes be held
up by 'Elephants on the road'. The numerous large beasts to be found here
include; Buffalo, Black Rhino, hippopotamus, Leopard, Cheetah, Zebra, Coke's
Hartebeest, White Bearded Gnu, Warthog and Thompsons and Grants Gazelle. The
Bird life is as profuse as the mammalian fauna. Orange-Buff Pel's fishing
Owls, Bustards, Crested Guinea Fowl, Hornbills, secretary Birds and at least
53 species of bird's of prey. Accommodation is provided at the Mara Serena
Lodge, sited on high ground in the west of the Park overlooking the Mara river
and two luxury campsites sited on the Eastern bank of the Mara river near
the old Mara bridge and the Governors camp. From the Lodge it possible to
see the Hippos at play from the viewing platform, arguably the best place
in Kenya.
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The Samburu Game reserves are the most accessible
of the Northern frontier faunal sanctuaries, 343 km (213 miles) from Nairobi.
The reserve covers an area of 104 sq. Km (40 sq. Miles) on the Northern bank
of the Uaso river. The Buffalo springs reserve lies on the southern bank of
the river. In addition to the rugged splendour of it's landscape the very
name 'northern frontier province' conjures up an atmosphere of mystery and
adventure. It is indeed a vast and little visited region where the traveling
is rugged and the people have changed little over the centuries. The main
attractions are the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx, the blue
necked Somali Ostrich and river crocodiles. Elephant are plentiful and Black
Rhinoceros, lion leopard, Cheetah, Gerenuk, Buffalo and the two species of
Hyena are to be seen. Among the smaller mammals the Ground Squirrel is abundant
and tame. For such relatively small area the bird life is strikingly numerous
and colourful; there is no difficulty in seeing well over a hundred species
of birds in a single day. Perhaps the most impressive sight is the immense
flocks of helmeted and vulturine Guinea fowl which make their way each afternoon
to the riverbank to drink, the latter resplendent with white streaked necks
and brilliant blue underparts. Buffalo springs, in the reserve of that name
with it's pools and streams of fresh water, is the drinking place in the dry
season for literally thousands of Sandgrouse and doves, in addition to a galaxy
of smaller birds. The tiny Pygmy Falcon is common, the males blue-grey and
white, the females with a mahogany- brown mantle. At a distance, when perched
high in some acacia tree, they distinctly resemble shrikes. The giant Martial
Eagle is often seen, usually perched high on some vantage point, alert for
Dik-Dik or guinea fowl. Accommodation with all amenities is at the Samburu
Game lodge sited on the edge of the Uaso Nyiro River, below giant Newtonia
trees and Dom palms. The lodge is built on the camp site of the most famous
of the old time Elephant hunters, Arthur Newman. The visitor may find it fitting
to take a 'sundowner', to contemplate the austerity endured by the early hunters
and explorers contrasted with the comfort of the modern day Safari!
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The Amboseli National Park is justly famous
for it's big Game - Elephants, Lions and Cheetahs are the main attractions
- and for it's great scenic beauty. The 3,810 sq Km (1,259 sq Miles) of this
park and game reserve embody five main wildlife habitats, plus a generally
dry lake bed, Lake Amboseli, from which it takes its name. These are open
plains; extensive stands of yellow Barked Acacia woodland; rocky, lava strewn
thornbush country; swamps and marshes; and at the Western end of the reserve,
above Namanga, the Massif of Oldoinyo Orok rising to over 2,760 m (8,300 ft)
and still for the most part zoologically unexplored. The area is dominated
by the backdrop of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest Mountain which frames the
wild region below with its nomadic tribes rear their cattle as they have done
for centuries. The main game viewing area lies in the Eastern half of the
park, in the vicinity of Ol Tukai, here a network of roads opens up a wild
life paradise.
Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Masai Giraffe and Buffalo may all be encountered
during a single mornings drive. White Bearded Gnu, common Zebra, Eland, Coke's
Hartebeest, Common Waterbuck, Impala and Thompsons and Grant's Gazelles can
also be found. In the dry bush country towards Namanga and in the arid area
en route to Emali two especially interesting antelopes are to be found; the
long necked Gerenuk and the Fringe Eared Oryx. Smaller Mammals always in evidence
include Black Faced Vervet Monkey and Yellow Baboon, Black Backed Jackals,
Spotted Hyena and Bat Eared Foxes. Bird Life is equally abundant, especially
in the vicinity of the lakes and swamps. The Madagascar Squacco Heron turns
up at regular intervals and the Long Toed Lapwing is a resident in small numbers.
Three species of Sand Grouse, Yellow throated-Chestnut Bellied-and Black Faced,
water in hundreds during the dry season. Birds of prey are well represented
with no less that 47 different kinds, rarities such as the Taita Falcon and
Southern Banded Harrier Eagle.
Around the Lodges you may see flocks of Yellow Weaver Birds, however the bird
which will quickly draw your attention because of its brilliant plumage and
fearless behaviour is the Superb starling, which pecks crumbs from your plate
as you eat.
- Day 1: Pickup from
the hotel and leave for Maasai Mara through the Great Rift Valley arriving
in time for lunch. In the afternoon proceed to the park for an evening game
drive returning to the camp/lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Day 2: Early morning
and midmorning game drive in the minibus with the pop-up sunroof searching
for the black manned lions, elephant, cheetahs, buffalos and other plains
game. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.
- Day 3: After an early morning game drive,return to the camp for breakfast before departing for Lake Nakuru arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive in this park noted for its huge concentreation of flamingos.Dinner and overnight in a budget hotel/lodge.
Option A Samburu-CODE SF15
- DAY 4: After breakfast leave for Samburu Game Reserve for lunch at the camp/lodge .Afternoon game drive returning for dinner an overnight at the camp/lodge.
- Day 5: An early
game drive viewing in this game reserve known for its reticulated giraffes,
Grevy's zebras, Somali ostrich and many leopards. All meals accommodation
at the camp/lodge.
- Day 6: Early morning
game drive before departing for Nanyuki passing through the Mount Kenya
region where if the weather permits you will be able to see the snowcapped
mountain. Lunch in a hotel after which you will be taken to Mau Mau caves
returning late in the evening for an overnight in a budget hotel/lodge
- Day 7: After breakfast depart for Nairobi arriving early in the afternoon. Drop-off at your hotel/residency.
Option B: Amboseli-CODE SF 16
- Day 4: After breakfast leave Nakuru for Nairobi and continue to Amboseli. Once in the National Park proceed for a game drive as you head for the camp/lodge for dinner and over night.
- Day 5:Full day
game viewing in a minibus with a pop-up roof searching for black manned
lions, cheetah, elephant buffalo among other plains game. Meals and accommodation
at the lodge.
- Day 6: Proceed
for an early morning pre-breakfast game drive. Another evening game drive
then return to camp an lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Day 7: After breakfast, leave the camp lodge for the last game drive as you leave Amboseli National Park for Nairobi. Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon.
