AMBOSELI
NATIONAL
RESERVE
(FORMERLY AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK).
Altitude
3,900-4,500ft. Area 392 sq kms, Opened April 1948 Amboseli (Meaning
"Salty Dust" in Maasai) is a place of stark contrast.
Amboseli National Reserve (formerly Amboseli National Park), located
at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, 5895m/19340ft Mount
Kilimanjaro, is one of the most popular of Kenya's National Parks.
Amboseli National Reserve (formerly Amboseli National Park) lies
some 240 kilometres south-east of Nairobi very close to the Tanzania
border. The snow- capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above a
saucer of clouds dominates every aspect of Amboseli.
Amboseli
despite its sometimes dry and dusty appearance, has an endless water
supply filtered through thousands feet of volcanic rock from
Kilimanjaro ice cap. These underground streams converge into two
clear water springs in the heart of the Park. The endemic dust is
volcanic ash which spewed from Kilimanjaro.
During
the dry seasons a curious feature is the shimmering dry lake bed
where mirages of populated horizons punctuated by real herds of
Zebra and Wildebeest hover in front of visitors. The greatest
attraction is the vast herds of Elephant within the Park. The bull
Elephants have some of the largest tusks in Kenya.
Plentiful game
includes Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Impala, Leopard, Caracal and
Serval Cat. Birdwatchers can see Pelican, Bee-eater, Kingfisher,
African Fish Eagle, Martial Eagle and Pygmy Falcon
Accommodation. In
a lodge/Camping
MASAI MARA
NATIONAL PARK.
The Masai Mara
is regarded as the most favourite and is definitely the most popular
game reserve in Kenya, having over 140,000 visitors per year. The
reserve lies approx 270km west of Nairobi and covers an area of
approximately 1,510 sq km, bordering with the Serengeti National
Park in Tanzania. The landscaped is mostly open Savannah grasslands
and acacia shrub land.
Starting any time from late July the wildebeest follow the rains and
grazing to the wide and open grasslands of what has become known as
"the Mara". They may be late, but they will always make the trip,
driven by dry conditions in the Serengeti and led by the lightning
and thunder to the north. Come November they start the homeward leg,
bound again for the Serengeti.
At this time of the year you will see a large number of lion, hippo,
crocodile and vultures all of which prey on the weak and young
migrating animals. Other game to be found in the Maasai Mara at any
time of the year include: elephants, cheetahs, baboons, gazelles,
giraffes, jackals, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, water buffalo,
ostriches, and a large variety of antelope and birdlife.
The most
famous and most visited reserve in Kenya. It offers breathtaking
views an extra-ordinary density of animals including the "Big Five"
and many varieties of plain game. An impressive feature is the
annual migration of the Wildebeest, Zebra and gazelle from the
plains of the Serengeti that cross the Tanzania border and rivers to
reach the Mara lush grassland from late June, hunted by the
predators Lion, Hyena and circled by vultures as the journey
unfolds.
Their dramatic
river crossings are a reality for tourists visiting in July-August.
Apart from seasonal migration, game viewing is excellent year round.
Game includes Elephant, Black Rhino, Buffalo, the big cats and
virtually every animal found in Kenya. The rivers are a home to
hippo and Crocodiles. 452 bird species are recorded including 53
Raptors, Buzzards, Vultures and Eagles.
Accommodation. In
a lodge/
amping
NAIROBI
NATIONAL PARK.
Nairobi
National Park is only 20 minutes drive from the city and is ideal if
you only have a stopover in the city and want to experience some of
Africa's game. Because of it's location, there are many visitors,
both tourists and residents but you are guaranteed to see an
abundance of game, seemingly unaware and unafraid of humans. The
elephant is the only one of the 'big five' not found here, but
leopard, lion, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, hippo, crocodile, antelope,
wildebeest, eland, zebra and Thompson's gazelle as well as many
other species are here in abundance.
At the western end of the park is an Animal Orphanage, dedicated to
young animals who are injured or deserted in the wild. Here they are
studied and cared for until they can be returned to the reserve.
There are no accommodation facilities within the park as it is
located so close to the city centre.
TSAVO EAST
NATIONAL PARK.
Altitude
500-4,000ft. Area 11747Sq kms. Distance from Nairobi 333 kms. Opened
April 1948.
Tsavo East is
one of Kenya's oldest and largest National Parks. It is accredited
as one of the worlds leading biodiversity strongholds, bushy
grassland and open plains alternate with semi-arid acacia scrub and
woodlands. Green swathes cross the park where the river banks give
rise to lush vegetation. North of Galana is a true wilderness. Camel
safaris are a feature.
Tsavo-East is
recommended for photographers with its fabulous light and
unbelievable views, in particular the Mudanda Rock and the Yatta
Plateau the world largest Lava flow. Lugard falls on the Galana
River are remarkable for the shaped water-worn rocks. Game includes
the largest herds of Elephant in Kenya, Rhino, Lion, Leopard,
Crocodile, Waterbuck, Gerenuk, Zebra and Hunter's Hartebeest with
its lyre-shaped horns. 500 bird species have recorded in the area
including Ostrich and some migratory kestrels while Buzzards stop at
Tsavo-East during their long flight south.
Accommodation. In
a lodge/Camping
TSAVO WEST
NATIONAL PARK.
Altitude
500-6,000FT Area 9,065sq KMS Distance from Nairobi 240 KMS Opened
April 1948.
The Park is
easy to reach, located off the main Nairobi-Mombasa road. It offers
tremendous views with diverse habitats ranging from Mountains, River
forest, Plains, Lakes and Wooded Grassland. Its plains border with
Tanzania. Game includes Leopard, Cheetah, Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant,
Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile and small mammals including
Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik Dik and the nocturnal porcupine. The Park is
excellent for visitors who enjoy walking, offering a number of
nature trails and the opportunity to explore the Chaimu Volcanic
Crater.
Mzima Spring
is a star attraction, a pool of natural spring water with underwater
viewing hides for observing Hippos.
The park is
located approx 230kms from Nairobi off the main Mombasa-Nairobi road
and has three rivers flowing through it: the Galana, the Athi and
the Tsavo attracting large concentrations of game including buffalo,
rhino, giraffe, zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah crocodile and many
varieties of antelope.
In the north-western corner of the park is Shetani Lava Flow, a
massive lava bed created by an eruption in the Chyulu Hills where
the raw cone at the centre can still be seen. Rain falling in these
hills is purified as it soaks through the porous volcanic ash ,
running underground for 50km, resurfacing at the lush Mzimba
Springs, which is one of the parks main attractions. This is haven
to crocodiles and hippo and a waterhole for a large variety of other
game.
Accommodation. In
a Lodge/Camping
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK.
Altitude
5,770ft. Area 188 SQ kms. Distance from Nairobi 157 kms Naishi
Airstrip. Opened in 1968.
The world
famous Lake Nakuru was created as a National Park to protect its
stunning flocks of lesser Flamingo. A beacon for leading
ornithologists and scientists.
The Park spans
an attractive range of wooded and bush grassland around the lake
offering wide ecological diversity from lake water, woodland to the
rocky escarpment and ridges. Notable game within the lake is Hippo
and the diverse wildlife.
On the shore
roams Waterbuck, Bohors Reedbuck and Zebra and the woodland home to
black and white Rhinos, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, Giraffes, black and
white Columbus Monkeys, Eland, Warthog, Impala, and many more.
ABERDARES NATIONAL PARK.
Altitude
7,000-14,000ft. Area 767 SQ kms. Distance from Nairobi 180 kms.
Mweiga and Nyeri airstrip. Opened May 1950.
The Aberdares
National Park is part of the Aberdares Mountain Range, a fascinating
region of Kenya. Mountain ranges and peaks soar around 14000Ft,
giving way to deep v shaped valleys with streams and rivers
cascading over spectacular waterfalls- Ideal for landscape lovers.
Game viewing
is very rewarding. Lion, Leopards, Baboon, black and white Columbus
and Sykes are abundant. Rare sighting of the golden Cats Bongo a
rare and elusive forest antelope, Elephant, Buffalo, Giant Forest
Hog and Kenya's indigenous and endangered Black Rhino.
SAMBURU, BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL RESERVE.
Altitude
2,500-4,000Ft Area Samburu 104 SQ KMS Area Buffalo Springs 131Sq KMS
Distance from Nairobi 343KMS Opened 1985.
The Reserves
offer unique vistas of rounded, rugged hills and undulating plains.
The mix of wood and grassland with riverine forest and swamp is home
to a wide variety of animal and birdlife. Buffalo Springs record
over 365 species of bird.
Game viewing
and visibility is excellent: Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra,
Elephant, Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk, Buffalo, Leopard, Cheetah,
Lion and Hyena.
SAMPLE
ITINERARIES FOR WILDLIFE SAFARIS IN KENYA.
CLASSIC TOURS AND SAFARIS LTD ( CTS) - EXOTIC LODGE SAFARIS.
CTS 001: AMBOSELI/TSAVO WEST/SALT LICK-4 DAYS.
DEPARTURE
EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK.
Day 1. Nairobi – Amboseli.
Distance: 250 km (4 hrs.) Drive south to Amboseli National Park.
Game viewing en route to your lodge with the immense grandeur of Mt
Kilimanjaro in the background. Dinner and overnight at Amboseli
Serena Lodge.
Day 2. Amboseli - Tsavo West.
Distance: 220 km (3 hrs. 30 min). Dawn and morning game viewing
drives in this elephant paradise. Breakfast and lunch at the Lodge.
In the afternoon drive to Tsavo West National Reserve. Dinner and
overnight at Kilaguni Lodge.
Day 3. Tsavo West - Salt Lick.
Distance: 150 km (2 hrs.). Morning game viewing drive. Breakfast and
lunch at the Lodge. Afternoon visit to Mzima Springs en route to
Taita Hills Game Sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at the amazing Salt
Lick Lodge designed for lofty game viewing from its thatched roof
rondavels and walkways.
Day 4. Salt Lick – Mombasa.
Distance: 250 km (3 hrs. 30 min). After breakfast drive to Mombasa
on the Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast.
CTS 002:
ABERDARES/SHABA/SAMBURU- 4 days
Day 1. Nairobi – Aberdares.
Distance: 180 km (2 hrs 30 min). Morning drive through fertile
Kikuyu land to the Aberdare Country Club for a farmhouse lunch. In
the afternoon transfer to The Ark for an overnight floodlit game
viewing. Overnight accommodation at The Ark.
Day 2. Aberdares - Shaba/Samburu.
Distance: 210 km (3 hrs. 30 min.). Soon after breakfast at The Ark,
rejoin your safari driver at the Aberdare Country Club and continue
further north to the semi-desert area of Shaba National Reserve.
Afternoon game viewing drive in this reserve. Lunch, dinner and
overnight at Sarova Shaba Lodge.
Day 3. Shaba/Samburu.
Early rise for a game viewing drive in the adjacent Samburu National
Park. Breakfast at Samburu Serena Lodge. Further game viewing drive
in the Park. Return to Sarova Shaba Lodge for lunch. Afternoon at
leisure for perhaps a game viewing drive in this reserve. Overnight
at Sarova Shaba Lodge.
Day 4. Shaba – Nairobi.
Distance: 360 km (5 hrs. 30 min). After breakfast, drive south to Mt
Kenya Safari Club for lunch. In the afternoon return to Nairobi.
CTS 003: MASAI MARA /NAKURU/ ABERDARES/ SHABA/ SAMBURU. 7 DAYS
Day 1. Nairobi - Masai Mara.
Distance: 275 km. (5 hrs.). Drive to Masai Mara. Lunch. Afternoon
game viewing drive in this well known game reserve situated in the
North of the Serengeti Plains and famous for its abundance of
wildlife. Dinner & overnight at Mara Sarova Camp.
Day 2. Masai Mara.
Sunrise and sundown are the greatest moments for game viewing in
these mystic plains, a time where the soft red hues of the sun will
give your photographs the clarity of the actual African savannah.
Full day of game drives with meals & overnight at Mara Sarova Camp.
Day 3. Masai Mara – Nakuru.
Distance: 310
km (5 hrs.) After breakfast, depart to Naivasha for lunch. Afternoon
drive to Nakuru for a truly remarkable game drive that includes
Flamingoes as well as the rare white rhino in this world famous
ornithological paradise with over 450 species of birdlife. Dinner &
overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.
Day 4. Nakuru – Aberdares.
Distance: 190 km (3 hrs.) Breakfast and departure to Mweiga. Lunch
at Aberdare Country Club. Afternoon transfer to The Ark for dinner &
overnight.
Day 5. Aberdares - Shaba/Samburu.
Distance: 210 km (3 hrs. 30 min.) Breakfast and departure to Shaba.
Lunch. Afternoon game drive in Shaba. Dinner & overnight at Sarova
Shaba Lodge.
Day 6. Shaba/Samburu.
Early rise for a game viewing drive in the adjacent Samburu National
Reserve with its striking background view of the Mathew's Range. The
gently flowing Uaso Nyiro river which traverses this Park provides
evergreen vegetation for the rare gerenuk, Grevy zebra and
reticulated giraffe found in this park. Breakfast at Samburu Serena
Lodge. Afternoon game drive in Shaba. Lunch, dinner & overnight at
Sarova Shaba Lodge.
Day 7. Shaba – Nairobi.
Distance: 360 km (5 hrs. 30 min) Breakfast and drive to Mount Kenya
Safari Lodge for lunch. Afternoon drive back to Nairobi.
CTS 004: SAMBURU/ABERDARES/MASAI MARA/AMBOSELI/TSAVO-9 DAYS.
Day 1. Nairobi – Samburu.
Distance: 360 km (5 hrs, 30 min). Drive north through cultivations
of coffee and pineapple to Mountain Lodge on the slopes of Mount
Kenya for a sumptuous lunch. In the afternoon continue on to Samburu
National Reserve. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge.
Day 2. Samburu.
Full day of game viewing drives in this dry semi-arid park with its
striking background view of the Mathew's Range. The gently flowing
Uaso Nyiro River, which traverses this Park, provides evergreen
vegetation for the rare gerenuk, Grevy zebra and reticulated giraffe
found in this park. All meals and overnight at Serena Lodge.
Day 3. Samburu – Treetops.
Distance: 210 km (3 hr.). Soon after breakfast at the Lodge, retrace
your route to Nyeri. A country style lunch at Outspan Hotel. In the
afternoon transfer into the Aberdare National Park to Treetops for
an evening and night of game watching. Overnight accommodation at
Treetops.
Day 4. Treetops - Naivasha - Masai Mara.
Distance: 180 km (2 hrs. 30 min.) & 250 km (4 hrs.). Transfer to
Outspan Hotel for breakfast and early departure to Naivasha for
lunch at Lake Naivasha Country Club. In the afternoon continue to
the Masai Mara. To grasp the true feeling of Africa there is nothing
better than the Masai Mara experience. This well watered park
crossed by the Mara River is a permanent home for large herds of
wildebeests, zebras and antelopes coexisting with predators such as
lions, hyenas, leopards and cheetahs. Dinner & overnight at Mara
Serena Lodge.
Day 5. Masai Mara.
Sunrise and sundown are the greatest moments for game viewing in
these mystic plains, a time where the soft red hues of the sun will
give your photographs the clarity of the actual African savannah.
Full day of game drives with overnight accommodation at Mara Serena
Lodge.
Day 6. Masai Mara - Nairobi – Amboseli.
Distance: 300 km (4 hr. 30 min) & 250 km (4 hrs.). After breakfast
drive to Nairobi arriving on time for lunch at Nairobi Serena Hotel.
Afternoon drive south to Amboseli National Park. Game viewing en
route to your lodge with the immense grandeur of Mt Kilimanjaro in
the background. Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge.
Day 7. Amboseli - Tsavo West.
Distance: 220 km (3 hrs. 30 min). Dawn and morning game viewing
drives. Breakfast and lunch at the Lodge. In the afternoon drive to
Tsavo West National Park. Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Serena
Lodge.
Day 8. Tsavo West - Salt Lick.
Distance: 150 km (2 hrs.). Morning game viewing drive. Breakfast and
lunch at the Lodge. Afternoon visit to Mzima Springs en route to
Taita Hills Game Sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at the amazing
Saltlick Lodge designed for lofty game viewing from its thatched
roof rondavels and walkways.
Day 9. Salt Lick – Mombasa.
Distance: 250 km (3 hrs. 30 min). After breakfast drive to Mombasa.
NB:
PROCEED WITH
BEACH HOLIDAYS IN MOMBASA.
UNIQUE CAMP SAFARIS-CLASSIC TOURS AND SAFARIS LTD (CTS).
WE OFFER VARIETIES OF CAMPING SAFARIS INCLUDING:
Budget Camping:
involves travelling with all your camp equipment, your guide and
possibly a cook in your vehicle with you. Our cook, tents crew and
driver guide will set up a tent and prepare meals for you: if
interested you can help them. These services typically use the less
expensive shared or public campsites, but exclusive camps, or
campsites with shower and toilet facilities outside the parks, can
also be booked and used. Sleeping is in a small, medium or large
tents on a mattress, on a carpet laid on a ground, or mattress on a
bed.
Fly Camping:
Fly
camping involves setting up small, temporary camps for a night under
the stars, more often than not in a remote part of the bush. Fly
camps are the ideal end to a day’s walking safari or game drive,
with many unexpected comforts- a canvas washbasin with hot water,
fresh towels, hurricane lamps and delicious food cooked on fire. At
night, the sensation of sleeping in a light tent or just under a
mosquito net, as the moon shines down and the noises of the African
night begin, is the highlight of any safari holiday.
Luxury Camping:
Imagine feather pillows, soft towels, gin and tonic on the rocks, 4
course gourmet meals in a candlelit dining tent as far from
civilization as you can get. This is what luxury camping is all
about. The tents are roomy and comfortable, with a veranda in front
and directly behind the tent a bathroom with hot-water shower, wash
basin and toilet. The beds have a bedside table, gas or solar lamps,
chairs, and a wardrobe for your clothing. A deep freeze will supply
your drinks with ice and keep specialty food items fresh. Laundry is
done daily. A large staff will ensure that your meals are gourmet
and all your needs in a camp are met. Luxury camps are often
situated so that you can enjoy the same area for several days.
Lightweight
luxury camping (Comfortable Camping):
Like the luxury camps, tents will have metal or wood frame beds,
standing headroom, a veranda and small ensuite toilets and hot
showers. However, the tents will be smaller and may be the
traditional A shape with central ridge pole. The camps are fully
staffed and meals will be three course affairs served by waiter in a
lantern lit mess tent, or on a table under the stars. Pick-up
trucks, rather than Lorries often move these camps, so they don’t
have luxuries such as deep freeze. There will usually be wine, beer,
and soda in a camp on ice. Lightweight camps like this can be moved
overnight and offer an amazing degree of comfort while maintaining
the flexibility of a lighter camp.
