Tanzania Safari Tours

Kenya Safari A travel guide for Kenya, giving you a quick rundown of the destination, famous sightseeing points as well as customized itineraries to suit every traveler type.

Kenya Map

General Information Climate Full Name : “Republic of Kenya” Currency : Kenyan Shilling ( KSH) Time Difference : 1 hour 30 minutes behind India time Capital : Nairobi Airport : Jomo Kenyatta Intl. Language : Swahili is the local language. However English is widely spoken by locals. Electricity : 220 by 240 walts Water : Bottled water is recommended

General Brief • East Africa is the ultimate destination for wildlife lovers. • Home to famous “Big five" (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo) • The national parks, game reserves and private sanctuaries in this part of the world are a marvel to behold. • You will find an incredible array of ecosystems, each home to its own unique range of species: open savannah, deep forest, freshwater lakes, alpine meadows, coral reef, caves, beaches, river deltas and more…… come and experience a land like no other. Beauty and variety." • Yellow Fever Vaccination is required before you enter the country. • Malaria exists throughout the year in Kenya. • Indian Nationals get obtained Kenya visa on arrival at a fee of USD 50/-

Let’s Go Safari • You must recommend the following to be carried by your clients. • Binoculars, Sun glasses, Safari Hat, Casual Wear (Jeans, T-shirt), Cad Shoes, Mosquito repellent, sun block cream, First Aid medicine, Torche, Camera, Video Cameras, Extra battery, Camera Rolls, Liquor as its expensive to buy in lodges. • Its Illegal to hunt in Kenya. • Safari drives are rough roads which runs averagely for 4 to 5 hrs daily. • Safaris are done in non- air conditioned vehicles.

Let’s Go Safari • Before the start of the Safari, driver/guide gives entire brief of Safari, DO’s and DONT’s during the safari etc. • Driver / Guides has indebt knowledge on roads, best view point to see the game, they are connected with Radio phones with their offices and other drivers on road, in case of any unforeseen events. • You can recommend Air Kenya charter flights to various Game Parks. There are air strips in Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu which can be used to avoid travel through rough roads.

Let’s Go Safari • Generally for an Indian client its recommended to go for a 6 night Kenya Safari, which has adventure, variety and comfortable for a family. NBO + MASAI + NAKURU + ARK + MT KENYA • If the trip is combined with South Africa a short 4-night safari is recommended to give a good safari experience. Example : NBO + NAKURU + MARA. • For a seasoned traveller AMBOSELI & SAMBURU can be recommended as these 2 parks are quite far to travel and are expensive. • The right time to travel on safari is Jul-Aug, where one can see the Migration. • Apr-May-Jun are the low months of travel as it rains in Kenya, safari is still recommended and appreciated.

Shopping • Kenya has excellent shopping facilities for almost everything you need particularly souveniors. • You'll find a wide range of local products that make ideal souvenirs or gifts to capture memories of your Kenya safari. • What to buy : Traditional artefacts, jewellery, beautiful carvings, the world's best coffee, precious stones, furniture, cloth, excellent local music, wonderful modern art and so much more to be found.

Meals • On your Safari all the meals are included. i.e. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its FULL BOARD, except Nairobi which is on bed and breakfast basis. • It’s a buffet meal served at all the lodges. • Kenya having a host of Indian population can offer variety of Indian cuisine. Though its cooked by a Kenyan chef. You get fair choice of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian food. • Your safaris and drives are completed in such a manner that you do not miss your meals.

Nairobi • Nairobi is the capital of Kenya. • A commercial city all Safari starts and end in Nairobi. • Generally 1 night is preferred to stay before the start or after the safari. • Malaria exists throughout the year in Kenya but Nairobi is safer. • There are plenty of Indian restaurants available in Kenya. • Non-vegies can experience different types of game meat at CARNIVORE RESTAURANT. • Nairobi is famous for crimes. Some Safety tips for clients. • Its important never to walk alone anywhere in night in Nairobi. • Recommend not to wear any jewelery, keep a firm grip on your bag if you have to carry one. • Do not take any strangers invitation and enter a building. • Always keep your belongings in lock and key, use safe deposit facilities at the hotel.

Hotel Inter-continental Nairobi • The popular Inter-continental is an ideal business cum leisure hotel offering high international standards of service and accommodation that are the hallmark of all Inter-continental hotels worldwide. • Overlooking the city, the Nairobi Uhuru Gardens and the Kenyan Parliament, it is only 10 minutes walk minutes from the city centre and 20 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. • The hotel offers tastefully decorated rooms, excellent restaurants, conference and meeting rooms, shops, swimming pool, casino and a host of other facilities.

Masai Mara Game Reserve • South Western Kenya is the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, widely considered to be Africa’s greatest wildlife reserve. The Mara comprises 200 sq miles of open plains, woodlands and riverine forest. • The world’s greatest natural spectacle, the Great Wildebeest Migration from Serengeti, begins from July to October, the promise of rain and fresh life giving grass in the north brings more than 1.3 million Wildebeest together into a single massive herd.

Masai Mara Game Reserve • At the Mara River they mass together on the banks before finally plunging forward through the raging waters, creating a frenzy as they fight against swift currents and waiting crocodiles. • Getting their : A 3 hour drive from Nairobi. You can fly to Mara, which is serviced by 2 airstrips. • Activities : Game viewing, Ballon rides, bird watching

Mara Sopa Lodge • Luxuriously bedrooms, swimming pool, a boutique and gift shop. • The lodge has 77 rooms, 12 suites and 1 Presidential suite. • Every room and suite has a private, elevated verandah with splendid views across the valley. • The lodge has direct-dial telephone facilities as well as satellite television. • In addition to all these modern facilities there is a well-stocked shop selling curios, clothing, jewellery, general accessories and personal requisites and toiletries. • The lodge has spacious conference facilties for up to 120 guests and is an excellent venue for special occassions. • The Sopa has all the facilities that a modern traveller could wish for and more - a stunning location in one of the greatest wildlife havens in the world.

Lake Nakuru National Park • Nakuru provides the visitor to view Thousands of flamingo, joined into a massive flock, fringe the shores of this soda lake. • Nakuru has more than just flamingos. This is a major National Park and an important sanctuary for Rhino. Both Black and White Rhino are found here. • There are huge herds of waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe and more. • This is one of your best chances of seeing Leopard in Kenya, and there are several large prides of Lion. • Getting their : Nakuru is a 2 hour drive from Nairobi. There is an airstrip in Nakuru which charter flights can use.

Lake Nakuru Lodge • Both black and white rhino are being given a new lease of life in this 188 sq km, fully-fenced park and they are carefully protected. The present rhino population is 53 and continuing to multiply. • he Rothschilds giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffalo, leopard, wild dog, zebra, eland, waterbuck and lion. • Lake Nakuru Lodge is in the south-east ecological niche of the park, with commanding views of the lake and both the lesser and greater flamingos for which it is justly famous. • There is a good programme of activities and evening entertainment. The Mama Nikki Bar, the shimmering blue pool and the cocktail bar are particularly inviting after a day's game viewing!

Aberdare National Park • The Aberdare National Park is part of the Aberdare Mountain Range, a fascinating region of Kenya. • There is a variety of accommodation. Treetops and the Ark, a lodge built in the shape of Noah’s Ark. • Night game viewing is provided by the lodges in the Salient area of the Park with excellent sightings of elephant, buffalo, lion and rhino, drawn to the waterholes and saltlicks each evening. • Activities : Night game viewing, trout fishing in ice - cold rivers, camping, hiking, nature tails.

The Ark Lodge • Set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, this unique game lodge overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick which attracts a host of wildlife. • Resembling, and named after, Noah's Ark, the Ark comprises three decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. • A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you closer than you would believe possible to the animals. • Comfortable en suite cabins are fitted with buzzers to announce the arrival of one of the Big Five; at the water hole. • Before embarking on the half-hour drive to The Ark, lunch is served at the charming nearby hotel.

Treetops • Treetops is the original tree lodge, legendary for its historical royal connection, for the animals it attracts and for the sheer joy of exploring a tree house. • The lodge rises dramatically out of the ground on stilts and overlooks a water hole and salt lick. It has four decks and a rooftop viewing platform. Solely dedicated to game viewing, the accommodation is compact and cosy. • At 6450 feet above sea level it is chilly at night at all times of the year and during the Kenyan winter, from June to September, you will need sweaters and hats for comfort and warmth. • The fifty twin bedded rooms are small and neat and cosy, like cabins on board ship.

Mt. Kenya National Park • AT 5,199m high, Mt. Kenya is East Africa’s second highest mountain. • Part of the mountain’s fascination is the variation in flora, including Giant Groundsel and Lobelia, and fauna as the altitude changes. • These forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least 11 unique species. • Game to view includes: Black and White Colobus and Sykes Monkeys, bushbuck, Rock and rock Hyrax, Greater galago, white tailed, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboon, waterbuck, Black Rhino, black fronted duikers, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena. • The high altitude heath at the top (3,000 – 3,5000m) is generally open, dotted with shrubs: African Sage, protea and helichrysum.

Mt. Kenya Safari Club • Mt.Kenya Safari Club was founded in 1959 by William Holden, the late film star, highly eccentric American Ray Ryan and Carl Hirschmann, a Swiss financier. • The Club still retains a strong sense of history and, unlike many hotels, has not swept away the old in favour of the new. • The William Holden cottages retain an ambience recalling the 1950's glamour. • The huge grounds at the Club are absolutely fabulous! Immaculately kept, abundant with beautiful blooming shrubs and trees, dotted with ponds and lakes, and alive with marabou storks, little egrets and peacocks, they stretch verdantly into the distance with the dramatic bulk of Mount Kenya behind. • A beautiful pool, has the mountain as its backdrop. Often wreathed in cloud it appears from time to time allowing the observer a sense of privilege. • The main club building is dotted with memorabilia - huge trophy heads from the days when hunting was permitted and photographs of famous actors, actresses, from the past up to the present day, adorn the walls.

Amboseli • Amboseli is a land of giants. • Amboseli is renowned for its elephant populations and large herds, including some impressively tusked bulls are drawn to a series of large, lush swamplands. • But the most impressive giant of all is Mt Kilimanjaro. Africa’s largest mountain lies just over the border in Tanzania, but the most impressive views of its snow-capped peak are to be found in Amboseli.

Amboseli • This area is home to many Maasai communities, centred around the Amboseli National Park. • The park is 400 sq kms, with its southern boundary along the Tanzanian border. • Getting there : Amboseli is a 4 hour drive from Nairobi. Amboseli has a central airstrip. Private Charters also use this strip. • Activities : Game Viewing, hiking, camping, picnic, visit to maasai homesteads

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge • In the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, beside acacia trees and a natural spring, amidst more big game than almost anywhere else in Africa, stands • Amboseli Serena. Influenced by Masai Manyatta architecture, the lodge is in harmony with its environment. • Guest rooms are appointed with genuine Africana. • Unique guest services and exceptional amenities enhance the distinctive ambience.

Samburu • In the North of Kenya, water means life. The waters of the great Ewaso Nyiro river draw wildlife in great numbers to its banks, creating an oasis of green. • This river flows through three great northern reserves, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. • Samburu is visited by large herds of Elephants, drawn by the promise of water. • Lions are also frequently seen on the riverbanks, and Cheetah can be found on the open plains. • Getting their : Driving time from Nairobi is approximately 6 hours. There are airstrips in both Samburu with daily scheduled flights from Nairobi. Private charters can also use these strips.

Samburu Serena Safari Lodge • Situated on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, Samburu Serena Lodge captures the earthy rhythms of riverfront life. • The flavour is rustic but sophisticated. • Supremely comfortable guest rooms overlook the river, where the crocodiles feed in full view. • Delicious meals are taken under shady palm thatch. • In the evenings there may be entertainment or a wildlife lecture from a local expert. • Nearby lies rare game - long necked gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and Beisa oryx. Leopards are frequent passers-by.

Distance of travel NBO Apt to NBO City : Approx. 20km Driving Time: Approx. 30mins Nairobi to Mara :Approx. 305km Driving Time: Approx. 5½hrs Mara to Nakuru : Approx. 300km Driving Time: Approx. 5hrs Lake Nakuru to Aberdare : 200 kms Driving Time: Approx. 4hrs Mt. Kenya to The Ark- 100km. Driving Time: Approx. 1½hr Nairobi to Samburu : Approx. 330 Km Driving Time: Approx. 5½hrs Samburu to Aberdare: Approx. 250Km Driving Time: Approx. 3½ hrs Aberdare to Lake Nakuru : Approx. 220Km Driving Time: Approx. 4hrs

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Tanzania Safari Tours