As You Like It, The Main Jeff Sink Safari 2016

Transcription

1 As You Like It, The Main Jeff Sink Safari 2016 Thursday July 21 st, to Saturday August 6 th, 2016 (Tour Leaders: Jeff Sink and Vivien Prince) DAY 01 Thursday 21 July - : Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya Upon arrival at Nairobi s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by your driver/guides and transferred to your Nairobi Hotel. Sit down for a short briefing session and check-in thereafter. Dinner at own arrangement they have a variety of restaurants for your consideration. Overnight at The Eka Hotel (B,B) Eka Hotel Located just 5km from the city centre with easy access to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport, Eka Hotel Nairobi is ideal for travelers on transit, conferences and good venue for hosting guests. The 170 rooms at Eka Hotel Nairobi are designed and equipped with the latest in-room technology. Among them are 160 superior rooms, 4 junior and 3 executive suites, including 2 rooms for guests with special needs. The elegantly decorated rooms and

2 suites include a flat-screen satellite TV, luxury bed linens, tea/coffee maker and small fridge. The Galaxy restaurant offers selected buffet breakfast and all-day snack menu dining, and the Spur offers steaks, chicken, seafood etc. Other facilities at Eka include a gym and an outdoor swimming pool. Eka Nairobi is adjacent Nairobi National Park and Wilson Airport is 6 km away. DAY 02 Friday 22 July: Nairobi / Amboseli National Park Breakfast at your hotel between to Hrs. Please check out of your hotel/lodge or camp the night before. At precisely hrs depart for Amboseli National Park driving through the scenic southern part of Kenya to arrive at your lodge for lunch. We invite you for a game drive afterwards in this beautiful park, famous for its large elephant herds. Arid looking as Amboseli is, it has, historically, supported both game and the Maasai that kept their herds of cattle here. It is thanks to the waters that run off Africa's greatest mountain that the apparently dry Amboseli, Kenya's first game sanctuary is able to support its wildlife. Mount Kilimanjaro broods high over Amboseli, generally cloaked by clouds but appearing in all its snow-shrouded magnificence from time to time. The mountain now provides water for the park, wonderful views and, of course, the most glorious background for animal photography. Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge (L,B,D)

3 AMBOSELI SERENA SAFARI LODGE Nestled in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, Amboseli Serena lies beneath a corpse of giant acacia trees and beside a gently flowing natural spring, and the melting snow of Mt Kilimanjaro feeds the swamps. The lodge enjoys a beautiful and close view of Africa s highest mountain. Inspired by local Masai architecture, the design of the lodge is in total harmony with the environment. Each guest room conveys a distinctive Masai Manyatta mood and is furnished with authentic African murals painted by a local artist. DAY 03 Saturday 23 July: Full day in Amboseli National Park Another exciting day in Amboseli National Park. We recommend that you get up early for a 6 am breakfast, and be out at dawn where one can experience excellent game viewing & an unprecedented view of the snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro. We will game drive till about 11 am, perhaps meandering to the swamps to watch the elephants at their salad bar, present all day long with other plains game, or simply relax at camp and take in the African wilderness. Afternoon game drive is not just anticipation of seeing the BIG FIVE, but the amazing trek of the elephants back to the hills. Meals and overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge (L,D,B)

4 DAY 04 Sunday 24 July: Amboseli National Park / Mt. Kenya Breakfast as usual at 6 am, and please bring your bags to the lobby before breakfast, to be loaded into the land cruisers am depart for Mt. Kenya with a lunch stop en route. We will arrive in Nanyuki about 2.30 pm. Check in, recover from the drive, English afternoon tea is wonderful! Mt. Kenya Safari Club (T,D, B) Mt. Kenya Safari Club

5 Mt Kenya Safari Club Animal Orphanage. Day 05 Monday 25 th July: We will have breakfast early, visit the wonderful Animal Orphanage here, originally started by the late Bill Holden and his wife. We will then Drive about 3 hours to the Samburu Game Reserve, which will be more arid and dry. Dinner and overnight at Samburu Game Lodge (L,D,B)

6 SAMBURU LODGE Beautifully situated on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in the arid heart of Samburu National Reserve, Kenya, Samburu Lodge looks out over riverbanks where herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra come daily to drink. Samburu Lodge is set in a rugged landscape with a stunning backdrop of jagged mountains and its own indigenous wildlife unique to the region. It is the place of the semi-nomadic Samburu people and a place of open plains and vast horizons of the African desert. Facing the river, the opensided Dining Room allows guests to enjoy the sights and sounds of the river as they dine. The famous Crocodile Bar lets you look crocodiles in the eye as you sip your sundowner. Sip early morning or afternoon tea from the Lounge as you watch the animals and the Uaso Nyiro River. It is possible to do walking safaris with skilled Samburu guides, camel rides, and raft trips when the river is high. And there is plenty to fill the hours between those adventurous game drives - traditional Samburu dances, guided bird watches and a sparkling swimming pool. Day 06 Tue. 26 July. Your penultimate day in Samburu, where we will enjoy Our game drives, our last lunch hearing the ripples of the Ewaso Nyiro River, a Swim in the nice pool, refreshing in the midday sun.

7 DAY 07 (Wednesday 27 July) : Full day in Samburu Game Reserve Your first full day in Samburu. The Lodge is situated inside the reserve which gives an opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife and birdlife which has much to do with the River of Brown Water (Uaso Nyiro in the Samburu language),fed by rains in the faroff Aberdare ranges. Acacia trees, Doum palms and Mswaki (the toothbrush tree) provide balanced habitat for the vast variety of game. All meals and overnight at Samburu Game Lodge (L,D,B)

8 DAY 08 Thursday 28 July: Full day in Samburu Game Reserve Full day to explore Samburu. The Long-necked Gerenuk is a graceful antelope, which spends much of its time in a bi-pedal stance seeking succulence among the withered scrub, which dots this harsh terrain. You may see Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Gerenuks, Buffalos, Grants gazelles, Dikdiks and Waterbucks. There are over 350 varieties of birds. These include the famous Somali Ostriches (distinguished by their unique purple/blue legs during mating season), kingfishers, humming birds, eagles, guinea fowls and vultures. All meals and overnight at Samburu Game Lodge (L,D,B)

9 DAY 09 Friday 29 July Samburu Game Reserve / Lake Elmenteita, Soysambu Conservancy This is a long day drive, and we will be making a very early start. Drive across and down into the Great Rift Valley, here you will stay by Lake Elmenteita. Hopefully we will find the famous pink flamingos here, that wade in the shallow shores together with multitudes of pelicans and a wide variety of other birds. Leopard can be found in the Conservancy, as also buffalo, and other game. (L,D,B) DAY 10 Saturday 30 July: The next two days, we will enjoy Elmenteita Serena, fabulous weather, the best service, great swimming pool, warm sun, and great food. We may also decide to do a game drive in the Lake Nakuru National Park, For those who would like to do that. This detail to be defined nearer the time. There you would get the chance to see both the Black and White Rhino, the endangered Rothschild s Giraffe, Waterbuck, Rock Hyrax, a Euphorbia forest and many plains game. High levels of water, making the lake less alkaline has driven away many flamingos in the last two years, but we hope they will be at Elmenteita for us. We can also do game drives within this Conservancy, once the private land of Lord Delamere, one of Kenya s noble pioneers. Dinner and overnight at Serena Elmenteita (L,D,B)

10 LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK. DAY 11 Sunday 31 July: Elmenteita/ Maasai Mara Game Reserve Drive to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which is probably the most prolific wildlife area in the world. Your first 5 nights will be at an authentic Out of Africa, ecofriendly, camp, which is close to nature, and rare to find in today s world. You will be

11 right in the middle of the Great Migration dispersal area, with the possibility of seeing Lions, maybe Leopard, and Cheetah; Wildebeests and much more wildlife in the vicinity. Dinner and overnight at Mara Bush Camp & Little Mara Bush Camp (L,D,B) The One in a million shot of happy Jeff with the cheetah over his head! This is what we will aim for, this is what we hope for, but even to see the Cheetahs will be a thrill. DAY 12 Monday 1 August: Full day in Maasai Mara Game Reserve Full day in Mara enjoying the diversity of the ecosystem with multiple species of wildlife and bird life. All meals and overnight at Mara Bush Camp & Little Mara Bush Camp (L,D,B) DAY 13 Tuesday 2 August: Full day in Maasai Mara Game Reserve Third day in Ol Kiombo region with unlimited game drives at your convenience. All meals and overnight at Mara Bush Camp & Little Mara Bush Camp (L,D,B)

12 Mara Bush Camp Mara Bush Camp offers you everything desired in an authentic safari experience! Discreetly tucked away in a riverine forest on the banks of the seasonal Olare Orok River with an excellent location close to Ol kiombo airstrip, it is situated in heart of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. All 12 river front tents have been placed far enough apart to guarantee complete tranquillity and privacy. All tents are furnished with a comfortable 4 poster bed (double/ twin available on request) mosquito net, en-suite bathrooms and safari style shower, clothes rack & storage chest, writing desk & private veranda. Additional features are a comfortable Lounge and Bar Tent as well as a private Dining Tent where a selection of freshly prepared meals, mostly buffet style, are served by our in-house chef, who caters for all dietary requests happily. Our chef will also ensure that picnic meals are readily available for all those who prefer to stay out in the bush all day long. For photographers, a separate Photo- Lounge to charge camera equipment and laptops has been set up. The little boutique shop compliments the set-up and one can purchase unique souvenirs to take home. Unwind around a cosy campfire under the African stars whilst reminiscing about your day in the wild. The Camp is fully solar powered, but a generator (well tucked away to ensure complete silence) is available to provide power as a back-up system. Mara Bush Camp is not fenced, therefore Maasai Moranis (Warriors) will look out for your safety while you are sleeping. The little luxury Camp is for the visitor who appreciates maximum privacy away from mass tourism and wants to enjoy an authentic safari experience rather than a large, touristic lodge with swimming pool & entertainment.

13 Are YOU dreaming of sleeping under canvas a la Ernest Hemingway? This is your real safari stay, this is Out of Africa. Mara Bush Camp is looking forward to welcoming you! DAY 14 Wednesday 3 August: Full day in Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Fourth day in Ol Kiombo region with unlimited game drives at your convenience. All meals and overnight at Mara Bush Camp & Little Mara Bush Camp. (L,D,B) Little Mara Bush Camp The Little Mara Bush Camp boasts one of the best and most spectacular locations in the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve. It is located on the banks of the seasonal Olare Orok River, overlooking a large hippo pool boasting over 40 hippos at any given time. It is only 05 minutes away from Ol Kiombo Airstrip. River crossings during the July to October season are only a short drive away from the camp. With only 08 luxury tents on platforms, Little Mara Bush Camp offers the desired exclusivity for guests who are looking for maximum privacy. Join us in the Bar / Lounge where an array of classic cocktails and sundowners await you. You will find a charging station for your camera batteries and laptops in the Photo Lounge. All 08 Guest Tents (2 are family rooms) are designed with great attention to detail. Mahogany furniture and luxurious soft furnishings give it the desired comfort of a luxury Camp with a bush feeling.

14 The tents are designed to give you ample space, with a bedroom, en-suite bathroom and a wooden, private verandah / deck with lounge chairs, a writing desk, bathrobes & slippers. The camp offers beautiful walk ways with little bridges and a well thought out central fire place to remind you of 'the Out of Africa' atmosphere. It is the most appropriate place to unwind and enjoy a drink while listening to the safari stories of other guests. Little Mara Bush Camp is not fenced and wildlife roams freely. Enjoy nature uninterrupted at this fantastic and most luxurious, very personalized camp. There is a small surcharge on being in this camp.

15 DAY 15 Thursday 4 August : CHANGE OF LOCATION - Full day in Maasai Mara Game Reserve After breakfast drive across to Mara Serena Lodge, in the Mara Triangle, for your last 2 days in the Maasai Mara. Activities such as Balloon ride, Sundowner and guided nature walk can be arranged upon request. Meals and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge (L,D,B) MARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE Perched on the saddle of a hill, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge has one of the most spectacular views imaginable across the vast plains, forests and rivers that make up the Maasai Mara one of the world s richest wildlife sanctuaries. It is on this very terrain that the annual migration takes place when the millions of zebra, wildebeest and gazelle cross the plains below, on their way to the rich grasses of the Serengeti. This is a spectacle that should be witnessed at least once in a lifetime. The Mara Serena offers a rare blend of raw African splendour and sumptuous sophistication. The essentially ethnic décor also draws on a vibrant color-palette of sun-burst colors, embellished by a unique selection of Maasai art to create the look and feel of a traditional bush encampment. The lodge features individual rooms, each with their own balcony and view of eternity, a sky-blue swimming pool and a spectacular restaurant, overlooking a water hole where a fantasia of creatures collect to drink.

16 DAY 16 Friday 5 August: Full day in Maasai Mara Game Reserve Everything about it is outstanding. The wildlife is abundant and the gentle rolling grasslands ensure that animals are never out of sight. Birds, too, are prolific. Including migrants, well over 450 species have been recorded, among them, 57 species of birds of

17 prey. The climate is gentle, rarely too hot and well spread rainfall year round. Rain, when it falls almost always chooses the late afternoon or night. Between July and October, when the great wildebeest migration is in the Masai Mara National Reserve, the sensation is unparalleled. Maasai Mara is one of the best plains' game reserve where you can actually encounter a live Discovery Channel, a haven for viewing a congregation of all sorts of animals in a five mile radius: A pride of lions can be spotted ready to make a run for a gazelle, a cheetah and its cub taking a nap on a rock, a pair of ostriches walking the open stretches of the savannah or a gazelle giving birth. All meals and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge (L,D,B) Below, a picture of Vivien Prince and all the, magnificent men in their robust machines, our driver/guides, from the Jeff Sink 2014 Safari

18 The elite band of, Jeff Sink Safarians 2014 enjoying a sundowner on the Mara Plains DAY 17 Saturday 6 August Return to Nairobi by charter planes (we need numbers to make this all work brilliantly!) We will visit the Elephant orphanage, Hope Streams Academy, and have lunch, before saying goodbye to those who are flying home. The rest of us going to Zanzibar, will stay at the Eka Hotel, close to the airport, for our early morning flight to Zanzibar. We will endeavour, on this, the last actual safari day, to achieve this: Early wake up call, 6a.m. breakfast. We leave for the airstrip and our three charter Planes at 6.40 am. We wish to depart on the dot of 7.30 am, to arrive at Wilson Airport at We will need army precision as you disembark from the planes and go to your waiting vehicle/s to drive to our very special, unique visit (by invitation of Angela Sheldrick) to the Elephant Orphanage, which is at 9 a.m. We will be able to interact with the baby elephants, and you will be moved to a special level of awe. We will all sponsor a baby elephant prior to this visit. Please be aware that this takes special organization, and we will refine the details for 2016, as soon as we are able.

19 We hope you have all done your shopping en route? However, if not, there will be a chance for a BRIEF stop at a wonderful shop, called Utamaduni. Everyone, please be conscious that transport across Nairobi takes time, even on a Saturday. Your hearts and minds will now be exposed to another side of life in Africa. You will have seen the luxury of safari, the beauty of the country. You will have seen the sad result of poaching, and yet the marvellous saving of the baby elephants. Now you will see the poorest of the poor children. Hope Streams Academy In early 2004, ten community members saw a pressing need for educational opportunities for the local children of the Ngando slum in Nairobi, Kenya. In March 2005, Hope Streams Academy opened its doors for 11 students, providing one teacher in two rented classrooms. The entire operation was run through community donations and support. Since then, the school has grown to serve 230 students in 8 classrooms, providing teachers, supplies and meals to needy children. Hope Streams serves many students who would not otherwise have the opportunity for an education through local private or government institutions; have severely financially handicapped parents or are orphans; or, are not able to eat regular meals at home.

20 The school is blessed to have come to the attention of Vivien Prince of As You Like It Safaris. She has brought many tour groups to visit our school. Through their donations we have been able to purchase fundamental school supplies, food for 3tlunches, and pay minimal teacher salaries. As You Like It clients raised the money for the original structures, and we continue to try to raise funds so this school may progress, and special children may be sponsored. Patrick Madunda is a selfless human being, who faces daily challenges to feed the children, pay the teachers, attend to funerals of children or families, settling disputes, dealing with thefts can you imagine stealing from the poorest of the poor? We believe the school visit teaches us so much about what we do have in America, and how children can smile and dance, with nothing. Our visit and gifts will be like Christmas day for them. Kenya has luxury five star destinations for tourists, but so many of the local people live like this, and we hope it will enrich your experience with us.

21 We will define nearer the time, where we will have lunch, as much will depend on numbers, time, traffic, times of flights, and who is going to Zanzibar, on the final leg! Separate Itineraries will be provided for the pre safari and the post safari trips. And if you want to stay for another safari, Jeff and I will return from Zanzibar and go straight into our Drifter Sister Safari with Ihla Crowley, who many of you might know or will come to know as she assists us with our travel insurance. Our safari cost is inclusive of: - - Arrival/departure transfers in Nairobi - Transportation and exclusive use of 4 x 4 safari equipped Land cruisers - Services of English speaking driver / guides and their daily allowance - Unlimited game drives in all the above mentioned parks /reserves at your convenience - Park entrance fees for yourselves and the driver / vehicle at all the above mentioned parks / reserves - Entrance fees for Mt. Kenya Safari Club animal orphanage - Daphne Sheldrick entrance fees - 01 night bed & breakfast accommodation at THE EKA HOTEL - 02 nights full board accommodation at AMBOSELI SERENA LODGE - 01 night full board accommodation at THE MT KENYA SAFARI CLUB - 04 nights full board accommodation at SAMBURU GAME LODGE - 02 nights full board accommodation at ELMENTEITA SERENA - 04 nights full board accommodation at MARA BUSH CAMPS - 02 nights full board accommodation at MARA SERENA LODGE - Lunch en route from Amboseli to Mt Kenya - Complimentary mineral water in your safari vehicle - Complimentary biscuits and sweets in the land cruisers - Evacuation insurance to a Nairobi hospital (AMREF) Cost of hospitalization payable direct (hence the need for travel/medical insurance). We will provide all you need to know on this. - Bean Bags, and/or beans to fill your bean bags, blankets - One way charter flight, Maasai Mara, Nairobi Your safari cost is exclusive of: - International air (we are ready to assist with this if you wish) - Travel/Medical insurance - Tips to your driver/guide, and lodge/camp staff - Drinks - Laundry (these can easily be done daily in all lodges and camps) - Telephone calls, purchases of a personal nature - Extra activities not included in this itinerary Kindly note, that there may be minor changes to times, and schedules, depending on any unforeseen circumstances, and to the finer details worked out by Jeff Sink and Vivien Prince.

22 Prices of the As You Like It (Safaris) African Safari for Jeff Sink The main Kenya safari at US$7,991 per person sharing The Main safari minus Amboseli (i.e. less three nights) US$6,991pps The student park fees are $40 per day in parks, a saving of $20 pd Please note: we must recruit a minimum of 22 people with Jeff and Vivien. Please rally up your friends to come on safari! Ethiopia. 3 pax US$2,600 pps 6 pax US$2, pax US$2,300 Please note: On the Included list, the night of 12 th July in Nairobi is at the Eka Hotel. On the Excluded list, the Airfare from Nairobi to Addis Ababa return is not included. I need numbers to get a group rate. Air ticket rates are on page 2 herewith. Zanzibar US$1,971pps + airfare, likely to be $433 pp (looking for group fare from KQ and Ethiopian) Numbers will decide, which is why we will need a quick recruit Air ticket rates are on page 2 herewith As You Like It (Safaris) Ltd reserves the right to substitute properties of equal status should there not be availability at the time of booking. We also reserve the right to increase the price, should the rates change significantly. Cont..

23 Prices for Airline tickets for going to Addis Ababa and others for Zanzibar, 1.)Nairobi - Addis Ababa KQ Airline US$300 Per person KQ 12 JUL NBO ADD KQ 21 JUL ADD NBO ,) Nairobi to Zanzibar FLY 540 Airline $440 Per person 07 AUG NBO ZNZ AUG ZNZ NBO