Eco Safari

To help the local communities use wildlife as their natural, beneficial resource. In each of this safari's regions, wildlife is threatened from exploding human populations and economic growth, causing human/wildlife conflicts. In order to resolve some of these conflicts, Eco-tourism is a viable alternative to cattle ranching or farming. By providing a direct benefit to communities for tending to wildlife, the properties in our Eco-safari help resolve and alleviate these conflicts.

Day 1: You will be met at the JKIA and be transferred to your Nairobi Hotel for overnight before your safari commences the following day. Depending upon your flight schedule, you may spend the afternoon exploring the City and its environs.

Days 2 - 4: Depart after breakfast and drive on to the Amboseli National Park. Arriving for lunch at the Camp This delightful, smallcamp is located just outside the Amboseli National Park. Used by the wildlife as a migration corridor, the area abounds with elephant, antelope, lion, hyena and other plains game. Kilimanjaro forms the backdrop to your exploration of this rich Eco-system as you explore the area with your local guides, on foot and in your bus. Amboseli, means "Salty Dust" in the Maasai language is an important rangeland in the Maasai culture. The area surrounding the park is made up of Maasai ranch areas, which offer a wide variety of game viewing and walking safari options, not found within the park itself.

The 'salty dust' is volcanic ash from Mount Kilimanjaro eruptions a millennium ago. The dry, arid plains covered by this dust form heat wave mirages in the dry season. Endless herds of animals seem to waver in the distance, interrupted only by the real herds of zebra and wildebeest hovering in front.

This arid landscape belies the reality, as Amboseli has an endless water supply from the ice caps of Kilimanjaro. This water forms two clear water springs in the middle of the park that provide a permanent water supply, even in drought.

Amboseli is probably most famous for its photographs of elephant with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. The mountain is situated on the boundary of the park and Amboseli is certainly one of the finest locations for mountain spotting with Mount Meru also being seen with ease.

The elephant themselves are of course a major attraction in Amboseli. The bull elephant here have some of the largest tusks in Kenya. Cynthia Moss and her assistants have followed and studied these elephant for over 20 years, providing some of the most detailed knowledge of these magnificent animals available. The elephant are generally found in larger herds than most other areas and are quite habituated to people, allowing excellent photography, even for us amateurs!

Days 5-7 Depart after breakfast and drive on to drive on to Laikipia Area, early lunch in Nairobi, after lunch proceed with the drive on to the Laikipia Area, arriving in the late evening at the Il Ngwesi Lodge. This is a Community owned and operated, Il Ngwesi is stunningly beautiful and made out of natural materials found in the area. Old wood, stones and the rocky outcrops of the ground are incorporated into the lodge itself. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge, staying for three nights.

Another day in Laikipia area exploring the area with the local Samburu and Masai warriors.

Northern Kenya is a huge expanse of scrub desert, bisected by a few life saving rivers. A true wilderness, this area of Kenya is very sparsely populated, and game patterns have been little affected by humans.

The Laikipia area is part of an ancient lava plain covered with red dirt, thorn scrub, broken volcanic rock, dried riverbeds, steep hills and rocky outcroppings. Unusual for this arid area of Northern Kenya, it has a permanent water supply, the Ewaso Ngiro or "Brown River". This permanent water flow provides an oasis for the many elephant, hippo, and crocodile that abound in this area.

The region is also home to the rare Grevy zebra, Somali ostrich with its distinctive blue legs, the shy Beisa oryx and the largest African antelope, the Eland.

The Laikipia area is famous for its leopards. One of the most reliable areas in Kenya for spotting leopard, lion and cheetah, Laikipia proves very popular with the big cat researchers.

The mix of wood and grassland with riverine forest and swamp creates a home for a wide variety of bird life as well as mammals, with over 365 bird species recorded in the area.

The perfect place for an introduction to the harsh, yet stunningly beautiful landscapes of northern Kenya, Laikipia is not to be missed!

Days 8-10: Depart after breakfast you will be transferred to the Air strip to catch your AM flight across the Great Rift Valley and over the Mara, on arrival you will be met and be transferred to your lodge for lunch. After lunch visit the

At Rekero you are introduced to the cultural side of the Maasai Mara as well as the abundant wildlife. Visits to the Masai manyattas (homes) are interspersed with game drives and walks with a local Ndorobo tribe medicine man, who introduces you to traditional medical plants and shrubs.

Located to the south of Nairobi, and bordering Tanzania, the Maasai Mara forms part of the huge Serengeti Eco-system. The Mara spreads over 1510 square km of rolling plains, sudden rocky outcrops, and green winding rivers.

Not only is the Mara blessed with this stunning landscape, but also its animal diversity is one of the greatest in Africa. Surrounded by the grazing lands of the Maasai people, the Mara is a sanctuary for all of the Big Five animals: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The sweet grasses and abundant water ensure a full compliment of plains game such as the impala and Thompsons gazelle. The deep river pools provide homes for hippo and crocodiles.

Each year, generally in August/September, the Mara is host to the spectacular Wildebeest Migration, one of the natural wonders of the world! Literally millions of these awkwardly shaped ungulates move across the open plains in an endless stream stretching from horizon to horizon. The movement of this vast herd is fascinating in itself, but seldom a day goes by without the added bonus of watching the predators that follow the herd. Lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dogs rely on the herd for food. Spotting one of these magnificent predators is more or less guaranteed at this time.

The breath-taking beauty of the Maasai Mara and its astonishing diversity of wildlife combine to ensure that the Mara is one of the most popular stops on a Kenyan safari.

Day 11 After breakfast, head back to the airstrip and catch your flight to Nairobi where you are met and do some last minute shopping or sight seeing as you choose. An early dinner at a restaurant of your choice can be arranged before we transfer you to the JKIA for your flight home.

This safari offers a superb opportunity to explore three of Kenya's richest Eco-systems with the most knowledgeable guides from the local communities. Book this tour and enjoy comfortable accommodation, excellent food and service and an unmatched wilderness experience, while secure in the knowledge that your holiday is supporting the local community and environment. A true Eco-safari is a win-win for everyone!

Price Includes:

1)All transfers, 2)Full board accommodation while on safari, 3) bed and breakfast in Nairobi hotel, 4) Mineral water while on board 5) Services of a driver and a Tour guide, 6) All park entrance fees and local taxes.