 KENYA
The world’s most spectacular wildlife
Monday 3 - monday 17 November 2008
optional indian ocean extension until thursday 20 november
Price:
FULL SAFARI Mon 3 - Mon 17 November 2008
£3995pp Single Supp: £660
BIG GAME and BIRDING
including MASAI MARA/SAMBURU
Sun 9 Nov (leave London to join holiday in Nairobi) - Mon 17 Nov
£2500pp Single Supp: £470
Initial Deposit £300pp
Price for Indian Ocean extension available on application,
estimate £700, single supp £75
PLEASE NOTE; increased charges from major National Parks in Kenya mean that costs have risen steeply in 2008. We are told this is because of increasing demand from tourists and an increasing awareness in Kenya of the value of their natural assets. We anticipate further increases in 2009, so please consider this key destination sooner rather than later!
We have carefully designed this holiday so you can enjoy the Big Game Safari in Masai Mara and Samburu at an affordable price, but strongly recommend the first week's Birding Safari if your budget can stretch. This really is a tremendous and unforgettable experience.
This fantastic safari gives you the very best of Kenya. Join us to see the wildlife of the world famous Masai Mara and Samburu game parks, and if you wish combine this with a memorable few days birding as we drive through the Rift Valley in central Kenya. You will enjoy a tremendous experience including big cats, elephants and giraffes on the world famous Masai Mara plains, rare animals such as Leopard and Gravey’s Zebra in the stunningly attractive Samburu hills, and up to a million flamingos on Lake Nakuru.
This is a holiday for everyone, from those who have a general interest in wildlife to the keenest of birders. With the help of exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly local guides, we stand a great chance of seeing around 300 birds alongside a mouthwatering selection of mammals. Many are remarkably approachable and you will often find yourself with the difficult decision of choosing between your binoculars or your camera!
Our focus is to enjoy the world’s best wildlife watching in an appropriate level of comfort and style. We visit some of the world’s most famous national parks staying in luxury camps and fantastic game lodges, fly between the most distant sites to maximize comfort, use spacious vehicles with a window seat for all, and stay in a top class hotel in Nairobi for nights when we transfer between destinations.
This is a holiday that everyone who loves wildlife and wild places should do at least once in their lives, though Kenya is truly a magical place and we must warn you that it casts a spell over many visitors who decide to return time and time again…
 
OUTLINE ITINERARY
PART ONE – KENYAN BIRDING SAFARI
DAY 1 Mon 3 November Depart London Heathrow flying Kenya Airways to Nairobi.
DAY 2 Tues 4 November Morning arrival in Nairobi. Check into the luxury Serena Hotel and take a breather. In the afternoon we visit Nairobi National Park, a relatively small but excellent park which goes right up to the city boundary and is a great introduction to many East African birds. There are several localised species at this site, which will not be seen elsewhere, for example Northern Pied Babbler and Long-tailed Fiscal Shrike. Watching Giraffes and Ostriches with tower blocks behind them is a wonderful if slightly surreal experience. In 2007 we were lucky enough to see a Black Rhino here, an increasingly rare possibility. This evening we dine at the Serena and prepare for our first adventure safari in the Great Rift Valley. www.serenahotels.com
DAY 3 Wed 5 November The Serena Hotel will look after our spare bags as we board minibuses and drive westwards into the Great Rift Valley, stopping for a panoramic view of the valley en-route. After picnic lunch enjoy wonderful valley scenery as we head northwards to Lake Baringo. Check into Lake Baringo Country Club, a small luxury hotel with fantastic grounds, for a well deserved rest. The grounds are excellent for birding, and in 2007 African Fish Eagle and Verraux's Eagle Owl were nesting close to the buildings. We will relax here and enjoy the local wildlife perhaps including Giant Kingfisher, a variety of barbets, pigeons and weavers on the bird table, Spotted Ground Thrush and Hippos on the lawn! We also hope to meet representatives of the local Community including Julius and/or Cliff, our bird guides. Dinner and overnight: Lake Baringo Country Club.
DAY 4 Thurs 6 November Lake Baringo is a wonderful freshwater lake surrounded by acacia woodland and steep cliffs to the West side of the lake. The area is home to several scarce species of bird and in 2007 we saw White-faced Scops Owl, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Greyish Eagle Owl and Heuglin's Courser, all in broad daylight and in a couple of hours birding. We will explore the lake by boat and should see many birds including Goliath Herons as well as Hippos and Nile Crocodiles. In 2007 we were thrilled as our boatmen tempted a Fish Eagle across the lake to take a fish right in front of us - unforgettable! The surrounding woodland and escarpment can be seen by vehicle and on foot (no Lions!). This is a particularly nice place and the gentle pace should suit everyone. Overnight: Lake Baringo Country Club.
DAY 5 Fri 7 November We rise early to birdwatch around the shore and surrounding scrub. After breakfast we drive for about 2 hours to reach Lake Nakuru in time for lunch. Lake Nakuru is one of Africa’s famous Rift Valley soda lakes, holding up to a million Lesser and Greater Flamingos. This has been described as "the most fabulous bird spectacle in the world." It really is stunning, though the Lake has many other attractions, not least of which are several endangered White Rhino, beautiful Black and White Colobus Monkeys and dangerous Cape Buffalos. Despite its flamingo-focused reputation, there are many other avian attractions such as pelicans, ducks, ibises, storks and waders on the shore. The area is full of large raptors, including Tawny and Steppe Eagles, and more than 400 species of birds have been seen in the park. Hippos, reedbuck, waterbuck, black rhino, giraffe, lion, leopard, bushbuck are present too. Between the lake and the cliffs in the west, large pythons inhabit the dense woodland, and can somtimes be seen crossing the roads or dangling from trees. The lake is surrounded by woodland, which holds many birds and animals not seen elsewhere on our trip. It is particularly good for bee-eaters and rollers, with new species of each likely.
DAY 6 Sat 8 November After breakfast embark on a morning game drive, then descend into the valley floor and on to Lake Naivasha Country Club, a lovely hotel with an old colonial feel. The hotel is on the banks of Lake Navasha, a freshwater lake alive with birds and Hippos. Lunch at the club. In the afternoon, we take a boat ride out onto the lake to see many waterbirds we will have not seen elsewhere including storks, ibises, spoonbills, waders and ducks. The wetland and scrub woodland surrounding the lake is excellent for passerines and we should see many new species. In 2007 the spectacular Black and White Colobus Monkey was seen well in the grounds. Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Country Club.
DAY 7 Sun 9 November After a morning birdwatch and breakfast at Lake Naivasha we say goodbye to our local guides and drive back to Nairobi. Arrive at the Serena Hotel with some free time. Overnight: Nairobi Serena Hotel.
 
PART TWO – BIG GAME and BIRDING, the very best of KENYAN WILDLIFE
DAY 8 Mon 10 November After an early breakfast we fly (much better than the very long drive) from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Samburu for three nights at the Samburu Intrepids Camp. If the weather is clear, we should see snow-capped Mount Kenya as we fly from the fertile central plains to the dry rugged splendor of northern Kenya. Here in remote rural Kenya, you quickly run out of superlatives.
We take a short drive from the small airstrip to Samburu Intrepids Camp. Samburu Intrepids is a luxury-tented camp on the banks of the Uaaso Nyiro River in the Samburu National Reserve, an area noted for its abundance of wildlife including 400 species of bird. We will be staying in luxury tented accommodation, each tent with a soft comfortable four-poster bed, closets, desks and en suite bathroom. The tented camp roofing is all palm thatched, and raised on stilts to catch the cooling breeze off the river, with a veranda from which you can relax with a drink and watch the monkeys and birds by the river.
There is a main dining room, which opens out into an open dining terrace, where delicious buffet breakfasts and lunches are served overlooking the river. There is a lounge and bar area where resident naturalists may deliver slide shows after dark on the local wildlife and Samburu tribal culture. Behind the bar and surrounded by a shady sunbathing area is a swimming pool – perfect for relaxing during the main heat of the day.
 
Samburu is a diverse mixture of dry thorn scrub, acacia woodland, Baobab trees, grassland plains, semi-arid desert and craggy hills. There will be two game drives per day of around 2 – 3 hours, the first from dawn to breakfast and the second late afternoon to evening. We expect to use spacious safari landrovers both at Samburu and Masai Mara, so that everyone gets a window seat. This leaves plenty of time during the middle of the day to relax, snooze, compare notes or simply walk around the camp birdwatching in the riverine woodland.
On our first evening we will head out in specially designed landrovers/jeeps and begin our safari in earnest. The area around the camp holds a high density of game and there will be frequent stops to view Elephants, Impala, bizarre long-necked Gerenuk, tiny and delightful Dik Diks, Reticulated Giraffes and Olive Baboons. Cheetah can be seen here, and the occasional Leopard too. Watch out for the fantastic White Hippo experience!!!! (ask Kevin for details). The birding is simply amazing, every bush seeming to hold a brightly-coloured new species, usually at head height. 
Heatherlea 'White Hippos', November 2007
DAYS 9 and 10 Tues 11 and Wed 12 November To do justice to this diverse area we travel widely within the Samburu Game Reserve visiting different habitats along the way. During the course of these two days, we should see well over 100 bird species and hopefully at least 20 mammals. Samburu is home to many birds of prey and we should see species such as Hooded, White headed, African White-backed and perhaps Lappet-faced Vulture. As the day warms up Harriers, Goshawks and eagles abound and we stand a good chance of seeing Martial Eagle, a large eagle that specializes in catching gazelles! Running alongside the vehicles we should see spurfowl, francolins, sandgrouse and the bizarre Vulturine and Helmeted Guineafowl. Keeping our eyes peeled should enable us to find bustards including, if we are lucky, huge Kori Bustard and very localised Somali Ostrich.
Samburu is famous for its colourful birds and we are likely to see species of bee-eater, kingfisher, roller, shrikes, hoopoe and barbet on the scrub, Lilac-breasted Roller being a particular highlight. On the open areas pipits, larks and cisticolas are common and may be accompanied by migrant Pied and Isabelline Wheatears. A particular feature of Samburu is the variety of colourful starlings and weavers that at times seem to be everywhere. The woodland areas hold many species including bulbuls, apalis, flycatchers, woodpeckers, hornbills and colourful sunbirds flitting between the braches looking for flowers.
Amongst the gazelles, Impala, Giraffes and Elephants we should see Beisa Oryx, Waterbuck and the globally threatened Gravey’s Zebra. Big cats can be well hidden in the thick vegetation, but there is a reasonable possibility of seeing Lion, Cheetah and perhaps Leopard.
This Cheetah allowed unbeatable close views in November 2007
DAYS 11, 12 and 13 Thurs 13, Fri 14, Sat 15 November On the morning of day 11 we fly from Samburu to the world famous Masai Mara. We must again emphasise the value of flying rather than the long, uncomfortable drive. Familiar from TV wildlife documentaries, visiting this fabulous place is a real treat and a complete contrast from Samburu. The vast open and rolling savannah grasslands covered with big game must be seen to be believed.
The Mara Intrepids Camp is located in the centre of the Masai Mara National Reserve, on the banks of the Talek River. The camp is close to the famous Mara Crocodile River, where game cross and get killed by huge Nile Crocodiles. Beyond the river is Tanzania and the Serengeti, which is the natural extension of the Masai Mara grasslands. Gallery forest occurs along the rivers and is excellent for a variety of birds including kingfishers, hornbills, weavers, shrikes and starlings. Out on the plains Common Ostrich, various lapwings, plovers, bustards, larks, swallows, martins and raptors dominate the skyline. However, the main bird spectacle is watching the vultures, Marabou storks and eagles coming in for lion kills and bizarre long-legged Secretary Birds stalking snakes in the grass.
The Mara, home of the famous black-maned lion, holds some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Kenya. Wildebeest, warthogs and Plains Zebra seem to be everywhere! There is a good chance of seeing Cheetah, Cape Eland and Hartebeest, Topi, Spotted Hyena, Black-backed Jackal, Bushbaby, Masai Giraffe, Bohor Reedbuck and Elephant as well as Bat-eared Fox, Hippo and Nile Crocodile. If we are extremely lucky we might see the elusive and endangered Black Rhino. In 2007 we saw three Leopards, and a female Cheetah with two large cubs. Whilst being the most popular park in East Africa the Mara is still one of the most mystical places in the world.
Our base is another luxurious tented camp. All tents are either twin or double bedded and are arranged in groups of two, three or four units to make individual mini-camps. All tents are self-contained with own bathrooms with shower flush toilet, wash hand basin, hot and cold water and electricity. There is a main dining room, which opens out into an open dining terrace, where delicious buffet breakfasts and lunches are served overlooking the river. The bar area has a nice pool overlooking a small river, so is ideal for watching birds whilst lazily drinking a beer or cocktail.
There are three scheduled game drives per day at Mara Intrepids Camp. Dawn to early breakfast (ca. 2 hours), late morning to lunch (ca. 2 hours) and late afternoon to evening (ca. 3 hours). If possible, Heatherlea will combine the first two into a long drive with a 'bush breakfast', an unforgettable experience! Once again, plenty of time to relax after lunch, snooze, compare notes and walk within the camp birding the woodland. There may be an optional extra to visit a traditional Masai village – a genuine African experience not for the faint hearted!
DAY 14 Sun 16 November On our final day we take an early morning game drive and leisurely lunch before our transfer to Nairobi and flight home, arriving back in London early in the morning of Day 15 Monday 17 November. Those taking the extension below will stay once more at the Serena Hotel on the night of Day 14.
Optional extension - Relaxing and birding the INDIAN OCEAN COAST
DAY 15, 16 and 17 Mon 17, Tues 18 and Wed 19 November. This destination is a complete contrast to the rest of the holiday, as you move from dry interior Kenya to humid tropical forest, fantastic beaches and coral reefs. If you choose this extension you will be delivered to the airport in Nairobi from where you fly to Mombasa. You will be transferred on good standard roads 70 miles north to Watamu on the shores of the Indian Ocean. This beach village is next to the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, the largest patch of indigenous coastal forest left in East Africa. Historically, this forest covered the coastal belt from Mozambique to Somalia. The area is renowned for three features all within the immediate vicinity of Watamu village: (1) Arabuko-Sokoke Forest; (2) Gedi Ruins; and (3) Watamu Marine National Park. The birds and animals of coastal Kenya are different from those you will have seen inland, and habitats include the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest itself, mangroves, mudflats, sandy beaches and rich offshore coral gardens. You can visit all of these by booking directly with the hotel, and experienced naturalist guides are on hand at each llocation to point out wildlife.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is home to some very rare and extraordinary animals and birds. Besides elephants, the forest is home to the a tiny shy antelope called the Aders’ (or Zanzibar) Duiker and the extraordinary Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew. The size of a small cat, this bizarre shrew resembles a giant mouse with an elongated nose, running on stilts. It has developed a unique relationship with the Red-capped Robin Chat, a beautiful bird which accompanies it gathering insects and watching out for danger. The forest is home to six globally threatened and little known bird species e.g. Sokoke Scops Owl and Sokoke Pipit.
Gedi is a thirteenth-seventeenth century Swahili town. The ruins are eerie and hauntingly beautiful out of the midday sun. The deserted ruins are surrounded by huge buttressed trees, offering an opening in the forest and a possible glimpse of some of its rarest inhabitants including Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew (we saw them well here in 2007).
The coast has a stunning shoreline, with three stunning bays – Watamu Bay, Blue Lagoon and Turtle Bay, separated by coral reefs and dotted by coral islets. There are many coastal birds to look out for from the beautiful Mangrove Kingfisher to the highly sought after and stunning Crab Plover.
This is a fine way to end the holiday and will allow you to relax and explore at your own pace without being on the menu of a big cat!
DAY 18 Thurs 20 November
Fly Mombasa – Nairobi – London arriving early Fri 21 November.
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Walking is easy throughout, but restricted in the national parks and game reserves. This is no hindrance, as we will be safe and able to get up very close to many animals and birds. It is also important for safety reasons to stay close to if not inside the vehicle – remember we are not top of the food chain here!
Climate: Kenya is a dry country, and we expect warm-hot temperatures most days although it can sometimes be cool, especially at altitude (e.g. Masai Mara) and in the early mornings. All the sites selected for this holiday are close to water and should hold plenty of wildlife at the time of year we are visiting.
Safari costs have increased dramatically recently, as has the general cost of travel. We have therefore given you the opportunity to avoid a couple of lunch/dinner costs on travel days to minimise prices, although whilst 'on safari' your holiday is provided on a full board basis. All necessary fees such as entry to National Parks, airport taxes and transfers, and local guide fees are included. Lunch on Day 2 and dinner on Day 7 are not included, though can be booked as options during the holiday. Drinks, tips and entrance tourist visa (approx £45) not included.
YOUR GUIDE
Kevin Shaw
Founder of Heatherlea with wife Caryl in 1991, Kevin led our highly successful 2007 safari to Kenya and has personally planned this 2008 itinerary holiday based on our recent experience. With a potential birdlist of around 300 species we will also use the skill of local guides, though Kevin will know most species and can confidently identify several large and dangerous mammals/reptiles. Kevin will return to London with the main group on Sun 16 November. If you choose the Indian Ocean extension our Kenyan agents will look after you and help arrange local guides at your hotel should you wish.
Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual
holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and
elements beyond our control (eg weather or great big Rhinos standing in the road).
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