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Kenya
Adventure Walking Safaris and Bush camping safaris where you come
close to nature, close interview with local people and wildlife
offering you unforgettable experience in Africa
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Walking on Loita
Hills
The Loita Hills are one of Kenya's last remaining 'true
wilderness' areas. There are no roads, tracks or footpaths, and the likelihood
of our seeing anyone else on the trek is remote. Indeed our only other
companions will be the wild game that inhabits the grasslands and montane
forests of this remote region. Where appropriate, we will be walking along game
trails and in the late afternoons may move from the ridge tops, down into the
valley in search of suitable campsites. Nights are generally spent camped next
to cool streams that rise in these hills and on leaving the next morning, the
only evidence of our passing should be a small circle of ash and a few fire
blackened rocks marking the place we had the camp fire and cooked the evening
meal.
Starting at an
Altitude of about 2,200m, we walk, carrying all our own food and
camping equipment, east, through Savannah grasslands, climbing
as we do so to about 2,400m. At some point we will enter the
"mist forests" of the central area. These forests are sustained
by the ability of the trees, bushes, lichens and mosses to
extract moisture from the clouds that cloak the whole region
most mornings. Underfoot the ground is moist and springy with
slowly decaying vegetation, whilst above us, the forest trees
provide a haven for monkeys, turaco and other forest birds seen
but seldom elsewhere.
The weight carried by
each client on the first day is about 20 kg, with packs becoming
lighter each day as food is eaten, to end at around 10kg on the
last day of the walk. Total distance covered - about 45
kilometres.
Of the forest mammals,
the most conspicuous will be the beautiful black and white
Colobus monkeys, but troops of Sykes and Vervet monkey will add
their alarm cries to those of the Crowned Eagles, and other
birds which fly within the forest. With luck, we may encounter
those silent giants of Africa - the Elephant, but more probably
the only evidence of their presence will be their spoor and
droppings together with those of Buffalo, forest Antelope, and
more rarely, Lion, Leopard and Hyena.
During the walk,
because of the unspoilt virgin nature of the wilderness, we try
to take a different route on each expedition. This implies that
the terrain conditions are generally unknown and may vary
considerably during each day, with good game trails being
followed for a couple of hours, succeeded by areas of seemingly
impenetrable jungle. Here progress may be difficult with giant
nettles, vines and lianas and thorns adding to the challenges of
the walk. Navigation is by use of map, compass and altimeter,
and a portable VHF airway band radio is carried for use in any
possible emergency.
Day 1
From Nairobi, a three hour drive westwards, brings us to the
township of Narok. Here we will have a snack lunch and a drink
before continuing for another two hours to the upper grassland
plateau of the Loita Hills. Our walk starts from near the Masaai
village of Morijo, and from here we will walk east and then
south for about 3 hours till we reach a suitable campsite by a
permanent stream. Dinner, as on each subsequent night, will be
cooked over an open camp fire.
Day 2
After an early breakfast we cut up the east side of the valley
and so into the start of the forests proper. Game trails are
followed when ever possible. Note: because we use a different
route through the forest each time, the difficulty of the
terrain we will be crossing will not be known from one kilometre
to the next. This night's camp is made after a long drop into
one of the valleys. Alternatively your guide and one volunteer
will drop down into the valley to collect the night's water
requirements whilst the camp is set up on the ridge top.
Day 3
Still in the forests for a couple of hours, often quite hard
going with fewer game trails to follow. By mid morning though,
the area should be getting somewhat dryer as we approach the
first escarpment dropping down into the Great Rift Valley.
Suddenly it's open grasslands and rapidly we descend to the
floor of this middle plateau and our camp on the Entosopia
River. Good swimming and spectacular views. (usually the same
camp for each crossing)
Day 4
Mid morning departure, walking along the edge of the escarpment
towards where we will follow an old Land Rover track down to the
Rift Valley floor. Vehicles will meet us at a convenient point.
The drive back to Nairobi will then take us across soda flats of
Lake Magadi, the largest soda lake in the world and so back
across the Great Rift to arrive in Nairobi by early evening.
Equipment required
by the client is minimal.- Stout walking shoes, socks. T shirt
and shorts, long pants and long sleeved shirt, warm jumper and
waterproof jacket, bush hat and tooth brush being about all.
Please do not bring any scented cosmetics. We provide sleeping
mat, bag and tent. All food, and cooking equipment and of course
our professional guide/s.
Package Includes:
-transport by safari vehicles;
- all game parks or national parks entry fees;
- all campsite fees;
- all camping equipment;
- use of our two person tents;
- foam matresses;
- three meals per day whilst on safari, prepared by our cook
- Mineral water
Price excludes:
- Drinks
- Tipping
- Personal effects
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Walking on Chyulu Hills
Day 1
Depart Nairobi around 0800, for the 3 hour drive down the
Mombasa road to Kibwezi. Here we will leave the tarmac, and take
a dirt road, (probably an optimistic term for it), for the 30 km
to where we start walking to the caves. First though, lunch of
cold cuts, salads, bread and cheese, cold beer or soft drink,
then an hour walk to the entrance of the caves. Afternoon spent
exploring.
Day 2
Explore sections of one of the longest "Lava Tube" caves in the
world - Leviathan. These caves, which world-wide, are relatively
rare, are thought to have been formed when molten lava, of
specific type and viscosity flowed down a slope of a specific
angle. The surface layer cooled and solidified, but the lower
part, still molten, continued to flow on down. At this point,
somewhere up the hillside a collapse of the surface crust
occurred through which air enters, and so a tube evacuated
itself just below the surface. Afternoon and the evening spent
down in the caves looking at some of the fascinating formations
found therein - Sink holes, lava ropes, stalagmites and
stalactites, benches and of course the secondary, water formed
features.
Day 3
Early morning departure by road for the top of the Chyulu Hills.
Superb walking country with gently undulating grasslands,
interspersed with dense patches of forest. Possibility of
viewing herds of eland and other antelope, giraffe, zebra and
wildebeest with slightly lesser chance to see elephant, lion and
buffalo and the other game that live in the area. Probable views
of Kilimanjaro just 50 km away. Night somewhere along the crest.
Probably cool and windy with low cloud in the early morning.
Day 4
Full day of walking
Day 5
Early morning game drive or short walk before a late breakfast /
early lunch . It's then along the crest road and down the
western side of the hills for the drive back to Nairobi arriving
before nightfall.
Options are of
course many and varied and in many cases we can be flexible
about the itinerary whilst we are actually on the safari. One
may, for instance, wish to spend an extra day caving (or cut out
a day), thus spend less time (or longer) walking the Chyulus.
Package Includes:
-transport by safari vehicles;
- all game parks or national parks entry fees;
- all campsite fees;
- all camping equipment;
- use of our two person tents;
- foam matresses;
- three meals per day whilst on safari, prepared by our cook
- Mineral water
Price excludes:
- Drinks
- Tipping
- Personal effects
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Walk and drive Safari kenya
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi.
Arrival and airport transfer . Afternoon city tour . overnight
in Nairobi hotel.
Day 2 :Crater lake
Sanctuary: After breakfast ,briefing by the guide. By 9.00
a.m. we leave Nairobi to head for Lake Naivasha, a fresh water
lake in the Rift Valley at an altitude of 1890m. Its biggest
attraction is the variety of bird life seen on it and its
vicinity. A bird count of 400 species has been done in this
area. We arrive at Crater Lake in time for lunch, where nature
is at its best. We do a circular trek on the top of the crater
from where we see the lake from various angles, with a close
view of the many birds that are found here. We find our vehicle
for a return journey to the hotel for dinner and overnightat
Lake Naivasha Lodge.
Day 3: Hell's Gate
National Park:.. We wake up with the sun rising over the
lake - the early morning is perfect for watching wildlife as the
lake boasts a wide variety of water birds. After a short
transfer to the park.entrance we will walk among giraffes,
zebras, warthogs and the many types of gazelle that are found
here. The first part of this walk is done in typical flat
African savannah in a volcanic area bounded by massive rocks.
After a picnic lunch the last part of the walk takes us into
Hell's Gate Gorge accompanied by wild vegetation and running
water from geysers. Overnight - Lake Naivasha Lodge
Day 4: Longonot
Crater: After breakfast we transfer to Longonot National
Park. This is an extinct crater in the Rift Valley. The first
part of today's walk is a steady climb to the crater rim, the
highest point in the Rift Valley, and the walker is rewarded
with a wide view of the crater which is full of monkeys and
soaring eagles. The second part of today's walk is around the
rim of the crater .On completing the circuit we descend to the
park gate and transfer to Naivasha town for a well deserved
drink and lunch in the best known pub of the area, "La Belle
Inn". Here we can see something of daily life in a small African
town. Return to the hotel. Overnight - Lake Naivasha Lodge
Day 5: Lake Nakuru..
We take a break from walking and visit by vehicle Lake
Nakuru where thousands of pink flamingos shimmer over the water.
As well as many other species of birds, there is big game
including white rhino, buffalo, waterbuck, Grant's and Thompson
gazelle, impala, jackal, lion and leopard. We have our lunch at
the Lake Nakuru Lodge. In the afternoon there's a short transfer
to the Lake Elementaita Lodge for overnight.
Day 6: Malewa
Ranch. After breakfast we transfer to Malewa Ranch. This is
a wildlife conservancy situated on the banks of the Malewa
river, which feeds Lake Naivasha. We start our walk by crossing
the shallow Malewa river to enter open savannah dotted with the
trees and shrubs valued highly by local people
medicinal qualities. Here too is an abundance of birds. We
return via a cliff from where we have wonderful views of
Longonot, Lake Naivasha and the northern Rift Valley. We then
make a detour across the bridge over the Malewa river and to the
lodge where we have a late lunch before returning to our hotel.
Overnight - Lake Elementaita Lodge
Day 7: Lake
Elementaita. Lake Elementaita may not be as well known as
Lake Nakuru but its scenic beauty is unmatched. We walk up to
the lakeshore from where we proceed to the hot springs and into
the Kokopey Hills. We walk mainly in open savannah, occasionally
stopping for a chat with a Masai herdsman. The gentle sloping
hills give a good panorama. After, we return to the Lodge in
time for lunch and a leisurely afternoon.
Day 8: Masai Mara..
We now again take a break from walking and concentrate on
wildlife. To see the best of Kenyan wildlife Masai Mara is the
place to be. So, after breakfast we start our journey to Masai,
passing through Narok, a colorful Masai town. We will be able to
see many animals along the way grazing side by side with the
Masai livestock. We reach the lodge/campl in time for lunch.
After relaxing at the swimming pool we do an evening game drive
through the park. Overnight - Masai Mara Lodge
Day 9: Masai Mara..
This is our cultural and activity day in Masai Mara. We do an
early morning game drive through the park before breakfast. Then
we head for the park gate from where we start the walk to the
Masai manyatta, or homestead, where we will see how the Masai
live. Return to Keekorok for lunch and free afternoon which can
be spent in the hotel and swimming pool. An evening game drive
completes the day. Overnight - Masai Mara Lodge
Day 10: To Nairobi
Carnivore Restaurant. After breakfast we head to Nairobi to
arrive in time for lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant which is
known for its barbecued game meat. Giraffe, zebra, gazelle,
crocodile, ostrich are all delicacies. Free afternoon/shopping
or transfer to the airport.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
Moderate - sound basic fitness required
INSURANCE
We do not accept any
liability for any loss or injury however caused. We recommend
that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you
against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This
insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to
cancel your holiday for whatever reason.
This is inclusive of
all meals starting from breakfast of day 2 until lunch of day
10, all accommodation, transport, services of guides, park
entrance fees .
Excluded in the price are the airfare, costs of visa and airport
tax, expenses of personal nature, drinks and tips.
NB: Accommodation is
not included on day 10 but can be arranged at the time of
booking.
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Walking in Ngorongoro,Empakai Crater and Lake
Natron
Northern Tanzania itinerary for the
fit and sportive person who wants to get off the classic safari
route and appreciate the beauty of landscape and wildlife joined
with some cultural interaction of different tribes.Walking the
Highlands of Ngorongoro Conservation area and the Empakai
crater, the plains of Salei, down the Rift valley escarpment and
up an active volcano makes this safari a complete African
experience. The trek up Lengai is quite strenuous but an
alternative walk to waterfalls can be arranged for those not
wanting to attempt it.
A small day pack with camera, sun cream and water bottle is all
you are expected to carry.
Day 1 - NAIROBI/ARUSHA/NGORONGORO
LODGE
Late afternoon game viewing in the crater. 3500m.
Day 2 - NGORONGORO/ EMPAKAI
CRATER
Morning game viewing in the crater then drive through highlands
to the rim of Empakai crater.
Day 3 - TREK EMPAKAI CRATER.
Walking in the crater, we explore this unique forested crater on
foot, and marvel at the variety of its wildlife and flora.
Day 4 - TREK RIFT VALLEY/SALEI
PLAINS
With Maasai guides we walk down the Rift Valley escarpment to
the Salei plains.
Day 5 - TREK RIFT VALLEY/LAKE
NATRON
The views over Lake Natron are magnificent. The flamingo
colonies from this distance are a splash of dark pink colour on
the lake. We reach the floor of the Rift valley
Day 6 - TREK LENGAI/LONGIDO
1am is time to start our climb. We reach the summit to watch the
sun rise on Kilimanjaro 200 km away. Inside the crater we
witness small eruptive cones spurting liquid magma which in turn
form pools of hot lava. It is a powerful magical place sacred to
the Maasai. In the afternoon back in our vehicles, we cross the
Rift Valley towards Mount Longido.
Day 7 - NAIROBI OR ARUSHA
On a little used track we reach the main road to the border.
After border formalities we head back to Nairobi.
Cost includes:
7 days safari / 4 days walking / 5 nights camping / 1 night
Ngorongoro lodge
Transport in 4WD Landcruiser or Landrover with roof hatches for
game viewing.
European guide
Full board except meals in Nairobi or Arusha
Treated drinking water
All camping equipment including tables, chairs, cutlery &
crockery, igloo-type tents, mattresses, wash bowls, bush toilet,
safari shower (water permitting). Cook & drivers who assist with
the camp
First aid kit is available for use by group participants
National park entry & camping fees
Not included:
visas
Alcoholic drinks - we suggest that you bring a bottle of spirits
to share for the evening sundowners.
Sleeping bag, torch light & personal toiletries
Tips for cook & drivers
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