Souvenirs are great reminders of the trips we take, be it within the country or outside. Here are a few helpful tips to guide you when buying souvenirs that you will cherish forever:
• Don’t buy the first thing you see. Take time to look around. Buy something that will reflect the place you are visiting. Where possible, always compare prices and bargain to ensure you get value for your money.
• A souvenir need not cost a lot. Inexpensive but meaningful gifts like post cards, picture books and guidebooks are also good souvenirs. Cultural artifacts that symbolize the culture of where you are visiting are great souvenirs as well.
• Souvenirs can also be used as decorations. Instead of allowing souvenirs or other knick knacks to gather dust on the shelves, why not proudly display them in the house or even the garden?
• Take plenty of pictures and videos during your trip. You may not be able to remember everything you see during the trip but pictures and videos are perfect reminders because they capture a lot. Once you get back home, display the photos around your house.
• Look out for local artists. Find real life artists and purchase their paintings. You will treasure these more than souvenirs bought from shops and exhibitions.
• If you have children, buy them crayons and paper and ask them to draw and paint what they see and like during the trip. When you get back home, display their drawings in their bedrooms or anywhere else in the house.
All visitors to East Africa are required to have valid passports. Visas are also required for visitors who are not citizens of the commonwealth countries in order to enter East Africa. At present visitors from Germany, Denmark, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Finland, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay do not require visas.
However, since visa requirements may change, it is advisable for the visitors to check the current visa requirements through airlines, tour operators or 3 East Africa Countries Tourist Offices, High Commissions in their countries before coming, to avoid embarrassment.
Visas normally take up to six weeks to process and are valid for up to a three month period. Those visitors with proper documents and who also possess onward or return tickets may be given visitor’s passes free of charge on arrival at any Kenyan point of entry.
During the three months period, the visitors’ pass holders are not allowed to engage themselves in any form of work or business in the country without authority from the Principal Immigration officer. Visitors without proper documents will be required to pay a refundable deposit of Kshs. 5,000/= before they are issued with visitor passes.
Weather.
East Africa enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts in Kenya.
The average annual temperature for the coastal town of Mombasa (altitude 17 metres) is 30.30 Celsius maximum and 22.40 Celsius minimum, the capital city, Nairobi (altitude 1,661 metres) 25.20 Celsius maximum and 13.60 Celsius minimum, Eldoret (altitude 3,085) 23.60 Celsius maximum and 9.50 Celsius minimum, Lodwar (altitude) 506 metres) and the drier north plainlands 34.80 Celsius maximum and 23.70 Celsius minimum.
There is plenty of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. However, it is usually cool at night and early in the morning.
The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and when it does come it often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest period is from February to March and coldest in July to August.
The annual migration of wildlife between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai MaraNational Park in Kenya takes place between June and September. The migration of almost two million wildebeest, zebras and other species is nature’s greatest spectacle on earth. The animal trek has been captured by filmmakers worldwide.
Useful Tips
Baggage Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium suitcase or holdall per person, plus hand baggage (private safaris where there are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are not subject to this restriction). Visitors to Treetops and the Ark are asked to take overnight bags only; suitcases can be left at the base hotel. Hotels will normally store baggage at no extra cost. Baggage can also be stored at Eyes On Nature Expeditions offices. A baggage weight restriction of 15 kg per person applies on air safaris . Where very small aircraft are used this maybe reduced to 10kg.
Currency
Hard currencies can be exchanged in cash or travellers cheques at banks all over the country, at forex bureaus in Nairobi and at most large hotels. US Dollars and Sterling Pounds are most acceptable and will cause the least delay. As a norm, always ask what commission and charges will be deducted first and prior to transaction. Banks are usually open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Mondays through Fridays and from 9.00 am and 11.00 am on Saturdays.
Credit Cards
VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS are widely accepted for tourist services. There’s usually a 5% mark-up on top of the price as establishments are charged a fixed percentage of their transactions.
Health
Since rules concerning disease prevention change from time to time, a check should be made with the nearest Kenyan High Commission, Kenya Tourist Office or any airline flying scheduled services into Kenya. Malaria is endemic to most parts of Kenya and intending visitors should start taking anti-malarial tablets before departure and continue taking them for the prescribed time after their return. Insect repellents should be made use of after dusk and suitable cover up clothes should be worn in the evenings.
Flying Doctors Society
Membership of the Flying Doctors Society is strongly recommended. In event of accident or sickness while on safari, the society will fly patients by air ambulance to Nairobi for admittance to hospital. The current cost for 1-month membership is US$ 25 per person.
Drinking Water
Drinking water from the tap must be considered risky. Hotels and lodges usually furnish safe water in a thermos flask in guest rooms. Bottled mineral water is available in every hotel and supermarket.
Security
Normal precautions as in any other destination world-wide should be taken. Visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in their hotel rooms but to make use of safe deposit boxes and safes. One should never carry large sums in cash and women should keep a tight grip on handbags in crowds or busy streets. Jewellery snatching is quite common in city streets. As in all major cities walking alone or in small groups at night should be considered a hazard and avoided. Reliable taxis are available at all the principal hotels. Taking photographs at airports, near military installations, of policeman, the president, the national flag, the State House, state lodges, soldiers, prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Before photographing local people, permission should be obtained and a fixed price agreed. Seek the assistance of your driver/guide in this matter.
Voltage
Both mains electricity and generated supply in lodges provide 240 volts AC 50 cycles. Most large hotels and some game lodges provide shaving points with 110v 50 cycles. Sockets are normally three pin and of the ’square’ variety.
Tipping and Pooterage
Although hotels and lodges include a service charge, it is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers and safari drivers/guides.
Language
Kiswahili is the lingua franca while English is the official language. In addition, most tribes have their own language.
Post and Telephones
Keeping in touch by mail and telephone is generally easy. Direct overseas dialling is possible from major centers and increasingly from remote places such as game lodges. Call home bureaus are in plenty in Nairobi as are the Cyber café for e-mail and Internet access.
Arrivals and Departures
East Africa has two main ports of entry by air: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. Located 16 km from the city center. Moi International Airport, Mombasa. Located 12 km from the town center. Mombasa is the main port of entry by sea.
Airport Departure Tax
International Airport departure tax equivalent to US$ 40 per person is payable on departure from the International airports. A local airport service charge is also payable on departure for domestic flights. As this varies from country to country, please check with us on the prevailing amounts payable prior to your flight departure.
Opening and Shopping Hours
Major stores, tourist services, offices and museums open from 8.00 am to 5.00 PM in large towns though offices often break for lunch. In rural areas and out in the bush small shops can be open at almost any hour. Souvenirs to take back home can include wood and soap stone sculptures and carvings, ciondos (sisal baskets), beadwork and tribal regalia, masks, textiles and gemstones set in unique jewellery pieces.
REMARKS
Eyes on Nature Expeditions is big enough to fully cover all your tour requirements yet small enough to empathetically involve itself in your tour with quality personalized /customized services.
Other services provided by Eyes on Nature Expeditions include:-
• International and domestic airline ticketing;
• Tailor made FIT (Fully Inclusive Tour) International itineraries to suit your client’s needs;
• Long or short tour packages within Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Seychelles;
• Incentive tour programs which includes stays in prime properties and exotic locations;
• Airport/hotel/Airport transfers;
• City and local excursions;
• Shopping itineraries;
• Airport transfers;
• Conferencing and event management;
• Special interest groups such as Golfing, Honeymoon, Bird watching, Fishing safaris and others.
We aim to create that special relationship which converts our business partners and visitors into life long friends.
Many have been disappointed upon arriving at a place and been told that the migratory wildebeest are ‘in the
north’ or ‘in the south’ and that there is no chance of seeing the herds.
A few answers to some questions may help a little towards explaining the
phenomenon better.
So what is the big deal regarding the
migration?
The migration is truly
one of nature’s most spectacular displays. Almost two million animals move
across the African savannah in search of grass and water and have been doing so
for thousands of years.
Wildebeest form the bulk of the migration but
they are accompanied by zebra and gazelles.
The herds move between the
Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in
Kenya.
Will I be guaranteed of seeing the migration?
This will depend on where and when you book your safari
but even then – as with all wildlife sightings in Africa – nothing can be
guaranteed.
Although there are certainties with the migration, the exact
time of the animals’ movements cannot be foretold. The timing depends on the
rains.
It is certain that they will move but predicting their exact
location at specific times cannot be done.
There is the opportunity to
book on tented safaris that move with the herds but even this safari cannot
guarantee a sighting as the companies that provide the service are only allowed
to operate in their respective countries and the herds may prolong a stay in an
area for a number of reasons.
When is the best time to visit a country in order to see the migration?
Once again an exact time table is impossible to calculate as the movement of the
herds is controlled by natural forces but what is certain is that the herds
settle for a few months on the nutritious southern plains of the Serengeti to
give birth.
This occurs from December through to
April/May when they will start moving north again through the Western Corridor.
They generally cross into the Masai Mara in Kenya in August/September before
heading south in November/December.
Booking a safari around these dates
will not necessarily guarantee a migration experience but it will provide a
great chance to view the herds.
Where is the best place to view the
migration from?
To view the herds
gathered in one area – if it is a vast area – then the southern plains of the
Serengeti are the best place to be from January through to April.
This is
the time that the females give birth. The Masai Mara in October is also a time
when the herds stretch across the open plains in vast numbers.
For sheer drama there is the
“adrenaline-surging” sight of the river crossings where the herds have to swim
across rivers that host some of Africa’s largest crocodiles.
These
reptiles generally do not feed much during the year – they gorge themselves at
the time the herds cross the rivers.
The Grumeti and Mara rivers are
where the most dramatic interactions are viewed. For the Grumeti crossing June
is probably the best time to visit, although this changes each year.
The Wildebeest Migration is a dramatic
story. It takes place within Kenya and Tanzania and is the greatest
wildlife show on earth. Between the open plains of the Serengeti and
the Masai Mara, thousands of wildebeest and zebras migrate to
greener pastures as the seasons change and the circle of life and
death continues. Predators follow the Wildebeest Migration closely,
waiting for an opportunity to strike weak prey as they make their
way into different territories.
The precise timing of the
Wildebeest Migration changes annually and it is a very unpredictable
and spontaneous natural event. The calving season takes place in the
Serengeti between the months of January and mid-March before the
Wildebeest Migration begins heading towards the western Serengeti in
June. The best time to see the migration is usually between June and
August when the wildebeest congregate and prepare to cross the
famous Grumeti River. There are a few excellent camps in this area
where you can stay to witness this natural phenomenon. If you are in
the Masai Mara you can expect the wildebeest to make their arrival
as early as July, but they generally arrive between August and
September and remain in the Mara between October and November.
Between December and January the wildebeest gradually begin their
migration back towards the Serengeti.
Black rhinos were nearly wiped out by poachers in the 1970s and 80s A new-born rhinoceros in Kenya has been named Kofi Annan in honour of the former UN Secretary General.
Baby Kofi was born at the weekend in the community-owned Ol Choro Oirogua Conservancy in the Maasai Mara reserve.
Mr Annan mediated between President Mwai Kibaki and Orange democratic party leader Raila Odinga, who disputed the results of elections in 2007 December.
Kofi’s birth comes three months after a new strategy was announced to increase the numbers of endangered rhinos.
Rangers did not say there were any obvious comparisons between Mr Annan and the horned beast, but some have suggested he will need a thick skin to push forward difficult negotiations between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.
“Thick-skinned Kofi Annan is likely to spend years in the wild,” the United Nations said in a statement.
The new strategy to save endangered black rhino seeks to raise numbers from the current 540 to 700 by the year 2011.
Black rhino suffered a catastrophic decline across Africa in the 1970s and 1980s. Numbers plummeted from an estimated 65,000 in 1970 to fewer than 2,500 by 1992.
Despite the devastating effects of poaching in the 1970s and 80s, Kenya now has the third largest population of the species after South Africa and Namibia.
A number of white rhinos have also been imported to Kenya from southern Africa to boost rhino numbers generally.
But with the continued threat of habitat destruction, the future of the black rhino is far from guaranteed.
The wide open plains of the world renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve are now home to a new born named after a very famous personality. Baby Kofi, a baby black rhino born in the community-owned Ol Choro Oirogua Conservancy was christened Kofi Annan in honour of the former UN secretary general .
The birth comes at a time when conservationists are putting in place new strategies that will see an increase in the numbers of endangered Rhinos.
Usain Bolt is, without question, the fastest man in the world. He owns therecord for the 150-meter dash, the 100-meter (where his record is a ridiculous sub-10 seconds), the 200-meter, and, as MDS mentioned, he may as well go ahead and try to add the 400-meters and the long jump trophies to a case that includes 2008 Athlete of the Year.
In the meantime though, he’s busy with a new, ahem, pet project: he just adopted a cheetah, which, as you may know, is the world’s fastest animal. Seriously.
The Jamaican sprinter’s sponsorship of the 3-month-old male cheetah is part of an effort to boost Kenyan conservation efforts of its famous wildlife, whose survival is threatened by trophy hunting, climate change and human encroachment.
But the best part is his name: Lightning Bolt!!!! Get it? His first name is Lightning (because he’s fast) and then because he’s Usain’s “child” his last name automatically becomes Bolt! (Sorry, I have no idea why I think that’s so awesome, but I do.)
Know what else is awesome? Bolt is doing this as part of an effort to PROMOTE nature conservation and to help animals and although I’m sure PETA will find a way to get angry with Bolt, it’s really cool to see someone who doesn’t need to help out this cause do so anyway.
Particularly when you consider that Bolt paid $13,700 for the cheetah and will pay $3,000 a year to care for LB, who will be placed in a Narobi conservatory. And let me tell you one other thing: if I wouldn’t feel like a total wuss for saying “OMG, THAT CHEETAH IS SOOO CUTE!” I totally would. Just saying.
Sprinter Usain Bolt is many things. The Jamaican is a track superstar, having captured three Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and the 4×100 relay race. He’s definitely earned the title of World’s Fastest Man. Now, he’s putting some of his Olympic fame and fortune to good use by adopting an orphaned cheetah cub in Nairobi, Kenya.
Now, don’t get it mixed up. He’s not adopting the cheetah cub, which he’s named Lightning Bolt, to keep in his backyard in Jamaica. He’s adopting it by paying for its care and maintenance in a Kenyan animal sanctuary. His $13,700 adoption fee and monthly $3,000 check is going to go to the Kenya Wildlife Service to cover the cost of some of the many endangered and rare animals that live in that country.
It’s all to raise awareness of Kenya’s many conservation efforts to stem the tide of poaching, pollution, and human encroachment. In a country jobs poor but animal rich, the temptation of poaching is almost too much to bear. That’s why Bolt is lending his name and money to the cause of animal preservation.
Since Usain Bolt gained world-wide fame for being ridiculously fast at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he’s been able to mix in visits to his favorite club, Manchester United, his other favorite club, Real Madrid, and more between running ridiculously fast. In the past, he’s talked about playing as a “left-sided defensive midfielder” when he was in high school, but now he’s seriously talking about his future as a footballer and not just his past.
“Ideally, if I was to play football, I’d sign for my favorite team — Manchester United. People say it’s not realistic but nobody has seen me play so you never know. If Alex Ferguson saw me in one of those charity matches he might think I could replace Ryan Giggs.”
I ask about his ambitions. Ultimately, he says, he’d love to make a go of playing football professionally. He’s being deadly serious. One of the perks of being Usain Bolt is that sporting stars love to meet him, so whenever he’s travelling and there’s time, he tries to train with a top football team. Last year it was Manchester United, a few days ago it was Bayern Munich. He’s still carrying a copy of the French sporting newspaper L’Equipe, which features a spread on his football skills and praise from Bayern manager Louis van Gaal. He shows me a photo of himself with his arm wrapped round the dwarfed 6ft German forward Miroslav Klose. “If I keep myself in shape, I can definitely play football at a high level,” he says.
Presumptuous? Yes. Impossible? Maybe not. His speed and celebrity would certainly get him a trial somewhere — whether he has any skills on the ball or not.
All this will have to wait until at least after the 2012 Olympics, though. At which point Ryan Giggs will probably still be playing and Bolt will probably still be carrying around that copy of L’Equipe.
Since its inception in the year 2005, Eyes on Nature Expeditions has been donating 5% of each tour sold to a worthy cause through a charitable organization, Leo Community Development Network (LECDEN KENYA). The contribution goes towards catering for basic needs for the needy like buying medicines, food and even paying for school fees for the orphans and People living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHAS). LECDEN-KENYA has a number of centres within Nairobi: Kiambiu Slum, in Nairobi Buruburu Phase I, has 100 orphans, 85 OVC’s, 200 widows, 300 Girl Child , 250 PLWHAS .Kibera Line Saba also in Nairobi has 80 orphans, 75 Other Vulnerable Children, 120 widows, 200 Girl Child, 100 People Living with HIV/AIDS. We have other centres within the country in Makueni, Machakos, Siaya – near Kogello village (Home to US president Barack Obama’s late father), Nakuru, Central and Masala Village in Rarieda District. Rarieda District has 100 orphans, 120 Other Vulnerable Children, 140 widows, 250 Girl Child, 150 People Living with HIV/AIDS. province. For more details visitour website:www.lecdenkenya.com . THERE ARE AT LEAST FOUR (4) GOOD REASONS YOU SHOULD COME WITH US. 1. We have formed close working partnerships with the best in-country outfitters and the best lodges and camps-outfits that have decades of experience with guests on safari. In addition, we are committed to employing local people to the maximum extent possible. We pay our people well and, just as important, we provide them with training and involve them in our company. They are trusted partners in providing our guests with the best safari experience available in Kenya
2. Ethical tourism is one of the cornerstones of our company. Eyes On Nature Expeditions is committed to travel that provides exciting opportunities for our guests while enriching lives and protecting habitats in East Africa. We support micro-economic development projects with a number of tribal groups in Kenya. These programs allow our guests exclusive entry onto tribal lands while giving local people local control over the way tourism is introduced and the way dollars earned are used. Our programs open up rare opportunities for in-depth exchanges between western culture and traditional African cultures.
3. We offer responsible tourism by giving back to the community through the contribution of 5
percent of our income from every tour we sell. We contribute to LECDEN-KENYA, an NGO working with the less fortunate members of society. For more information please visit the website at www.lecdenkenya.comor enquire at info@lecdenkenya.com or lecden_2005@yahoo.com
4. Education is one of the cornerstones of Eyes On Nature Expeditions. On our safaris , you learn by going. It is a highly entertaining process of deepening discovery that we call Natural Learning and it’s an integral part of every one of our safaris . As our guides teach you to spot and identify game and track animals, you begin to see with new eyes. You become more curious and observant about animal behaviors, and you begin to understand how all the pieces of the ecosystem fit together. In addition, we can also arrange your safari to give you special access to amazing people who know Africa’s depths: researchers, directors of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) tribal councils, and camp owners. At Eyes On Nature Expeditions we want you to come away with a deeper understanding of an astonishing landscape.
Your only way is our only way for just a worthy course. – Buy a safari (a tour) or donate now to help put a smile in someone’s face today more so the less fortunate in our society including children, women , widows and people living with HIV Aids among them young children.
- For donors and well wishers , we are ready to partner with you to achieve these worthy course.
For More information on Volunteer Vacation Safari Click Here Eyes on Nature Expeditions is big enough to fully cover all your tour requirements yet small enough to empathetically involve itself in your tour with quality personalized /customized services.
Other services provided by Eyes on Nature Expeditions include:-
• International and domestic airline ticketing;
• Tailor made FIT (Fully Inclusive Tour) International itineraries to suit your client’s needs;
• Long or short tour packages within Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Seychelles;
• Incentive tour programs which includes stays in prime properties and exotic locations;
• Airport/hotel/Airport transfers;
• City and local excursions;
• Shopping itineraries;
• Airport transfers;
• Conferencing and event management;
• Special interest groups such as Golfing, Honeymoon, Bird watching, Fishing safaris and others.
We aim to create that special relationship which converts our business partners and visitors into life long friends!
Are you drawn to Africa? If you yearn for landscapes of great grasslands; jungles that are the last refuge of endangered gorillas and chimpanzees; warm oceans washing up on beaches that have seen the ebb and flow of the continent’s fortunes over the centuries; or the beat of Africa’s cities and people today, we can take you to her top destinations.
Continent of Contrast
These top destinations in Africa will reveal this continent of contrasts to you. Each has its allure, its culture and history, its people and wildlife that can be found nowhere else. From the islands of the Seychelles, to the great plains of the Serengeti, the rhythms of life in the Okavango Delta and the pulse and vibe of the world’s most beautiful city at the foot of Africa, we bring it all to you.
Tried and Tested Careful consideration has gone into the selection of these top African destinations. We pride ourselves on helping our travellers discover an authentic, unique and truly memorable African experience. We ensure that wherever it is you’re dreaming of going, you will return from Africa with its sights and smells imprinted on your memory; the sound of a lion’s roar in the deep of the night still ringing in your ears.
These African destinations are our top choices because they are time and travel tested places that our African safari experts and our travellers have been to – and consistently rated as Africa’s highlights.
Into the Future That said, our African safari experts are also at the forefront of exciting new developments in Africa when it comes to new lodges and areas opening up to travellers. This is where their firsthand, specialist knowledge allows us to present you with new choices that meet our stringent criteria and earn their place on our list of Africa’s top destinations.
Our responsible tourism,
Be part of the change you want to see in the world by: 1. Downloading a toolbar with a Yahoo search engine. Every time you use the toolbar to search anything i.e. travel agencies, shoes, bags, etc and you click on any sponsored advertisement you will be contributing 10cents (in dollars) to lecden-kenya. 100 clicks per day that is $10x 1000 =$1,000/day=$30,000 per/month. There is also 1500 store mall to shop in and receive discounts from 15% to 25% off of retail prices, plus receive earnings on your purchases. http://www.benefitbar.com/benefitbar/subscribe/toolbar.php?toolbarId=3904
REMARKS
Eyes on Nature Expeditions is big enough to fully cover all your tour requirements yet small enough to empathetically involve itself in your tour with quality personalized /customized services.
Other services provided by Eyes on Nature Expeditions include:- - International and domestic airline ticketing;
- Tailor made FIT (Fully Inclusive Tour) International itineraries to suit your client’s needs;
- Long or short tour packages within Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Seychelles;
- Incentive tour programs which includes stays in prime properties and exotic locations;
- City and local excursions;
- Shopping itineraries;
- Airport transfers;
- Conferencing and event management;
- Special interest groups such as Golfing, Honeymoon, Bird watching, Fishing safaris and others - Air ticketing
- Beach, lodge and hotel bookings
- Water rafting in Kenya and Uganda
- Nature expeditions and peoples cultural programmes - Tour packages to Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
- Mountaineering, fishing and balloon safaris
- Car hire services and airport transfers
- Group tours
- Reception on arrival at all major airports
- Camping safaris for budget travelers and special rates students
We pride ourselves in the fact that our safari guests can immerse themselves in Africa’s broad savannahs and remarkable wildlife with complete peace of mind, knowing that they are in the safe hands of Eyes on Nature Expeditions. No group is too large or too small for our tour company – at the end of the safari, we are always friends. Read More>>
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any additional information or assistance that you may require. Individual and discounted group rates also available on request
We aim to create that special relationship which converts our business partners and visitors into life longtime friends.
Yours Sincerely, STEVE (Nature Man) DIRECTOR, (TOURS AND TRAVEL CONSULTANT EAST AFRICA REGION)
EYES ON NATURE EXPEDITIONS LTD (TOURS AND TRAVEL)
Kleins Camp is a Luxury safari tented camp located on the north eastern edge of Serengeti National Park, northern Tanzania and Klein’s Camp Lodge is one of the few private concessions adjacent to the park. Camp Kleins hotel was built on the craggy quartzite and sandstone Kuka Hills that extend south from Kenya into the north-eastern corner of the Serengeti National Park. The Grumeti River, which has its source in the southern Kenyan hills, runs through the Klein’s Camp concession, and its narrow strip of riverine forest is a distinctive feature.
Klein’s Camp sits within a 10,000 hectare private concession and provides guests with the ultimate private Serengeti experience. With Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park to the north and the Tanzania Serengeti National Park to the west, the Klein’s Camp is one of the most strategically positioned wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and is highly recommended for Serengeti Migration Safaris. At Kleins Camp Hotel thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate at certain times of the year, in addition to excellent year-round game including lion, cheetah, leopard as well as many bird species. Action-packed night game-drives and extensive bush walks into the Serengeti are just some of the activities that guests can enjoy.
Kleins Camp is operated by CC Africa (Conservation Corporation Africa). CC Africa works hand in hand with its sister organisation Africa Foundation, and they operate a series of hotels and lodges throughout East and South Africa all of the highest standard whose development and operation is tied in with the local communities, helping them to develop, educate their children and ensure adequate medical services. Klein’s camp is relatively small located on a small shoulder of a hillside overlooking a broad lush valley, the area is rich in game life and particularly so in the period July till October. The safari camp offers several rondavels each with a verandah overlooking the valley and with double or twin bedded four poster beds and en-suite facilities. The bar has an old safari lodge style atmosphere with a central fire, comfortable seating, a small library and a fine panorama.
A further joy of Klein’s Camps location is that it is not bound by the rules of the Serengeti, so the maximum of 16 guests at the camp can enjoy night drives and safaris in open-sided vehicles, and walk in the surrounding bush. The entirety of Klein’s Camp is constructed and decorated with solid, good-quality furnishings and inspires a great sense of peace and comfort, enhanced by the knowledge that this is such a great distance from any other sign of civilization.The tents are were comfortable, elegant, and quiet. You will love the hot water bottles that are placed beneath the sheets each night!.
Kleins Camp contains just 10 intimate, turn-of-the-century style cottages of local rock and thatch. The rich wooden floors and serene, classic interiors are reminiscent of the heydays of rugged safaris. Each spacious cottage has an en suite bathroom. With showerheads the size of a dinner platter, the spacious enclosed showers offer you the sensory equivalent of an indoor cloud-burst.
From each private terrace, a diversity of resident wildlife, including elephant, may be viewed in the valley. Round stone walls and polished floors beautifully offset the soft cream and gossamer-fabric interiors. The décor at Klein’s resembles an old Tanganyika coffee plantation house. The camp has a large, beautifully furnished bar/living area, plunge pool, a curio shop which stocks locally made Maasai crafts and a leisure deck. The restaurant and lounge command spectacular views of the valley and surrounding hills. Day and night safaris in open safari vehicles are led by experienced tour rangers and guides.
About the Mara Serena Safari Lodge
A ringside seat for the greatest show on earth.
Located at the very centre of the famous ‘Mara Triangle’ of the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge is the ultimate safari destination. Set high on a bush-cloaked hill with long views over the savannah and down to the winding coils of the hippo-filled Mara River, it stands centre-stage to one of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife arenas, with a ringside seat for the ‘greatest wildlife show on earth’, the legendary migration of the wildebeest.
Styled to echo the circular motif of a traditional Maasai manyatta, the lodge blends international sophistication with raw African beauty, while featuring twin rows of individual rooms, each with its own view of the famous Mara River. The central bar and dining areas enjoy spectacular views, as does the rock-surround swimming pool. Each luxuriously-presented room is accommodated in its own stand-alone modular unit, with uninterrupted views, private balcony and spacious seating area. Activities include three daily game drives in custom-built traditional safari vehicles, ‘sundowners’ in the bush, breakfast by the hippo pools, balloon safaris and exotic Maasai bush suppers.
Word renowned for the breathtaking spectacle of ‘the greatest wildlife show on earth’, the awe inspiring annual migration of the wildebeest, the Mara is Kenya’s most visited protected area. Technically an extension of Tanzania’s renowned Serengeti National Park, the Mara constitutes only 4% of the entire Serengeti ecosystem but its rolling grasslands, meandering rivers and towering escarpments offer one of the world’s most rewarding and evocative wildlife arenas.
the migratory wildebeest are ‘in the
Black rhino suffered a catastrophic decline across Africa in the 1970s and 1980s. Numbers plummeted from an estimated 65,000 in 1970 to fewer than 2,500 by 1992.
record for the 150-meter dash, the 100-meter (where his record is a ridiculous sub-10 seconds), the 200-meter, and, as MDS mentioned, he may as well go ahead and try to add the 400-meters and the long jump trophies to a case that includes 2008 Athlete of the Year.
