kenya agricultural tour -...
TRANSCRIPT
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Kenya Agricultural Tour Nairobi - Aberdare National Park - Samburu National Reserve - The Rift Valley - Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara
14 Days / 13 Nights
10 July 2019 - 23 July 2019
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Accommodation
Key
B&B: Bed and Breakfast
FB+: Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities Daily
Accommodation Destination Start End Basis Duration
Overnight Travel 10 Jul 11 Jul 1 Night
Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club Nairobi 11 Jul 13 Jul B&B 2 Nights
The Ark Lodge Aberdare National Park 13 Jul 14 Jul FB+ 1 Night
Elephant Bedroom Camp Samburu National
Reserve
14 Jul 16 Jul FB+ 2 Nights
Mbweha Camp The Rift Valley 16 Jul 18 Jul FB+ 2 Nights
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge Lake Naivasha 18 Jul 19 Jul FB+ 1 Night
Tipilikwani Mara Camp Masai Mara 19 Jul 22 Jul B&B 3 Nights
Overnight Travel 22 Jul 23 Jul 1 Night
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Day 1: Overnight Travel (Tue, 10 July)
Flight Information
Day 2: Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi (Wed, 11 July)
Day Itinerary
Connecting flight Johannesburg to Nairobi.
Flight Information
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your Hotel for check in. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.
Situated in along the Nairobi River in beautiful Kenya, the capital of Nairobi is East Africa's most cosmopolitan city. It
serves as an excellent starting point for African safari trips around Kenya.
Nairobi is Africa’s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place, and although it has developed a reputation
which keeps tourist visits brief, there are some fascinating attractions: its cafe culture, unbridled nightlife, the
National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and most notably just 20 minutes from the city centre wild lions and
buffalo roam in the world’s only urban game reserve. Make sure you pay a visit to the elephant orphanage operated
by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time
10 Jul VA693
(Scheduled)
Virgin Melbourne
International Airport
[MEL]
18:15 Perth International
Airport [PER]
20:40
10 Jul SA693
(Scheduled)
South
African
Airlines
Perth International
Airport [PER]
23:40 OR Tambo
International Airport
[JNB]
04:50
(11 Jul)
Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time
11 Jul SA185
(Scheduled)
South
African
Airlines
OR Tambo
International Airport
[JNB]
10:10 Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport
[NBO]
15:05
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Overnight: Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club
The Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club is a cluster of impressive Victorian style buildings with 130 deluxe rooms
comprising twins, doubles, studio suites and cottages all overlooking our spectacular 18-hole championship golf
course and are tastefully decorated with five-star amenities in each room. A 16-hour business center and Stay Fit
gym ensure you won’t miss a moment of excitement when you choose to stay at the Windsor.
Day 3: Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi (Thu, 12 July)
Day Itinerary
Enjoy breakfast and depart for the nearby Ruiru Coffee Research Institute for a guided tour of the Institute. You will
have the opportunity to view preparation of the seed beds, processing which involves cherry picking, sorting, pulping
and pre-grading through to farm management including a brief on good agricultural and hygiene practices. We’ll
walk through the Laboratory to see how the Biological research is undertaken and visit the Coffee Museum within
the Institutes which compares different kinds of coffee from around the world. A lovely lunch will be served on the
lawns of the Institute. We will leave to proceed to Thika Coffee Millers where you will have the opportunity to see
the mechanized processing, grading and packaging of coffee, tea and nut. We might be lucky to see a live coffee
auction. If time permits, visit their large scale coffee Farm.
Day 4: The Ark Lodge, Aberdare National Park (Fri, 13 July)
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at the hotel we ‘cruise’ to the Aberdares National Park. A warm welcome at the Aberdares Country Club
where we will have our lunch and also store any excess luggage we may have, pack what we need for the night in
sleeping bags then board lodge vehicles to our tree lodge. The Ark enjoys a great, serene location – inside the thick
rain forest of Aberdares. We will spend this afternoon and the night game viewing from the lodge balconies. The
flood lit water-hole is a quite a magnet for a wide variety of wildlife species who come to drink, bath or salt lick.
These include; Cape buffalo, the Savannah Elephant, leopard and water bucks, giant forest hogs, lions among many
others. The Lodge is designed with 'decks' from which numerous balconies and lounges that provide superb vantage
points for game viewing. A lot of silence is required so that animals are not scared away so remember to speak in
low tones. A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you closer than you would
believe possible to the wildlife. Dinner and overnight at our tree lodge.
PLEASE NOTE: The nights get very cold so you need to have some warm clothes with you.
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Located northeast of Nairobi, Kenya, the Aberdare National Park was created to protect the Aberdare Mountain
Range, the peaks of which soar to 3930 metres. The landscape is characterised by steep forested slopes, expansive
moors, and deep ravines scattered with cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear streams and rushing rivers. The park is
inhabited by a variety of African wildlife such as: elephant, lion, spotted hyena, rhino, black leopard and the very
elusive bongo antelope that lives in the high altitude bamboo forests. The park offers the perfect environment for
picnics, camping in the moorlands, trout fishing in the rivers, and excellent bird watching with over 250 species of
birds including hawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.
Aberdare National Park
Overnight: The Ark Lodge
The Ark has four viewing areas from which to observe the ever-present animal activity at the waterhole and saltlick.
There is also a ground level hide - the perfect spot for the discerning photographer. From this vantage point, photos
of animals can be taken at eye-level.
So as not to miss any animal sightings, the resident guide will buzz your room when special animals come to the
waterhole. Simply throw on your provided robe and slippers, grab your camera and view nightlife at the waterhole!
The sister property to The Ark the Aberdare Country Club, is a short distance away and is the perfect place to spend
an afternoon. Activities include a game walk on our 1300 acres, golf, tennis, horseback riding, relaxing at our health
club or swimming pool, or simply enjoying the gorgeous gardens.
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Day 5: Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu National Reserve (Sat, 14 July)
Day Itinerary
Our guide driver will warmly meet you at the hotel after breakfast, help you load your luggage into the Safari land
cruiser then proceed to Samburu. We have a stop at the Kisima Farm where we will engage in an educative chat
with the managers and farm workers on the farm. Here wheat, bearley, potatoes, sunflowers are grown. They are
also engaged in flower farming. The farm also does dairy & beef farming. We may visit other farm of interest on our
way.. We enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive enroute to the camp. The Samburu region is the best place to find
several endemic Northern species; including the Gerenuk (twiga gazelle) due to her long neck, the beisa Oryx, the
Reticulated Giraffe, the Somali ostrich and Grevy’s Zebra. Samburu is also an ornithological paradise, home to many
birds including local species such as the Palm Nut Vulture and the Vivacious Dove. Enjoy dinner and overnight at our
camp
Resting on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River and neighbouring the Buffalo Springs National Park, Samburu
National Reserve is remote, hot and arid. The reserve spans over 165 square kilometres of spectacularly scenic
landscape featuring rugged hills, undulating plains and riverine forests. The park is home to abundant wildlife
including a variety of rare species such as the reticulated giraffe, the long necked gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Grevy's
Zebra and Beisa Oryx. Samburu was one of the homes of 'Elsa the Lioness', star of the best selling book and award-
winning movie 'Born Free'. Visitors can enjoy viewing over 900 elephants, a variety of predators, and over 450 bird
species.
Overnight: Elephant Bedroom Camp
Set on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve surrounded by doum palms and other
beautiful indigenous trees and shrubs sits this small and exclusive camp of 12 luxury tents - all furnished in rustic
African style while offering all the comforts expected of a luxury Camp (hot & cold running water, electricity and
herbal products).
The lounge and dining area offer vibrant safari colours with original oil paintings, soft intimate lighting designed to
relax guests returning from an exciting game drive. Huge herds of elephant, prides of lion or the solitary leopard
amongst other game are regular visitors around the camp providing excellent game viewing in spectacular scenic
background of rugged rolling hills.
Dining is a culinary experience with al-fresco breakfast, 3 course lunch and 4 course candle lit gourmet dinner set
either under the African sky or inside the well-appointed dining area.
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Day 6: Elephant Bedroom Camp, Samburu National Reserve (Sun, 15 July)
Day Itinerary
Enjoy a full day game viewing in both Samburu and Buffalo Springs Game Reserves.
Samburu National Reserve
Day 7: Mbweha Camp, The Rift Valley (Mon, 16 July)
Day Itinerary
This morning after breakfast, we drive to Lake Nakuru national Park. After breakfast we depart for Lake Nakuru
National Park with a brief stop at the Thompson's Falls for a breath-taking view of the great scenery. We arrive for
lunch. This afternoon we enjoy a game viewing drive. The environment here is welcoming, one of the best places to
relax, to unwind, to enjoy nature’s beauty. The scenery is breath-taking; a sight of the virgin forest is re-assuring.
Some of the interesting places to visit include the baboon cliff, the lion hill and the Mau escarpment. The park is one
of the best game viewing parks with various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, wart
hogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffes, the black & white Rhino, the Burchell’s zebra, impalas, and the elusive
leopard among many others. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here too. Lake Nakuru National Park is one
of the best places to see the endangered black and white Rhino. Enjoy dinner and overnight at our Lodge.
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The Rift Valley is a colossal geological feature stretching for 6000 kilometres. It runs from the Middle East all the way
down Africa to northern Botswana into Kenya and can be visited just a short drive north of Nairobi. The ground
drops away and opens up to a massive valley which is home to lakes, soda lakes, savannah and impressive volcanic
formations. This spectacularly scenic landscape is scattered with abundant plains game, a string of reserves and
Maasai villages. Visitors can soak up these stunning panoramas against beautiful backdrops. Some highlights include:
the dramatic cliffs of Hell's Gate, Mount Longonot, Lake Elmenteita, and the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park.
Lake Nakuru
The site of thousands of flamingos feeding on the Lake’s shallows or taking off in unison is an iconic Kenyan one and
this is where it happens. The soda Lake and its surrounds are home to more that flamingos with more than 400
species of birds and the National park is a sanctuary for Rothschild Giraffe, Black and White Rhinos and plenty of
other plains game.
Overnight: Mbweha Camp
Tucked away in the spectacular Great Rift Valley on the private 6400 acre Congreve Conservancy, Mbweha Camp is
nestled up against the southern border of Lake Nakuru National Park with beautiful views over the Eburru and Mau
ranges. Congreve Conservancy is part of the greater conservancy area called Soysambu which has a large part of
Elementaita within its borders. Rustic lava-stone cottages with thatched roofs are surrounded by euphobia
candelabra, yellow barked acacia and other indigenous trees.
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Day 8: Mbweha Camp, The Rift Valley (Tue, 17 July)
Day Itinerary
Enjoy breakfast then depart for a visit to the commercial maize and wheat farms around Nakuru and Njoro area.
Maize is the staple food in Kenya. Large as well as small-scale farmers produce the crop and a large percentage of
the population depends on Maize farming as an income-generating crop.
Since maize is adaptable to a whole range of climate conditions, it is the single most extensively grown crop.
However, the chief growing areas are Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, Bungoma, and Uasin Gishu counties. Maize require
Warm temperatures above 15°C. These are experienced in most parts of the country.
Time permitting you might visit the Gain Silos in Nakuru town, however this is subject to confirmation nearer to
time. Here you will be able to see where maize is stored after harvesting.
Day 9: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Lake Naivasha (Wed, 18 July)
Day Itinerary
Enjoy an early breakfast. Visit a Horticultural Farm that dot around this magnificent lake. Return to lodge for lunch
then this afternoon head out on a short but exciting boat ride towards Crescent Island , a private sanctuary, for a
walk amongst Zebra, Wildebeests, Gazelle, Vervet Monkey, Genet and Giraffe. Return to the lodge for dinner and
overnight.
Lake Naivasha is the highest of the Great Rift Valley Lakes and despite having no outlet, it is one of only two Rift
Valley freshwater lakes. This beautiful lake is fringed by papyrus and acacia trees, a unique geologic landscape and
supports a vast array of over 450 bird species. It serves as the main drinking hole for wildlife in the area such as
zebra, eland, hippo, waterbuck, buffalo and much more. Visitors can look forward to excellent game viewing,
intriguing night safaris, boating excursions around the lake as well as to Crescent Island for spectacular bird watching
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opportunities. Other popular activities include: guided nature walks, horse riding, village visits and tours to
neighbouring national parks.
Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Set in one hundred and fifty acres of grassland studded with Acacia bushes and trees, the resort is not only home to
our resident giraffe, waterbuck and both Vervet and Colobus monkeys, but it is also a night stop for the hippos when
they leave the lake every night to come and trim the grass on our expansive lawns.
With Sopa’s traditional and conscientious care for the environment, we carefully positioned all the buildings on our
property so we did not have to fell any of the many trees there. As a result of this, we had to come up with a
radically innovative and artistic design for the main public area building which now snakes its way between the trees
with long and graceful curves.
The lodge features two swimming pools with a children’s section and a pool complex with its bar, snack kitchen,
pizzeria and health spa; tennis court and two conference halls with their four differently sized meeting areas.
Day 10-12: Tipilikwani Mara Camp, Masai Mara
(Thu, 19 July to Sat, 21 July)
Day Itinerary
Enjoy TWO Full days in Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game viewing drives in search of the 'big five'. Masai
Mara is the northern most extension of the Serengeti Plains and one of the richest wildlife Game Reserves. It is home
to the awesome black-manned lion, the elusive leopard, stately giraffes, and vast herds of elephants, rhino,
thundering herds of zebra, migrating wildebeest and numerous other plains game.
In one of the days, you will visit to a traditional. Maasai village (Manyatta) where we will spend memorable
moments with these wonderful people. We will be able learn and participate in the day to day activities they
engage in, listen to their stories, legends, songs and myths. These have faithfully been based through generations.
Despite influence from the modern culture, the Maasai have held to that which they have known and learned from
their fore-fathers. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
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The Masai Mara together with Tanzania’s Serengeti form Africa’s most famous wildlife park, the Masai Mara
National Reserve. The image of acacia trees dotting endless grass plains epitomises Africa for many, then add a
Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The undeniable highlight of
the Masai Mara National Reserve is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration traversing the vast plains of the
Serengeti and the Masai Mara. It is known as the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with
more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, elephants, giraffes, gazelles and eland can also
be spotted in the reserve. Aside from horse riding safaris and traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the
Mara plains has become almost essential.
Masai Mara
OPTIONAL - Hot Air Ballooning Maasai Mara – Additional Cost
Hot Air Safaris offers balloon flights in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is the northernmost part of
the spectacular Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, home to the Great Migration and scores of other wildlife, including lions,
cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.
Overnight: Tipilikwani Mara Camp
This uniquely situated luxury camp on the banks of the Talek River overlooks the mottled plains of the Maasai Mara,
where vast herds of wildlife co-exist with the colourful Maasai people between June and October the Maasai Mara
plays host to one of the most spectacular wildlife shows on earth the great annual migration of over a million
wildebeest and zebra as they enter the Mara ecosystem from Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. Tipilikwani's tents
enjoy river frontage and are decorated with warm, rich Maasai colours.
Game drives offer the unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the diversity of animals and birds living permanently in the
Maasai Mara, as well as many migratory species. Guests can also learn more about the Maasai people, proud
pastoralists and warriors, many of whom still retain their traditional nomadic lifestyle.
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Day 13: Overnight Travel (Sun, 22 July)
Day Itinerary
Wake early for your last game experience in the African Savannah before returning to the Camp for breakfast.
After check out you will be met for and depart for Nairobi arriving in time to check in for your departing flight.
Flight Information
Day 14: End of Itinerary (Mon, 23 July)
Flight Information
Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time
22
Jul
SA185
(Scheduled)
South African
Airlines
Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport
[NBO]
15:55 OR Tambo
International Airport
[JNB]
19:00
(23 Jul)
22
Jul
SA280
(Scheduled)
South African
Airlines
OR Tambo International
Airport [JNB]
21:15 Perth International
Airport [PER]
12:20
(23 Jul)
Date Flight Airline Departure Airport Time Arrival Airport Time
23 Jul Scheduled Virgin Perth International
Airport [PER]
17:35 Melbourne International
Airport [MEL]
23:00
Lvl 1, 13a Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218 (PO Box 7473)
1800 202 491 // 03 5222 2855 [email protected]
www.swagmantours.com.au
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COST: $9,890 per person twin share*
Subject to a minimum of 15 passengers travelling
*Tour cost is subject to air/tax increases plus currency fluctuations.
Non-refundable deposit required: $1,000 per person
Balance required no later than: 15 May 2019
Single Supplement: $1,485 per single
Main Tour cost includes:
Economy International airfares and applicable tax ex Australia
Use of custom designed pop-up roof Safari Land Cruise while on Safari
Twin share accommodation throughout with en suite facilities
All meals as per itinerary and one complimentary drink per meal (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
All entry/park fees as indicated in the itinerary
All farm visits and technical visits listed in the itinerary
An experienced and knowledgeable national tour guide, with local guides in each city
Unlimited bottled water in the safari vehicle
Unlimited game viewing drives
Complimentary Fly Doctors cover while on Safari
Main Tour cost does NOT include:
Travel Insurance – this is COMPULSORY to have in place prior to travel
Items of a personal nature (eg laundry/phone/souvenirs) and any optional extras listed in the itinerary
Beverages and any meals not listed in the itinerary
Cost of passport or any medication required
Visa for Kenya – obtained online prior to departure
IMPORTANT NOTES: The tour cost is subject to change due to currency fluctuations, visa fee increases, airfare, fuel surcharges and / or tax increases. As this is a group package, all passengers must travel on the same outbound flight to Dublin. Post touring options are available and will incur an amendment fee of $75.00 per person plus extra touring and insurance costs. PASSPORTS AND VISAS All travellers will require a full valid passport, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid visas for all countries visited on your holiday, and/or sufficient blank pages for any visas and for entry/departure stamps. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your holiday. If you have more than one passport, we recommend that you use one passport only for the entire journey. This will save problems and potential delays at border crossings. Requirements differ depending on your nationality - check with the appropriate embassies for details. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. Swagman Tours cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation. Please check the actual requirements with the necessary embassy or your Travel Agent. Please also do not assume that any inaccuracies within your documentation will be detected or can be rectified - you must ensure, that your "paper-work" is in order. There will be times during the trip, when your passport will be collected e.g. by your tour leader, hotel reception staff, or police. HOLDERS OF FOREIGN PASSPORTS: Travellers holding non Australian passports must have the relevant re-entry permit to return to Australia and must check with their National Consulate of any visa requirements to your holiday destination country(s). NOTE: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
FARM & TECHNICAL VISITS: A fully furnished list of confirmed visits both to farming properties and technical stops will be given with your ticket wallets approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your departure.
* Changes and alterations may take place from details listed in the itinerary *.