Safari Gorilla Tracking & Mountain Climbing
Experience it with us...
OUR SAFARIS Road safaris usually begin at your city hotel or at the airport of arrival and involve driving in the countryside through towns and villages to various national parks and reserves
Air safaris also begin at your city hotel or airport of arrival with a transfer to the domestic airport where our airport service staff assist you to catch your flight to your next safari destination.
Accommodation in the wildlife reserves is provided with full board arrangement at selected game lodges and camps.
We arrange scheduled as well as charter flight services for our guests.
Our safaris include all meet & greet services, transportation to the various locations, entrance fees to the parks, accommodation, meals and game activities. On road safaris guests get to keep the same guide and vehicle through out the safari.
Most of the lodges have their own game drive vehicles which are used on a shared basis and can be booked for exclusive use at a supplement. We also provide our vehicles, to go to the safari location ahead of the clients and provide private services. Air safaris, although more costly than the road safaris, greatly reduce time spent on the roads, travelling from one location to another and allow guests more time for game activities at the locations.
EAST AFRICA A DREAM DESTINATION... East Africa is a dream destination with unmatched geographical features, offering a wide variety of possibilities to facilitate the perfect incentive program. Dreams become a reality with an east African Incentive. Our programs create unforgettable moments by combining our cosmopolitan cities, unique wildlife and cultural experiences along with attention to detail in every respect. Activities can be gentle or intense according to the client’s preference. Each program is tailor-made to suit the group and budget. A strong, dynamic and dedicated team ensures excellent service is delivered.
This fascinating land on the Equator is a microcosm of all Africa - from snow caped mountains, tropical rain forests, sweeping Savannah to mysterious deserts and the idyllic blue ocean. Combine the setting with a perfect year round climate, a colourful array of cultures and a hospitable people, and you’ve got the place for an exotic and adventurous experience of a lifetime. For incentive groups we combine the traditional wildlife safari with activities like fishing on Lake Victoria and in the Indian ocean, golfing at a country resort, Hot air balloon rides in the “world famous” Kenyan game reserves teeming with wildlife or scenic helicopter flights. There are many activities available to suit any group size and budget.
BALLOON SAFARI
Imagine gliding freely over the endless savannahs of Africa while the drama of nature unfolds below. Perhaps you’ll see a herd of Buffalos or a pride of lions feasting on the previous night’s kill. But most awe-inspiring is the vista - unbroken by power lines or any sign of man’s habituation except perhaps the occasional Maasai manyatta (village) which has existed harmoniously in this place for centuries.
The balloon ride is usually taken early in the morning and culminates with a “bush” Champagne breakfast right where you land. Clients may then chose to go on game drives or drive straight to the camp or lodge.
FISHING IN LAKE VICTORIA This very unusual adventure takes you to another world of East Africa – a world of sky-scraping mountains, broad valleys of tea and sugar cane, steaming jungles, and the world’s second largest lake – home of the world’s largest perch. The excursion includes a fascinating boat tour around Mfangano or Rusinga Island and the wide Kavirondo Bay. Almost 300 feet deep and more than 400 miles long, the lake abounds with wildlife. Fishing guides will bait hooks for those who want to “go for the big one.” The lake is also a refuge for nesting pairs of sacred ibis, cormorants, yellow-billed storks, several kinds of weavers, and the dazzling and red-breasted gonolek among other bird species. Migratory bats and tropical butterflies find food and shelter in fig and cassia trees and wattle-skinned monitor lizards pose like primeval bathing beauties on the rocks, just waiting for you to take their picture! Above it all, magnificent sea eagles soar in circles, ever watchful for a free fish dinner.
COCKTAILS
Lots of laughs are the result of a ‘surprise’ sundowners event when the drivers pretend to be lost or some similar manoeuvre and end up at the pre-determined spot with the entourage of camp or lodge staff awaiting the group with big smiles. An added attraction can be a ‘mock attack’ by some of the friendly local tribesman followed by a display of traditional dancing. These events are always a hit with any size group. For such surprise events you may not inform the clients as they are meant to be “surprises.”
BUSH MEALS Imagine driving through wilderness, searching for wildlife on an early morning game drive. You’ve been at it for several hours with good success. Now stomachs are rumbling and you’re ready for that second cup of coffee, time to head back to the lodge. But, the driver seems to be headed in the opposite direction! You wonder what’s going on when suddenly he pulls into a grove of acacia trees and there, set in a pristine location, is a complete outdoor dining room. There are waiters standing by with chilled juice and champagne and chefs are on hand to cook eggs to order. A full and complete breakfast is served in the tranquillity of the bush.
TRADITIONAL DANCERS
Local villagers entertain your clients with performances of their tribal ceremonies. The traditional “call and respond� songs may be in praise of warriors who have killed a lion or had a successful cattle raid. There are also songs and dances of love, courtship and marriage. These colourful exhibitions are always a hit with guests who are free to join in the celebration should they feel the urge.
Here’s your chance to taste what African living is like as you tour authentic African homesteads. At each, you are welcomed the chief who shows you around and welcomes you to step into the house for an insight into their lifestyle. Witness the women preparing traditional beer or making a traditional meal or even weaving baskets. The tour finale is usually a traditional song and dance performed by the young colourfully dressed warriors and women, and you are welcome to join in!
CULTURAL TOURS
HELICOPTER SCENIC FLIGHTS Instead of climbing Mount Kenya, simply fly to the top and see the majesty of this spectacular mountain and beautiful surrounding country. Depending on the hotels booked, airport transfers in Nairobi on the first and last day could be done in helicopters – see Kenya’s Capital city from the sky and avoid all the traffic jam.
GOLFING
Kenya is a golfing country. Nairobi itself boasts 5 world class golf courses which guests staying in Nairobi for conferencing can visit and enjoy rounds of golf. On the safari circuits, there are world class 18 – hole golf courses at the mount Kenya Safari club, at Aberdare Country club and at the Rift Valley golf resort. Golfing is one of the activities we incorporate in incentive itineraries to add value. In Mombasa there are 2 world class courses – one in the south and the other one in north coast
OUR SAFARI VEHICLES
Real Africa 2WD Van
Real Africa 4WD Landcruiser
We operate 2WD safari minibuses and 4WD safari landcruisers Our Safari vehicles are specially converted and fitted with a pop-up roof hatch for better viewing and photography. All are equipped with HF radios,
Our guides will always wear uniforms and are knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. We believe that a guide can make the difference between a good safari and a great one.
2 spare wheels, medical kit, tow ropes and shovel. For clients’ comfort we also carry cooler-boxes, a pair of binoculars, guide books on animals, plants Birds and bean bags in each.
We take pride in offering people oriented and well trained guides to complement the wonderful safari attractions.
OCEAN BREAK-AWAYS Zanzibar & Mombasa
A few days at an Indian Ocean resort are a perfect way to end a safari! Mombasa and Zanzibar both share a rich history, being ports of call for Arabic traders and the Dutch East India Company. Let your clients indulge in sunshine and water-based activities. A romantic dinner on a traditional dhow or swimming with dolphins are some of the highlights we can arrange.
Gorilla Tracking
Gorilla Tracking There are currently only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the world and of these, about 300 reside in Bwindi, in Uganda. At the moment there are 5 habituated families that are open to visits by tourists, 4 of which are based in Buhoma and one in Nkungiro. Only 8 permits per gorilla family per day are available to the whole world per day, making gorilla tracking a very exclusive activity. The remaining families inhabit the forested mountains of Rwanda and DR Congo. Presently, Rwanda has the easiest access routes for visiting the mountain gorillas. We organize thrilling treks to visit these gentle giants in their misty mountain home also known as the virungas, (a chain of volcanoes with altitudinal ranges of 3500m-4507m). Mountain Gorillas are found in the high altitude forests surrounding these volcanoes. There are currently 7 habituated gorilla families that can be visited. Real Africa organizes tours in both Uganda and Rwanda. We use the best local guides who are keen naturalists and have great interest in conservation. Most of them are personally known to the gorilla families! Apart from gorilla tracking we also organize tours to other parks in these countries. Uganda and Rwanda also boast beautiful national parks teeming with big game but also with many different types of primates.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN CLIMBING Summit the highest mountain in Africa! Five different routes are available depending on the fitness and budget of your clients. Accommodation varies from two-man tents to mountain huts. All food is supplied en route and backpacks are carried by porters.
CONTACT US
LINDE VAN NIEKERK linde@seagulltours.co.za
MALAIKA ELIZABETH VAN NIEKERK elizabeth@seagulltoere.co.za
examples of itineraries
Day 1:
Johannesburg to Nairobi ort at the Kenya Airways We will meet at O.R. Tambo International Airp counter at 1140 for departure at 1340. sferred to the Southern On arrival in Nairobi we will be met and tran welcome dinner at the hotel. Sun Mayfair Hotel in Nairobi. We enjoy our Overnight - Southern Sun Mayfair. D.
Day 2:
N a i r obi – S w e e t wat e r s e north to Mount Kenya region and After an early breakfast and check out, we driv sanctuary. We enjoy lunch at the camp. check in at our camp at the Olpejeta private reserve and visit the Chimpanzee We depart on our afternoon game drive in the p tonight. sanctuary before enjoying dinner at the cam ranch near the Mount Kenya and Sweetwaters is a 24,000 acre private game ters enjoy magnificent views across sits astride the Equator. Guests to Sweetwa nt Kenya. At the ranch we find a the plains to the snow-capped peaks of Mou the endangered black rhino. The ranch Chimpanzee Sanctuary and a sanctuary for , Rhino, elephant and Buffalo. boasts all the “Big 5” Including Lion, Leopard private hideaway. The original The adjoining Olpejeta was Adnan Khashoggi’s er glory as a traditional farmhouse. dwelling was completely restored to its form .
Overnight - Serena Sweetwaters Camp. LDB
Day 3:
S w e e t wat e r s – N a k u r u ing on the way, make our way to After breakfast check out and, with game view Lake Nayahururu falls – Kenya’s longest. Nakuru National Park. Stop over briefly at the time to settle in before we set out Check in to our camp for lunch. There will be lake. This afternoon you will take for the game drive in the park and around the ds flamingo’s before enjoying dinner amazing pictures of the lake and the thousan at the camp. lake, with masses of flamingos Lake Nakuru is a beautiful shallow alkaline edge of the lake. Surrounded forming an unforgettable pink ribbon along the e Nakuru National Park is a superb by acacia woodland and rich savannah, Lak Originally and still considered one of example of conservation at work in the wild. lake is a famous haunt for millions the finest ornithological sites in the world, the ralled by the greatest variety of birds of flamingos. Avid bird watchers will be enth to Rothschild giraffe, white and black on earth. The park also provides sanctuary rhino, and leopard. .
Nakuru Flamingo Hill CampBreakfast. LDB
Day 4:
Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara
Masai Mara, world famous for its annual After breakfast we depart for the legendary time for a short rest at the pool, in your migration of wildlife. After lunch there will be n game drive departs. Game viewing in room or at the restaurant, before the afternoo make sure your camera’s batteries are East Africa is an experience of a lifetime, so charged! T. This spectacular game reserve with One word encapsulates the Masai Mara - VAS es in the Southwest corner of Kenya, its undulating plains, hills and woodland grov is lion and elephant country with shares its southern border with Tanzania. This of black rhino also in residence. The leopard, cheetah and a recovering population birdlife and is famous for the annual Mara is home to several hundred species of southern plains of the Serengeti, in migration of wildebeest thundering across the y dinner at the lodge this evening.. Tanzania, into Kenya’s Masai Mara. We enjo Overnight Mara Simba Lodge. LDB.
Day 5 and 6: Masai Mara
ge located on the banks of the Mara River. We spend the next two days in the Serena Lod es, returning to a buffet breakfast. The In the early mornings we depart on game driv pool or enjoying other leisurely activities. rest of the day can be spent lazing around the depart on an evening game drive. When we Lunch and afternoon tea is served before we ed. return from the game drive, dinner will be serv t. Warrior dancing, or other local entertainmen After dinner there will be a display of Masai lounge. Please remember only the animal You can enjoy an after-dinner drink in the bar or not or if we will see a kill, but be assured kingdom can decide if they will cross that day that you will see huge herds of animals.. Overnight Mara Serena Lodge. LDB.
Day 7:
bi Masai Mara – Nairo
and depart with a rning game drive, enjoy breakfast mo ly ear t las one nce erie exp We viewing on route to Nairobi. lunch box to do some more game d in the Boma Restaurant. Our farewell dinner will be enjoye ir. LDB.
Overnight Southern Sun Mayfa
Day 8:
Nairobi to Johanne sburg
After breakfast we drive to Nairob i International Airport. We check in for our flight back to Johannesburg after an unforgetta ble African experience. We arrive back at O.R Tambo Johannesburg at 1220.
Day 1:
Johannesburg to Arusha where we check-in for We meet at O.R. Tambo International Airport, our flight to Kilimanjaro. e. On arrival in Kilimanjaro we claim our baggag A short transfer to Arusha. ge. Overnight - Serena Mountain Village Lod Dinner included.
Day 2:
Arusha to L ake M anyara of Mto wa Mbu to the gates of After breakfast we drive through the local town 50km along the base of the Rift Valley Lake Manyara National Park. Stretching for , with a setting extolled by Ernest Escarpment, Lake Manyara is a scenic gem Africa.” Manyara provides the perfect Hemmingway as “the loveliest I had seen in 400 species have been recorded here. introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife. More than bing lions. Perhaps we will be lucky Manyara is famous for the legendary treeclim enough to see this! Overnight - Lake Manyara Serena Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 3:
i L ake M anyara to Serenget ti National Park, undoubtedly the Today, after breakfast, we drive to the Serenge qualled for its natural beauty and best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, une on of plains game in Africa with more scientific value. It has the greatest concentrati mson’s gazelle and a quarter of a than two million wildebeest, half a million Tho million zebra. l park is famed for its annual migration, Tanzania’s oldest and most popular nationa n plains. Yet even when the migration when some six million hooves pound the ope t scintillating game-viewing in Africa: is quiet, the Serengeti offers arguably the mos hant and giraffe, and thousands upon great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elep Grant’s gazelle. Your guide will take thousands of eland, topi, knogoni, impala and you on an afternoon game drive. Overnight Serena Serengeti Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 and 5: Serengeti
witness the spectacle of predator versus Enjoy breakfast at the lodge and thereafter nce of plain grazers. Solitary leopards prey. Golden-mane lions feast on the abunda r, while a high density of cheetahs haunt the acacia trees lining the Seronera Rive prowls the southeastern plains. you are relaxing at the pool, enjoying a Afternoons may be spend at leisure. Whether r balcony, you will have an unobstructed sundowner at the bar or just perched on you e. view of the game passing in front of the lodg ilar. Overnight Serena Serengeti Lodge or sim Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 6:
C r at e r Serengeti to Ngorongoro
ed the eighth wonder of the world it is one Breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater. Call magical setting and abundant wildlife never of the world’s greatest natural spectacles, its ds, waterfalls and mountain forests are fail to enthrall visitors. The volcanoes, grasslan Masaai. home to an abundance of animals and to the aai are a very interesting people, they are En route we visit a Masaai Village. The Mas will present you with a unique opportunity both proud and fearless, a visit to their village daily life. for insights into their culture as well as their akfast. Lunch and dinner included.
Overnight Ngorongoro Serena Lodge Bre
Day 7:
r N g or on g or o C r at e
crater for a half cend 600m into this magnificent des we ast akf bre ly ear y ver a er year Aft of African wildlife. Supported by a cle cta spe ble etta org unf an s day tour. Witnes ich also has a vast variety of animals, wh k par the , der fod and ply sup ter round wa includes the black rhino. , which is its dense population of predators k par e squ ture pic this to w dra Another big d. etahs and the ever elusive leopar che s, kal jac , nas hye s, lion es lud a coffee inc back to our hotel, which is set in e driv ly ure leis a ore bef ch lun We enjoy a late ries. ner and share laughs and memo din ll we fare a oy enj we re He . plantation ast. Lunch and dinner included. akf Bre e lag Vil tain un Mo a ren Se Overnight
Day 8:
Arusha to Johanne sburg
After breakfast we are transferre
d to the Kilimanjaro Airport from wh
ere we fly home.