K A P U R FA M I LY S A FA R I GUI D ED A N D D E S I GN E D BY JA M E S RO BE RT S O N
2 1 s t
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K E N YA 2 8 th SEP TEMBER 2 0 1 9
I T I N E R A R Y
O V E R V I E W
E M A KO KO - R E K E RO C A M P - NA B O I S H O C A M P - H O G H O U S E
N A I R O B I - M A S A I M A R A R E S E R V E - N A B O I S H O C O N S E R VA N C Y - N A I R O B I
21st September 2019: NAIROBI
On arrival you will be met and transferred to The Emakoko. This beautiful lodge is located on the edge of Nairobi National Park. James and Annie will be there to meet you. You will have one night here.
2 2 n d - 2 4 t h S e p te m b e r 2 0 1 9 : M A ASA I M A R A R E S E RV E
After an early breakfast we suggest a gentle game drive through Nairobi National Park - this park is excellent for both Black, and White rhino. We will then �ly you west by private charter, across the Great Rift Valley and into the Maasai Mara. You will have your �irst three nights at Rekero Camp, in the heart of the Reserve and right in the middle of the best big cat viewing.
2 5 t h - 2 7 t h S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9 : N A B O I S H O C O N S E R VA N C Y
Today we will drive across to Naboisho which lies adjacent to the Mara Reserve. It is a community conservancy in which you have more freedom to explore on foot, and learn more about the plant life! You will be here for three nights.
2 8 t h S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9 : N A I R O B I A N D T R A V E L D AY
We will �ly back to Nairobi, again by private charter and we welcome you to our home for the remainder of your last day. We are based inside the Giraffe Sanctuary in Langata within easy distance of craft markets, shops and both airports. We suggest a visit to the Sheldrick Elephant orphanage in the afternoon. We will transfer you to the airport for your �light home.
T H I S S A FA R I W I L L B E P R I VA T E G U I D E D B Y JAMES ROBERTSON AND ANNE POWYS
R E G I O N S K A P U R FA M I LY S A FA R I
This fabulous 8 day safari focusses on Kenya’s jewel in the crown - the Maasai Mara. And you will be here at the perfect time of year to witness all the action and drama of the Wildebeest Migration.
D AY 1
NAIROBI
HOG HOUSE
D AY 2 - 4
Lake Turkana
MAASAI MARA REKERO CAMP
Lake Logipi
D AY 5 - 7
MAASAI MARA NABOISHO CAMP D AY 8
NAIROBI
HOG HOUSE
On arrival you will have one night in Nairobi at The Emakoko which is located in Nairobi National Park. A lovely family owned lodge where you will ease gently into your safari. After breakfast you will game drive to the little airport and have a good chance of seeing both Black, and White Rhino en route.
Lake Baringo
Ewaso Nyiro River
Samburu
Shaba
Lake Bogoria
Lake Victoria
Equator
Mt. Kenya
Lake Nakuru Masai Mara
You’ll �ly to the Maasai Mara and have six nights between two contrasting areas: the central Reserve where you will stay at Rekero, and then Naboisho Conservancy on the edge within community land. Here you will stay at Naboisho camp.
Lake Naivasha Nairobi Tana River
Lake Magadi Amboseli
Ts a v o Watamu
Mombasa
Lamu
We have purposely selected these two camps because of their ideal location and also because we know that you want to learn more about conservation. At Naboisho you will have the freedom to walk and explore more thoroughly - and also learn about community conservation efforts. On your last day you’ll return to Nairobi and we welcome you to our home.
K E N YA
‘ S A FA R I ’ i s t h e S w a h i l i w o r d f o r ‘ a j o u r n e y ’ a n d K e n y a e v o k e s n o s t a l g i a f o r t h e e a r l i e s t o r i g i n s
of the African safari. Romance and adventure are plentiful in the classic stories told in ‘Out of Africa’ a n d ‘ B o r n F r e e ’, i l l u s t r a t i n g K e n y a ’ s s c e n e r y, w i l d l i f e a n d p e o p l e , w h i c h h a v e e n d u r i n g a p p e a l .
Kenya is a sovereign state achieving political independence from the British in 1963. Since, anxious times have been de�ied, mainly due to its dynamic people who are amongst the most colourful in East Africa. Friendly and hospitable, the Kenyan people rely heavily on tourism.
Located on the east coast of Africa, the Equator bisects the country resulting in a tropical climate, although diverse geography provokes wide variations in temperature, rainfall and humidity. In relation to size, the assorted landscape is unparalleled and the multitude of national parks and reserves all have their own unique attractions. Marine reserves boast coral reef gardens with palm fringed beaches and turquoise oceans, while the savannah grasslands exhibit quintessential depictions of imagined Africa, harsh trackless expanses, solitary �lat - topped acacias and incredible concentrations of plains game.
Kenya remains one of the best places in Africa to see great wildlife – lions, elephants, leopards and of course the annual ‘wildebeest migration’ streaming into the Masai Mara from Tanzania. The East African Rift Valley runs through the country from top to bottom and provides stunning landscapes of giant volcanoes, hot springs and �lamingo sprinkled lakes.
Dominated by Lake Turkana, the ancient source of the Nile, the Rift Valley lakes are some of the most picturesque in Africa. The formation of the Rift created Mt Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa, some three millions years ago. “The spiritual home of safari, Kenya is where it all began. From the big cats of the Mara to the elephants of Amboseli, combined with traditional tribes, real tented camps and an unparalleled physical diversity, Kenya has it all. ”
Uganda
KENYA Lake Victoria Rwanda Burundi
Tanzania
Zanzibar
“A c o n t i n e n t i n o n e c o u n t r y ” Sandor Carter
T H E
E M A K O K O
Uniquely positioned on the edge of the Nairobi National Park, this elegant lodge is a spectacular way to start or end your safari.
The Emakoko is a family-owned and run
offers a wealth of treasures all locally
Nairobi National Park. It is located a short
Take a game drive in one of the most unique
lodge, artfully built into the side of a valley
on the Mbagathi River which borders the 45 minute ride from both airports in Nairobi city.
5 rooms are located on the same level as the
airy main dining and lounge areas and a
further 5 rooms are at the top of the lodge, perched on the cliff overlooking the valley and with the most spectacular views. All
are ensuite and beautifully furnished with
contemporary African �lair in rich chocolate browns, creamy beiges and crisp white linens.
Deep, comfortable chairs nestle
around your own stone �ireplace.
Whether you are enjoying an Emakoko
cocktail in the viewing area or simply a
coffee by the pool overlooking the river, relaxation
is
assured.
The
Emakoko
crafted in Kenya.
game parks in the world, Nairobi National Park, or visit the community that borders it.
An excursion in the environs of Nairobi to visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the giraffe centre or the local shops may be more appealing.
“The park is home
to lion, leopard & rhino, all of which range
within spitting distance of camp, while hippo
and impala are known to frequent the
l o d g e ’ s g r o u n d s .”
THE
G REAT
RIFT
VAL L E Y
T h e G r e a t R i f t V a l l e y, a l a n d s c a p e i n t u r m o i l , t o r n a p a r t b y t h e t w i s t i n g a n d b u c k l i n g o f t h e E a r t h ’ s c r u s t . I t i s a l s o a l a n d s c a p e o f h u g e u n p r e d i c t a b l e c h a n g e , t h a t f o r c e s a n i m a l s d a y b y d a y, s e a s o n b y s e a s o n t o gamble with their lives, but for those that win, this is one of the most fertile landscapes on Earth. The Great Rift Valley was the name given by British explorer John Walter Gregory, to the continuous geographic trench, approximately 6,000 kilometres in length, running from northern Syria to central Mozambique in South East Africa. The East African Rift Vally has two branches – the Eastern branch which runs through Kenya and Northern Tanzania, and the Western branch through DR Congo, and Western Tanzania. The Western Rift is edged by some of the highest mountains in Africa including t h e V i r u n g a M o u n t a i n s i n Rwa n d a , a n d a l s o includes the Great Lakes. These are some of the deepest lakes in the world and all of the African Great Lakes were formed as the result of the rift.
In Kenya, the valley is at it’s most dramatic to the north of Nairobi, the ancient volcanoes of Longonot and Suswa are easy to see from the road. Most lakes in northern Kenya are shallow and poorly drained and therefore have become alkaline. Their waters are rich in blue - green algae which
David Attenborough
feed insect larvae, small crustaceans and massive �locks of �lamingos. The Kenya Lake system is also a key location on a route followed by huge numbers of birds in their annual migration from breeding grounds in the north, to wintering places in Africa. The lands around the lakes include large populations of Black rhino (Lake Nakuru), Rothschild's giraffe, Greater kudu, lion, cheetah and wild dogs. Lake Turkana
GREAT RIFT VALLEY Shaba N.P Buffalo Springs N.P Lake Victoria Masai Mara
Mt. Kenya N.P Nairobi
Amboseli N.P
Ts a v o N.P
M A S A I
M A R A
Only in the Mara does the whole spectrum of life and death, birth and growth seem to be there for you, right before your eyes. Most documentary wildlife �ilmmakers choose the Mara due to the abundance and easy access to wild animals here. Almost 450,000 acres of rolling grasslands make up the Maasai Mara and its surrounding conervancies, bordered by mountains to the north and east and the Siria escarpment to the west. The permanent meandering rivers traced by deep forest snake across the savannah. The Mara’s proximity to Lake Victoria, which creates its own weather patterns, ensures that the area receives much higher rainfall than the Serengeti ecosystem. This crucial fact enables millions of animals, including gazelle, zebra and antelope, to survive through the driest time of year. An estimated one and a half million wildebeest make the annual migration up from the southern Serengeti plains into Kenya and remain here from late June into October. You will be staying in one of the quitest parts of the Mara, a conservancy. Even during migration season you can be away from the crowds. An hour can pass in nail-biting anticipation as a cheetah conducts a painstaking stalk of her prey, only to lose her meal at the last moment when the wind changes.
Watch the peculiar quality of the light, and the shadows of the clouds on the plains, the strange optical illusions of the distant herds silhouetted along the horizon. Light and shadow, rock and grassland, predators and prey, this is quintessential Africa.
Lake Turkana
Lake Victoria
MASAI MARA
Mt. Kenya N.P
Nairobi Amboseli
Serengeti N.P Ts a v o N.P
R E K E R 0
T E N T E D
C A M P
R e k e r o Te n t e d C a m p i s f a v o u r a b l y l o c a t e d a l o n g s i d e t h e Ta l e k r i v e r w i t h i n t h e M a s a i M a r a G a m e R e s e r v e . This area is renowned as a prime area for viewing the annual migration, the camp being ideally positioned to witness the incredible abundance of wildebeest and zebra on their journey from the Serengeti. This area of 480,000 acres comprises the
Farm-style dining may be enjoyed alfresco,
Serengeti and Masai Mara eco-system.
will be taking you out on twice daily drives,
Reserve and neighbouring conservation
lands which shape the northern part of the Sheltered by a riverine forest near the convergence of the Mara and Talek rivers,
the 10 luxury tents, consisting of 8 doubles
and 2 family tents, each boast an ensuite bathroom with a shower. Characterised by fresh �lowers, raw wood tables, comfortable
couches and muted earth tones, the decor is natural
and
welcoming
re�lecting
its
outdoor surroundings. The private terrace offers the perfect location to relax and
unwind, with a view of the river and various
bird and animal species where elephant, hippo and leopard roam freely.
The main lodge provides a tented sitting room and gift shop for guests’ enjoyment.
indoors by candlelight or in the form of a bush picnic. All the guides are Maasai and
providing an opportunity to view mammals such as elephant, buffalo and topi, as well as
predators such as lion and cheetah. The true wonder of Rekero however, lies in the viewing of the great migration.
Between
late June and October, the camp lies a mere stone’s
throw
from
one
wildebeest crossing sites.
of
the
“ R e k e r o Te n t e d C a m p provides a doorway into the heart
o f t h e K E N YA N W I L D
and is an unforgettable e x p e r i e n c e .”
main
N A B O I S H O
N a b o i s h o C a m p i s f a v o u r a b l y l o c a t e d a t t h e h e a r t o f t h e 4 9 , 4 2 0 a c r e N a b o i s h o C o n s e r v a n c y, which lies to the far east of the internationally acclaimed Masai Mara eco-system.
As part of the Narok South district, the Conservancy comprises of riverine acacia forests, savannah grasslands and rolling hills which welcome one of the highest densities of game in Kenya. 8 canvas tents featuring stone verandas, are set amidst the lush plains dotted with acacia and the forms of various ungulates from eland to buffalo. Each tan structure is spacious and uncluttered, possessing a well-appointed ensuite bathroom complete with safari style bucket shower. The decor is understated yet luxurious, re�lecting the hues of the bush in soft tones of beige, crisp white and the deep russet of the wooden furnishings – the ideal simplistic sanctuary. Dining is enjoyed alfresco with delicious bush�ire cuisine savoured to the sound of bird calls as the night draws closer. The distant roar of a lion or barking zebra and the setting sun provides an unforgettable show.
Traversing the plains by vehicle offers the opportunity for a high number of up close sightings, whilst guided walks provide a more personal and intimate perspective.
Boasting over 100 lion and numerous observations of the sleek form of the leopard, coupled with a reputation for sightings of up to 11 cheetahs in a 2 day period, predator activity provides an unmistakeable highlight in this area.
“Naboisho Camp offers all the magic and inspiring wildlife
viewing which characterises the b e s t t e n t e d s a f a r i e x p e r i e n c e .”
H O G
H O U S E
Hidden in the 130 acre Giraffe Sanctuary in Langata, Hog House is a private home with incredible views across to the Ngong Hills. Serene and peaceful you would hardly believe you are in one of Africa’s largest capital cities.
Located close to both Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and Wilson Airport, this unusual family home is an ideal place to begin or end your safari. Its rustic décor and the fact that it is surrounded by wildlife will help to ease you in, and out, of your time here on safari. The straw bale construction uses plantation cedar and fallen African olive and blends with the wooded sanctuary perfectly. The house itself comprises 2 double bedrooms and a triple, all ensuite. There are a further 2 cottages outside in the garden for larger groups. Hog House is only available for exclusive use. The large open plan sitting/dining is cosy with a warm �ireplace and lots of seating for all to congregate. Daytime meals we normally take outside in the shade of the Euclea trees in the garden, and a beautiful horizon pool beckons on hot afternoons. Walking in the sanctuary is the perfect way to loosen up stiff joints from long intercontinental �lights and you have
every chance of seeing Rothschild’s giraffe, warthog, dik dik, bushbuck, suni and Syke’s monkeys. Birds of every colour throng around the bird table and hyrax will doubtless entertain you at night! The Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Karen Blixen Museum, and many craft centres are all within a stone’s throw of Hog House.
“It is a privilege to stay in this unusual and
beautiful home within the G I R A F F E S A N C T U A R Y,
so close and convenient to all the classic
Nairobi attractions, and yet quietly tucked away in your o w n h a v e n o f s e r e n i t y.”
E L E P H A N T
O R P H A N A G E
Daphne Sheldrick was the �irst person in the entire world to successfully hand rear newborn fully
milk dependent African elephant orphans, something that spanned 28 years of trial and error to achieve. Located on the edge of Nairobi National Park, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is home to some 20+ baby elephants. Ranging in age from a few weeks to several years, a visit here is a must for any animal lover.
To date, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully hand-raised over 200 infant elephants, and 17 black rhinos. It has also accomplished its long-term conservation priority by effectively reintegrating over 100 orphans back into the wild herds of Tsavo. These hand-reared elephants are fully established and living free amongst their wild peers in Tsavo, some returning with wild born young to show their erstwhile human family. The older orphans are based within Tsavo East National Park at either of 2 established rehabilitation centres for the gradual process of the re-integration, with others in early infancy are at the Trust’s Nairobi National Park Elephant and Rhino Nursery.
The Trust has trained a team of competent elephant keepers who replace the orphans’ lost elephant family until such time as
the transition to the wild herds has been accomplished, something that can take up to
10 years, since elephant calves duplicate
their human counterparts in terms of development
through
age
progression.
Those that were orphaned too young to recall
their
dependent
elephant
longer,
but
family
all
the
remain
Trust’s
orphans eventually take their rightful place amongst their wild counterparts, including those orphaned on the day they were born.
“The world’s most emotionally h u m a n l a n d m a m m a l .”
Daphne Sheldrick
K E N YA
WILD LIFE
T RU ST
Fo u n d e d by a g ro u p o f Ke r & D ow n ey g u i d e s , Ke nya W i l d l i fe Tr u s t
is here to protect the country’s predators through a network of high-impact conservation initiatives In 2007, a small group of private guides decided to form a Trust, as a way to raise funds through their safaris for grassroots conservation projects around Kenya. The result of that pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit is Kenya Wildlife Trust.
Our long-term partnership with Ker & Downey re�lects the fact that the best private guides have conservation in their DNA. What we offer to both guides and visitors is a trustworthy pair of hands, focused on putting the right boots on the ground rather than into big of�ices. Remaining close to a range of safari partners, we are uniquely positioned to connect visitors from abroad to effective, grassroots conservation. Over the years, our team has developed a curated portfolio of high-impact conservation initiatives, with a strong focus on big cats. Since 2013, our two �lagship projects - the Mara Cheetah Project and Mara Lion Project - have been monitoring big cats with the long-term aim of stabilising the populations of both cheetah and lion. During your safari, you will spend time with both of our project teams at the Tony Lapham Predator Hub in the heart of the Masai Mara, learning about their focus, methods and �indings.
By raising funds through safaris, we can award grants to those projects (and people) achieving meaningful results across the three ‘pillars’ of Predator Conservation, Community Development and Conservation Education. Undertaking robust monitoring and evaluation of all our grants, we are the donor’s eyes and ears on the ground, ensuring every penny ends up where it should. Our team understands the importance of balancing scienti�ic research with community engagement, as well as the value of investing in people who live near wildlife. After all, conservation is really about people. “By donating to Kenya Wildlife Trust through their UK charity, I know and trust that my money is going straight to the cause.” Donor to The Friends of Kenya Wildlife Trust
Thanks to a sma ll number of donors who c o ver our c ore c osts, 100 % o f e v e r y d o n a t i o n g o e s d i r e ct l y t o o u r p r o g ra ms .
Moreo ver, for e ver y £1
we spend on c ore c osts, w e ra is e a t l e a s t £ 4 .
F R O M 2 0 0 7 T O 2 0 1 7 - C E L E B R AT I N G
1 0 Y E A R S O F C O N S E R VA T I O N I M PA C T.
J A M E S
R O B E R T S O N
T h i r t y - � i v e y e a r s a f t e r l e a d i n g h i s � i r s t e x p e d i t i o n , J a m e s i s c h a i r m a n o f t h e b o a r d a t K e r & D o w n e y, and an in�luential leader of the new movement in community-led conservation.
Like the safari industry itself, James Robertson was born and raised in Kenya, where his appetite for adventure has earned him a reputation as one of the modern pioneers of the global safari business.
James’ dependability for never following the same itinerary twice, and for continually searching out new experiences for his clients, has won him admirers across the industry, as well as an army of repeat guests (including two families who have each travelled with him 26 times!). Among his long-standing Kenyan crew, he’s known as “Ndorobo” after the fabled hunter-gathers of northern Kenya – a tribe renowned for their resourceful bushcraft, and their complete absence of fear for wild animals. Although James’ �irst love and main base is Kenya, he is an “all-Africa guide” and just as likely to be found travelling through the game-rich parks, reserves and conservancies of eastern and southern Africa. In recent years, he has been supporting a number of Maasai and Samburu communities that have turned part of their grazing lands over to conservation – giving guests a chance to see some rarer wildlife species, and to experience an absolutely authentic immersion in two of the world’s oldest tribal cultures. In 2001, James was a founder of The Mara Conservancy, a ground-breaking and widely-admired partnership between conservationists and the county government, which established a new public-private template to protect the critical wildlife dispersal areas north of the Maasai Mara Reserve. He sits on the board of the (removed the MMWCT) Kenya Wildlife Trust , and his unrivalled contacts enable his guests to meet some of the leading conservationists and wildlife researchers in the world.
Having been raised on the edge of Kenya's largest National Park, Tsavo is close to James’ heart. His most recent focus is on protecting the last remaining Great Tuskers of which there are around 10 bulls each carrying in excess of 100lbs of ivory per side. He is working closely with the Tsavo Trust to protect these valuable elephants.
James and Abigail live within a wildlife sanctuary on the outskirts of Nairobi, where they host most of their guests personally. They work together as much as possible out on safari where their shared passions are apparent to anyone travelling with them.
TEL: +254 (0)720 911 143
EMAIL: INFO@JAMESROBERTSON.CO.KE S K Y P E : J RS A FA R I S
W W W. K E R D O W N E Y S A FA R I S . C O M