A MB O S EL I
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2 2n d O c to be r 20 18
I T I N E R A R Y
O V E R V I E W
KER & DOWNEY LIGHTWEIGHT CAMP - HOG HOUSE AMBOSELI
18th October 2018: T R AV E L T O A M B O S E L I You’ll land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi at 0600 and we will transfer you directly onto your private charter to Amboseli. 18th - 21st October 2018: AMBOSELI You will have four nights in our lightweight camp which will be set up for you in our private concession on the edge of Amboseli National Park, and at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain - Kilimanjaro. 22nd October 2018: T R AV E L T O N A I R O B I We will have full day in Amboseli and �ly as late as possible out and back to Nairobi. You then have the option if you wish to stay on at Hog House for a night or two before �lying home.
- O P T I O N T O S TAY I N N A I R O B I
Lake Turkana Lake Logipi
NAIROBI
HOG HOUSE
Lake Baringo
Ewaso Nyiro River
Samburu
Shaba
Equator
Lake Bogoria
Lake Victoria
Mt. Kenya
Lake Nakuru Masai Mara
Lake Naivasha Nairobi
Lake Magadi Amboseli
Tana River
AMBOSELI
KER & DOWNEY LIGHTWEIGHT CAMP
Ts a v o Watamu
Mombasa
Lamu
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
A M B O S E L I
Against the magni�icent backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro lies Amboseli, a national park and ecosystem. Meaning the ‘salty earth’ in the language of the Maasai, Amboseli is aptly named after the alkaline volcanic ash that spewed from the now dormant volcano Kilimanjaro. The 1.2 million acre ecosystem lies on Kenya’s boarder with Tanzania and incorporates habitats of dry lake beds, savannah grasslands, woodland and swamps fed by springs emanating from Mount Kilimanjaro.
The area is home to grassland dwellers such as buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and warthog, while the resident predators include lion, cheetah and hyena. Amboseli is also a birding hotspot, with over 600 species recorded. The principal attraction at Amboseli however, is the large herds of free roaming elephants made famous by Dr. Joyce Poole who, through the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, put these intelligent giants on the map. Her long running large mammal research project in Africa combines 30 years of uninterrupted study and chronicles Amboseli’s elephant herds, from new born calves to 60 year old matriarchs and old bulls that carry some of the longest tusks in Africa. Contiguous with Amboseli National Park is the Kitirua Wildlife Conservancy, a partnership between a local Maasai community and the private sector.
Designed to protect wildlife, this private and exclusive conservancy enables both day and night drives, walking and an unparalleled opportunity to meet members of the Maasai community in a welcoming and culturally sensitive manner.
This is a quintessential African landscape of elephants and traditional tribes with the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds behind. Lake Turkana
Lake Victoria
Mt. Kenya N.P
Masai Mara
Nairobi
AMBOSELI N.P
Kilimanjaro N.P
Ts a v o N.P
L I G H T W E I G H T
M O B I L E
T h e p r i n c i p l e b e h i n d l i g h t w e i g h t c a m p i n g i s � l e x i b i l i t y a n d m o b i l i t y.
This is especially suited to hotter climates where heavy canvas isn’t needed. Our custom-made tents are very comfortable and consist of a bedroom, verandah and changing area with private shower and toilet. Each tent has plenty of room to move around and unpack your belongings. Showers are available anytime and you will �ind them piping hot and wonderfully relaxing. On the other side of the partition is your eco-friendly toilet. In the cool evenings, slip into your duvet -covered bed that has been warmed with hot water bottles. The insect-proof windows are extra large for superb ventilation and exquisite views of the surrounding wilderness.
Our delectable food is well known throughout the industry, and our menus are custom-designed to suit your tastes. Breads, such as our scrumptious cinnamon rolls are baked fresh each day. Fresh fruits and fresh vegetables are delivered as needed throughout the safari. Fine wines, sodas soft drinks, beer, liquor, coffee, tea and mineral water are provided in camp.
Our camps are the most luxurious available in Africa, but what truly distinguishes Ker & Downey is the professionalism and enthusiasm of our camp crew. All of your needs and comforts are attended to, such as laundry, shoe polishing; our tents and beds are made up every day. For lighting we use a combination of gas lamps, rechargeable �luorescent and kerosene lanterns. Cameras and video recorders can be charged in our game driving vehicles. Mobile telephones with full international roaming will work in many areas.
Our vehicles are specially modi�ied Land Cruisers with large roof hatches allowing for fantastic game viewing and photography. They have fridges stocked with cools drinks. Our lightweight camp is set up only for you.
“Live in world of luxury FA R A WAY f r o m t h e d a i l y r u s h y o u h a v e l e f t b e h i n d .”
SCENIC
F LY I N G
Flying is not just about getting between destinations on safari but very much a part of the entire experience!
As soon you take off from the airport in Nairobi you begin to appreciate the mosaic environments which make up this country.
We always choose experienced pilots who make �lying fun and can show you the
dramatic cleft in the Earth’s crust that is the Great Rift Valley, the spine of volcanoes that
forms it’s centre, the chain of lakes that lie
in it’s base and the impressive escarpments
that de�ine it’s edges. The rift’s high shoulders are home to lush indigenous forests and are the headwaters for our major rivers �lowing either west through
the Maasai Mara and into Lake Victoria, or east through Tsavo and towards the Indian Ocean.
After having �irst seen and photographed it from ground level, nothing beats the thrill of photographing from high above the
wildlife and endless beautiful landscape of Africa.
Scenic �lying in a Cessna 206 with veteran
pilot Pete White adds another dimension to a photographic safari. The rear door comes
off, and two photographers are seated and strapped in with full access out of the open
door. We �ly at low level and are able to capture amazing scenes of the wildlife in the
landscape below. Typically we �ly for 30-45
minutes each, at sunrise and sunset when the light levels are lower and with soft golden hues.
“A t h r i l l i n g w a y t o
A P P R E C I AT E T H E D I V E R S I T Y o f K e n y a i s f r o m t h e a i r.”
M A A S A I
T h e M a a s a i t r i b e s p e o p l e o f s o u t h e r n K e n y a a n d n o r t h e r n Ta n z a n i a
are a Nilotic ethnic group who arrived in this area about 300 years ago from the North. They are among the best known, and most distinctive tribes living in the semi arid lands along and beside the Great Rift Valley and close to many well known national parks and reserves. Their cousins North of the Equator are the Samburu, with whom they share many customs. The Maasai occupy a total land area of 39.5 million acres and number around 1.5million. They are semi-nomadic herding cattle over large areas of communally owned land. Their family encampments are comprised of a circular boma (fence) of Acacia to protect livestock from predators. Inside the boma they build small loafshaped houses made of mud, sticks, grass and cow dung. The women are responsible for building houses, supplying water, collecting �irewood, milking cattle and cooking. The young men or warriors (Moran) enforce security while boys are responsible for herding livestock. The elders are directors and advisors of day-to-day activities and make decisions for the whole community. On the western boundary of National Park lies Kitirua – concession shared between Downey and the local Kisongo
Amboseli a private Ker and clan. We
have nurtured a relationship over 35 years such that we are welcomed into their homes to learn something of their traditional way of life. By the same token we welcome them into camp thereby creating a unique opportunity for guests to interact. K&D sponsors two local schools in the area. The Ngararambuni Nursery school is on the edge of Kitirua Conservancy and caters to children between 4 & 10 years old. It is still set up underneath a large spreading Acacia tortilis and has three dedicated Maasai teachers. We helped to set this little school up in 2003, before this the children would have to walk 7km through an area rich in big game to get to school.
Whilst in Amboseli we encourage as much interaction with local people as possible. Even though we do not share a language it is extraordinary to watch our children play with theirs as the common language of fun transgresses these boundaries. Learning to throw spears and how to use bows and arrows, digging for water, and donning traditional garb are all a part of being with these colourful, friendly, fun and fascinating people.
N A I R O B I
Nairobi is the largest city in Kenya and its capital, having succeeded Mombasa for the title in 1963. T h e c i t y ’ s n a m e o r i g i n a t e s f r o m t h e M a s a i p h r a s e “ E n k a r e N a i r o b i ” m e a n i n g “ c o l d w a t e r ”.
Nairobi lies at an altitude of 5,889 feet with the outline of the Ngong hills as the eastern manifestation of the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Prior to 1899, the area consisted mainly of swampland, but with the construction of a supply depot for the railway which linked Mombasa with Uganda, the thickly vegetated and previously uninhabited area progressed quickly.
To this day, it is the only city with a national park on it’s doorstep; one of the many reasons why this unique hub has also coined itself the name “Green City in the Sun”. The breathtaking wilderness of the 28,963 acre Nairobi National Park welcomes travellers from all over the world. A mere 7 kilometres in distance from the tall skyscrapers which is home to one of Africa’s largest stock exchanges, busy restaurants mingling European and African nationalities, it protects a diverse ecosystem which welcomes 400 bird species and various wildlife. There is no shortage of alluring destinations to visit both in and around Nairobi. The suburb of Karen named after the author of ‘Out of Africa”, is home to the Karen Blixen Museum, a giraffe sanctuary
and the David Sheldrick Orphanage is a must.
Elephant
Known as the world’s safari capital by a reputation gained from a history of British hunting safaris in the early 1900’s, Nairobi is a vivid amalgamation of two worlds; one wild and untamed and the other bursting with culture and history.
Lake Turkana
Lake Victoria
Mt. Kenya N.P
NAIROBI Masai Mara
Amboseli
Ts a v o N.P
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.”
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.
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.
K E R
&
D O W N E Y
“ S o m e t h i n k t h e b e s t l a r g e - s c a l e o p e r a t i o n a f t e r t h e w a r…
was the one launched over a drink or two on the veranda of the Imperial Hotel in Addis Ababa” – Bartle Bull, Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure, 1
Like so many great ventures, Ker & Downey Safaris was born from a chance encounter. Donald Ker and Syd Downey, two big game hunters from Kenya, had been �ighting with the British in Ethiopia shortly before the fall of Addis Ababa in 1941. Syd had just been released by the Italians and was celebrating at a local hotel when he bumped into Donald Ker. With one car and a lot of bravura, the pair made a plan to establish “the best safari company the world has ever known”.
and 70’s, the company continued to grow – extending its reach across southern Africa, east to the jungles of Congo, and north into the deserts of Ethiopia and Sudan. By 1977, when hunting was of�icially banned in Kenya, K&D had transformed itself into the leading provider of customised mobile photographic safaris in Africa.
In 1962, shortly before Kenya’s Independence, Ker & Downey spread its wings to Botswana, with Harry Selby and a couple of other guides offering safaris in this ‘new’, uncharted corner of Africa. Through the 60’s
“Because we’ve been doing
It was not until January 1946 that Syd and Donald, newly discharged from the army, took out their �irst safari. They were hired to run a camp in the Maasai Mara for the production of “The Macomber Affair”, the United Artists blockbuster starring Gregory Peck and Joan Bennett. It was the beginning of a long love affair with Hollywood, which would see “K&D” out�it some of the biggest �ilms ever to come out of Africa.
Today, Ker & Downey is celebrated as the longest-existing safari out�itter in the world, and the standard-bearer for unsurpassed luxury in some of its last great wild places. So successful has the “K&D” name been that it has been brazenly borrowed by a number of copycat companies in Africa and the West. Yet to this day, no one has come close to emulating the luxurious standards, the rich experiences, or the peerless guiding of “The Original Ker & Downey Safaris”.
t h i s f o r 7 0 y e a r s . . .”
TEL: +1 917 854 8118
W W W. M U E N C H W O R K S H O P S . C O M
TEL: +254 720 911143
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