TO R NQVI ST SA FA R I G UI DE D BY JA M E S RO BE RT S O N
1 0 th
-
K E N YA 2 4 th OCTOBER 2 0 2 0
I T I N E R A R Y
O V E R V I E W
G I R A F F E M A N O R - K & D P R I VA T E C A M P - R I C H A R D ’ S C A M P - K & D P R I VA T E C A M P - G A L D E S S A - L E N G I S H U N A I R O B I - M A S A I M A R A - A M B O S E L I - T S AVO E A S T - L A I K I P I A - N A I R O B I
10th October 2020: Nairobi
On arrival in Nairobi you will be met and transferred to Giraffe Manor for one night.
11th - 15th October 2020: Maasai Mara
After sharing your breakfast with Rothschild’s giraffe we will �ly you down to the Maasai Mara. You will have three nights in your own private camp set up on the banks of the Mara River in the Mara Conservancy and two nights at Richard’s Camp.
16th - 18th October 2020: Amboseli
We will �ly southeast along the Tanzanian border into the shadows of Kilimanjaro to Amboseli. You will be based in your own private camp in our private concession on the edge of the National Park for three nights.
1 9 t h - 2 1 s t O c t o b e r 2 0 2 0 : Ts a v o E a s t
Next we �ly to Lugard’s Falls on the might Galana River where you will be based at Galdessa Camp for three nights. We will be searching for the Tsavo supertuskers - huge elephants carrying over 100lbs ivory per side. We will have three little R44 helicopters down here too.
22nd - 24th October 2020: Laikipia
We will �ly up past Mt. Kenya to Laikipia in the little choppers landing at the magni�icent Lengishu House on Borana Ranch, where we will be based for two nights.
24th October 2020: Travel day
We will leave Lengishu late so that you can �ly directly to the international airport to �ly home.
R E G I O N S
T O R N Q V I S T FA M I LY S A FA R I I T I N E R A R Y This fabulous 15 day safari takes in four of Kenya’s very best wildlife area and showcases not only the extraordinary abundance, but also it’s incredible diversity of scenery and cultures.
D AY 1
NAIROBI
GIRAFFE MANOR
D AY 2 - 4
MASAI MARA
K & D P R I VA T E C A M P
Lake Logipi
D AY 5 & 6
MAASAI MARA
RICHARD’S CAMP D AY 7 - 9
AMBOSELI
K & D P R I VA T E C A M P D AY 1 0 - 1 2
T S AVO E A S T GALDESSA
D AY 1 3 - 1 5
LAIKIPIA LENGISHU
Your �irst night in Nairobi will be at Giraffe Manor after which we �ly you across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara. Late October should be fantastic in the Mara Conservancy and so we will have set up a private camp just for you on the banks of the Mara River for three nights. We then head to Richard’s Camp which is in Mara North Conservancy a little further north - the two Mara locations complement each other really well and will allow for superb predator viewing.
Lake Turkana
Lake Baringo
Ewaso Nyiro River
Samburu
Shaba
Lake Bogoria
Lake Victoria
Equator
Mt. Kenya
Lake Nakuru Masai Mara
Then we take you south to Amboseli where again you will be in our private camp. The elephant viewing is superb and you’ll have time with the Maasai.
Lake Naivasha Nairobi Tana River
Lake Magadi Amboseli
Ts a v o Watamu
Mombasa
Lamu
We then go across to James’ favourite spot Tsavo East where will be stay at Galdessa on the Galana River. The focus here will be the huge supertuskers Finally north to Borana and we will be at the beautiful Lengishu House, here we can walk and explore on foot. This is the most perfect place to end your safari. Superb northern arid specialists and rhino here too. We will �ly you directly back to the international aiport. James and Sean will guide you.
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
G I R A F F E
M A N O R
The exclusive boutique hotel, built in the 1930’s, is famous for its magni�icent herd of resident Rothschild’s giraffes and the manor offers personal and unmatched experiences with these endangered mammals. Giraffe Manor is beautifully located on a private 12 acre property on the outskirts of Nairobi. Amidst half a square kilometre, dry upland indigenous forest displaying Olea africana, Albizzia gummefera and Ficus thonningii trees, this is home to over 180 bird species.
Set within a lush garden and shaded by arching trees, the 2-storey stone house is characterised by parquet �looring and a sweeping staircase. The decor tells of a bygone era with its dark wood furnishings, velvet curved chairs, plush cushions and stylish art. The accommodation is comprised of 2 luxury suites, complete with double and twin rooms and a lounge area, and 8 further bedrooms each boasting a �ireplace and beautifully appointed ensuite bathroom with shower and bath. The extensive windows offer views of the Ngong Hills as well as the garden-roaming giraffes, warthog, dik dik and bushbuck.
Dining is sensational. Breakfast is served in the sun room with giraffes comically poking
their heads through the windows, whilst dinner is savoured either alfresco lit by lanterns or, in the wood panelled dining room at the long table.
Activities vary from a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum, once home to the author of “Out of Africa”, to walks along the nature trail in the Giraffe Centre or, for a unique treat, watch the feeding and bathing of baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The highlight however of Giraffe Manor is the ability to touch, feed and photograph the giraffes from the comfort of your breakfast table, bedroom window or the front door – a remarkable opportunity.
“English grandeur meets AFRICAN MAJESTY a t G i r a f f e M a n o r.”
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
M A R A
M O B I L E
C A M P
E x p e r i e n c e t o t a l f r e e d o m i n s o m e o f t h e m o s t b r e a t h t a k i n g a r e a s t h e M a r a R e s e r v e h a s t o o f f e r, where animals stroll right past the camp and you have the privilege to set the pace
Mara Mobile Camp is located within the Masai Mara National Reserve, which lies in the northern-most sector of the 373,000 acre Mara ecosystem. The mobility of the camp provides the ultimate advantage with regards to wildlife viewing, particularly of occurrences as unpredictable as the Great Migration. This freedom allows for the locating of the ideal vantage point for witnessing over a million wildebeest, 360,000 Thomson’s gazelle and 200,000 zebra descending on the Mara plains. Situated on vast grasslands and shaded by dense bush and �lat top acacias, the tented camp is equipped with all the necessities required for a comfortable getaway with its simplicity adding to the authentic African bush experience. The wildlife is abundant and birdlife is particularly proli�ic with over 450 bird species, 57 of which are birds of prey - this area is a bird lovers’ dream. The Mara is known for its high predator populations including lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. A wide variety of other mammals may also be viewed including elephant, buffalo, hippo, topi and rhino.
of your own safari escape.
An additional pleasure of a mobile camp is the �lexible time frame in which dining, relaxing and activities may be enjoyed. The mobile camp focuses on exclusivity and privacy. Away from commonly visited areas and free from schedules, an ambience of pure enjoyment is created. A true highlight occurs after evening dining, where a crackling camp�ire and star scattered Kenyan sky keep company with the calls of hyena and grunting hippo. The format of the mobile camp also aids in the conservation of the Mara - Serengeti ecosystem, with the land being left as untouched as it was before, once the experience comes to an end.
“A s o n e o f t h e
wonders of the natural world, the Migration is a sight to behold and one
which is perfectly
catered for at the unique M a r a M o b i l e C a m p .”
R I C H A R D ’ S
C A M P
Located north-west of the Maasai Mara Reserve, on conservation land owned and managed by the Maasai, Richard's Camp comes with a reputation steeped in the history of a family that has lived among wild animals for the best part of 60 years.
A small, private and intimate camp from
There
viewing in admits breathtaking scenery. At
comfortable safari style and each tent has
which to discover and experience the ‘real Africa’ and days of heart-stopping game Richard’s
Camp,
traditional
African
hospitality meets understated luxury. Set
amongst a grove of enormous African olive
trees, Richard’s Camp overlooks the open plains which are so characteristic of the Mara and many species of wildlife visit the camp regularly. Days can be as relaxed or as
exciting as you wish them to be. The knowledgable and engaging guides lead bush walks as well as game drives and can
take you to the local Masai homesteads or out to the plains for a sundowner.
In the evenings you may wish to dine in the bush alongside hippo pools and then head back to camp on a night game drive with the
chance to spot the elusive zorilla, honey badger or genet cat.
are
just
7
tents
which
makes
Richard’s Camp both secluded and intimate. The 24
spacious
hour
tents
solar
are
lighting
furnished and
in
ensuite
bathrooms with �lushing loos and hot safari showers.
An
open
Victorian
bath
surrounded by �lickering candles and the sounds of the bush is the perfect indulgence
after a day on game drives. After this, cocktails around the open camp �ire precede
a delicious three course meal under a canopy of stars
“A c a s u a l l y l u x u r i o u s
tented camp, combining EXCEPTIONAL wildlife with a contemporary
‘ O u t o f A f r i c a ’ e x p e r i e n c e .”
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
A M B O S E L I
M O B I L E
C A M P
The raw beauty of this diverse landscape and astounding ecosystem complete with the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, is unsurpassed.
Amboseli Mobile is located on a 30,000 acre private conservancy belonging to the Kisongo Maasai people. Lying in the Amboseli area and adjacent to the National Park, the mobile camp has undisturbed views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Amboseli eco- system comprises open grasslands, woodlands and swamps, which are watered by mountain springs.
The purpose of Amboseli Mobile is to forge a temporary, yet ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area. The tented camp is equipped with all the necessities required for a unique getaway, its simplicity adding to the experience. The presence of the mobile camp supports the conservancy, the local community and the conservation of the Amboseli ecosystem. When the camp leaves, it leaves nothing behind, the land being left to the wildlife and their Maasai custodians. Being a mobile camp, all activities, be that on safari or choosing when to eat, are completely �lexible. Generally the day revolves around an early m o r n i n g g a m e d r ive , fo l l o we d by a l a te morning drive after breakfast. There is a healthy population of lion in the area with
the chance of spotting cheetah, as well as good numbers of general game.
It is also possible to walk, and a late afternoon stroll as the sun sets across the plains towards Kilimanjaro is spectacular. Another unique opportunity is to be able to spend time with the Kitirua community and learn about their rich culture. Ker & Downey has nurtured a relationship over 30 years with the Kisongo Maasai, as a result, respect and trust have developed for one another making trips to the local school and homesteads possible. One of the highlights of the Amboseli Mobile however, is the opportunity to view large herds of magni�icent elephant, many of the bulls still carrying some of the longest tusks on the African continent.
“A m b o s e l i M o b i l e C a m p
is a natural gateway to the w i l d A f r i c a n b u s h .”
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.
T S A V O
E A S T
Ts a v o i s h o m e t o s o m e o f t h e l a r g e s t e l e p h a n t o n t h e p l a n e t - t h e s e “ s u p e r t u s k e r s ” c a r r y o v e r 100 pounds of ivory each side. There are thought to be about 15 remaining on the African continent. 1 0 o f t h e m l i v e i n Ts a v o . C a t c h i n g a g l i m p s e o f o n e o f t h e g i a n t s i s a p r i v i l e g e . Tsavo East National Park is by far the biggest of Kenya’s parks. At close to 3.4 million acres, it is nine times larger than the Masai Mara National Reserve and consists mostly of dry, �lat thorn bush scrub, occasionally broken by the verdant vegetation of seasonal rivers. Tsavo East is most famous for its huge herds of elephants, more than 10,000 of them bulldoze their way around this vast �lat plain of sandy soil, split by the shallow trough of the Galana River. The �ine ochre soils give the Tsavo elephants a red tinge as they bathe in the dust in this dry arid expanse. Tsavo East has another big draw: you can set off on a game drive across the seemingly empty wilderness and return to camp 3 hours later without having seen a single other vehicle. The Galana, is one of Kenya’s biggest rivers. Its valley – rocky in much of its western course, sandy and doum-palm fringed further east – is one of Tsavo East National Park’s de�ining physical features. The Yatta Plateau is a 300 kilometre ancient lava �low that stretches along the east and north bank of the Athi-Galana. Its geomagnetic qualities are believed to play a role in guiding migratory birds and large numbers of Palearctic migrants can be seen in the area. Lugard Falls are a series of short falls and steep rapids on the Galana River
where relatively harder rock has created a bottleneck in the valley and impedes the river’s progress. Crocodile Point, where the big reptiles can often be seen basking in the sun, is just downstream from here. The immense park encourages complete immersion into its enormous animal kingdom proffering opportunities to see lesser kudu and fringe-eared oryx as well as buffalo, zebra, giraffe, lion, cheetah, leopard and wild dog. Lake Turkana
Laikipia Lake Victoria
Mt. Kenya N.P
Masai Mara
Nairobi Amboseli N.P
Kilimanjaro N.P
TSAVO N.P
T S A V O
T R U S T
Ts a v o T r u s t i s a n a c t i o n o r i e n t a t e d , � i e l d - b a s e d , K e n y a n n o t - f o r - p r o � i t c o n s e r v a t i o n o r g a n i s a t i o n t h a t w o r k s t o g i v e t h e w i l d l i f e a n d p e o p l e o f Ts a v o t h e r i g h t t o a f u t u r e .
Tsavo is the best place in the world to see the super tuskers - bull elephants with enormous ivory. Not only do these huge animals derive from an important “large ivory” gene pool, but they also determine the future of both wildlife and people in the wider Tsavo region. These giants among giants represent a signi�icant economic asset to Tsavo and to Kenya, and the ultimate goal of the Tsavo Trust team is to help ensure the survival, security, ecological integrity and revenue-earning potential of this ecosystem for generations to come.
CEO, Richard Moller, formerly of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, runs the Big Tusker Project, with a particular focus on the area’s famous ‘hundred pounders’ – huge bull elephants, bearing ivory weighing in excess of 45kg (100lbs) per tusk. Richard’s day starts before dawn to ensure a �irst-light take-off, casting its benevolent shadow over Tsavo, �lying alongside Kenya Wildlife Service on their biodiversity protection and research and monitoring missions. Early successes of the project include poachers being apprehended, �irearms recovered, and locating carcasses of elephants dead from natural causes, thereby enabling KWS to recover the ivory before passing poachers gained an easy prize. Where KWS takes a lead role in Wildlife Conservation
in the area, Tsavo Trust provides support through meaningful engagement with communities in the wider Tsavo region, including their Wildlife Conservation Program, Community Conservancy Program, and Animal Welfare Program. By supporting the development of a network of community owned, community managed conservancies, that bene�it local people, using wildlife conservation as the catalyst for increased security and economic stability, it is a game-changer.
Between 2013 - 2017, the Trust played a signi�icant role alongside KWS in reducing elephant poaching by over 50% in the Tsavo Conservation Area. In 2017 alone, 867 hours were �lown by Tsavo Trust, covering 103,777 km. Supported by 4 joint Tsavo Trust/KWS ground teams, this accounted for: 241 tusks recovered (nearly all natural causes of death). Big bull named elephants observed 150 times, cows 73 times. 43 fresh and recent poacher’s camps found, 101 arrests made, several of these were ivory dealers and poachers, others bushmeat, illegal livestock, charcoaling etc. 1,008 snares recovered – 41 for big game, 208 for medium and 759 for small game and 8 responses to assist KWS in armed contacts.
G A L D E S S A
M A I N
Galdessa is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s newest property o f f e r i n g g u e s t s t h e c h a n c e t o e x p l o r e a p r i s t i n e c o r n e r o f Ts a v o , w i t h t h e a b i l i t y t o a c c e s s t h e D S W T ’ s Vo i R e h a b i l i t a t i o n S t o c k a d e s . With a commanding view across the mightly Galana River, Galdessa is ideally and beautifully positioned to catch cooling breezes and observe wildlife crossing.
Galdessa Main offers 5 spacious tented bedrooms, sleeping up to 10 guests. These tents, surrounded by doum palms with beautiful views over the river, are a combination of twins and doubles. Each unit has an ensuite indoor shower and loo. Each tent has a Balinese style deck overlooking the river where you can relax and unwind. The large and airy thatched mess area offers a combined living and dining room area with commanding views down river and an in�inity pool. Tsavo East National Park is the largest protected area in Kenya; 13.747 square kms of pristine wilderness with a greater biodiversity than any other Park in the world, since it is here that the Northern and Southern forms of fauna meet. David Sheldrick was the founding Warden of this giant National Park from 1949 –1976.
The Southern Area of Tsavo East is renowned for its elephant herds with Tsavo being home to the largest elephant population in Kenya. The open plains of the southern sector of the Park host numerous grazing species, with massive buffalo herds, giraffe, eland, Oryx and zebra, just some of what you are likely to see. This quiet corner is also home to the infamous Tsavo lions and leopards, both plentiful in these parts. The main lifeline for Tsavo East is the picturesque Galana River and Galdessa is situated on its banks, facing the landmark Yatta Plateau, the longest lava �low in the world, which dissects Tsavo East’s southern and northern areas. By staying at Galdessa, you have a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the Voi elephant orphans at the stockades that are located about an hour’s drive from the camp. The routine of the keepers and their charges varies from day to day but roughly goes as follows:
11am mud bath 5pm stockades
L A I K I P I A
I n t h e c e n t r a l h i g h l a n d s o f K e n y a , s t r e t c h i n g f r o m M o u n t K e n y a i n t h e e a s t t o t h e R i f t Va l l e y i n t h e w e s t is a 2.149 million acre area of semi-arid grassland and bush savannah known as the Laikipia Plateau.
This region serves as a portal to Kenya’s remote and wild, Northern Frontier and is a patchwork of cattle ranches and tribal lands that have been amalgamated under the umbrella of eco-tourism.
The Laikipia Wildlife Forum promotes this collaboration and is an incredible example of successful conservation whereby ranchers and pastoralists encourage the practical co-existance of people, livestock and wildlife. The desire to truly understand all the inhabitants of this natural environment is illustrated in the large number of research and community conservation projects within the area. Straddling the Equator at altitudes of between 5,000 and 8,000 feet, this secluded part of Africa is incredibly scenic, comprising of magni�icent escarpments which descend into open grasslands, basalt hills, lonely kopjes and riverine forest, fed by rivers sourced on the slopes of Mount Kenya. This diversity attracts considerable animal numbers and is home to the highest number of endangered species in East Africa. Half the population of black rhino, Kenya’s second largest elephant population, the fastest growing wild dog population on the
continent and the globally threatened Grevy’s zebra have all found their home in Laikipia. This is a unique and fascinating wildlife experience when adding the animals that occur solely in central and northern Kenya, such as the reticulated giraffe, Jackson’s hartebeest, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. With such an array of plains game come the predators and Laikipia is home to signi�icant numbers of lion, cheetah and the ever elusive leopard.
Lake Turkana
LAIKIPIA Lake Victoria
Mt. Kenya N.P
Masai Mara
Nairobi Amboseli N.P
Kilimanjaro N.P
Ts a v o N.P
L E N G I S H U
Lengishu is an anomaly - a beautiful, private home on 32,000 acres in the game-rich, Kenyan Highlands with rare, truly wild luxuries.
Located on the vastness of the Laikipia plateau looking out over the plains towards Mount Kenya, Lengishu is located on Borana Ranch a private sanctuary that offers world-class wildlife, adventure and wellness facilities in surroundings of exceptional beauty and serenity.
Lengishu is built entirely of sustainable materials. The stones have been excavated from the site itself, sourced when the foundations were laid. The wooden beams and panels are made of teak and gum poles from Kenya, the walls are rammed earth and the �loors are stone and wood. This unique family home was built to blend into its surroundings. The main house is central to the design with a large entrance hall leading to a study and a vaulted sitting and dining room which is warmed by two large �ireplaces with glorious views. A covered veranda with a pizza oven allows for outdoor luncheons or evening entertaining.
The Master bedroom and Room 1 stand away from the main house with a further two family cottages set into the hillside below. A U-shaped pool, with views to the West, is surrounded by a lunch pavilion, a gym and a games room with a sundowner bar.
“The climate,
c l e a n a i r, a n d o r g a n i c food make incredible foundations for a trip that will
t r u l y R E S T O R E y o u .”
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.
S E A N
D U N D A S
Sean is a third generation safari guide, and fourth generation Kenyan. A s a y o u n g g u i d e w i t h a p a s s i o n f o r t h e b e a u t i f u l w i l d l i f e a n d f a s c i n a t i n g c u l t u r e A f r i c a h a s t o o f f e r, every safari is full of excitement. Sean has led a wide range of luxury and adventure safaris throughout Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda and Namibia. He has led trips up Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, down the Nile as well as helicopter expeditions to active volcano’s, to the deserts of northern Kenya and to the famous fossil sites around Lake Turkana.
Specializing in luxury adventure trips throughout Africa, Sean’s hobbies have become his career. Guiding groups with interests in climbing mountains, scuba diving, archaeology, �ishing, photography and wildlife, he creates truly extraordinary adventures. Whether it is exploring remote parts of Kenya by helicopter or walking into these remote areas with camels, often �inishing safaris with a week on Kenya’s beautiful coast, each trip is a once in a lifetime experience. Growing up in Kenya and on safari he gained an instinctive appreciation of his surroundings, with a unique understanding, not only of the geology, reptiles, mammals and birds of Africa, but also its diverse and intricate cultural heritage.
Sean is also is a passionate photographer, who has had several exhibitions and sells his photographs all over the world. With a photographic safari guide as a father, Sean was well-acquainted with photography from an early age and was handed his �irst fully manual camera aged 14.
Guests have described Sean’s ‘passion for wildlife and his seemingly endless energy, as the inspirational part of their safari’. He spends his free time adventuring in remote parts of the continent photographing and sculpting the wildlife he loves.
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.
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