SGBI - Safari for Conservation - Kenya - 2024

SAFARI FOR CONSERVATION

Kenya

January & February 2024

DESIGNED BY

RORY WOOD

SAFARI FOR CONSERVATION

GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF MODERN CONSERVATION IN KENYA

We’ve teamed up with Elewana and SkySafari to create a 10-day small group safari with a difference, to make a difference.

We are passionate about modern conservation which works to protect wild places and the wildlife that inhabits them whilst empowering local communities, who are their natural custodians.

Throughout your journey you’ll go behind the scenes, visiting projects at the cutting edge of on-the-ground conservation. You will meet the people who are working to keep some of Earth’s most iconic species safe and get involved as they track, monitor and protect them.

RORY WOOD HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY

SMALL GROUP, BIG IMPACT

A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FROM US

100% of profits from this trip will be invested into positive impact initiatives. The cutting edge conservation projects and areas you visit will receive 50% while the remaining 50% will be invested back into future sustainability initiatives.

SHINING A LIGHT ON THE PROJECTS

Our Head of Sustainability and a sustainable travel journalist will be joining the trip to shine a light on the projects every step of the way.

30 JANUARY 2024 ARRIVE INTO NAIROBI

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO HEMINGWAYS

2024

2024

ROAD TRANSFER WILSON AIRPORT TO NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DAY ROOM AT NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOTEL AVAILABLE DEPENDANT ON OUTBOUND FLIGHT DEPARTURE TIME)

DAY 1

Tuesday 30th January 2024

JOURNEY

Arrive into Nairobi

Private road transfer to hotel

ACCOMMODATION

Hemingway’s

Deluxe Suite 1 night INCLUSIONS

Dinner and breakfast

ITINERARY

Hemingways Nairobi is a unique boutique hotel located in the peaceful suburb of Karen. There are 45 suites, each elegantly designed and furnished, with spacious en-suite bathroom, finest Egyptian cotton and bed linens, 40” LED television, complimentary Wi-Fi and personalised mini-bar.

Part of the renowned Hemingways portfolio, the service and personal attention at the hotel is first-class, with a dedicated team of butlers on hand to tend to your wishes. The Brasserie serves a high-quality and varied menu while the contemporary bar is a delightful place to relax in the evenings. A range of treatments and therapies are also available in the elegant spa.

DAYS 2 AND 3

Wednesday 31st January & Thursday 1st February

JOURNEY

Private road transfer to Wilson airport

Private Sky Safari flight to Amboseli

Game drive transfer to camp

ACCOMMODATION

Tortilis Camp

Luxury Tent 2 nights

INCLUSIONS

Meals, soft drinks, local beers, house wines, and selected spirits, laundry service and shared activities: game drives, guided walking safaris, sundowners, bush breakfasts and all conservation-focussed activities as listed.

Overshadowed by Mount Kilimanjaro, the Amboseli National Park is a beautiful area for viewing an abundance of wildlife. Elephants abound in the lower forest and swamp areas, hippos in the pools and lion lurk in the reeds and papyrus around the swamps awaiting their prey. Cheetah can be found on the salt flats, giraffe wander through the doum palms and bird life is prolific.

Admiring the herds of elephant, huge old lone bulls and playful adolescent bull elephants are the great joys of a visit to Amboseli. These mighty and socially advanced creatures have inhabited these landscapes for thousands of years.

Tortilis Camp is set on a private conservancy, in a beautiful location on the edge of the national park and has 16 luxurious tents under thatched canopies, each with beds, rugs and tables and, of course, en-suite bathroom. Each tent has views towards the towering snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, making this one of the best located camps in East Africa.

The standard of management and cuisine is excellent and between game viewing you can relax in the pool or watch elephant and other animals wandering close to the camp. You can enjoy safaris among the big cats, elephants, hippos, birds and plains game in the company of highly expert guides both by open vehicle and on foot.

The staff enjoy springing little surprises such as an impromptu bush breakfast in some beautiful spot half way through your morning game drive, or a lazy sundowner on a hilltop with magnificent views of the park below and Kilimanjaro towering above.

On the morning of Day 3, following an introduction around the fire the night before, you will be met by the Kitirua Conservancy rangers for a thrilling morning bush walk following their patrol route. Hear from the experts as they guide you through the conservancy picking up subtle tracks and discovering the wildlife they protect.

In the afternoon you will embark on a game drive through the conservancy joined by the rangers giving greater insight into how the area came to be and its purpose as a vital wildlife corridor.

In the evening you will enjoy sundowners in the bush, a magical experience witnessing the African sunset with a drink of your choice. As the night sky darkens, you will head out once again with the rangers in the hope of spotting the conservancies nocturnal species and big cats on the hunt.

CONSERVATION

Elewana, Sand River Mara’s parent company embraces the responsibility of helping to protect both the habitat in which wildlife lives as well as specific vulnerable and endangered wildlife species. They have been pioneers in supporting what they call “Parks Beyond Parks” - conservation areas that lie outside of nationally protected parks. In total they play a key role in protecting land extending to over 1.36 million acres.

ENVIRONMENT

Degraded areas within and around the camp have been reclaimed through planting Amboseli grass, indigenous species of succulents and aloes, as well as over 450 Acacia Tortilis tress. There is currently a proposal to expand this restoration initiative with the aim of restoring biodiversity and serve as a visitor nature trail area.

COMMUNITY

Tortilis employs around 60% of its staff from the local community, training them from scratch to become professional guides, barman and waiters. With each employed individual in Kenya supporting an average of 8 dependants, our 40 local staff members potentially support between 300 and 400 members of the community.

DAYS 4 TO 6

Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th February

JOURNEY

Game drive transfer to airstrip

Private Sky Safari flight to Loisaba

Game drive transfer to camp

ACCOMMODATION

Loisaba Tented Camp

Luxury Tent

3 nights

INCLUSIONS

Meals, soft drinks, local beers, wines and spirits, limited laundry service, and shared activities: game drives, guided walks, bush breakfasts, sundowners, camel and horse riding (for experienced riders) within the Conservancy, mountain biking and all conservation-focussed activities as listed.

Loisaba Tented Camp is perched upon the edge of a 500ft escarpment, offering dramatic views across the stunning panorama of the Laikipia

Plains all the way to Mount Kenya and the Matthews Mountain Range.

This spectacular environment is the perfect place in which to relax and explore; it is also a prime location for spotting wildlife due to its rich ecosystem ranging from high plains to escarpment walls and riverine bush. Throughout Loisaba roam the second largest population of elephant in Kenya, lion and leopard as well as the rare northern species that thrive here – gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, greater kudu, beisa oryx and reticulated giraffe. Loisaba is also a wonderful location to view wild dog, and they can sometimes be seen pursuing prey in highly organised packs across the plains.

The tents are spacious and airy, with panoramic windows, polished wood floors and high ceilings. The decor is African inspired with a modern European twist. Just because you are immersed in the vast wilderness of Kenya doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on luxury – the plush bathrooms have flush toilets, double basin vanities and a solar heated rainfall shower.

At the main lodge there is a large dining area, open plan lounge and bar, and a wooden decking area ideal for sipping cold drinks while admiring the incredible view, and a stunning infinity pool, a welcome retreat from the heat of the day.

Loisaba is made for adventure, and in addition to day and night game drives in the comfort of custom designed Land Rovers, guests enjoy complete freedom to choose how they spend their time – the only barrier is your own imagination. Trek through the bush with camels or on horseback, take a fishing trip, or embark a fascinating guided bush walk where you will focus on the smaller flora and fauna often missed on game drives.

Drive through the wild canyons of the two great rivers which span the vast property or for the even more adventurous there is the opportunity to ride mountain bikes over the plains. At over 227km², Loisaba is immense –you could take months exploring this land and never encounter the same view twice.

On Day 5 you will head out with local Samburu guides for a walking safari followed by a visit to a Samburu homestead to learn about the tribe’s rich culture. The camp has strong ties with local communities, working with them to provide guests with an understanding of their way of life in a very authentic way – free from gimmicks and pressure to purchase items.

Loisaba is famed for the recent discovery of an elusive black leopard. The incredible sighting in 2018, captured by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), was the first in the entire continent for nearly 100 years. Very little is known about these big cats, but it is thought that the colour variant could be an adaptive trait driven by environment. In the afternoon of Day 5 you will head out with SDZWA researchers on a game drive with the aim of finding this incredible animal in the wild, of which it is thought there are at least five residing within the Laikipia County. The group also studies the endangered reticulated giraffe, a species with distinctive coat markings that resides within the conservancy.

In the afternoon of Day 6 you will meet the conservancy’s very own dedicated antipoaching team, comprising of four sniffer dogs - Warrior, Machine, Memusi and Nanyokie - and their handlers. Learn about their day-today training and activities and view an antipoaching demonstration in action.

Enjoy an evening of sundowners in the heart of the stunning Loisaba bush joined by Tom Silvester, Loisaba Conservancy CEO, who will share stories of the conservancy including the ongoing rhino relocation project.

CONSERVATION

The Loisaba Conservancy is at the forefront of cutting-edge conservation efforts, with an aim to expand the scale of community conservancies across the region, protecting habitats for critical wildlife. The conservancy is also partnered with

Space for Giants which funds elite anti-poaching teams across southern Africa and works to mitigate human/wildlife conflict. During your stay, go behind the scenes to see Loisaba’s own antipoaching unit in action.

COMMUNITY

Your stay at Loisaba Tented Camp includes a conservancy fee which supports the Loisaba Conservancy. Their community focussed business model encourages the protection of wildlife habitats in combination with sustainable livestock farming to provide reliable income for local communities while also funding healthcare and education.

ENVIRONMENT

Loisaba Tented Camp is a member of Ecotourism Kenya. The design of the camp aims to minimise the environmental footprint and interference with natural vegetation. Electricity is generated through a stateof-the-art solar power system with energy saving bulbs used in all rooms. Biodegradable soap and shampoos are sourced locally and provided for you to use during your stay.

DAYS 7 TO 9

Monday 5th - Wednesday 7th February

JOURNEY

Game drive transfer to airstrip

Private Sky Safari flight to Masai Mara

Game drive transfer to camp

ACCOMMODATION

Elephant Pepper Camp Safari Tent

3 nights

INCLUSIONS

Meals, soft drinks, local beers, wines and spirits, limited laundry service and shared activities: game drives, guided walks (minimum age 16), bush breakfasts, sundowners and all conservation-focussed activities as listed.

One visit to the Masai Mara National Reserve is included per three-night stay. Additional visits will incur extra park fees ($80pp per day). Maasai cultural visits are also available at additional cost.

Adjoining the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Masai Mara is one of the world’s most famous and spectacular game viewing regions.

Covering an area of over 1800 square kilometres, vast expanses of undulating grassy plains roll from horizon to horizon dotted with acacia trees and isolated rocky outcrops.

These rich grasslands and watering places sustain thousands of elephant, graceful-looking giraffe and big herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. A host of smaller creatures such as baboon, warthog, hyena and jackal call the Mara home, while there are also myriad antelope species, from fleet-footed topi to majestic-looking kudu and diminutive dik dik. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where visitors may see iconic African wildlife in the same super abundance as existed a century ago.

The Mara is home to the largest population of lions in Kenya and these magnificent beasts spend most the day sleeping in the shade of acacia trees as vast herds of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest roam the plains. The smaller plains game are often targets for cheetah and they can be seen chasing down prey across these expansive grasslands.

The waters of the Mara River are renowned for huge numbers of crocodiles and pods of hippo, whilst the acacia woodlands and riverine forests are favoured by opportunistic leopard who use their stealth and cunning to ambush antelope and other smaller creatures.

The birdlife in the Mara region is equally as abundant and even more varied. Eagles soar high overhead, vultures dance around carcasses, and hundreds of other species of beautiful birds both great and small provide a continual source of interest.

Situated right on the northern edge of the Masai Mara Reserve in the private Mara North Conservancy, Elephant Pepper Camp is tucked away in a prime wildlife area surrounded by the Mara’s ubiquitous game. This is a step back in time but with modern comforts: an original bush camp, eco-friendly, and committed to finding a way of life that does not harm the wilderness. The homely atmosphere is part of its charm. Guests can relax with nature, no generators, no vehicles passing, no permanent structures jarring the skyline, just the sights and sounds of the bush which completely surround you.

The camp has ten large and spacious light canvas tents, all set apart underneath a grove of trees. The tents have double or twin beds, elegant campaign furniture, en-suite bathroom, shower with hot running water and flush toilet. From the veranda you can watch wildlife roam across the plains. Two of the larger tents are able to comfortably accommodate entire families under one roof, or alternatively, if a special occasion, can be taken by couples who would like some extra space.

The main dining tent offers social dining with a help-yourself bar. The staff are friendly and welcoming and arriving in camp is like coming home. The appetising food is prepared by chefs trained by the owners’ family, using traditional north Italian recipes mixed with international and local favourites. Barbeques by the campfire, dinner in the mess tent or bush breakfasts on the open plain are some of the lasting memories to take home.

The camps ethos is to provide an adventurous, authentic and diverse Masai Mara safari experience. There is wide variety of activities available that wouldn’t be possible if staying within the reserve itself. Game drives are the very best way to get up close and personal with all of the wildlife in the region and allow you to

cover the widest area though there is superb walking in the surrounding hills, across the open plains and in the forested valleys. Local Maasai guides will enhance your walk, focussing on the smaller flora and fauna so often missed on game drives.

There is also a strong cultural focus at the camp with staff and guides keen to impart the bush craft and knowledge passed down to them through many generations.

The owners are very careful to visit villages only rarely in order that guests can experience a truer reflection of everyday Maasai life.

On Day 8 you will be joined by researchers from the Mara Predator Conservation Programme who will accompany you on a game drive searching for the big cats they study. Get to grips with their tracking software and hear stories from the people who spend their days with the most iconic animals of Africa.

At small additional cost it is also possible to take a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the plains gaining a birds’ eye view of the landscape and floating silently over a multitude of wildlife before coming to land on the middle of the plains where a champagne breakfast awaits – the perfect end to a magical morning in the Masai Mara.

CONSERVATION

The camp was fundamental in founding the 283 Km2 Mara North Conservancy, one of the largest community and private sector managed conservancies in the world. It is now regarded as one of Kenya’s most successful conservation models, creating long-term commitments to the environment, wildlife, local communities, and promoting low volume / low impact tourism. The land is leased from the local Maasai solely for the preservation of wildlife, with lease and conservancy fees providing tangible benefits to communities in exchange for the protection and careful management of wildlife areas.

COMMUNITY

The Land and Life Foundation provides merit-based scholarships to students from local communities, awarded annually to the two highest scoring KCPE boy and girl at Ololomei Primary School and provides 75% of school fees throughout high school. The foundation also built a fully functional kitchen for Ololomei Primary School that can accommodate up to 460 kids alongside the installation of water tanks.

ENVIRONMENT

Elephant Pepper Camp is 100% solar powered, boasting a Gold Eco-rating with EcoTourism Kenya. Consequently, the camp does not require a noisy generator to produce its power, so creating a peaceful and natural environment for both guests and local wildlife. The camp also undertakes a tree planting program to assist with carbon offsetting which, so far, has led to the planting of 500 new trees consisting of Leleshwa, Croton and Acacia species.

DAY 10

Thursday 8th February

JOURNEY

Game drive transfer to airstrip

Private Sky Safari flight to Wilson Airport

Private road transfer to Nairobi International Airport

(day room at Nairobi International Airport hotel available dependant on outbound flight departure time)

Continue with onward travel arrangements

FURTHER INFORMATION

Inclusions:

Accommodation (as detailed)

Private internal Sky Safari flights

Private road transfers as indicated

Meals as listed

Activities as listed

Conservation activities as listed

Pre-payable park/reserve fees

Exclusions:

International flights

Any items not detailed in the travel itinerary Tips

Notes:

All the photos contained in this itinerary are illustrative of the lodges, transport and sights you will see on your holiday. Please note however that we cannot guarantee that you will see all the animals and birds shown as these are wild creatures and not under our control. Equally where specific food or drink, or furniture/furnishings are shown, these may not be identical to those you will experience. Please note inclusions are subject to change at the discretion of the property.

If flights have been included within your booking then unless provisionally held for you, these are subject to change and any increases in fares at the time of booking will be passed on. Similarly, if booking a trip inclusive of flights more than 11 months in advance we will try to give as accurate an indicative cost as possible, but exact flight costs will need to be obtained once flight fares become available and as such, any variance will be reflected in your final balance.

The nature of our holidays means that they may not be suitable for people with reduced mobility. If you have reduced mobility or any specific medical requirements, please ensure that you discuss these with your travel designer prior to booking your holiday.

KENYA AWAITS...

ENQUIRE NOW

UK: (0)1604 628979

US: 1-866-871-3829

“Thank you so much for arranging another spectacular trip for us and ensuring that everything went so very smoothly. Yet again were blown away with our sightings and behaviours giving us more ‘firsts’. Quite breathtaking and I’m not sure what else we could have wished for.”

MIKE & SANDRA CAMM

WELCOME

What do a polar bear, a mountain gorilla, a Bengal tiger and a desert elephant have in common? They are awesome creatures, few in number, living in places that are spectacular, wild and fragile. I marvel that we live in an age when we can even come close to creatures like these, in the world’s remotest places. And that we can stay in exclusive comfort, in the company of expert guides. And that by travelling we can contribute to these animals’ survival.

I have built a team of Journeysmiths with the ability to match your dreams and aspirations to their knowledge and experience of the world’s extraordinary places. The outcome is a holiday of a lifetime every time you travel. Our holidays go beyond “tailormade” — they are uniquely crafted and arranged and we simply adore what we do.

LAURA BURDETT-MUNNS MANAGING DIRECTOR

WHO ARE JOURNEYSMITHS?

Choosing the right company to arrange your holiday to our world’s most complex and remote locations is vitally important. Like mankind, Journeysmiths’ roots are in Africa. 30 years ago John Burdett and Warwick Hoffman, the original Journeysmiths, founded Africa Exclusive. They were, and still are fired by a passion to show clients the wild world they love, in privacy and comfort. Today, driven by that same passion, Journeysmiths arranges the finest possible holidays to amazing places across five continents for our international clientele. Each trip is expertly arranged to exactly meet each client’s requirements and interests. We are proud of our exceptional level of service, which we believe sets us apart from other holiday companies.

WHY JOURNEYSMITHS?

• We have over 30 years experience

• Our holidays are beautifully engineered

• We are passionate about quality

• We are fastidious about those tiny details

• We listen carefully, each client is unique

• We are passionate about positive impacts

• Our clients have a dedicated expert consultant

• Our prices are fair

HELPING OUT

We are passionate about protecting the world’s most fragile environments. When you travel with us you are contributing to the protection of wildlife and the environment in partnership with local communities. As well as carefully selecting our partners around the world we also give 5% of our net profit each year to supporting charities and conservation efforts in the places we work.

FINANCIAL SECURITY

You have complete financial security when you book with Journeysmiths. We are fully bonded and licenced under the Civil Aviation Authority’s ATOL scheme, licence number ATOL 2883 (Journeysmiths is a trading name of Africa Exclusive Ltd). This covers all clients who book their international flights from the UK and holiday arrangements through us. If you are arranging your own flights or you are not departing from the UK you are also protected by a separate insurance policy that we voluntarily maintain with Travel and General Insurance Services. This is called a Total Payment Protection Policy (TOPP) and the policy number is AELI/topp/20/14.

TRAVEL WELL

Travel to the world’s fragile places should benefit the habitats, wildlife and people who live there. We call this ‘travelling well’ and it is a feature of every safari we arrange.

It may seem counterintuitive that visiting a place could protect it, but staying at the right place can do just that. We actively favour safari lodges which work in partnership with local communities to conserve wildlife. We also support charities and NGOs working in our destinations.

We are fortunate enough to enjoy the incredible biodiversity this planet has to offer. We believe it is our responsibility to preserve it for future generations.

‘‘ ”

In the 30 year life of Journeysmiths, Africa's human population has doubled. The future of vulnerable species and iconic landscapes can only be assured by a mutually beneficial partnership between Africa's people and wildlife.

laura burdett - munns managing director

THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF YOUR TRIP

30 years ago we encountered Africa and fell in love with its awesome beauty. Ever since, we’ve been spreading the word, sharing our passion so that you too can experience the best of our world. In the best possible way. This means matching your individuality to a unique blend of places and experiences that fulfil your dreams and extend your horizons. It also means fighting to protect these fragile places.

The way we do this is simple but effective:

– We work with people who share our values

– We make it easy for you to see the positive impacts of your holiday

– We encourage you to get involved

– We donate a minimum of 5% of net profit to charity each year

Our planet’s remote places and wildlife are under constant threat from poaching, encroachment and climate change. We favour lodges which actively conserve the land and its wildlife. This requires dynamic partnerships with local communities which leads to them benefiting significantly from wildlife conservation.

We include details of initiatives run by each property you will visit in your travel itinerary, so that you can see the positive impact of your stay. Our team would also be delighted to discuss ways you can get more involved.

To help protect the amazing places we send our clients to; we donate 5% of our net profits each to charitable conservation projects within Africa.

We also work alongside charities that are dedicated to protecting endangered species, providing environmental education to local children and ensuring human-wildlife coexistence is sustained.

JOURNEYSMITHS

18 Mobbs Miller House Christchurch Road Northampton NN1 5LL

T: +44 (0) 1604 637332

E: enquiries@journeysmiths.co.uk

www.journeysmiths.co.uk