CONTENTS 3.����CONCERT�SAFARI�INTRO� 4.����SAFARI�HIGHLIGHTS 6.����DEPARTURE�INFO� 7.����MAP�OF�SAFARI 8.����ARRIVAL�NAIROBI� 9.����CITY�CONCERT 11.����ECO�TOUR� 12.���SAWA�SAWA�CONCERT 13.���MEXICAN�EMBASSY�CONCERTS�&� ��������FESTIVAL�CELEBRATIONS 14.���AMBOSELI�NATIONAL�PARK 18.���OL�PEJETA�CONSERVANCY 20.��SOSYAMBU�CONSERVANCY 22.��LAKE�NAKURU�NATIONAL�PARK 24.���MASAI�MARA�NATIONAL�RESERVE 28.���END�OF�SAFARI 30:���TRAVEL�INFO
THIS ONE WILL BE A SPECIAL CELEBRATION OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION AND WE WILL BRING ALONG OMAR ARREOLA AND LOIS MAHALIA. OMAR ARREOLA, KING OF MARIACHIS AND LOIS MAHALIA DIVA OF JAZZ, WILL BE PERFORMING IN NAIROBI FOR THE MEXICAN EMBASSY ON THE 20TH OF NOVEMBER, AND ON FRIDAY THE 22ND IN THE DOME FOR THE SAWA SAWA COMMITTEE, ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23RD AT ANOTHER LOCATION FOR A SPECIAL PARTY FOR THE MEXICAN EMBASSY, THEN AFTER THOSE CONCERTS WE WILL DEPART FOR THE SAFARI. OTHER ACTIVITIES WHILE WE WILL BE ON NAIROBI ARE A VISIT TO A RURAL FARMING VILLAGE, IN THE AREA NEAR MACHAKOS, LUNCH IN THE FAMOUS CARNIVORE RESTAURANT, AND THE OUT OF AFRICA TOUR. WHILE ON SAFARI WE VISIT A MAASAI VILLAGE SO WE CAN LEARN HOW THEY LIVE. THE SAFARI STARTS ON NOVEMBER 24TH, WHEN WE TRAVEL TO THE PICTURESQUE AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK, NEXT WE JOURNEY TO MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK THEN OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY, LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK AND THE LEGENDARY MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE.
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VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
HIGHLIGHTS
DAY�6�AND�7
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
DAY�9
LAKE ELMENTAITA/ SOSYAMBU CONSERVANCY
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
DAY�1�TO�5 NAIROBI
DAY�8
OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
DAY�11�TO�13
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
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DAY�10
DEPARTURE THE ADVENTURE STARTS TODAY WITH AN OVERNIGHT FLIGHT FROM HOME TO THE CAPITAL OF KENYA; NAIROBI
VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
MAP�OF�SAFARI� K e n y a OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
LAKE ELEMENTAITA / SOSYAMBU CONSERVANCY
Elmenteita is derived from the Masaai word muteita, meaning "dust place", a reference to the dry and dusty quality of the area, especially between January and March. The town of Gilgil is located near the lake. In the south-tonorth sequence of Rift Valley lakes, Elmenteita is located between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru. The major Nairobi-Nakuru highway runs along the nearby escarpment affording motorists a spectacular vista towards the lake
DAY 8 OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
DAY 10 LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
DAY 9 LAKE ELEMENTAITA / SOSYAMBU CONSERVANCY
DAY 11 TO 13 MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
DAY 1 TO 5
NAIROBI
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Dream of Africa and you dream of the Masai Mara. This huge expanse of gently rolling grassland, specked with flat-top acacia trees and trampled by thousands-feeding herds of zebra, wildebeest, is the African cliché. But for once the reality lives up to the image, and for many people this reserve is not just the highlight of their Kenyan Safari Vacation but the very reason they come.
DAY 6 AND 7 AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Amboseli lies immediately north-west of Mount Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. The park covers 392 square km, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 square km Amboseli ecosystem. Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular safari reserve. It is surrounded by six communally owned group ranches.
VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
NAIROBI
Nairobi (pron.: /naɪˈroʊbi/) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyrobi, which translates to "cold water". The phrase is also the Maasai name of the Nairobi river, which in turn lent its name to the city. However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is surrounded by several expanding villa suburbs. Residents of Nairobi are known as Nairobians.
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is a 90,000 acre wildlife conservancy situated between the foot hills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snowcapped Mount Kenya. Ol Pejeta Conservancy boasts an astounding variety of animals including the nonindigenous chimpanzees and the big 5 (the endangered black rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo and lion)
Lake Nakuru National Park is a bird watchers paradise that was established as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and upgraded to National Park status in 1968. The lake was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990. The foundation of the park’s food chains is the cyanophyte spirulina plantensis which can support huge numbers of lesser flamingo.
ARRIVE�IN�NAIROBI� WAITING AT THE AIRPORT IS VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS’ WILLIAM WHO WILL WHISK US TO THE CHARMING SOUTHERN SUN MAYFAIR HOTEL - A WELCOMING AND COMFORTABLE STAY SET IN 12 ACRES OF LUSH LANDSCAPE GARDENS, THIS HOTEL EMBRACES THE HISTORICALLY HOSPITABLE NATURE OF KENYA TO MAKE GUESTS FEEL RIGHT AT HOME. BASIS: B, L, D (B: BREAKFAST, L: LUNCH, D: DINNER)
SOUTHERN SUN MAYFAIR HOTEL
SAFARI
DAY
01 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
CITY�CONCERT�
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SAFARI
DAY VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
02
TODAY WE SPEND OUR DAY ACCLIMATIZING LEISURELY ENJOYING THE SIMPLE LUXURIES AND COMFORT FROM THE PRIVACY OF OUR SPACIOUS ROOMS THAT OVERLOOK THE LUSH GARDENS. ENJOY THE HOTEL FACILITIES WHICH INCLUDE A POOL WITH DECK, AND TERRACE AND A COUPLE OF LOUNGE AREAS WHERE YOU CAN UNWIND AND ENJOY BEVERAGES AND LIGHT MEALS FROM THE OASIS RESTAURANT.
THIS EVENING WE WILL GO WATCH OMAR ARREOLA AND LOIS MAHALIA PERFORM IN A CONCERT IN THE CITY, THEREAFTER RETURN TO SOUTHERN SUN MAYFAIR HOTEL FOR OVERNIGHT. SAFARI
BASIS: B, L, D
DAY
02 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
ECO�TOUR� AFTER A LEISURELY BREAKFAST, WE DRIVE OFF FROM NAIROBI FOR AN EXPRESSIVE EXPERIENCE OF THE VILLAGE LIFE IN ONE OF KENYA’S FARMING COMMUNITIES. WE RETURN TO SOUTHERN SUN MAYFAIR HOTEL IN THELATE AFTERNOON FOR REFRESHING, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT. BASIS: B, L, D
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SAFARI
DAY
03
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SAWA�SAWA�CONCERT� ANOTHER DAY FOR RELAXING IN OUR HOTEL AS WE WAIT TO WATCH OMAR ARREOLA AND LOIS MAHALIA PERFORM AT THE SAWA SAWA DOME. THE DOME HOUSES EAST AFRICA’S BIGGEST ARTS AND CULTURE TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE FACILITY. THEREAFTER WE ARE TRANSFERRED BACK TO THE SOUTHERN SUN MAYFAIR HOTEL FOR OVERNIGHT. BASIS: B, L, D
SAFARI
DAY
04 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
TODAY THE MEXICANS WILL HOST US FOR THEIR SPECIAL ANNUAL FESTIVITIES AT THEIR EMBASSY PREMISES FOR CELEBRATIONS WHICH WILL HAVE OMAR & LOIS ENTERTAIN US ALL. THEREAFTER. WE RETURN TO SOUTHERN SUN MAYFAIR HOTEL FOR OUR LAST NIGHT IN NAIROBI. BASIS: B, L, D SAFARI
DAY
05
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MEXICAN�EMBASSY�CONCERTS� &�FESTIVAL�CELEBRATIONS�
AMBOSELI�NATIONAL�PARK
SAFARI
DAY
06 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
WE HEAD OUT FOR OUR FIRST GAME THIS AFTERNOON RETURNING LATER TO ATTEND DINNER AND OVERNIGHT AT AMBOSELI SERENA SAFARI LODGE. BASIS: B, L, D
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THE SAFARI BEGINS TODAY WITH A SCENIC DRIVE TO THE SCENIC COUNTRY OF AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK, WHERE THE MAJESTIC MOUNT KILIMANJARO DOMINATES EVERY VISTA. AMBOSELI IS COMPARATIVELY COMPACT, DOTTED WITH A SERIES OF BRIGHT GREEN SWAMPS IN WHICH GREAT HERDS OF ELEPHANTS CAN OFTEN BE SEEN HALFSUBMERGED AMONGST THE PAPYRUS GRASSES. AS RENOWNED FOR ITS PHOTO-OPPORTUNITIES AS IT IS FOR ITS LARGE PLAINS GAME POPULATION, AMBOSELI REMAINS ONE OF THE GREAT SAFARI DESTINATIONS.
&
GAME� ���MAASAI� VIEWING� ���CULTURAL� 07 DRIVES ���EXPERIENCE SAFARI
DAY
TODAY WE WILL EMBARK ON AN EARLY MORNING AND LATE AFTERNOON GAME VIEWING DRIVES. IN BETWEEN THE GAME DRIVES A SPECIAL ACTIVITY AWAITS US WHEN WE VISIT A MASAI VILLAGE FOR AN AUTHENTIC CULTURAL AND NOMADIC LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE. WE’LL OVERNIGHT AT AMBOSELI SERENA SAFARI LODGE BASIS: B, L, D
VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
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AMBOSELI SERENA SAFARI LODGE
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OL�PEJETA�CONSERVANCY�
SAFARI
DAY
08 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
TODAY WE SET OFF ON A SCENIC DRIVE TO OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT KENYA. OL PEJETA IS AFFORDS PRIVILEGED SECLUSION AND PRIVATE GAME VIEWING. A WATERING HOLE CLOSE TO YOUR TENT DRAWS PLAINS GAME FOR A COOLING DRINK OFFERING MAGICAL SIGHT GLIMPSED FROM YOUR PRIVATE VERANDA. OL PEJETA IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PRIVATE CONSERVANCIES IN EAST AFRICA FOR ENDANGERED BLACK RHINOS AND THE ONLY PLACE IN KENYA TO SEE CHIMPANZEES IN AN AFTERNOON COMBINING WITH A GAME DRIVE IN THE GRASSLANDS BEFORE RETURNING FOR DINNER AND OVERNIGHT.
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SOSYAMBU�CONSERVANCY
LAKE ELEMENTAITA SERENA CAMP TODAY IS ANOTHER SPECTACULAR DAY THAT TAKES US TO THE SHORELINE OF LAKE ELMENTAITA AN AREA OF BREATHTAKING BEAUTY WITH SUPERB STAYS AT THE LAKE ELMENTAITA SERENA CAMP, THE CAMP BLENDS ARISTOCRATIC ELEGANCE WITH MODERN LUXURY AND WILL OFFER CUISINE AND SERVICE OF FITTINGLY HIGH STANDARDS. BASIS: B, L, D SAFARI
DAY
09 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
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LAKE�NAKURU�� NATIONAL�PARK
SAFARI
DAY
10 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
AFTER A LEISURELY BREAKFAST, WE DEPART FOR LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK FOR A GAME VIEWING DRIVING THAT WILL HAVE US TO CLOSE PROXIMITIES WITH THE GREATEST BIRD SPECTACLE ON EARTH – MYRIADS OF FUSCHIA PINK FLAMONGOES WHOSE NUMBERS ARE LEGION AND OTHER BIG GAME PRESENT IN THE PARK. WE RETURN TO LAKE ELMENTAITA SERENA CAMP FOR LUNCH, DINNER AND OVERNIGHT. YOU CAN CHOOSE TO RELAX OR ENGAGE IN THE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY THE CAMP. BASIS: B, L, D
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MASAI�
MARA�� NATIONAL� RESERVE AFTER BREAKFAST WE SET OFF THROUGH THE RIFT VALLEY BEFORE ENTERING THE WORLD-FAMED MASAI MARA – THE ULTIMATE SAFARI DESTINATION WORLD RENOWNED FOR THE BREATHTAKING SPECTACLE OF GAME VIEWING. SEE ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE BIG FIVE (ELEPHANT, BUFFALO, LION, LEOPARD AND RHINO). OUR STAY IS AT THE MARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE WHICH IS PERCHED HIGH ON A BUSH CLOAKED HILL WITH LONG VIEWS OVER THE SAVANNAH AND DOWN TO THE WINDING COILS OF HIPPO-FILLED MARA RIVER. BASIS: B, L, D
SAFARI
DAY
11 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
MARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE
MARA�WILDLIFE��ENCOUNTERS
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OBSERVE ROLLING GRASSLAND AND ENCOUNTER WILDLIFE ON A MORNING AND A LATE AFTERNOON GAME VIEWING DRIVE. LIONS ARE FOUND IN ABUNDANCE THROUGHOUT THE PARK, AS ARE ELEPHANTS, GIRAFFES, A VARIETY OF GAZELLE SPECIES AND ZEBRAS; WITH LUCK YOU MAY ALSO SEE RHINOS. BASIS: B, L, D
SAFARI
DAY
12 www.visionadventures.com
VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
BREATHTAKING�MASAI�MARA� WE GET UP EARLY, ENJOY A CUP OF KENYAN COFFEE BEFORE HEADING OUT FOR AN EARLY MORNING GAME DRIVE FOR SPECTACULAR ENCOUNTERS WITH WILDLIFE IN THEIR PRIME ACTION. VARIED OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES MAY ALSO BE ENJOYED TODAY SUCH AS A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE. YOUR LAST GAME VIEWING DRIVE IS IN THE LATE AFTERNOON BEFORE YOU CELEBRATE YOUR LAST NIGHT ON SAFARI WITH A FAREWELL DINNER.
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BASIS: B, L, D
SAFARI
DAY
13
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END�� OF�SAFARI
SAFARI
DAY
14 VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
BASIS: B, L, D
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AFTER BREAKFAST WE SET OFF AND DRIVE TO NAIROBI ARRIVING IN TIME FOR LUNCH AT CARNIVORE RESTAURANT, THEREAFTER, WE PROCEED TO GIRAFFE CENTRE WHERE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF HAND FEEDING THE ENDANGERED ROTHSCHILD GIRAFFE AND LEARNING A BIT ABOUT THIS INSTITUTION. WE LATER DRIVE TO PAMPA GRILL RESTAURANT FOR OUR FAREWELL DINNER IN KENYA.
TRAVEL�INFO� PASSPORTS AND VISAS ALL VISITORS TO EAST AFRICA REQUIRE A VALID PASSPORT AND VISAS. MORE INFORMATION ON ACQUISITION OF VISAS IS AVAILABLE AT THE RESPECTIVE CONSULAR OFFICES.
CURRENCY THE SHILLING IS THE CURRENCY USED IN KENYA RESPECTIVELY. FOREIGN CURRENCY IS EASILY CONVERTIBLE AND CREDIT CARDS ARE WIDELY ACCEPTED. CURRENCY CONTROL PROHIBITS THE EXPORTATION OF LOCAL CURRENCY.
HEALTH KENYA ENJOYS A HEALTHY; INVIGORATING CLIMATE AND VISITORS NEED FEEL NO CONCERN FOR THEIR GENERAL HEALTH DURING THEIR STAY. HOWEVER MALARIA IS ENDEMIC IN CERTAIN AREAS AND ANTI-MALARIA MEDICATION SHOULD BE TAKEN ACCORDING TO PRESCRIPTION RECOMMENDATIONS. VISITORS ORIGINATING OR TRANSITING THROUGH COUNTRIES ENDEMIC WITH CHOLERA OR YELLOW FEVER SHOULD HAVE VALID VACCINATION CERTIFICATES.
VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS
SECURITY VISITORS SHOULD TAKE THE SAME CARE AS THEY WOULD NORMALLY TAKE IN ANY OTHER DESTINATION WORLDWIDE. KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON HANDBAGS, WALLETS AND CAMERAS WHEN WALKING IN CROWDED PLACES. AVOID WALKING AT NIGHT AND PLACE VALUABLES IN SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES AT HOTELS AND LODGES, EAST AFRICA IS OTHERWISE ONE OF THE SAFEST TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD.
CUSTOMS PERSONAL EFFECTS I.E. CAMERAS, FILM MAY BE IMPORTED TEMPORARILY FREE OF DUTY, HOWEVER A CUSTOMS BOND MAY BE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH PROFESSIONAL VIDEO EQUIPMENT, TAPE RECORDERS, RADIOS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO ENSURE THAT THE GOODS ARE RE-EXPORTED. CUSTOMS OFFICIALS NORMALLY INSPECT BAGGAGE ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
FLYING DOCTOR'S SOCIETY OF AFRICA ALL VISITORS TRAVELING WITH VISION ADVENTURE SAFARIS, LLC ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED AS MEMBERS OF THE FLYING DOCTORS OF AFRICA DURING THEIR EAST AFRICA SAFARI. THIS MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES EVERY SAFARI PARTICIPANT TO A FREE EMERGENCY EVACUATION TO NAIROBI HOSPITAL, MEDICAL EXPENSES ARE NOT INCLUDED
CLIMATE THE CLIMATE IS TROPICAL, THE COASTAL AREAS ARE HOT AND HUMID WITH AN AVERAGE DAY TEMPERATURE OF 30°C. OTHER AREAS ARE DRY AND SEMI ARID WITH HOT DAYS AND COOL NIGHTS. EAST AFRICA HAS SECTIONS OF HIGHLANDS AND DENSE FOREST. THE LONG RAINS ARE FROM MARCH TO JUNE, THE SHORT FROM NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER.
LUGGAGE LANGUAGE SWAHILI IS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE OF KENYA AND INDEED MOST OF ITS ENVIRON, ENGLISH IS THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE AND WIDELY SPOKEN.
EXCESS LUGGAGE ON INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IS STRICTLY MONITORED, CHARGES FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, AND ARE CARRIED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CARRIER.
TIME LOCAL TIME IS GMT +2 OR +3 DEPENDING ON WHICH LOCATION IN EAST AFRICA.
ELECTRICITY
SOME REGIONS OF EAST AFRICA ARE UNDERDEVELOPED AND AS SUCH IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THAT EVEN THE MOST METICULOUSLY PLANNED ARRANGEMENTS CAN GO WRONG AND THAT CONDITIONS CAN DICTATE THAT THERE MAY BE MOMENTS OF DISCOMFORT OF DELAY.
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BOTH MAINS ELECTRICITY AND GENERATED SUPPLY PROVIDE 240 VOLTS. PLEASE ALWAYS REFER TO YOUR GUIDE OR HOTEL/LODGE MANAGER WHEN USING CERTAIN ELECTRONICS AS SOME MAY REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRANSFORMATION.
GENERAL INFORMATION
SPECIAL NEEDS IN THE CASE OF SPECIAL NEED FOR FACILITIES OR DIET, PLEASE LET US KNOW OF THESE REQUIREMENTS AT THE TIME OF MAKING YOUR RESERVATION.
DRESS THE ACCENT IS ON COMFORT AND INFORMALITY, LIGHT TROPICAL CLOTHES, ESPECIALLY COTTON SLACKS, SHIRTS AND SKIRTS ARE MOST SUITABLE. SOME WARM CLOTHING IS NEEDED IN THE HIGHER ALTITUDE AREAS.
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