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A 14-day birdwatching tour
to the Masai Mara, Rift
Valley Lakes, Mount Kenya and Samburu, plus an optional extension to
Amboseli, Tsavo and the coast.
We
begin our holiday with a a very scenic drive to Samburu Game Reserve,
perhaps the most attractive of Kenyan game reserves. Situated in the
밶rid north�, Samburu뭩 mix of crocodile-filled rivers, dry grasslands
and acacia woodlands, together with its beautiful Doum Palms, provides us with a great range of new birds and some unusual
mammals that include Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy뭩 Zebra, Beisa Oryx and
Gerenuk.
Next we stay a night at Mountain Lodge, situated at an
elevation of 2,190 metres on the forested slopes of Mount Kenya. Here,
on guided walk, we should see a wonderful variety of montane and
forest birds, including such species as Red-fronted Parrot, Hartlaub뭩
Turaco, White-starred Forest Robin and Montane Oriole. Most exciting of
all, though, is the anticipation at dusk, dawn and during the night as
such elusive mammals as Bush Pig, Giant Forest Hog, Large-spotted Genet
and perhaps even a Black Rhinoceros emerge from the forest to drink at
the waterhole beside the lodge.
Leaving Mount
Kenya we visit three very different Rift
Valley lakes. The birdlife at each is outstanding. At Nakuru we explore
the salty mudflats and hilly woodland around this flamingo-laden soda
lake. This beautiful park is home to a large number of White Rhino and
Leopard.
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At Lake Bogoria we search for Greater Kudu and visit hot
springs, and at Lake Baringo we have plenty of time to explore a
beautifully unspoilt freshwater lake, set amidst a rugged dry land of
cliffs, plateaux and boulder-strewn acacia woodland, where Verreaux뭩
Eagles and Hemprich뭩 Hornbills are amongst many other unusual birds to
be seen.
We conclude our holiday in the Masai Mara,
travelling over the Rift Valley and viewing the spectacular Longonot
volcano as we cross the cultivated plains of the valley towards the
rolling grasslands of 뱓he Mara�, where we spend three nights. This is
the finest of Kenya뭩 reserves, and teems with animals, especialIy in
August when huge herds of Blue Wildebeest, pursued by their predators,
are migrating into the Mara from the adjacent Serengeti in search of
fresh pastures. Topi, Hartebeest, gazelles, Burchell뭩 Zebra, Giraffe,
Elephant and African Buffalo feed with them on the plains, and
attendant Lions, Cheetahs, jackals and Spotted Hyenas. The birdlife may
take second place, but is nonetheless abundant. Vultures, Martial
Eagles, Secretary Birds, Ostriches, Ground Hornbills, and colourful
barbets, weavers and finches litter the grasslands and acacias.
For those wishing for a more complete overview of
Kenya뭩 birds, we should be delighted to offer a tailor-made
extension to Amboseli, Tsavo and the coast (or to any other country in
East Africa). These areas, sitting beneath snow-capped Kilimanjaro,
present fine photographic opportunities, and a habitat of dry, rolling
grassland where yet more bird and mammal species may be found. Finally,
at Turtle Bay, in the heart of Kenya뭩 Marine National Park, you may
choose to snorkel on the coral reef, explore the bird-rich coastal
forest of Sokoke, and the mudflats and mangroves of Mida Creek.
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Past
client comments.
"Overall
an excellent trip. Highlights were 7 cheetah in one day at the Mara,
including a mother with 5 subadult cubs...The guides, were very
knowledgeable and good at identifying birds. Not afraid to
correct himself later. Very personable... Driver guide Peter was superb, polite, fun, friendly,
informative and punctual (and drove well)...overall fantastic trip."
K.R., Manchester
"Martha was an excellent guide, very friendly and approachable
and her identification skills were outstanding. She always ensured that
everyone was given every opportunity to see the birds, especially if
there were species that an individual particularly wanted to see or had
previously missed...Our driver guide, Francis, was excellent, very friendly
and knowledgeable, always responding to our requests, however the
welfare of nature was always his first concern and was to be
commended...The walk in the forest at Mountain Lodge will always be,
for us, one of the highlights of the holiday. Overall this was an
excellent holiday and more than lived up to expectations. We would have
no hesitation in recommending Mbango Safaris and we are already planning
our next holiday with you." R & G.D., Surrey
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"Overall an excellent and memorable holiday. The itinerary was
well selected and gave us opportunities to view an extremely varied and
interesting selection of birds. Special mention to the
guide, P.K, whose knowledge and experience of the area, as
well as his more general abilities to converse on a range of subjects
related to his own experiences, made him an extremely valuable
companion on the trip. The accommodation and service were, in the main,
excellent...All in all a wonderful experience, and we would hope to
travel again with Mbango Safaris in the future." R.,S.,H. & A.B.,
Winchester
"It was a trip of a lifetime and to have the chance to go on
safari and see birds and be amongst them was superb. It more than
met my expectations. Mercy knowledge of the area, wildlife and
habitat made each day even more interesting. I would have no hesitation
in recommending Mbango Safaris." B.J., Northumberland
"Kenya is such a wonderful place that any trip there would be fantastic." A B., London
"Overall we had a wonderful holiday and achieved our aims of seeing the
major African mammals and some spectacular birdwatching." M and L S.,
Staffordshire
"We greatly enjoyed the main trip with the group round the various
Reserves, and you will probably know from Peter that we saw
most of the birds we hoped to, and of course the mammals. We were very
impressed, and particularly with Peter's leadership. He was very good in
all respects and had a nice sense of humour." J H., Lancashire
"Caroline is a splendid guide, laid back, tolerant, but quite efficient,
as well as good fun. I think everyone enjoyed themselves largely
because of his encouragement." T, C and E J., Hertfordshire
"Our driver guides, John and Mamai, were excellent." R and J B., Scotland.
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Weather. During our tour we can expect most days to be dry and
fairly sunny, temperatures ranging from 20- 30oC, depending on
altitude. Overcast weather, particularly in the afternoons, may not be
infrequent, but rain is unlikely except on high ground such as Mt. Kenya Forest,
where afternoon precipitation is a possibility. Here the weather can be chilly
between sunset and sunrise.
Grading. This tour is designed
for the involved naturalist. It is ideal guided overview
to Kenya's extraordinaly diverse bird species and an
annual favourite for keen birders.
Entry requirements.
Most
of Europe nationalities passport holders and most other nationalities require
a visa for a
visa for Kenya which is obtained
in advance from the nearest embassy. You will also need to have various
vaccinations and take malaria prophylactic. Please contact us or consult the nearest embassy
about your requirements as soon as possible before traveling.
Birds field
guide, birds checklist and travel map.
Every
participant of the trip will get birds field guide, checklist of birds of Kenya and a travel
map of Kenya on arrival at Nairobi.
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Tour reports,
tour
price, detailed tour plan and how
to book your place.
For past tour reports, tour price, detailed
tour plan and in order to book a place
on this holiday, please call us now on:
00 254 20 600
14 54. Alternatively, fill our online
booking form or
email us: safaris@mbangosafaris.com
and we will get
back to you with further details and to reserve the tour for you.
Once we have received your request / booking we will
confirm your booking and send you all the further details necessary for you to
prepare for your holiday. At peak times our confirmation may take up to a day
or two to reach you; normally we aim to do it within a day.
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