EAST AFRICAN SAFARIS

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East African Safaris - KENYA BIRD-SHOOTING ITINERARY

DAY I   

When you arrive in Kenya for your East African Safari we will be at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi to meet you on arrival and, once the brief formalities are completed, to take you to a hotel. Giraffe Manor and Ngong House near us in Karen are the nicest places to stay – or you can go straight off on safari.

FOUR NIGHTS IN A PRIVATE TENTED CAMP, MERU PARK

DAY 2, 3, 4, & 5 

Leaving Nairobi, set off north to Meru National Park, over the Nyambeni Hills and down into the low country. The dry bush is dotted with magnificent baobab trees and partitioned by bright green strips of riverine forest following the banks of the many clear streams. Set off along the small dusty tracks to find your private tented camp. A few eventful days here will usually offer good viewing of the many huge herds of Cape buffalo, kongoni and zebra, as well as gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and the exquisite lesser kudu. Elephant are seen in good numbers and most often one will find lions and other predators.

The Tana River to the south, and others too, hold plenty of hippo and crocodile and the bird-life is nothing short of spectacular. Outside the park are found the Borana people who inhabit the harsh semi-desert country further east. On some days they hold a thriving market in the little village of Kinna nearby. At night enjoy an ice-cold drink by the campfire and dinner under the stars before retiring to large and luxurious, insect-proof tents with ensuite bathrooms, comfortable double beds and sheets of finest Egyptian cotton, and listen for the roar of lions. This is an excellent area for sand-grouse and good sport may be had where they flight into dams and water-holes in huge numbers. Also found here are many and various ground birds: especially crested francolin, yellow-throated spur-fowl and both vulturine and helmeted guinea- fowl. Walking up these birds can provide some exciting shooting.

TWO NIGHTS AT KALACHA CAMP, CHALBI DESERT DAY  6 & 7

Leaving Meru, board a charter aircraft and fly further north to Kalacha in the Chalbi Desert, arriving at this small remote oasis lodge for lunch. The meals here are taken looking out over the spring fed pool and stream, much frequented by sand grouse and other wildlife. In the late afternoon one can go out for a chance at the sandgrouse but it is in the mornings, from 8 am or so, that the shooting is best. At this time huge flights start to arrive at the springs from the surrounding desert areas and they continue to flight in for up to two hours. There are other oases within easy reach, equally well frequented. The Gabbra people with their livestock are hardy residents of this harsh place and, with their livestock, present extraordinary photographic opportunities. Evening drives across the desert end with sundowners on the edge of the lava flows. Koobifora, Richard Leakey's archaeological site, and Lake Turkana are in easy reach of the oasis by light aircraft. A last morning shoot before departing by air for the Masai Mara.

DAY 8, 9, 10 & 11

This flight  will take you from one end of the country to the other, passing over the great rift valley and over the exquisitely green rolling hills of the tea growing district before reaching the vast rolling plains of Masailand.

Land here amidst the endless herds of game for which the Mara is famous. This is where you will re-join your camp (the staff having packed up the many tons of equipment, loaded it onto the lorry and moved it a few hundred miles over the preceding couple of days). Here we will do no more bird shooting and the game viewing is always amazing and the chance of seeing a big cat in action is good. Patience is often rewarded with the incredible sight of lions springing from cover onto their prey or a cheetah racing along (at sixty mph.) hard on the heels of a fleet-footed gazelle. Sharp-eyed spotters on the roof of each vehicle increase the chance of such sightings. Amongst these teeming numbers of buffalo, topi, zebra, and gazelle are the Masai with their great herds of cattle. Evening walks beside our rocky stream are filled with the sounds and smells of Africa; scampering baboons and the loud snorting of impala, the thrill of getting close to elephant on foot and listening to their gentle rumblings. End each day with a fine dinner and pleasant stories by the fireside and then to bed with the roar of lions.

DAY 12

At mid-morning return by air to Nairobi from your East African Safari . Here you will be met and (unless you prefer to book day rooms at an hotel) driven to our house to leave your luggage. You will have time in the afternoon for shopping and to rest and wash and supper with us there before your flight home.

ROBIN HURT SAFARIS (K)
NAIROBI
KENYA

BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. Once availability of your safari dates is confirmed, we require a deposit of 30%.  Safari dates and guides cannot be reserved without this and the first party to send a deposit covering those dates will secure them.

2. With at least 6 months notice of cancellation, three quarters of the deposit amount is refundable (with the balance being charged by us as a handling fee). When notice is received less than 6 months prior to the scheduled safari departure date, the deposit will be retained as a cancellation fee.

3. Changes can usually be made to safari dates provided personnel and facilities remain available but, if a safari is postponed less than 6 months prior to its starting date, the deposit cannot be refunded later under any circumstances. Postponement is usually limited to one year.

4. The balance for the safari should be paid one month before the safari starts and, once received, is not refundable.

INSURANCE: You are not fully covered by our insurance while on safari.  We suggest that you make arrangements so that you and your property are fully insured for the duration of your safari.  You are advised to take out a Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy, which should also cover you against the loss of payments in the event of cancellation.

LIABILITY: Although every possible care is taken to safeguard you and your property, we accept no liability to clients for any accidents, injuries or illness incurred or arising from any safari outfitted by ourselves, or for loss or damage to clients' property during such safari.  While every effort is made to maintain equipment in first class condition, the Company cannot undertake to immediately replace any item that might malfunction in the course of a safari.

GENERAL: The right is reserved to alter the itinerary, should this be considered necessary or advisable.

All prices are quoted in US Dollars and should exceptional circumstances arise the company reserves the right to alter its quotations.  By booking and paying a deposit for a safari, you are deemed to have accepted the liability and insurance clauses outlined above and are also deemed to have understood and accepted all of the booking and cancellation conditions.

VISAS AND VACCINATIONS: These are usually necessary and you should ensure that all members of your party have obtained them beforehand.