Kenya Safari Holiday

International Tourist Destinations – Case Study 1Samuel Costa

ContentsNo table of contents entries found.

1. Terms of Reference

This report was written by Samuel Costa, HND Travel & Tourism; Class 1D at the request of

Caroline Stevenson and deals with the recommended Kuoni’s Kenya Born Free Safari in July

2015 for Mrs Davinda Housley and her partner Mr Primo Frengruelli.

2. Discover Kenya – Details of the holiday

The holiday selected was Kenya Born Free by Kuoni. It includes exclusive safari journeys to

the places shown in the movie Born Free that changed the world’s view of wild animals and

conservation and offers the possibility to live a true safari experience.

For those interested in animal welfare and supporting a wildlife charity like Born free

Foundation, whilst discovering the best about Kenya’s extraordinary safaris, this is the ideal

holiday to book.

Kenya Born Free safari offers accommodation in authentic safari lodges and camps, a guide

from 5 to 7 days, visits to Born free projects, bottled water on safari, park fees, a

contribution to the Born Free Foundation, day room in Nairobi before the return flight and

most deals (including some at local restaurants).

With Kenya Born Free safari, travellers can experience the work of Amboseli Elephant

Research project, visit a school supported by Born Free, learn about lion-proof bomas, stay

at the iconic properties of Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp, meet representatives from the born

free project and visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.

It is important to know that luggage must be in soft bags and weighing a maximum of 15kg

and the minimum age to go on this trip is 16 years.

Travellers should expect a combination of education and leisure, a long drive on arrival to

the heart of Born Free country, the first couple of days relaxing in properties rich in Born

Free history and the second half of the tour providing an up-close vision into the works of

Born Free.

The tour dates are July 19th; August 9th; September 6th and October 11th.

3. Discover Kenya – Best time of the year to visit

The best time of the year to visit Kenya is between July and September which are the

months of wildebeest migration. During this period, it is unlikely to rain, there are less

mosquitoes and the days are sunny with clear skies. It is easy to spot wildlife because the

bush is less dense. The only disadvantage of this season is that it may get very busy and

crowded in the most popular parks.

4. Discover Kenya – Safari area, Itinerary and Time Zone

Duration: 6 nights

Shaba: 1 night

Meru: 2 nights

Nairobi: 1 night

Amboseli: 2 nights

Day 1: Nairobi to Shaba. On arrival in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – NBO),

you’ll waste no time in heading straight for Born Free territory. A six-hour drive (transfer

time) will transport you to Shaba National Park – a small lesser-visited reserve in the north

of the country, and the place where Joy Adamson – conservationist and author of Born Free

– lived a fascinating life. En route, you’ll have lunch at the Trout Tree Restaurant near

Mount Kenya for an interesting dining experience within and around a huge fig tree! Once

you arrive in Shaba, you’ll embark on a game drive towards the elegant oasis of Joy’s Camp.

Shaba is dry country, similar to nearby Samburu, and wildlife here includes the Grevy’s

zebra and gerenuk, as well as abundant birdlife. With just ten tents, Joy’s Camp overlooks a

natural spring and is built on the site of Joy Adamson’s tented home. This is the area where

Joy reintroduced Penny the leopard into the wild and where she lived for many years until

her death in 1980; there’s a small gallery here telling her life story. As a Cheli & Peacock

property, the camp is environmentally aware and works with the local community to share

with its guests the secrets of a wild, forgotten area; and for Adamson admirers and Born

Free fans, it’s a place full of romance and nostalgia. Stay: Joy’s Camp. L, D.

Day 2: Shaba to Meru. Head out on an early morning game drive in the Shaba National

Reserve before returning to the camp for breakfast. A mid-morning game drive provides

another opportunity to see the reserve’s fascinating landscapes. After lunch, continue to

Meru National Park, the historic home of Elsa the lioness. It was here that Joy and George

Adamson returned Elsa to the wild. Encounter a true wilderness experience on a private

game drive through the park’s diverse landscape dominated by huge baobab trees. This

little-visited and unspoilt park is also home to the exclusive Elsa’s Kopje – an elegant and

secluded safari lodge with spectacular views. Opened by Virginia McKenna in 1999, this eco-

friendly lodge is sculpted into the hill above George Adamson’s first campsite – the place

where he raised and released orphaned lions. Stay: Elsa’s Kopje. B, L, D.

Day 3: Meru. Enjoy a traditional bush breakfast arranged by the lodge. Explore this beautiful

park further on three game drives, during which you may spot black rhino, cheetah, leopard

and rare antelope amongst other African wildlife. You will also make a visit to the site of

Elsa’s grave. Stay: Elsa’s Kopje. B, L, D.

Day 4: Meru to Nairobi. After an early breakfast at the lodge, begin the seven-hour drive to

Nairobi with a picnic lunch en route, arriving late afternoon. Here you’ll have the rest of

the day and evening at leisure, giving you the chance to relax in the comfortable Nairobi

Serena Hotel and the choice of dining at the hotel or venturing out to a local restaurant.

Stay: Nairobi Serena Hotel. B, L.

Day 5: Nairobi to Amboseli. Today take a leisurely breakfast before being met by a Born

Free representative to accompany your visit to the world-famous Daphne Sheldrick Elephant

Orphanage. Spend some time with the elephants as they are fed by staff, who are also on

hand to answer any questions and talk about their experiences with these rescued baby

elephants. Having visited historic properties central to the Born Free story over the last few

days, enjoy lunch before moving on to the second part of the itinerary to see the

Foundation’s current work in action. Travel on to Amboseli National Park, where a game

drive en route to Ol Tukai Lodge provides the opportunity to spot large herds of elephant,

cheetah and buffalo against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Ol Tukai Lodge

has some of the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro, plus chalet-style rooms and an open-air

bar. Stay: Ol Tukai Lodge. B, L, D.

Day 6: Amboseli. After breakfast, visit the Amboseli Elephant Research Project (AERP); the

research arm of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE). Born Free provides funding for the

AERP through the elephant adoption packages that it sells. A short talk from an AERP

representative will explain the work of the trust as well as the research projects being

undertaken. As a result of their work, the park’s 1,500 elephants are amongst the most

studied large mammal population in the world, with the knowledge gained helping to

conserve them, the park and the surrounding ecosystems. This afternoon, visit Ol Moti

School, supported by Born Free (you may like to bring small gifts for the children such as

pens and books). Funds raised so far have enabled the school to expand from just 74

children in 2004 to educating more than 365 children today, with new dormitories,

classrooms and toilets. Stay: Ol Tukai Lodge. B, L, D.

Day 7: Amboseli to Nairobi. This morning you’ll visit one of the lion-proof Maasai bomas

created by Born Free in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service. Amboseli is a region of

high human-wildlife conflict, with lions destroying livestock, and the local community

destroying the lions in return. Typically, Kenyan livestock is held in enclosures made of thorn

bushes. The problem with these enclosures is that lions can find a way through the bushes

and are then able to drag out cattle and goats to feed on. The difference with a lion-proof

boma is that it is constructed of chain fences around the homestead, enclosing the families

and their livestock. The thick mesh is able to prevent night-time attacks from lions on the

hunt and, so far, this method – piloted in Amboseli – has proved to be 100% lion proof.

Return to Nairobi with a picnic lunch en route, and enjoy the comfort of a day room at the

Eka Hotel before your return flight.

5. Discover Kenya – Key Features of the Destination

(a) Climatic Conditions

Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasing tropical climate. July is one of the coldest

months and is part of the dry season. Daytime temperatures are usually around 23°C at

higher altitudes, like the Masai Mara, and 28°C at lower altitudes, like the coastal areas. The

sky is clear and days are sunny. Early morning temperatures at higher altitude are typically

10°C. It is recommended to pack warm clothing as morning game drives in open vehicles will

be cold. There is very little rain in most of the country at this time of the year.

(b) Language

Kenya is a multilingual country. The main and official languages are the Bantu Swahili

language and English, the last of which was inherited from colonial rule, both of them are

widely spoken as lingua franca.

(c) Amenities

The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (£1 = KSh140.79).

MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so. Major

hotels now also accept payment by credit card, as do major safari companies, travel

agencies and restaurants. Almost every bank now has an ATM, and they are increasingly

being installed at petrol stations.

The city and town centres typically have markets which sell ornaments such as African

drums, old brass and copper items, batiks, soapstone knick-knacks, carved chess sets,

wooden carvings of animals or salad bowls carved from a single piece of teak, mninga or

ebony. Masai items such as beaded jewellery, decorated gourds and the distinctive red-

checked blankets worn by all Maasai men make good souvenirs.

Probably the best market in the country is Nairobi’s central market, which lies in the city

centre off Koinange Street. Comprising about 100 shops, it has the full range of handicrafts

on offer, and prices tend to be quite competitive. It is safe enough by day, but some first-

time visitors to Africa find the atmosphere a bit intimidating, so select an organised tour.

Meat in Kenya is exceptionally good, as are tropical fruit and vegetables. Inland, a local

freshwater fish, tilapia is popular and tasty. On the coast, Swahili cuisine features fragrant

rice, grilled fish and seafood curries with coconut milk.

Specialities:

• Nyama choma (barbecued meat served with a spicy tomato relish)

•Ugali (maize meal porridge, usually eaten with a meaty stew known locally as supu)

•Mandazi (fried dough ball with a similar constitution to a doughnut)

•Kachumbari (spicy tomato relish served with meat)

•Tilapia (freshwater fish associated with the Rift Valley lakes and often grilled whole)

•Sukuma Wiki (spinach-like leaf often served boiled as a side dish or in a stew with meat)

•Biryani (spicy rice-based stew similar in appearance to risotto but with a more oriental

flavour)

•Matoke (cooked banana, also known as batoke, with a constitution similar to boiled

potatoes, most commonly eaten in the Uganda border area)

Matatus (shared minibus taxis) are the main means of transport, starting and finishing at

bus stations. Fares are paid to the conductor. Private taxis can also be hired for long-

distance journeys.

(d) Attractions

Amboseli National Park

The 392sq km (151sq mile) Amboseli National Park lies at the base of snow-capped

Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. Wildlife includes lion, cheetah, wildebeest, hippo and

gazelle, but it is most famous for the large herds of elephant attracted to perennial swamps

fed by subterranean streams that rise on Kilimanjaro. Bird-watching is also popular, and

visitors can learn about the local Maasai people through homestead visits.

(e) Safety and Etiquette

Tipping is optional in Kenya. Most hotels and restaurants include a 10-15% service charge in

the bill; if they don't a small tip is usual.

(f) How to be a responsible tourist

(g) Health Requirements

It is safest to stick with bottled water. Unpeeled and uncooked vegetables and fruit might

also carry sanitation-related diseases.