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I'm going to be going to Kenya later this year in September & December 2024 and will visit Samburu and the Maasai Mara regions..
I'm looking for a couple of safari/conservation enthusiasts to join me, so please read on for details!
Both trips both include excellent game drives and several visits with boots-on-the-ground conservation organizations that have been carefully selected for their excellent work and contributions to wildlife and communities.
About:
Samburu; The Samburu National Reserve is known for its unique wildlife and stunning landscapes, and is home to species not commonly found in other parts of Kenya, like the reticulated giraffe, grevy's zebra, and somali ostrich. Samburu is more of an exclusive-off-the-beaten-path safari experience, and is a little less crowded than other places.
The Maasai Mara is also known for its diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife including the Big 5, and the great migration. (There are ways to avoid large tourist- crowds when traveling here).
September: The Safari Game drives will be epic as wildlife is plentiful in these regions
September conservation visits include:
Ol Pejeta Conservancy: this is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and is home to two of the world's last remaining northern white rhinos. We'll go and see them and do additional activities they offer.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary: Is Africa’s first community-owned elephant sanctuary situated in Northern Kenya. We'll learn about this facility and see these precious elephant calfs being cared for.
The Anne K Taylor Fund and her team, are located in the Mara Triangle. You'll learn about the various conservation initiatives they've created, and will also meet the ranger patrol unit, visit a local school, and learn about the women's empowerment program they've created.
The Mara Elephant Project: here we'll visit the elephant research facility and get a visual presentation on how they're monitoring and tracking elephants through their sophisticated software programs. Then we'll hope in a vehicle with the team and monitor elephants out in the field. Additional activities could include: a meet and greet with their anti-poaching unit- (this depends on availability of team), and a farm visit- (seedling nursery and kitchen garden) to see how their innovative sustainability program of growing fruits and vegetables educates and involves the local communities.
December: Conservation visits include:
Ol Pejeta and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary only due to the availability of organizations and time of year.
However, the Safari game drives/walking safari activities will extra special as we are including some 'lion trekking' into our drives which means, we'll coml face to face with some of the Maasai Maras' most infamous big cats, and learn how these prides all co-exist in the same conservancy; what key threats are happening to them such as human-wildlife conflict, learn the process of how to 'track' lions whilst respecting their space, and we will understand the critical importance of conserving them. Joined by specialist guides Anthony Tira and Lucy Johnson of Matira Bushcamp.
Accommodations: (both places are private, secluded away from mass tourism)
Maasai Mara Lodge: The Matira Bush Camp: this is my go-to place in the Mara. It's an intimate eco-camp of only 13 tastefully furnished tents that are carefully placed in the middle of nature and has a river running through it.
Samburu Lodge: The Saruni luxury Villa is celebrated for its innovative, eco-chic design as well as its Italian-inspired cuisine, and the views are spectacular.
Please reach out to me for more info..
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