Kenya
Kenya Offers
Papillon Lagoon Reef and Taita Wilderness Safari
18 January 2009, London Heathrow4 nights Papillon Lagoon Reef and 3 nights Taita Wilderness Safari
7 nights from £1279pp
Kenya should be right up there on your shortlist and a safari in your plans is a must. Kenya, with its wide variety of geography, is often described as the African continent in one country. There are
open plains, mountains, vast freshwater lakes and superb stretches of coastline.
Your Safari Experience
The word 'safari' means journey and captures images of adventurous trails and historic expeditions. At Thomson Worldwide we want to make sure your safari lives up to your expectations and the following
guide will help you choose the right experience.
In Kenya overland safaris are the norm, travelling overland offers an intimate insight to the country and a chance to visit some of the more remote areas. Our road safari options offer excellent value, though the drives between reserves can sometimes be long, they offer the chance to contemplate the landscape and get in some more wildlife sightings. You could add a touch of luxury to your safari by flying into your camp by private plane giving you more time to view wildlife.
What to expect
Game drives are led by experienced driver guides and normally take place in the early morning before breakfast or in the evening, when animals are at their most active. The safari buses feature large,
sliding windows and a lift-up top that rises to give unobstructed views. Routes may vary depending upon the animals movements - all part of the safari adventure!
What about the kids
Kenya's Intrepids Sojourn is a flying safari which minimises travelling times and incorporates lodges that have children's club and facilities. Thomson Worldwide do not recommend game drives for children under 10 years.
What to wear
Dress to suit the conditions: lightweight cottons, stout footwear, a sunhat, sunscreens and insect repellent. Take a sweater or fleece in summer for the evenings and early mornings (it can get cold on
game drives) and for men, a pair of long trousers for evening dining.
What to pack
It's recommended to keep luggage to a minimum. Soft-sided baggage is best although bigger bags can usually be stored at the airport or at your city hotel (nominal fee may apply). Air safaris have a 15kg luggage
allowance per person. Although each bus has a pair of binoculars, you might prefer to take your own and don't forget your camera.
The migration
The greatest wildlife show on earth! Each year hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate as the seasons change and they search for greener pastures. As with many natural events, dates are unpredictable
but the migration usually begins in the Serengeti in mid-march after the calving season. In late May the herds leave the Western Corridor for the northern Serengeti plains and the best time to see the migration
is usually between June and August when the wildebeest congregate and prepare to cross the famous Grumeti River. The wildebeest will start to arrive in the Masai Mara between August and September and will stay there
until the end of October when the rains return to the Serengeti and they gradually begin their migration back between November and December.
Balloon Safari
A hot air balloon is the ultimate safari experience. Take off as the sun rises and see spectacular views and an abundance of game. On landing a bush breakfast will be waiting to complete an unforgettable experience.
From £270 per person.
Kenya Game Parks and National Reserves
Amboseli National Park Against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro, this small park offers a great chance of seeing elephant and cheetah.
Masai Mara National Reserve One of the world's most famous reserves, said to have the greatest concentration of wildlife on earth including the Big Five. From July to September you can also see the stunning migration of wildebeest and zebra herds.
Tsavo National Park Kenya's largest game reserve covers more than 8,000 sq miles and is the closest major park to the coast. It has a mix of savannah and scrubland and is famous for its 'red' elephants as well as being home to lion, rhino, buffalo & hippo.
Lake Nakuru National Park The most famous of the lakes, Nakuru is a soda lake renowned for its magnificent array of birdlife with the greatest natural spectacle of thousands of migrating flamingos that change the colour of the landscape to pink.
Samburu National Reserve Along the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River, the shores are ideal for observing the reserve's wildlife, from elephant, hippo and big cats to freshwater crocodiles.
Kenya Coast
Kenya boasts an idyllic coastline with 500km of tropical beaches fringed by turquoise waters sheltered by spectacular coral reefs. Visit Watamu on the northern coast to see rare Green-Backed Turtles laying eggs in their natural breeding ground and coral reefs boasting an array of marine-life. On the southern coast you will find most resorts along the 20km Diani Beach, the protective reefs here have created beautiful beaches with calm and inviting waters where offshore reefs flourish with tropical marine-life including turtles and dolphins.
Perfect Combinations recommended by Thomson Worldwide:
- Best of Kenya Air Safari with the Serena Beach
- Kenya's Intrepids Sojourn and the Turtle Bay Beach Club - great Family option
- Taita Wilderness Experience with Kinondo Beach Retreat
- Mount Kenya and Masai Mara Adventure with Tented Beach Retreat Gazi Bay
