Excursion | Safari Sense

13Jul 2020 by safarisense

Off The Beaten Path: Caving and Off-roading – Gatune Hills

City Tour, Excursion, Extreme, Nairobi Area

Its always the dream of any 4x4 car owner to test the limits of their machines in harsh and extreme terrains. Most 4x4 fans never get a chance to experience this thrill, and when such an opportunity cropped up, I couldn’t resist. Having limited activities due to the COVID-19 restrictions gave me time to slowly service the old Suzuki Vitara. I’d driven the four-wheel drive car for years, but I rarely take it through grit and dirt roads. Looking for spare parts online led me to join a unique group of Suzuki enthusiasts. Apart from mechanical and technical advise members help each other in sourcing spare parts and other gadgets necessary for the ultimate off-roading vehicle. I had never heard of Gatune Hills, or Nachu Caves before, but owing to…

26Mar 2018 by safarisense

Ahoy Matey! The Thrills of Big Game Fishing – Kenya

Excursion, Fishing, Mombasa, Wildlife Safari

Watamu. The small dhow bounces on the waves during the early morning one-minute ride to the fishing boat, its sails full of wind; the sailor deftly adjusting the ropes. The twin-engine 25-foot craft we are headed to is designed for a crew of two and specially designed for 2 more passengers. As we climb aboard, I feel the excitement building for the task ahead. This is my first time on a professional fishing boat, and I’m impressed. I also pray to the gods of the sea to keep my stomach steady, especially after the earlier full English breakfast.On the boat, I’m introduced to Captain Majid and his assistant Abdul, who casually asks me if I had taken seasickness tablets. I reply in the affirmative, and then we head into Indian…

15Nov 2017 by safarisense

Birdnificent©: Mombasa

Bird_watching, Excursion, Mombasa

When? All year round Experience the less well-known habitats of coastal birds between the vast Tsavo East & West National Parks, and the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Mida Creek in Malindi. Mombasa Island Haller Park Nguuni Animal Sanctuary Beach Mombasa Island We visit the area around the famous Fort Jesus in search of a wealth of fascinating species – Golden Palm Weavers nesting in the Cycads near the gate; Red Cheeked Cordon Bleus hop around the Fort and Brown Breasted Barbets seem to have adopted the old trees for their breeding site.From the walls overlooking the sea, various Terns, Sooty Gulls and a variety of migrant waders can be seen and at the right time of year on English Point, opposite the Fort, Crab Plovers congregate.The large Baobab Trees on Mama…

29Apr 2017 by safarisense

Birdnificent©: Ngong Forest

Bird_watching, City Tour, Excursion, Hiking, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

When? All year round Just 10 km from the Kenyan capital, adjacent to Nairobi Racecourse, Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary – the isolated remnant of a once vast upland forest elsewhere almost wholly supplanted by suburbia – still boasts a surprisingly rich avifauna. Activities Where to go... Look out for... Activities Discover birds in the wild while exploring the forest trails Take a break with a picnic and immerse yourself in nature. Where to go... A network of tracks crisscrosses what is left of the indigenous Ngong Forest, between broad avenues used by local equestrians. There is an active African Crowned Eagle nest, to which a forest guide should be able to escort you. Pairs of Narina Trogon and Hartlaub’s Turaco can usually be found within patches of dense woodland, and after rain…

05Jan 2017 by safarisense

Discover Nairobi: Full Day City Tour

City Tour, Excursion, Game drive

The attraction of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, lies in its unpredictable pace and enchanting contrasts, which are often missed in favor of safari game trips. However, to overlook ‘the green city in the sun’ is to skip the thriving heartbeat of East Africa. The bustling city is an established hub where a variety of cultures co-exist, hustle, and more often than not, harmonize. So if you have some time with you, let’s go! 8:00 AM-11:00 AM - Nairobi National Park Only a “lion’s roar” from the city Centre, wildlife in the Nairobi National Park share the city with the human population. A few Black Rhino can be seen, while the main attraction is Cheetah, Lion and Buffalo as well as a great variety of plains game. There is also a large selection of…

07Oct 2016 by safarisense

Off the Beaten Path: Camping at Thomson’s Falls [Sep – Dec]

Bird_watching, Camping, Excursion, Game drive, Hiking, Wildlife Safari

Camping, birding, nature trails... Thomson’s Falls, named after Joseph Thomson, a Scottish geologist and naturalist who was the first European to see the falls in 1883, is a 73-meter sheer drop of the Ewaso Narok River over a ledge of volcanic rock. Thomson's Lodge was built in the 1930s by settlers as a private residence, and became a hotel in the 1960s. The nearby Lake Ol Bollosat is the source of River Ewaso Narok that is a key tributary to the Ewaso Nyiro River and has been designated as an IBA (Important Bird Area) since 2007. What To Do What To See Where To Sleep What To Do Reconnect with nature in a beautiful and serene setting while birdwatching. Spend a night at the campsite and visit Lake Ol Bollosat…

19Sep 2016 by safarisense

Birdnificent©: Manguo Pond, Limuru

Bird_watching, City Tour, Excursion, Hiking, Wildlife Safari

When? September - June A shallow, seasonal basin close to a major intersection, Manguo Pond can be viewed from roads on two sides. The water level fluctuates, but there is usually water enough to attract freshwater and marshland birds – sometimes in astonishing numbers. Activities Birdnificent© Activities Enjoy birdwatching at one of the most diverse ecosystems right outside Nairobi city. While at it, explore the ponds on an educational guided nature walk and test your knowledge on while having fun. Birdnificent© Look out for…Maccoa Duck, White-backed Duck, Lesser Moorhen (in wet months), Madagascar Pond Heron, palearctic migrantsGuaranteed sightings…Of the many and varied ducks that visit Manguo Pond, Maccoa Duck is the rarest – and most interesting. Breeding pairs of White-backed Duck are often seen amid the floating vegetation. Migrant ducks are…

05Aug 2016 by safarisense

Experience Mombasa: Exclusive City Excursion

City Tour, Excursion, Mombasa

The largest port on the East African coast, Mombasa, although a busy modern city, still retains its low-rise character, particularly between the massive Portuguese-built Fort Jesus and the old dhow harbour, which remains much the same as it was 150 years ago. The attractive buildings are decorated with ornate balconies. Mombasa is a kaleidoscope of different cultures and languages and is a town that thrives on tourism. Our full-day excursion provides a wide-ranging overview of this fascinating city. Let’s go! 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Fort Jesus/ Old Town We start with a visit to Fort Jesus, built in 1593. Fort Jesus an old Portuguese fort located at the mouth of old port of Mombasa. It was built on the orders of King Philip 1 of Portugal between 1593 and 1596…

19Mar 2016 by safarisense

Off the Beaten Path: Bird Watching, Hiking in Naivasha [Mar – May]

Camping, Excursion, Fishing, Game drive, Hiking, Naivasha, Rock climbing

Bird Watching, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Fishing - Camp Carnelley’s What To Do... Explore... Look Out For.. Accommodation... What To Do... Activities include nature walks and boat trips to the lake. Trips to Hell’s Gate National Park, Mt. Longonot and other excursions can be arranged. The campsite is the highlight of the trip. Explore... The nearby Hells Gate is best known for its jagged cliffs and striking gorge, and offers excellent rock climbing for all abilities, from easy routes on East Rib, ideal for beginners, to the more challenging 37m Groove, on Fischer’s Tower named after German naturalist Gustav Fischer. Hell’s Gate is one of the few national parks that is safe to walk in. The 68-km2 park was gazetted in 1984. Take a hike down Njorowa Gorge, or mountain bike past…

16Feb 2016 by safarisense

Dive In! [Jan – Mar]

Diving, Excursion, Mombasa

The coastline south of Mombasa is a tropical Eden of palm fringed white sand beaches, where the waters of the Indian Ocean meet coral reefs. The protective reefs have created safe and beautiful beaches with calm, inviting waters. The offshore reefs are alive with tropical marine life including sea turtles and dolphins. Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs. Diving in Kenya is generally good all year round, although visibility lessens during July and August due to silting and high seas. The weather is consistently warm and sunny, with excellent balmy water temperatures that makes for ideal dive conditions. Safari Sense guarantees you qualified and experienced dive-masters and guides, boats, airfill and full equipment hire including dive computers. For wreck…

Category: Excursion