Ahoy Matey! The Thrills of Big Game Fishing – Kenya

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…
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Birdnificent©: Ngong Forest

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…
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Hiking Up Kirinyaga! [Jan – Feb]

Hiking Up Kirinyaga! [Jan – Feb]

Bird_watching, Camping, Extreme, Hiking, Mountain_climbing, Wildlife Safari
Mount Kenya, with its snow‑capped peaks 5,199 m. high, is Kenya’s highest mountain and certainly one of the most beautiful mountains anywhere. Its slopes are covered with rich deciduous and bamboo forests and open high altitude moorland just below the glaciers and snowfields. Wildlife resident within the forest includes elephant, buffalo and even lion, with several species of antelope and other smaller animals. Mount Kenya rises to the twin snow-covered peaks of Batian (5199 meters or 17058 feet) and Nelion (5188 meters or 17022 feet), the second and third highest peaks in Africa (topped only by Kilimanjaro's Uhuru peak in Tanzania, which rises to 5895 meters or 19340 feet). Both of Mount Kenya's peaks are named after Maasai laibon (ritual leaders) of the nineteenth century. According to legends of the…
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Discover Nairobi: Full Day City Tour

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

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…
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Birdnificent©: Manguo Pond, Limuru

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…
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Experience Mombasa: Exclusive City Excursion

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

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…
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Essential Destination: Naivasha

Essential Destination: Naivasha

Excursion, Game drive, Naivasha, Wildlife Safari
Lake Naivasha is home to resident hippos, and at times, the largest water fowl population in Kenya, and is the ideal safari destination for birdwatchers. The waters of Lake Naivasha draw great array of game to the shoreline. Buffaloes wallow in the swamps, while the large hippo population laze their days away in the shallows. Giraffes wonder among the acacia; Colobus monkeys swinging from the canopies above. Wherever you visit the lake, you’ll find a boat ride a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, as you ride past families of hippos, lazily swimming with just the tip of the heads out of the water. Serious birders can enjoy Naivasha’s spectacular bird life during an early morning boat ride. Day Trip Itinerary Deart 0800 HRS Depart at 0800 Hrs and drive…
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Off the Beaten Path: Game Drives & Sundowners at the banks of Ewaso Nyiro  [Jun – Oct]

Off the Beaten Path: Game Drives & Sundowners at the banks of Ewaso Nyiro [Jun – Oct]

Bird_watching, Game drive, Wildlife Safari
Game Drives, Game Walks, Bird Walks, Picnics, Sundowners - El Karama El Karama looks out on a saltlick at the banks of Ewaso Nyiro that attracts plenty of game. Its been owned by the Grants family since the 1970s. What To Do... What To See... Where To Sleep... What To Do... You have a broad range of activities to choose from with the emphasis being getting out and enjoying the freedom of this incredible wildlife area. You have a choice of guided game walks – including long tracking activities and half day treks all with professional guides; game drives, night drives; and bush meals under the stars… What To See... The main activity here is bird watching as well as wildlife safari, where you would be able to meet 4…
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