Amboseli - a land of giants

Amboseli is a land of giants. This is a place of wide dry plains, where the horizons stretch into the furthest distance and become one with the sky.

Amboseli is renowned for its elephant populations and large herds, including some impressively tusked bulls are drawn to a series of large, lush swamplands. But the most impressive giant of all is Mt Kilimanjaro.

Africa’s largest mountain lies just over the border in Tanzania, but the most impressive views of its snow-capped peak are to be found in Amboseli. The early light of dawn turns the mountain a dark hue of purple, and its snows into an ethereal pink.

The sight of Kilimanjaro high above herds of elephant crossing the plains of Amboseli is a timeless African image.

This area is home to many Maasai communities, centred around the Amboseli National Park. The park is 400 sq kms, with its southern boundary along the Tanzanian border.

The park is home to more than just Elephants, and herds of wildebeest, zebra and impala graze on the open plains.. There are areas of acacia forest that make for good birding, and are home to many small mammals. Cheetah are also often sighted here.

The park is centred around a large hill, with fantastic views of the surrounding plains, often crossed by whirlwinds that send winding columns of dust into the sky. This open country is good walking territory, and many camps and lodges organise game walks, or trips to spend time in local Maasai villages.

Problems facing Masai Mara National reserve.

 The completion  of the 87-kilometre Mai Mahiu- Narok road brought some relief, another 96 kilometres to the main gate is in a bad state. Tour drivers said they are forced to divert to people’s farms, a situation which they say have led to conflict between them and the local community.

It is a shame when tourists are blocked by weapon-wielding locals, who are rightfully protesting that tour vehicles are disturbing their livestock and trampling on their pasture,

Vice chairman of the National Tour Drivers and Guides Association Andrew Mungatana and the association’s chief executive Joseph Ole Parpai said the 40-kilometre section of the Narok-Sekenani stretch was almost unmotorable.

Narok and Trans Mara county councils get more than 80 per cent of their revenue from the wild life resort.

The local authorities gain from the reserve by charging gate entries, royalties in the lodges as well as balloon settings and airplane landings. Although Narok County Council announced it had switched to electronic ticketing in a bid to shore up its revenue and seal corruption loopholes.

Tour drivers are asking the government of Kenya to intervene and make sure the road is repaired.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a small, flexible charity, established in 1977 to honour to memory of a famous Naturalist, David Leslie William Sheldrick MBE, the founder Warden of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya, where he served from its inception in 1948 until his transfer to Nairobi in 1976 to head the Planning Unit of the newly created Wildlife Conservation & Management Department. David died 6 months later but his legacy of excellence and the systems he installed for the management of Tsavo and wildlife generally in Kenya, particularly in the sphere of wildlife husbandry and ethics, lives on.

Charitable Status & How they Operate

Since its inception, the Trust has remained true to his principles and ideals, its modus of operation overseen by 6 competent and well versed Trustees assisted by an Advisory Committee of practical Naturalists with a lifetime experience of wildlife, local environmental conditions and the history of conservation in this country. In 2004 the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust attained US Charitable status enhancing its corporate funding capability under the guidance of the U.S. based Friends of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, all whom work on a voluntary basis. On 9th June 2004 it was incorporated as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee in the U.K. and granted charitable status by the Charities Commission, its Charity No. 1103836. A Company Limited by Guarantee retains the overall jurisdiction of the Trust’s existing Trustees over the disbursement of funds generated in the U.K.
The Trust’s Conservation Ethics

The Trust has played an extremely significant role in Kenya’s conservation effort since it was founded in 1977, speaking out when necessary on controversial issues and stepping in unobtrusively and rapidly to bridge a gap or meet a shortfall that jeopardizes wildlife during times of Governmental economic constraints. Because in life David Sheldrick strongly censored the extravagance of exorbitant overheads, the Trust places great emphasis on minimal expenditure in this respect, thereby ensuring that donations given in support of wildlife reach their target in full in the most practical and positive manner. The reputation of the Trust is a proud one, as was the record of the man whose name it bears, thanks to the dedication and energy of a competent Staff committed to the example of David Sheldrick as their role model.

Fly Camping - At close quarters with nature

"Fly" is the name of the upper sheet of a tent. A simple mobile camp is even today called a fly camp. Facilities at a fly camp are a bucket shower, a pit toilet tent, and a double tent with safari beds. Dining is under the stars. 

It’s a rare opportunity to spend a night with basic comforts and in very close quarters with nature, fly camping favours those who choose light-weight camping.

Fly camps are the ideal end to a day’s walking safari or game drive, with many unexpected comforts – a canvas washbasin with hot water, fresh towels, hurricane lamps and delicious food cooked on the fire.

Fly camping is fast becoming the most popular option for luxury safari guests who want to experience the freedom and adventure of camping in the African bush without the encumbrances camping often entails.

Often while on fly camping, during day time you embark on hikes through the bush with private guides whereby you get the chance to see wild animals in close range, learn how to trek animals by using their footsteps and the finest thing is that your camp is set up each evening in a new locale.

Currently only a few game parks and reserves are offering this wild experience of african bush which is what makes Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve the climax of Tanzania safaris.

ETT- Kenya Safaris Desk

Etton Travel and Tours

Tortoise - a survivor on the land

Tortoises are a family of land-dwelling reptiles of the order of turtles. Like their marine cousins, the sea turtles, tortoises are shielded from predators by a shell. The top part of the shell is the carapace, the underside is the plastron, and the two are connected by the bridge. The tortoise has both an endoskeleton and an exoskeleton. Tortoises can vary in size from a few centimeters to two meters. 

Tortoises are usually diurnal animals with tendencies to be crepuscular depending on the ambient temperatures. They are generally reclusive animals.

Tortoises generally have lifespans comparable with those of human beings, and some individuals are known to have lived longer than 150 to 225years. Because of this, they symbolize longevity in some cultures, such as China

.

Most land based tortoises are herbivores, feeding on grazing grasses, weeds, leafy greens, flowers, and some fruits although there are some omnivorous species in this family. Pet tortoises typically require a diet based on wild grasses, weeds and certain flowers. Certain species consume worms or insects and carrion in their normal habitat. Too much protein is detrimental in herbiverous species and has been associated with shell deformities and other medical problems. Cat or dog foods should not be fed to tortoises, as these do not contain the proper balance of nutrients for a reptile. Additionally, it should not be assumed that all captive tortoises can be fed on the same diet. As different tortoise species vary greatly in their nutritional requirements it is essential to thoroughly research the dietary needs of your individual tortoise.

The best approach to determining the proper diet is to consult a qualified veterinarian specialising in chelonian care. In Kenya thse creatures can be seen at the Nairobi Museum and some in the various national parks in Kenya.

ETT - Kenya Safaris Desk

 Etton travel and Tours

Big Five Snake Safari - Ever Heard of It?

Ever heard of the Big 5 Snake Safari- in reference to the popular term for the 5 most popular African Big Game species- Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and Elephant.

In this case- this Safari goes in search of the most impressive species of African snake- the Python, Boomslang, Puff Adder, Cobra and the Mamba. Some people may react with absolute horror at the very thought of actually devoting a safari to tracking down wild snakes, some of them deadly.

This trip is run by some of Kenya’s top reptile experts and professional snake catchers. The aim of the entire venture is to promote education and awareness of snakes, and to demonstrate through firsthand experience that these creatures play an important and fascinating role in African eco-systems, and rarely live up to their maligned and mythologized reputations as aggressive killers.

Anyone joining the safari will discover that snakes are extremely shy of humans, and will go to great lengths to avoid people.This makes finding the “Big 5” species in a single safari a genuine challenge. In fact, it’s this challenge that makes this safari what it is: an adventure- it involves a lot of travel through a range of habitats and landscapes, tracking down snakes through forests, dry river beds, rocky cliffs and mangroves. The safari takes in plenty of other wildlife along the way as well, as well as village visits, wild camping, rafting and time off on one of the world’s best beaches.

If you are looking for a wildlife safari that doesn’t involve taking photos from the safety of a vehicle, and would like to get out and explore and interact with wild animals up close and personal, and have a genuine adventure, then this is the trip for you. The genesis of Kenya Snake Safaris lies in the quiet coastal town of Watamu, about 2 hours North of Mombasa. Sheltered from the beach near the Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the home of James Ashe- one of the world’s leading experts on East African Snakes. James, 78, has devoted many years to the scientific study of reptiles, and runs Bio-Ken, a snake farm dedicated to the production of snake venom for medicinal purposes, and also to active education and conservation.

So what does a snake safari entail? First and foremost this is not a purely reptilian safari designed only for the obsessive herpetologist or snake fan. The safari passes through some spectacular landscapes, and you can be sure you’ll encounter plenty of big game- with legs- along the way.

The safari is mostly spent camping under canvas, but always with available showers and latrines, and excellent meals prepared by a camp cook.

A typical safari begins in Nairobi and winds its way to the coast over 12 days. The search for the Big Five Snakes takes clients through the Selenkay/Le’ngesem Maasai conservancy- a beautiful region known for its large elephant herds and views of Mt Kilimanjaro, into the Rift Valley through Lake Naivasha and Kigio- home to brilliant birdlife, on to the world famous Maasai Mara game reserve- where you may well see the original Big Five Mammals, then to the arid North East, and on to the Coast. Along the way, visits are made to spots specifically known as snake country.

Searching for snakes means plenty of time on foot. When snakes are spotted they are captured and restrained safely using grab sticks, and shown to the guests. Their biology, habits and habitats are explained and the guests have a chance to touch the snakes, and ask questions. All snakes are released back into the wild.

For many of the guests, this is their first chance to physically touch or hold a snake in hand most are suprised to find that they are neither slimy nor particularly cold, and not wildly aggressive.

ETT- Kenya Safaris Desk

Etton Travel and Tours