Giraffe in Masai Mara

The giraffe population of Kenya's Masai Mara reserve has declined by up to 95% because of increased human settlement around the unfenced park, according to a new study.
Scientists at the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) found that the numbers of giraffes, hartebeest, impala, warthogs, topis and waterbuck all fell "markedly and persistently" throughout the 1,500 sq km reserve between 1989 and 2003. Their sample counts were backed by government population estimates that showed actual losses as high as 95% for giraffes, 80% for wart­hogs and 76% for hartebeest for the period dating back to 1979.
The authors of the study, which was funded by the WWF and will be published in the British Journal of Zoology in May, say it presents the most detailed evidence yet of the rapid decline of ungulate, or hoofed, animals in the Mara, in south-western Kenya.
The main reason for the population decrease was the rapid expansion of human settlements on the land next to the reserve. The area was traditionally used by wild animals for seasonal grazing but is increasingly being turned over to livestock and crop production.
"The situation we documented paints a bleak picture and requires urgent and decisive action if we want to save this treasure from disaster," said Joseph Ogutu, a statistical ecologist at ILRI and lead author of the study. "If nothing is done, these declines will not just continue but accelerate as the human populations around the reserve increase."
The Mara reserve sits at the top of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which hosts the spectacular annual migration of up to 2 million wildebeest and other animals. Bordering the park is an area known as the Mara ranchlands, which is mainly home to the Masai ethnic group.

Nairobi National Park is the main tourist attraction for visitors to Nairobi. Visitor attractions include the park's diverse bird species, cheetah, hyena, leopard, and lion. Other attractions are the wildebeest and zebra migrations in July and August, the Ivory Burning Site Monument, and the Nairobi Safari Walk and animal orphanage. Inhabitants of Nairobi visit the park and thousands of African children on school field trips visit the park each week.

The park's Wildlife Conservation Education Centre has lectures and video shows about wildlife and guided tours of the park and animal orphanage. These tours are primarily, but not exclusively, to educate schools and local communities. There has been criticism about animals' housing, and they now have more spacious housing in a more natural environment. The Kenya Wildlife Service has created a Safari Walk that highlights the variety of plants and animals that are in Kenya, and how they affect Kenya's population.

Golf in Kenya

Golf in Kenya
For the traveling Golfer teeing off in one of Kenya’s many world class golf courses makes for a perfect break from a safari. Kenya’s weather is ideal for golf all year round making it one of the world’s top golfing destinations.
Golf is undoubtedly one of the world’s best travelling sports. Golf offers the chance to relax and unwind in a natural environment while participating in a highly competitive and skilled game.
For the traveler seeking a diverse range of golf courses, combined with world class standards and service, Kenya is the perfect choice.
Kenya’s courses offer international golfing standards and some of the world’s finest design and landscaping. Our golf and country clubs have the best facilities in the region and high quality service built on Kenya’s reputation for welcoming warmth.

Vipingo Ridge Golf Resort on the North Cost of Mombasa lies in the centre of a 2,500 acre former sisal estate. The property rises from just above sea level to a 140 metre high ridge before falling off again to the scenic lake and game conservation area to the west of the site.
The two golf courses at Vipingo Ridge are the first in East Africa to be built to a truly international standard, with the world renowned USGA specification being used for all aspects of the course.
The large and undulating greens at Vipingo Ridge are cultivated with fine Bermuda grasses to guarantee fast and true putting surfaces.
A fully automated irrigation system and a large inventory of new green-keeping equipment ensure that the playing surfaces are maintained in pristine condition all year round.
Kenya’s world famous wildlife is never far away. A round of golf in Kenya can often be a nature walk in itself, with a remarkable profusion of bird life and wildlife surrounding the greens.
You don’t have to move far from the green in Kenya to discover a world of travel opportunities. Kenya offers endless choice of activities suited for adventure or relaxation.
No matter how you want to spend your time off the course, you’ll find plenty of options. Next time you are on a Kenya Safari, remember to pack your golf clubs.
Muthaiga Golf Club
Muthaiga enjoys the influential position of having been one of the Kenya’s pioneer golf courses and it serves as a home to the Kenya Golf Union and plays host to the most prestigious golfing event in the country, The Kenya Open.
The course club is situated at the Kiambu Road towards Kiambu about 200 metres (220 yards), further on the left. The original nine holes were laid out at Muthaiga in 1913 and the club foundation stone was laid in 1912 and the golf course become an amenity for the club members and their friends.
Muthaiga lies at the edge of Karura forest and so sports many indigenous trees. The suburb Muthaiga was actually named after the Kenya greenheart, or as the Kikuyu call it, The ” muthiga” tree, Known for its healing properties.
The golf club has the “muthiga” tree on its coat of arms. A variety of trees and flowering bushes not only come into play on almost every hole, but also make this course one of the prettiest to play. By 1926 the course was later extended to eighteen holes to accommodate the growing membership.
The club decided to take on Associate members who later formed the Associate Members clubhouse which then became the clubhouse for the entire golfing section in 1921. The Golf Clubs Cadre of proficient caddies is at your disposal. Most of these men are sufficiently low-handicapped players themselves that their advice is well heeded on questionable distances and shots.
Muthaiga is still noted for it’s very fine greens which gives the club a beautiful layout and one that has may challenges in store for both the regular and the visiting golfers.

The Mountain Gorilla

A gorillas DNA is 97% - 98% identical to that of humans, so it is not surprising that their name actually derives from the Greek word ‘Gorillai’ which literally means a ‘tribe of hairy women’. In fact the Gorilla is the next closest living relative to humans after the two chimpanzee species.
There are generally considered to be two species of Gorilla and at least two subspecies of each. The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is recognized as a sub-species of the Eastern Gorilla. Longer and darker hair distinguishes the mountain gorilla from other gorilla species; these physical characteristics enable it to live at high altitudes were other gorilla species would be immobilised by the cool temperatures.
Like the other species of gorilla, the mountain gorillas have adapted to a diet of fruits, leaves and shoots; although largely vegetarian in nature they are also known to occasionally supplement their diet with small insects. They can eat an incredible amount in one day, adult males can consume as much as 34kgs.
Mountain gorilla is a highly social primate, living in relatively stable, cohesive groups held together by long-term bonds between adult males and females. There is normally one silverback per family group of between 5 and 30 gorillas; he is responsible for the decision making as well as the safety of the group.
Up until 1902 the mountain gorilla was wildly regarded as a myth by the western world, that was until Robert Von Beringe observed a mountain gorilla in the foothills of Bwindi, the first European to do so. From that day onwards the mountain gorilla's fate became inescapably intermingled with human demand. By 1989 a census showed that there were only 320 mountain gorilla’s remaining in Uganda’s Bwindi National Park. The mountain gorilla is still considered to be critically endangered, but numbers in Bwindi National Park have improved by 17% in the last decade, thanks in large parts to Ugandan conservation efforts. The money that is made through gorilla permits is directly reinvested into conservation efforts by the Ugandan Government.
The mountain gorilla is native to only two regions of Africa, the Virunga volcanic mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. According to a census taken in 2003 there are estimated to be around 380 mountain gorillas in 30 social groups spread around the three national parks of the Virunga volcanic mountains. Mgahinga, in South West Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are the three national parks of the Virunga volcanic mountains of central Africa. The second population of mountain gorillas are located in the south-west of Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; which according to the 2003 census is home to 320 mountain gorillas.
Between the 1989 census and the 2003 census gorilla numbers have grown by 17%, with approximately 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild. However it must be remembered that the mountain gorilla continues to be classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Habitat loss, poaching, human disease, and war all contribute to the gorilla’s extremely high risk of extinction. A study published in Science concluded that a 2004 out break of the Ebola virus in Central Africa may have killed around 5,000 gorillas. With a population of only 700 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild it’s easy to see why there is such concern.
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THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SPECTACLE AT MAASAI MARA RESERVE.

Day 1: Nairobi - Maasai Mara National Reserve
...
• At 08h30, in the morning, you will be Met and greet by our driver guide at JKIA / Hotel
• Depart for Maasai Mara Reserve with a stopover at the Great Rift Valley View Point.
• Proceed arriving at Mar...a in time for Lunch at the Sentrim Mara Luxury Tented Camp or similar.
• After a short siesta, enjoy an afternoon (15h30 – 18h30) game drives in the reserve in search of the Big five and other plains game animals.
• Dinner and Overnight at the Sentrim Mara Luxury Tented Camp

Day 2: Maasai Mara National Reserve

• Full day game drives in the reserve.drive as far as the crossing zones e.g Hippo pools where the great spectacle of wildebeest is witnessed.
• All meals in the camp.
• Dinner and Overnight Sentrim Mara Luxury Tented Camp or similar

Day 3: Maasai Mara - Nairobi

• At 06h00 – 09h00, enjoy an early morning game drives.
• Return for an appetizing hot buffet breakfast in the camp.
• After a short siesta depart for Nairobi
• Arrive in the afternoon and drop off at your city Hotel or at JKIA airport.

1) Our package for above arrangements includes:
- Accommodation in Sentrim Mara Luxury Tented Camp on full-board basis.
- Transport in a private 4x4 safari Van with a pop-up roof top for game viewing and photography.
- Park entrance fees to Maasai Mara national reserve.
- Game drives in Maasai Mara national reserves
- Government taxes
- Services of professional English speaking Driver-guides .
- Window seat is guaranteed

2) Our Package DOES NOT include:
- International flights
- International departure taxes
- Personal insurance cover
- Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks except mineral water while on safari
- Gratuities, tips, cigarettes, laundry
- Any item of personal nature
- Any other item NOT mentioned above
- Any deviation from above itinerary

Safari Cost:

In case you like this package or any other tailor made package and need more consultation,please don't hesitate to alert the Safari Specialist below.

Safari Package prepared by:www.ettontravel.com

Fourteen Falls and Kilimambogo

Fourteen Falls is located about 65KM  away from Nairobi off Thika-Garissa road.The fall derives its name from their fourteen successive water falls along the famous Athi river,border between Thika and Machakos district.There is a lot to see and to do while in the scenic site,boating,fishing,photography,bird watching among other activities.Near the falls lies Kilimambogo a Swahili word for Mount of the Buffalo and home to the great philanthropist Sir Macmillan.Halfway up the hill you will find the graves of Sir Macmillan,his wife and their housekeeper.Its on the foot of the hill that Macmillan entertained on separate occasions Theodore Roosevelt,former president of the US,Sir Winston Churchill,former prime minister of the U.K

Balloon Safaris over the Maasai Mara, Kenya

Float with us in the early light of dawn above the grazing herds of game in the Maasai Mara. This, Kenya’s best known Game Reserve is world famous for its herds of buffalo, prides of lion and the vast concentrations of wildebeest that migrate from the Serengeti Plains each year. The vast grassland plains are scattered with herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle, and Topi. With its gentle rolling landscape the Mara is surely the finest place on earth to go ballooning.

A gentle ascent lifts you well above tree-top level and the light soothing breeze allows you to enjoy a panoramic view of wildlife below and offers great and unique photographic opportunities. Apart from the hiss of the burners, the flight above the Masai Mara plains is magically silent.