Tues., July 13, 2010
Testing out the new blog. David and I got all our shots a couple weeks ago . . . Yellow Fever, Hep A, and Adult Polio. We were given pills for Typhoid Fever, Malaria, and Cipro for "Mummy's Tummy." The travel agent is still planning the Kenyan leg of our trip. We're spending some of Nicole's tuition money on this trip and we're going First Class all the way, baby!! British Airways from Boston to Heathrow (6 hrs), then Heathrow to Nairobi (10 or 11 hrs, I think). Domestic flight from Nairobi to Samburu for a few days, and then another domestic flight from Samburu to Masai Mara. Of course, everything hinges on whether or not Julie gets her new passport and Visa on time--I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Testing out the new blog. David and I got all our shots a couple weeks ago . . . Yellow Fever, Hep A, and Adult Polio. We were given pills for Typhoid Fever, Malaria, and Cipro for "Mummy's Tummy." The travel agent is still planning the Kenyan leg of our trip. We're spending some of Nicole's tuition money on this trip and we're going First Class all the way, baby!! British Airways from Boston to Heathrow (6 hrs), then Heathrow to Nairobi (10 or 11 hrs, I think). Domestic flight from Nairobi to Samburu for a few days, and then another domestic flight from Samburu to Masai Mara. Of course, everything hinges on whether or not Julie gets her new passport and Visa on time--I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
6:00 p.m. Just got an e-mail from the travel agent--everything is booked! The picture above is of Larsen's Camp in Samburu Wildlife Reserve... look at the ceiling . . . it's a real tent (except it also has REAL bathrooms)!
Then to Masai Mara Wildlife Reserve: From the website:
This small and exclusive camp, the first of Sanctuary's luxury safari properties, was built along sustainable lines which, along with Sanctuary's innovative wetlands and tree-planting projects, have earned it a silver award from Ecotourism Kenya.
The Masai Mara is commonly considered to be the best game viewing in the world and is fabulous for seeing big cats, their prey and all the Big Five. It is also the stage for the greatest show on Earth - the wildebeest migration. From around July to October grunting herds of wildebeest and zebra cover the plains, often crossing the river between Tanzania and Kenya, attended by crocodile, lion and cheetah.
Sanctuary Olonana's main dining room and veranda command views over a dramatic stretch of the Mara River. See, and hear, the family of noisy hippos who colonise the banks below the camp. Experience first hand the sheer scale of the annual wildebeest migration across East Africa. The camp has a library, a pool and even an organic garden where much of the food served in camp is grown. And who could forget the mini-spa where guests can experience traditional African remedies alongside French marine therapies from Thalgo.
The fourteen canvas tents at Sanctuary Olonana are extremely comfortable and spacious. All have parquet floors, four-poster beds and private verandas overlooking the river.
Game Drives
At Sanctuary Olonana game viewing starts from the camp. A pod of hippos lives permanently in the river just below Olonana and many other species come to drink there. Sanctuary's experienced guides take you to all the hidden spots and our customised open safari vehicles offer all-round views, allowing for excellent photography opportunities. The Mara's rich eco-system includes acacia studded savannah, riparian forest and woodland which attract more than 300 bird species and a stunning variety of animal life all year round.
Cultural visit to Maasai Village
Visitors to the village get an insight into the vibrant and still traditional way of life of the Maasai. Learn about the medicinal plants that grow here, the importance of cattle and the stages of life through which all Maasai pass, from young boy or girl to respected elder. Accompanied by an experienced Maasai guide you are invited to visit the village which is built along traditional lines; complete with cattle enclosure, outer palisade and mud and cow dung huts. Meet the elders, their wives and families and learn about the social structure of the homestead, the role of women in their society and many more aspects of their daily life. Interaction and discussion is encouraged, so whether the ladies are building a hut, the warriors are dancing or making fire with stones and sticks, guests are free to join in.
InformationGuest rooms and suitesDining Excursions and activitiesHotel fact sheet
There are 20 free standing luxurious tented accomodations each with a private balcony.All tents are discreetly sited along the west bank of the Uaso Nyiro River with the result that the tents are bathed with light at sunrise. Each tent stands on a plinth of natural stone and all have en suite private bathrooms stocked with a range of Molton Brown toiletries, flushing toilets, constant hot water and 24 hour electricity (240 volts). Each tent features 1 king or 2 twin beds designed in chic safari style.
This small and exclusive camp, the first of Sanctuary's luxury safari properties, was built along sustainable lines which, along with Sanctuary's innovative wetlands and tree-planting projects, have earned it a silver award from Ecotourism Kenya.
The Masai Mara is commonly considered to be the best game viewing in the world and is fabulous for seeing big cats, their prey and all the Big Five. It is also the stage for the greatest show on Earth - the wildebeest migration. From around July to October grunting herds of wildebeest and zebra cover the plains, often crossing the river between Tanzania and Kenya, attended by crocodile, lion and cheetah.
Sanctuary Olonana's main dining room and veranda command views over a dramatic stretch of the Mara River. See, and hear, the family of noisy hippos who colonise the banks below the camp. Experience first hand the sheer scale of the annual wildebeest migration across East Africa. The camp has a library, a pool and even an organic garden where much of the food served in camp is grown. And who could forget the mini-spa where guests can experience traditional African remedies alongside French marine therapies from Thalgo.
The fourteen canvas tents at Sanctuary Olonana are extremely comfortable and spacious. All have parquet floors, four-poster beds and private verandas overlooking the river.
Game Drives
At Sanctuary Olonana game viewing starts from the camp. A pod of hippos lives permanently in the river just below Olonana and many other species come to drink there. Sanctuary's experienced guides take you to all the hidden spots and our customised open safari vehicles offer all-round views, allowing for excellent photography opportunities. The Mara's rich eco-system includes acacia studded savannah, riparian forest and woodland which attract more than 300 bird species and a stunning variety of animal life all year round.
Cultural visit to Maasai Village
Visitors to the village get an insight into the vibrant and still traditional way of life of the Maasai. Learn about the medicinal plants that grow here, the importance of cattle and the stages of life through which all Maasai pass, from young boy or girl to respected elder. Accompanied by an experienced Maasai guide you are invited to visit the village which is built along traditional lines; complete with cattle enclosure, outer palisade and mud and cow dung huts. Meet the elders, their wives and families and learn about the social structure of the homestead, the role of women in their society and many more aspects of their daily life. Interaction and discussion is encouraged, so whether the ladies are building a hut, the warriors are dancing or making fire with stones and sticks, guests are free to join in.
InformationGuest rooms and suitesDining Excursions and activitiesHotel fact sheet
There are 20 free standing luxurious tented accomodations each with a private balcony.All tents are discreetly sited along the west bank of the Uaso Nyiro River with the result that the tents are bathed with light at sunrise. Each tent stands on a plinth of natural stone and all have en suite private bathrooms stocked with a range of Molton Brown toiletries, flushing toilets, constant hot water and 24 hour electricity (240 volts). Each tent features 1 king or 2 twin beds designed in chic safari style.
