Lake Borgoria and the Flamingo Migration

I ran across this fantastic series of photographs from Martin Harvey, who stayed at Lake Borgoria for 2 weeks in order to photograph the enormous number of flamingo currently there.  The flamingo come to Lake Bogoria usually from August to October and return to Lake Nakuru in the spring.

The Cyanobacteria found in the lake not only makes the water appear a greenish emerald color, it also attracts the large numbers of flamingo.  Volcanic soda-rich springs flow into the lake and cause it to become more and more mineral-laiden and alkaline.  Cyanobacteria thrives in this environment.

When the migration of flamingo reaches Lake Bogoria, it is home to the largest population of flamingos on the planet.  Greater Flamingos are present but it is the incredible number of Lesser Flamingos that makes the migration so visually spectacular.

Boat rides are possible on Lake Bogoria to get up-close with the bird-life and hippo that inhabit these waters.  There are a number of accommodation option in Bogoria, including Lake Bogoria Spa Resort, The Baringo Country Club, and Samatian Island Lodge.

To witness the largest migration of flamingo in the world and a truly spectacular event, head to Lake Bogoria.

For more information about our safaris, please go to www.travel-wild.com.  Find Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, Mombasa and Zanzibar properties, and more.

River Crossing Spectacular

We have all seen the spectacular wildebeest river crossings on television.  Thousands of creates lined up along the river banks and then in an instant a giant rush toward the other side almost in a single file line.  Crocodiles and lion seem to be everywhere, anticipating an easy meal.

These river crossings are happening right now in the Masai Mara Game Reserve (see the amazing pictures below).  What’s the best way to see these river crossings?  Timing and luck.  The Great Migration moves into the Masai Mara from July to October.  During this time they are forced to cross the Mara River in order to complete their annual journey back to Tanzania.  So first of all, you want to be in the Masai Mara from July to October.

Secondly, bring your rabbit’s foot or other lucky charm.  The large herds of wildebeest line up along the river’s banks and can often wait there for hours or even days.  There are 4-5 main locations where the herds cross the river each year.  Once the first animal heads across the river, the others (often thousands of others) follow suit and create a steady line of wildebeest and zebra heading to the opposite bank.  For those lucky enough to see it, the river crossing is as spectacular as advertised on TV.  It can take 30-60 minutes for the larger herds to all cross the river.  Meanwhile crocodile and lion lie in wait, picking off the less fortunate wildebeest and zebra.  One can view nature during one of its most dramatic moments.  These animals have performed this annual migration for thousands of years and will continue to do so for thousands of years more.  With over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra, there are plenty of opportunities to see a river crossing.

Check out these pictures taken 2 weeks ago in the Masai Mara Game Reserve:

For more information about our safaris, please go to www.travel-wild.com.  Find Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, Mombasa and Zanzibar properties, and more.

On the Road… Safari Minibus vs 4x4 vehicle

As you plan your safari, one of the decisions you have to make is whether you want to travel via safari minibus or 4x4 vehicle.  For any Tanzania safari, you will have a 4x4 vehicle.  But for a Kenya safari, you will have the choice of either a safari minibus or 4x4 vehicle.  Here's a look at a 4x4 vehicle (1st picture) and a safari minibus (2nd picture).

Let me quickly break down the pros and cons for each type of vehicle:

Safari Minibus:

• Less expensive
• Pop-open roof for 360 degree viewing
• Allows for 6 window seats in the back

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• Not as good in mud or difficult terrain

4x4 Vehicle:

• Pop-open roof for 360 degree viewing
• Allows for 6 window seats in the back
• Better suspension for a less bumpy ride
• Very good in mud and difficult terrain
• More space inside the vehicle

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• More expensive

A Safari Minibus is a great option on any Kenya safari.  It is less expensive and can hold up to 6-7 people with a pop-open roof for game viewing.  But personally, I prefer the 4x4 vehicles.  They are larger, allowing each person more room inside the vehicle.  They are more rugged and able to navigate through both mud and difficult terrain with ease.  They also feature a pop-open roof.  But an underrated feature is the feel of a 4x4 vehicle.  You FEEL like you’re exploring the park.  You FEEL like you are definitely on safari.  You FEEL like you might be on safari in the early 1900s with the likes of Hemingway, Roosevelt, and Cunninghame.

Upgrading to a 4x4 vehicle is a great option if you are part of a group.  It is usually only an extra cost of $25-30 per person per day if you are part of a group of 4-6 people.  Whether you travel via minibus or 4x4 vehicle, any Kenya safari or Tanzania safari is a magical experience.

For more information about our safaris, please go to www.travel-wild.com.  Find Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, Mombasa and Zanzibar properties, and more.

Experience the Migration

It’s Migration Season…Time for a Kenya Safari!

The Great Migration of over 2 million wildebeest and zebra has begun moving into the Masai Mara.  The National Geographic pictures with dramatic wildebeest crossings and thousands of animals spread out across rolling hills…that is the Great Migration in the Masai Mara.  Our Managing Director was on a Masai Mara safari just last week and captured the amazing photos seen at the end of this article.

The Migration moves from the Northern Serengeti in Tanzania into the Masai Mara in Kenya every year sometime in July or August.  This year the first herds entered the Masai Mara at the end of June and they are continueing to move in.  The rain in Kenya during April and May has allowed the grasses to grow over 1-1.5 metres, perfect for feeding over 2 million wildebeest and zebra.

With the wildebeest and zebra come numerous other animals.  Predators following the herds also enter the Masai Mara.  Hunting and kills are a daily activity now and there is more action on the rolling hills of the Masai Mara right now than at any other time of the year.  This is the most exciting time for a Kenya safari in the Masai Mara.  The amount of wildlife, the abundance of predators, the dramatic river crossings, and the gorgeous landscape of the Masai Mara…it all comes together for the holiday of a lifetime.

There is actually an interesting history regarding the Great Migration and relations between Kenya and Tanzania.  Because the Migration provides for a multi-million dollar tourism industry annually, both Kenya and Tanzania have tried to stop the herds from moving out of the country.  Park Rangers on both sides have been accused of deliberately setting fires along the border in order to stop the animals’ natural advance.  However, although the herds may be delayed for a day or 2, they have always maintained their migration route from Northern Tanzania, into Kenya, and back again.  The animals follow the vegetation patterns of the region and it seems that nothing…not even kilometers and kilometers of fires…will stop them from continuing their annual Migration.

Here's a 60 Minutes special look at the Great Migration (video) - http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5362301n

Take a look at the beginning of the 2013 Migration in the Masai Mara.  Photos taken by our Managing Director only 1 week ago on her Kenya safari!

For more information about our safaris, please go to www.travel-wild.com.  Find Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, Mombasa and Zanzibar properties, and more.

5 Steps to Booking a Great Safari

If you are unfamiliar with East Africa, trying to plan a safari and be a bit daunting. So many tour operators and parks and itineraries to remember and keep track of. Here are 5 stops to help you organize the planning stage of your safari experience.

 1. Is the tour operator a member of KATO or TATO? 
The Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) and the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) hold their members to standards in terms of reliability and customer service. Make sure any company you book a safari with is a member of either KATO or TATO when traveling in East Africa.  Check online (www.katokenya.org/ and www.tatotz.org/) to see if your tour operator is a member.


 2. Read reviews for your tour operator from past customers online 
Tripadvisor, facebook, and other online resources make finding testimonials and reviews very easy. The level of organization, the quality of the vehicles, the expertise of the drivers, and much more info can usually be gleamed from the average experience of past customers.


 3. Narrow down the type of safari that you want

• When do I want to travel? 
• What do I want to see and experience? (ie. Big cats, the Great Migration, relaxed game viewing, elephants, etc) 
• What is my budget? (Can I afford safari via minibus, via 4x4 vehicle, or a flying safari? What level of luxury do I want?) 
• How many days do I want to be on safari? 
• How many people will be traveling with me? 

When you have the answer to these questions, your tour operator can put together an itinerary that suits you and your group.


4. Understand what is included and excluded 
When looking at an itinerary and price, make sure the following are included:

• Airport pickup and dropoff 
• Park fees 
• All domestic flights where applicable 
• All meals that you require 

Also note, beverages will usually be paid directly at the lodges/camps. And there should be an optional “Flying Doctors” insurance that will provide a free medical evacuation in the case of emergency (typically around $20 per person).


 5. Don’t forget the optional activities 
A safari can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so don’t forget all the interesting activities available. When my family visits, this is what I tell them they should add on to their safari:

• Masai Village Visit (approx $20-25 per person) – You will see the Masai people all around, but actually visiting a village and interacting with the people there is an eye-opening experience 
• Hot Air Balloon Safari (approx $450 per person) – yes, a little pricey, but imagine floating above the Masai Mara or Serengeti for 1 hour in the early morning before landing for a champagne breakfast. 
• Sundowner (approx $35 per person) – What better way to relax after several hours on your game drive than to have a few drinks and hors d'oeuvres as the sun sets. This will take place away from the lodge. Bush 
• Dinner/Bush Breakfast (approx $40-60 per person) – Dine outside in an exclusive area away from the lodge where nature surrounds. Highly recommended for couples and large groups.

For more information about our safaris, please go to www.travel-wild.com.  Find Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, Mombasa and Zanzibar properties, and more.

Lesser-Known Kenya

The Masai Mara Game Reserve and The Amboseli National Park take most of the headlines as far as safaris in Kenya are concerned, but the country’s other parks demand another look for their impressive diversity of wildlife combined with less foot traffic.  Today we look at Samburu National Reserve.

Samburu lies 325 km north of Nairobi, approximately a 5 hour drive.  The Ewaso Ng’iro River provides the main source of water in this arid environment, supporting the thick forests and groves in the reserve. 

The comparatively less well-known Samburu National Reserve explodes with wildlife, including many species that are rare in the other parts of the country.  Over 900 elephants share the park with large predators like the lion, leopard, and cheetah.  Wild dog are common, along with buffalo and hippo.  The Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and beisa oryx make up the “Samburu Special 5”.  Over 450 species of bird also call the reserve home.

Samburu boasts over 20 camps and lodges and has its own airstrip, accommodating fly-in safaris.  Fewer tourists over the years has helped preserve Samburu’s serene and untouched landscape.

Interesting Story – The story of Kamunyak is a remarkable one.  Kamunyak (meaning ‘Blessed One’) is a lioness living in the Samburu National Reserve.  She is renown for adopting at least 6 oryx calves, fighting off predators including other lions in order to protect her adopted family.  Because the calves will not behave like lion cubs and wait while she hunts for food, she had repeatedly suffered from starvation.

Kamunyak was the subject of the film “Heart of a Lioness”, which first premiered on the BBC and later on Animal Planet in the US.  She was last spotted in 2004 and despite a number of searches, has not been seen since.

Check out these amazing videos of Kamunyak –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZbpbvkuBF4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Qigv_h42c

For more information about our safaris, please go to www.travel-wild.com.  Find Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, Mombasa and Zanzibar properties, and more.

How many men does it take...

to lift a bull elephant's leg?  Answer - 6 large men trying as hard as they can.

Here are some pictures from the recent Elephant Relocation that occurred at the end of September.  Note - Other than the press present on Day 1 of the relocation, Travel Wild clients were the only visitors allowed to be part of the action.

The bull elephant, being loaded onto the platform

The bull elephant, being adjusted on the platform so he can enter the truck safely

The bull elephant being loaded into the back of the truck

His legs were too long so KWS officials had to lift his legs around the truck's doors

Having arrived, the elephant family rushes out of the truck to inspect their new home in the Masai Mara

The elephants are now living in the Masai Mara and are said to be acclimating well to the new environment


For more information about our safaris, please go to www.travel-wild.com.  Find Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, Mombasa and Zanzibar properties, and more.