Big cat safari in Kenya

COUNTRY:: Kenya
LOCATION:: Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara
DEPARTURES:: This trip can depart at any time to suit your requirements. Minimum 2 people per departure. It follows a set itinerary and you are likely to be with other people during the trip. Closed 16Apr-31May 2012
PRICE:: From US $3280 (7 days) excluding flights
MORE INFO:: Price includes transport from Nairobi, game drives, activities, park fees, all meals & accommodation. Single supplement US $400-$640. 40% discount for 1 child sharing with 2 adults or 25% discount for 2 children in own room. Child Policy 8-11 years (No children under 8 years). Minimum of 2 adults.

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Big cat safari in Kenya

How this vacation makes a difference

Environment

Over 15 years ago we agreed with a local Maasai community in the Amboseli region to set aside a vast area of land as a reserve for wildlife so that the habitat could be protected and wildlife conserved. As a result of the establishment of the Conservation Area, wildlife numbers have recovered significantly in recent years and elephants are now seen frequently after an absence of nearly 20 years.

Following this success we have used the same Conservation concept in other areas, including the Mara region where we have developed the game-filled Ol Kinyei Conservation Area.

The huge wildlife areas surrounding our camps are well off the beaten track and provide exclusive game-viewing opportunities. The animals are truly wild and tend to behave more naturally than those in the parks, which are often habituated to the presence of vehicles.

Tourist numbers are limited to the area in order to preserve the natural landscape and wildlife.

Community

Their ownership of the Selenkay Conservancy allows the Maasai community who occupy the land adjacent to Amboseli to earn livelihoods from tourism. The Warden and Game Scouts at Selenkay and the camp staff at Porini Camp are all members of the local community. Using income from the entry fees paid by tourist visitors to Selenkay, the community have constructed classrooms for a nursery school and a primary school as well as installing a water supply for the local people. Forty scattered Maasai homesteads have a family member earning an income from working in the Conservancy.

The new Ol Kinyei Conservancy in the Mara ecosystem is based on our very successful Porini Selenkay model. The local Maasai communities own the land and earn a direct monetary benefit from tourist visitors visiting the conservancy and staying at the Porini Camp. In addition, the Game Scouts and camp staff are employed from the various Maasai homesteads in the area.

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Story of the vacation provider

Having grown up in Africa, the founder of this Kenyan safari company realised he could help local families owning plots of land which adjoined the overcrowded National Parks. He asked if they wanted to help create wildlife-rich conservancies and safari camps which would generate them income and offer tourists a real off-the-beaten-track experience. It was a risk but the Maasai people got behind the idea and helped make it a success. As they are private, these conservancies have fewer restrictions than the parks, meaning visitors can do walks and night-game drives and benefit from the first-hand knowledge of the guides.

Vacation provider no: 117

Big cat safari in Kenya

Reviewed 22 Oct 2007 by Justin Bokor

One of the best vacations I've had in my life - very well organised, friendly staff, good eco-friendly operations etc - and the Kenyan countryside is beautiful with abundant game animals.(read full review)

Reviewed 20 Sep 2007 by Lynsey Murning

Spending the afternoon in a Masai village, which was on a par with watching a pride of lions devour a zebra which was not dead. Perhaps also being woken up on a deluxe eco-tent by a Masai with a tray of hot coffee and biscuits prior to an early morning game drive. And then again, perhaps it was the huge African skies. (read full review)

Reviewed 10 Sep 2006 by Carol Martin

The most memorable part of the vacation was the private walks with the Masaai and night drives in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy where we saw lions hunting & mating, a leopard on a stroll, porcupines, springhares, hyenas, etc.(read full review)

Reviewed 06 Jul 2006 by Kathy and Janet Preston

The wildlife and scenery were stunning... The children really enjoyed having their own warrior to teach them how to make beaded jewellery, bows and arrows and tracking a leopard's footprints and making plaster-casts of them.(read full review)

Reviewed 10 Apr 2005 by Stuart Hatcher

An unfenced camp - truly wonderful. The organisation was so smooth - and they were extremely knowledgeable... You have the benefit of supporting the local community, seeing a conservation area and going into the park! (read full review)

Reviewed 12 Jan 2005 by Kathy and Jason Heiser

We stayed at Ilkeliani Camp in Masai Mara and were impressed with the camp. It was encouraging to see the camp being run by locals and a relationship with the tourism and local villages.(read full review)

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