Karura Forest To Be Opened To Public !

Karura Forest....

Don't you think having a picnic at  Karura Forest would be fun? Well, it is now possible. Karura Forest is set to be opened to the public today at an event dubbed as it's Launch. The Kenya Tourist Board and Kenya Forest Service have both teamed up to make the venture a reality. Mr. Muriithi Ndegwa, the managing director of  Kenya Tourist Board, reported earlier in the week that KTB had provided significant sponsorship in the form of services and financial support to ensure the huge success and that all parties would benefit. 

Karura Forest holds great historic memories for Kenyans especially it having as acted as one of the  hiding places for the country's freedom fighters (Mau Mau) in the colonial error. In past years, there have been numerous efforts by environmentalists both  local and international, including efforts from the Nobel peace price laureate, Wangari Mathai,  to save the forest from deforestation acts.

Mau Mau caves....

Attractions in the park include the Mau Mau caves, waterfalls, picnic sites and nature trails. Karura Forest will now be marketed as part of the Nairobi tourism circuit.

Embracing The Non-Touristic Locations in Kenya; A Trip We need to Adopt

What we all think of....
If you are resident in Kenya, chances are that when you are thinking of going on a holiday, your first thoughts would probably be  what we call "the normal touristic areas" You know, the Mombasa, Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo or Samburu?Well here is a new idea.Why not try crisscrossing the country instead of visiting the "normal touristic" areas? Please note we are not saying these places are not good but sometimes if you keeping going to the same place over and over, it might become boring.

Where we can go....
Kenya has very many places that are worth seeing. Take an example of Western Kenya, through to Nyanza Area. You could go fishing, rock climbing,nature treks, soap stone carving educational trips or weaving etc The list is endless! Alternatively, you could visit a place closer to Nairobi such us Nyahururu and get to see the Thomson fall or visit the Hippo point located within reach so you can view the Hippos! What about going to Kericho and learning a bit of tea / coffee farming?The idea is thinking outside the box!

Why we should go....
Obviously there is the question, why there? You will be learning more of Kenya, secondly the areas are easily within reach plus they have adventurous, romantic and educative activities.While touring you get to interact with the local "Mwananchi" and come up with better ways to build Kenya.Lastly, they usually have a "sound" budget!With an estimate of about KES 5,000 minimum per person per night, you should be able to have good reasonable accommodation and meals and maybe a little bit of topping up of the budget would ensure plenty of activities!

Hakuna Matata!
Next time you are thinking of going on a holiday and you think it is too expensive, think again! Kenya is a country that you can tour with a reasonable budget and no matter where it is you want to go , we can assure you that you will be left flabbergasted! Always remember when we tell non residents "Kenya Hakuna Matata!" we really mean it...Hakuna Matata!

The Giraffes that used a boat to cross a Lake...

A few weeks ago, we did a blog on how Rothschild Giraffe was a candle burning out? Well, it looks like Northern Rangelands Trust are making sure that, that will not be the case!

The Giraffes above were caught on camera while being moved to Lake Baringo Island whilst on a plan to keep them on the secluded Island not for a vacation, but for the sole purpose of reproduction. Even though the idea sounds far fetched, it is a step closer to saving the Rothschild population, a  hope that we would love to cling on. 

Have you got any ideas on how we can save this Giraffe population?

Images courtesy of pawnation.com

Be Classic By Traveling By Train

Trains are know to be of a classic nature with the first train in East Africa having been used in the 19th Century and was known as the Lunatic Express. When we think of trains we cant help but imagine how  it must have been in the early days with 'Ladies' in their olden day attires and 'gentlemen' in their suites boarding the train!Perhaps this is because of the many 'TCM ' movies we have seen with that scene. (LOL!)

The train is not only a classic experience but you get to view scenery  while in the comfort of your cabin. If you are traveling to Mombasa from Nairobi you get to go on what i call a game rail in Tsavo Park considering it is not on road so cannot be termed as a game drive.You get to view the animals at no fee at all which is remarkable! Another sparkle in using the train is that you have the option of having meals in their train restaurant and with that you enjoy dinning using their silver ware which we must say is beyond beautiful.

Riftvalley Railways, the company that runs the railway system in Kenya further gives us valid reasons as to why you should use the train on your next travel:

• If you are a business person, take advantage of the cost savings and peace of mind available to you by using the new railway system to transport your goods through out Kenya and Uganda.
  
  
• If you simply want to travel around in style and comfort, whether on holiday or business, use the railway system and get your money's worth.
  
  
• Traveling around Kenya and Uganda will never be the same thanks to the newly re-furbished railway system.

All in all, if we were to recommend the rail system we would definitely give it a thumbs up, however be warned, if you are on a tight schedule it may not be the best due to rail accidents such us derailments etc.

For an adventure on  the train give us a shout and we will be glad to book a train ticket for you.
+ 254 20 2678646/7/8 or email us at info@letsgosAfari.com

Ever thought of going for a fishing safari?

Shark in water...

 This might come as a bit of a surprise that Kenya actually offers Fishing safaris! Most people tend to think that a safari is only when you are deep in the jungle.... however that is not the case!There are different kinds of fishing and Kenya has many fishing locations with eight Lakes and the Indian Ocean Coast on her palm!

Broadbill Swordfish

Just as a safari, fishing has it's season which are predominantly determined by the distance to the fishing "ground" in the sea with the high season being when you have to go deeper in the sea to find the fishing spots and low season mostly being when the fishing is closer to shore. The rate is determined by the number of hours/days or the type of boat just as a normal safari rate is determined by the type of lodge you stay at.

The types of boats are;

(a)Luxury Charter Boats- These are boats between 38ft to 48ft, mostly for high end market, the major difference from other boats is the comfort,most having air-conditioning,kitchen facilities,comfortable berths and bathroom/WC.

Long day safari from US $ 1,200; Short day safari from US $1,000...

(b)Top Charter Boats- These are between 30ft to 38ft,all are skippered by top captains or flag ships of their fleets. These boats are usually in demand during high season thus we advice booking for that period should be done well in advance.

Long day safari high season from US $ 880, low season from US $ 770; Short day safari high season from US $800 low season US $ 690

        

(c)Standard Charter Boats- All other boats in the 30ft to 38ft class.

Long day safari high season from US $720,low season from US $640 and Short day safari high season from US $660, low season from US $530

In most cases, prices include fully equipped fishing boat and crew,soft drinks and return transfers from the hotel to the boat. Currently we have these safaris running from 16th March 2011 - 14th December 2011 (High season) and 15th December 2011 - 15th March 2011 (Low season).

For enquirers or bookings please drop us an email info@letsgosafari.com or check out our website for more safari options http://www.uniglobeletsgotravel.com/Safaris

The Rothschild Giraffe: A candle buring out?

The Rothschild Giraffe is the second most endangered giraffe subspecies with only a few hundred living in the wild.Following our post on Northern Rangelands Trust we felt that it was necessary to highlight this animal.

It is named after the famous Lord Walter Rothschild and it is also known as the Baringo Giraffe because of it's presence at Lake Baringo,Kenya or the Ugandan Giraffe.Statistics show that there are very few locations where the Rothschild Giraffe can be seen in the wild, with notable spots being Lake Nakuru National Park and Murchison Falls National Park in Northern Uganda.

At the Giraffe Manor,Giraffe Center..where you feed the Giraffe's while having breakfast...!

An interesting fact is that it has been proposed that the Rothschild is actually a different species from other giraffes and not a subspecies either!There are various captive breeding programmes in place, with The Giraffe Center in Karen,Nairobi being one of them!The aim of these programmes is to expand the genetic gene-pool in the wild population of the Rothschild Giraffe, in the hope of increasing their number.

Somali/Reticulated Giraffe...

Masaai Giraffe...

So can you differentiate the Rothschild Giraffe from other subspecies such us the Maasai Giraffe and the Somali / reticulated Giraffe?!