Happy Holidays!

We take this opportunity to thank you for all the support you have given us throughout 2013.

We also take this chance to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for the festive season.

Please be careful in your travels particularly on the roads as they will be busy and for flights, be at the airports in good time.

With best wishes at this time and may 2014 be a better year for all of us and hopefully throughout the world!

xoxo
The Uniglobe Let's Go Travel Team

And the migration is back!

On Friday we woke up to the news that the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara were back!

In a rare and dramatic shift, the wildebeest and zebra herds are reported to be back from northern Serengeti where they had moved to following some mid-season rains in October. The herds had presumed the time to relocate to the Serengeti had come, but local rains in the Mara ecosystem have changed that. The plains are now greened with fresh grass and luscious shots and it is our assumption that if the weather continues like this, there is a likelihood of wildebeest giving birth in the Mara like it was the case in 1998.

So...if you had planned to see the migration but somehow you got caught and never got to witness it, nature might just be giving you a second chance this year or perhaps the animals heard Kenya were celebrating their golden jubilee since independence and decided to stay over for the party?! Hahahaha.....

Reports coming from the Mara indicate that the wildebeest are moving north of Mara Intrepids Camp through the Olare Orok Conservancy and across Posse Plain down to Sand River. The wildebeest and zebras are said to be everywhere, with crocodiles and other predators already enjoying their early Christmas feast! 

For Masai Mara bookings, contact us. 

Update on Loisaba Ranch Fire

On 31^st October 2013, we woke up to the news that Loisaba Lodge and Loisaba Private House had been destroyed by a bush fire; luckily no one was injured and personal belongings and artefacts were saved.

The fire is said to have started mid-morning, probably by pastoralists making tea on the north eastern boundary of the conservancy, and due to the dry bush, thick grass and very high winds being experienced that day, the fire travelled fast, often leaping 30 feet, and burned nearly 25,000 acres of grassland, as well as the Lodge and Private House, before it was put under control.

Even though precaution measures are in place in these lodges, bush fires happen occasionally, especially in the dry months. The Loisaba fire was particularly large and aggressive, but thanks to their teams, no-one was injured, and Loisaba Cottage, Kiboko Starbeds, conservancy headquarters and staff village were saved.

Loisaba community have passed their gratitude to their neighbours, the local community, the County Government and friends who committed time, men and resources to helping them fight the fire.

Due to the integrated nature of the Loisaba tourism operation, with the loss of the Lodge and the Private House the Loisaba management has had to take the tough decision to close down its tourism operations until further notice. Cheli & Peacock which are the lodge booking and marketing unit, released a brief on 5^th November stating that it was in their firm belief that Loisaba would rise like the mythical Pheonix from the ashes of that tragedy to shine like the seven stars from which it takes its name.

We send our heartfelt apologies to the Loisaba Team and look forward to the reconstruction of the Lodge and private house.

NEW LOOK MARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE & SWEETWATERS SERENA CAMP

Serena Hotels, Resorts, Safari Lodges and Camps earlier on in the week, unveiled the new-look refurbished Mara Serena Safari Lodge and Sweetwaters Serena Camp.

The group has over the past year embarked on an extensive refurbishment of these properties while ensuring minimal disruption of normal guest services and comfort.

In Mara Serena Safari Lodge, refurbishment took place in two separate phases; an arrival lobby, reception, gift shop, bar lounge, terrace and the Maisha Spa & Gym which commenced February last year. The dining room was reconfigured to create a new buffet and active cooking areas. All these were completed and have been fully operational since July this year.

In the second phase of the refurbishment, the dining area has now been expanded to incorporate the former bar lounge, and a new coffee station and lounge, new public area washrooms; an internal fireplace, terrace and a court yard were created. These areas are now operational as from 1st October, 2013.

Over the period, the works at the restaurant saw their guests enjoy meals under canvas temporary facilities which continually attracted positive feedback from them.

The final phase of the Mara Serena Safari Lodge refurbishment will involve creation of more terraces by the dining room, and is expected to be complete in December 2013.

Meanwhile at Sweetwaters Serena, the camp has enjoyed a 5-star upgrade whereby in July last year, the camp unveiled 11 new tents that now make up the superior Morani Wing. The new building includes the reception, restaurant, guest lounge, bar lounge, gift shop and kitchen of which, all are now fully operational as of this week.

We at Uniglobe Let’s go travel welcome the Serena upgrades as it gives us the “heart” knowing that our clients will be comfortable and enjoy their safaris with their stay at the Serena properties.

UPDATE ON KQ FLIGHTS AT JKIA

Following a statement issued late yesterday, Kenya Airways have confirmed that they have moved their domestic operations from the temporary terminal set up at the Cargo Terminal - done after the fire at JKIA on the 08th of August and now back to Terminal 3 with immediate effect. Passengers booked on any of their flights to Mombasa, Malindi, Eldoret and Kisumu will now resume to the main terminal complex for their check in and arrival procedures.

The airline's regional flights, including departures by partner airline Precision Air, have at the same time returned to Terminal 2, where all international and regional departures are now once again processed, following additional refurbishments in that part of the airport.

In the statement, KQ reiterated that international arrivals will continue to be processed via the converted parking garage, which will remain in place until further notice while the main arrivals terminal is being reconstructed. Kenya Airways' Chief Operating Officer, Mbuvi Ngunze

said that the move will ensure greater convenience and comfort for passengers.  

"We wish to thank the Kenya Airports Authority and the Government of Kenya for their efforts to restore airport facilities following the fire incident. We also appreciate our customers' patience and understanding during this period, and reiterate our commitment to consistently improve our service offering to them" Mr. Ngunze added.

KWS successfully moves black rhinos to a newly established sanctuary - Borana Rhino Sanctuary

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has successfully translocated a number of rhinos from Lake Nakuru National Park and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to the newly established Borana Rhino sanctuary in Laikipia.

The rhinos were moved from Lake Nakuru National Park while the others were translocated from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The composition was so designed to avoid in-breeding. The week-long exercise (August 26-31, 2013) was funded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Zurich Zoo and US F&W in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service.

The translocation is aimed at establishing a new rhino population and keep the established populations in Lake Nakuru National Park and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy productive by maintaining their numbers below their ecological carrying capacity levels.

The rhino conservation policy since 1989 has centered on the creation of intensively protected fenced sanctuaries. Black rhino has steadily increased within the sanctuaries necessitating removals to avoid negative density dependent effects. However, many established sanctuaries still remain overstocked hence new secure habitats are required.

The current Conservation and Management Strategy for the Black Rhino in Kenya 2012-2016 sets targets on restocking former free ranging areas which can support large populations, as well as the creation of intensive Protection Zones (IPZ) and secure sanctuaries in order to achieve its strategic objective of population expansion to reach a confirmed total of 750 black rhinos by end of 2016.

 Focus is placed on promoting creation of more government, private and community rhino sanctuaries to achieve the vision of a metapopulation of 2,000 black rhinos in Kenya managed in their natural habitat in the long term. Borana rhino sanctuary which is privately owned was one of the new areas targeted in the strategic plan for rhino population expansion. 

WWF species manager, Robert Ndetei witnessed the translocation and pledged continued support to KWS in its quest to conserve the last great species and places on earth for humanity. He said the international body has had a long standing relationship with KWS and cited among others collaborations in the establishment of rhino sanctuaries among them Lake Nakuru, Tsavo West and the creation of Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) in Tsavo West National park.

 Mr Patrick Omondi, the KWS Deputy Director of Wildlife Conservation, thanked all partners who made the exercise successful. He said KWS will continue to partner with private land owners in the conservation of wildlife and commended the management of Borana Rhino Sanctuary for meeting the prerequisites for rhino conservation. He encouraged communities to set aside more land for wildlife conservation.

The original post is credited to KWS .

Lets Go Skiing in Austria in 2014

About the ski trip:

 

Zürs is a small village situated on a high valley in the mountains of the Arlberg, in the west of Austria, at an altitude of 1,720m. Zürs has a reputation for good late season snow, and over the years that we have been skiing there we have not been disappointed.

The Arlberg ski pass includes Zürs, Lech and all of the resorts in the St. Anton area. It boasts 260 kilometers of groomed slopes, serviced by 85 modern ski lifts and cable-cars, which open up a tremendous variety of skiing.  We have found that there is plenty to keep skiers of all abilities happy and occupied. And there is a wonderful range of off-piste skiing available in fresh snow.

Hotel Erzberg 

Hotel Erzberg is a traditional, comfortable and stylish hotel, owned and run by Barbara Schneider and her daughter Sabrina. It has a great location, with the village centre and the closest lift only 50 meters away. When there is good snow you are able to ski right back to the ski room door! All 25 rooms have private bath /shower, WC, hairdryer, satellite TV and safe. Most have a balcony. There are five rooms that take a family of four. The bar and lounge make for fun "après ski", and the sauna, steam room and relaxation area, with infra red therapy cabin, and a possible massage, are wonderful to help ease away your aches and pains. Skis and boots are stored in a heated boot room.

The larger resort of Lech, with greater choice of shopping, restaurants, ice rink and tobogganrun, is only 4 kilometers away, serviced by a frequent bus, which is included in your ski pass. The town of St. Anton, for shopping and a different scene for "après ski", is easily reached by bus or taxi. 

When & How:

The group will fly from Nairobi on the evening of Friday 28th March. On arrival in Zurich there will be a coach transfer direct to Zürs (about 2½ to 3 hours drive). Stay at the Hotel Erzberg for 9 nights, returning to Zurich very early on Monday 7th April, for the return, daylight, flight to Nairobi. This means almost 9 days skiing.

Your holiday can be extended either by staying on in Zürs, or with a flight extension to London or other European destination. The cost of any extension flight will be calculated at time of booking.

Bookings

Please do contact us if you are interested in joining. Bookings will be made when 

accompanied by a non-refundable 30% deposit, with a completed and signed booking form.  A further 50% will be due by end of November. 

Kindly email us to request our Booking Form with the Terms and Conditions. 

Tour Cost in EUROS €.

Costs Include - Return flights with Swiss from Nairobi to Zurich, coach transfers to Zürs, 9 nights accommodation on half board, 9 days ski pass.

These rates are per person sharing a double room, (adult or child). 

Child/youth rates apply only when sharing with 2 full paying guests.

                                   

Per person           € 2476            

Youth 17-20 yrs  € 2432              

Child 13-16yrs    € 2330             

Child 9-12 yrs     € 1761              

Child 6-8 yrs       € 1537              

Child 0-5 yrs       €  987             

Ski/board hire and ski instruction are not included.