Gorilla Tracking Safaris

Gorilla safaris have seemingly become the "in thing" to do while on safari in East Africa. Over the recent past Uganda and Rwanda, have welcomed many tourists who are attracted to the special safari of tracking gorillas and chimpanzees.

Trips to view gorillas and chimpanzees to both countries are adventurous and fun filled activities, that involves alot of trekking.  In Uganda, visiting Bwindi National Park, the "Impenetrable Forest", which is a 12 hour drive from Kampala. In Rwanda gorilla viewing is in Ruhengeri National Park, 3 hours from Kigali.

There are various packages ranging from day trips to 7 days or more safaris, depending on what you are interested in doing.  

Did you know?

• Chimpanzees use large sticks and branches as clubs or throw them at enemies like leopards and humans.
• Chimps supplement their diets with meat, such as young antelopes or goats. Their most frequent victims, however, are other primates such as young baboons, colobus monkeys and blue monkeys.
• An adult male gorilla is called a silverback because of the distinctive silvery fur growing on their back and hips. Each gorilla family has a silverback as leader who scares away other animals by standing on their back legs and beating their chest!
• Young male gorillas usually leave their family group when they are about 11 years old and have their own family group by the age of 15 years old. Young female gorillas join a new group at about 8 years old.
• Gorillas are herbivores. They spend most of their day foraging for food and eating bamboo, leafy plants and sometimes small insects. Adult gorillas can eat up to 30 kilograms of food each day.
• A gorilla can live for 40 – 50 years. 

Gorilla viewing permits are issued on a very controlled basis and must be booked well in advance, especially in Uganda. Permits cost  approximately US$500 per person in Uganda and approximately US$ 750 per person in Rwanda. The trek through the forest to find the gorillas can take a few hours. The time spent with a troop is limited to one hour.

The Camel Derby

When we think of Samburu Game Reserve, our minds tend to think of the hot and arid fringes of Kenya's vast Northern Frontier District that covers an area of 104 square kms on the northern bank of Ewaso Nyiro River. An area that is home to the Samburu tribe, pastoral relatives of the Maasai people. A landscape that is rugged and dramatic - against a backdrop of volcanic mountains, gaunt hills and withered scrub tree punctuate the sparse and dry terrain with clusters of the incredibly hardy desert rose providing the occasional flash of vivid colour. We tend to imagine ourselves on game drives or relaxing in the amazing safari lodges that are present in the Samburu. What we do not tend to think is......  A Camel Derby!

Samburu Maralal International Camel Derby:

The Samburu Maralal International Camel Derby (SMICD) is an annual event held in August of every year at Yare Camel Camp in Maralal town, Samburu County.  Yare Camel Camp is in the northern region Kenya at the heart of the nomadic pastoralist Samburu people who are related to the Maasai. 

The event has been on-going for 23 years and was initiated by the late Malcom Gascoigne who was the proprietor of Yare Camel Camp. It draws participants from all over the world- Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, England, France, Spain, Japan, China, Mexico, Sweden, Holland, Italy,  South Africa  and many other countries. 

Creating the perfect blend of culture, adventure and action, the finest camels of Kenya are gathered in a display of competition and sportsmanship.

The event details:

The dates for this year’s event are 21^st August – 26^th August, 2012. Entrants register for participation. Camels are available for hire and come with saddles and handlers. All camels are given a vet-check by the official vet officers. The camels are rendered tick free 4 days prior to the event.  The prizes consist of Cash, Trophies and Certificates. Sponsors are also recognized and appreciated for sponsoring various events.

For event details courtesy of :  http://www.yarecamelcamp.co.ke/Programme.php

For lodge and camp bookings contact us: info@letsgosafari.com 

Responsible Travel: Part 2

Following our first series of our responsible travel and that you are now bent on becoming responsible travelers.

Our second series puts its focus on the destination entity i.e. how the destination can encourage responsible travel. There is so much destinations can do, in fact listing the do’s would be endless. Not to worry though, we will be glad to give tips on how to be a responsible travel destination. So we will try a different approach.

What destinations should do to steer clear from green washing.What is greenwashing? 

Green washing is disinformation that is disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible image i.e. a marketing gimmick.

The causes for greenwashing in travel are no different than in other sectors. Businesses run the risk of falling into the greenwash trap while attempting to increase sales to create differentiation in a highly commoditized travel market.

1.       The hidden trade off. A claim suggesting that a product is ‘green’ based on a narrow set of attributes without attention to other important environmental issues. An eco-lodge should have standards and policies they adhere to complying with responsible tourism.

2.       Proof

An environmental claim that cannot be substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable third party certification. Join an eco tourism or responsible travel organization where your lodge can be rated without prejudice and the ratings made public.

3.       Vagueness -a claim that is so poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood by the consumer

4.       Worshiping false labels. A product that, through either words or images, gives the impression of third party endorsement where no such endorsement exists (fake labels). There are hundreds of global tourism eco labels, certifications, accreditations, guidelines and codes of ethics that are adopted by destinations, hotels, transportation and attractions. The lack of an easily recognized certification can lead to the impression that the tourism product is certified “green” when no proper information is provided as to how it is achieved and audited.

5.       Irrelevance an environment a claim that may be truthful but is unimportant or unhelpful for consumers seeking environmentally preferable products e.g. recycling. Let your guests know what you recycle, how you recycle, why you recycle and how they use the recycled product or how the recycled product is of benefit if not to them, then to the community. It is not enough to tell your guests that you recycle. Show them the impact of recycling.

6.       Lesser of two evils

A claim that may be true within the product category, but that risks distracting the consumer from the greater environmental impacts of the category as a whole. What emits less carbon? A car, a train or a plane? Bottom line is that all of these forms of transports are powered by non-renewable energy and it ultimately comes down to relative choices about which option is less harmful to the environment.

7.       Fibbing: 

Environmental claims that are simply false. This is the least committed sin. Or it could be that it is hard to prove because the lodge’s documents are private and cannot be viewed.

Responsible Travel - A Twist to Tourism Business?

Ever wondered what Responsible travel is about?  Respecting and benefiting local people and the environment. It brings together conservation, communities and tourism. It is a ‘means’ to more benefits from the environment accruing from responsible tourism practices.

Responsible travel revolves around these entities:

1.     Traveler/Tourist

2.     Destination

3.     Travel agent (if any)

4.     Local community

Let’s take a keen focus on the traveler/tourist entity and in successive articles we will; focus on the rest of the entities) and what he/she can do to promote responsible travel. Here are a few tips we thought to be of interest:

1.     Make flying a last option?

Of course, air travel is the fastest way to get to faraway lands. Unfortunately, it is also the single most environmentally harmful mode of transportation available to travelers. Airplane emissions are more detrimental to the ozone layer than those from ground transport, partly because the pollution simply occurs higher up in the atmosphere. One way to reduce your impact is to take longer, less frequent trips. Rather than jetting around the world in a whirlwind tour, why not stay in one place until you’re living like a local? You’ll use up less jet fuel and have a deeper experience.

Another way to approach the issue is to look closer to home for your adventures. The area around where you live may seem a bit boring at times, but with a little research, you’re bound to find some kind of cultural or natural attraction that’s close enough to travel to by car. If you keep your mind open, you could discover something in the next county over that’s just as exhilarating as something you’ve experienced halfway across the world.

2.     Eat and drink local

It’s an approach that not only reduces pollution and carbon emissions (from transporting food long distances), but supports local economies as well. It can also mean the difference between having an authentic travel experience and feeling like an uninformed tourist.

3.     Reduce waste at hotels

Have you ever taken a longer shower, left the lights on, or cranked up the air conditioning in a hotel room? It’s all too easy to overindulge on energy and resources, especially when away from home. Staying in a hotel, you get that delightfully anonymous feeling that almost wipes away your accountability to anyone.

Maybe it’s time you opted for eco-friendly lodges where electricity is generated by solar power, waste recycled, water drawn using hydro power, hot water supplied by efficient 'kuni' boilers, cooking done with gas and eco-bricks from sustainable sources etc

Think about it, responsible behavior matters just as much in a hotel as it does any other place and when you’re a guest in a foreign land, respecting the local resources becomes especially important. Just keep that idea in mind, and you will not be likely to use up water and electricity with such recklessness.

4.     Bring home thoughtful gifts

Rather than buying plastic key chains and t-shirts, why not get some more thoughtful souvenirs? Picking out special items at craft fairs, antiques markets, farmer’s markets, and other places that sell locally sourced products can add cultural depth to your trip.

Knowing the back story of how something was made or where it came from, makes it that much more interesting to bring home. Better still, you could learn some of the basics directly from an artisan. By taking a lesson, you would be supporting an independent business owner, and at the same time, getting hands-on insight into the local culture.

Sales from these merchandise are shared between the vendors and some saved in the fund for future community projects

5.     Pack light

Vehicles have to go through more fuel in order to carry heavier loads. By simply bringing less stuff, you can help make your trips on airplanes, public transportation, and cars more energy efficient. As an extra incentive, it will help you cut down on those luggage fees that airlines charge.

If you pack lighter, you will also be more inclined to walk or take public transportation to get around, rather than hailing a taxi every time you have to move your suitcase.

Images courtesy of © Johann du Toit of Maasaimara.com

Rwanda raise costs for gorilla permits

Effective 01st of June 2012, gorilla permit fees, excluding permits already pre-booked until the time of the announcement, will be increased from the present US Dollars 500 per person to US Dollars 750 per person as announced by the Rwanda Development Board.

‘This increase comes at a time when there is significant growth of the gorilla population as well as an increasing demand for gorilla tourism. We are very committed to sustain our efforts in conservation in order to protect their environment as well as the rich biodiversity that exist in our national parks.”  Mr. John Gara, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board which falls under the Rwanda Tourism and Conservation board said.

The extra charge is being subjected to further strengthen protective measures for the prized Gorillas, fund conservation, research, community outreach projects, all of which depend on income from the tourists who come to visit / track gorillas.

Mr. Gara also stated that Rwanda's gorilla conservation had shown significant success, saying that at present they had ten gorilla families that could accommodate a maximum of eight tourists per day per family a number that indicated a double over the past five years.

The Rwandese move has however sparked an open debate with their tri- "gorilla" nation Uganda and Congo DR, particularly Uganda who only last year had reneged from a uniform approach to the permit fees, subsequently reducing the costs to attract more tourists.

Rwanda whose tourism is on a high zenith compared to all her neighbouring East African countries, has immense tourism attractions such as mountain climbing at Volcanoes National Park, visiting Rwanda’s Genocide Memorial Sites: Kigali Memorial Site; Murambi Memorial Site; Nyanza Kicukiro Memorial Site; and Ntarama Memorial Site, canoeing, kayaking, and wind surfing on Lake Kivu at the edge of Rwanda’s Western Province and many other attractions. 

NB: For gorilla or chimp tracking safaris, refer to our website www.uniglobeletsgotravel.com 

 or email us info@letsgosafari.com

Embracing December

December is a month highly associated with festivities, the main reason being because of Christmas and also the New Year! As Christmas hymns dictate, it is a season to be jolly!

One year ago, we posted our first blog, writing about Christmas, posing the question whether or not you had booked your Christmas getaways early enough to secure your dream holiday? I remember advising that to avoid the sound of our ever charming consultants saying to you  "I am sorry sir, all places are fully booked!" Well, let's just say that the advice may have gone out through the window, but hey, do not despair, there are still a few places here and there that still have availability, all you have to do is give us a shout, your budget and we will be quick to match your holiday desires.

With December, this not only means  holidays, chocolate cakes, parties, gifts and all the fabulous treats, but it also means that next year is only four weeks away! This means, new year resolutions,plans, budgeting, purchases, targets, the list is endless! With this running through our minds we started to question, which places did we visit this year that we thought were awesome or thought were exaggerated and were not as good as said? We also started wondering which places would be great for 2012 in terms of location and attractions? Where would we and our clients love to explore? The questions just kept on moving from this to that.... we even got the point where our thoughts were asking, who do you think would make the top10 must visit destination in 2012, if we were to create our own list? Lonely planet already have their top 10 cities,countries and best value for 2012?! What and who would our list contain?

The Pelican Lodge Elementaita

In 2011, we saw hotels such us The Emakoko emerge as an amazing attraction in the world's safari capital Nairobi, Serena Hotels Lake Elementaita Camp and even The pelican Lodge still in Elementaita, a place we once nicknamed, the undiscovered gem in the Rift Valley! Many high - end, sophisticated and unique places that could take up at least five separate blogs with us just naming them! This means that there are so many new places that we are yet to enjoy and have a taste of. The more we think of this, the more we look forward to 2011, bearing in mind that alot of speculation about 2012 being the year that the world supposedly will come to an end! Reports even suggesting this could be our last ever Christmas to celebrate?!

All said, there are many properties and destinations that remain untapped and would serve as great adventure and treats for our holidays. The best 2012 resolution we would suggest is for you, is to contact us so that you can start finding out more about these raw and fresh destinations and properties. This will help you budget and plan in advance, that way making sure you do not strain your budget when the vacation time comes. This will also give you an added advantage and a reason to brag and show off your travel skills and knowledge infront of your family, friends or spouse by showing them how well your knowledge in the new travel products are, and yes... we will not ruin your moment when it comes,by saying you got all that information from us!

*Happy Holidays!!*

Lamu Cultural Festival

This week Lamu, one of the islands on our Kenyan coast, will be celebrating the 11th Lamu Cultural Festival since it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2001. The festival has and continues to celebrate the unique and rich Swahili heritage of the Lamu Archipelago. The festival gives an opportunity to experience the islands sandy white beaches, the historical old town, friendly and warm people just to name but a few!

The festival runs from 24th November till the 27th November, and is organised by the Lamu Cultural Promotion Group. A number of activities take place such as a showcase of   showcase of traditional dances, displays of handicraft and competitions on water and land (Swahili poetry, donkey races, dhow races, henna painting), Swahili bridal ceremony and musical performances. 

Please see the cultural itinerary below:

11th Annual Lamu Cultural Festival Programme 23 – 27 November 2011

Wed. 23rd - Sun. 27th 

Exhibition: ‘Memory and Identity’ Tracing Asisan Muslims of Lamu, Lamu Fort

Wed. 23rd 

19:00 – 21:00

Film/discussion ‘Sauti Muhimu: Kuongeza kuhusika kwa jamii katika maendeleo’, - Mkunguni square

Thurs. 24th

09:00 – 11.00

School Parade and Students Performance - From Mkunguni Square along the Seafront

16:30 – 18:00

Finals of the Football tournament - Pamba roho Ground

20:00 – 23:00

Madrasa tul madina from Mombasa - Mkunguni square Kasida 

Fri. 25th 

09:00 – 16:00 

Traditional displays, next to DC’s office

13:00 – 16:00

Jahazi Race - Swimming preliminaries, Seafront 

16:00 – 18:00

Dances: Shabwani, Kirumbuzi, Mdurenge dances - Seafront & Mkunguni square

20:00 – 22:30

Dances: Chama cha Matondoni (Matondoni Village), Goma la Siyu (Siyu village), Uta Dance (Lamu Town), Goma la Barani, Tari la Ndia (Pate village) - Seafront & Mkunguni square 

Sat. 26th 

09:00 – 16:00 

Traditional displays - next to DC’s office

10:00 – 11:00

Donkey race - in front of Lamu Museum

10:00 – 12:00

Book Launch (RISSEA /NMK) - Mkunguni square

1. ‘Jawabu la Mwana Kupona’ by Ali A. A. El-Maawy

2. “Kiswahili Research and Development in Eastern Africa” Editors: Rocha Chimera, Mohamed Karama, Ahmed Hussein and Khalid Omar 

3. “Kioo cha Nafsi” By: Jamil S Al –Jabry

4. “Mapisi ya Waswahili na Lugha yao Ya Kiswahili By: Prof. Sheikh Ahmed Nabahany

11:00 – 12:00

Canoe Race - Seafront

14:00 – 16:00

Mashua Race final, Swimming final - Seafront

16:00 – 18:00

Prize giving - Mkunguni square

19:00 - 22:00 

Food Bazaar (traditional Swahili cuisine)  - Sunsail Hotel

20:00 – 21:00

Swahili bridal display, Vugo dance/Traditional outfits show Dances - Lamu Fort  

Giriama dance, Pokomo dance, Orma dance, Chama cha Matondoni - Mkunguni square and Sea front

21:00 - Dawn

Live performances - Mkunguni square

- Spotlight on Kenyan Music concert, Focus on music of the pastoralists

- Praful Kumar and party, Bollywood music

Sun. 27th

09:00 – 12:00

Traditional displays - next to DC’s office

16:00 – 18:00

Dances Seafront/Goma la Barani, Mdurenge, Kirumbuzi,Uta Dance, Giriama, Orma - Mkunguni square

19:00 – 20:00

Documentary screening on the Lamu Cultural Festival - Mkunguni square 

20:00 – 23h00

Open Concert. Mohamed Shalli, Sani & Party, Lamu Local artists Lelele Africa By Mbarak and party - Mkunguni square 

Image and Itinerary courtesy of magicalkenya.com

King of the Jungle Endangered

Known for its majesty and prestige, the lion, nicknamed "the king of the jungle" is an animal know of it's strength and beauty. For centuries, the lion has been one of the main attractions in any game park or reserve across the globe. Lions have fascinated people from all walks of life with documentaries and  movies such as the Lion King keenly emphasising on the lion and their families.

Lions vary in colour but commonly are those that sport a light yellow-brown coat. Mature male lions are unique among big cats due the thick brown or black manes that encircle their necks and protect them while fighting, whereas the mature female lions are the pride's primary hunters, often working together to prey upon antelopes, Zebras, wildebeest and other animals in the naked wild.

The Lion population in Africa has rapidly reduced since the early 1950's and today fewer than 21,000 remain in all of Africa. As a fact lions are facing an indirect threat from climate change called co-infection and periodically face outbreaks of the disease distemper though this causes few death with an exemption of the period 1994 - 2001 which caused massive die-offs with researchers saying the epidemic was due to the occurrence of a server drought. This would then factor in the issue of deforestation by humans which causes weather change and as a result drought is experienced. It is warned that droughts such as the ones that bring about co-infection in lions are predicted to become more as the climate warms which we can rightfully say,  indirectly humans are the cause of the weather change.

Lions are also facing many more human threats such as population growth and agricultural expansion, resulting in loss of natural habitat, hunting, poisoning and poaching just to name but a few.

Facts about the Lion:

• Lions are about 4 feet (1.2m) (males) in height and approximately 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4m) (males), length. 
• They weigh 330-500 lbs (150-227 kg) (males) in general, female lions are smaller than males. 
• Their lifespan is placed at 10-14 years in the wild, however if in captivity can last for over 20 years!
• Lions top speed is rated at 50 mph (81 km/hr), for short distances . 

Defenders of wildlife and conservation groups are continually advocating for the life of lions, with campaigns being put across, blogs, news papers and magazine articles being written among many other channels including Social Media. We however feel that we can do more by educating people on the topic using simple viral methods or simply, planting a tree to help sustain the environment. 

"Visit one of Kenya's parks today and see a lion and the other big five. http://www.uniglobeletsgotravel.com "