Ndere Island National Park; Nyanza Province's Secret Heaven

Ndere Island National Park is a small island of about 2.4km2 in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, in Kenya's Nyanza Province. A nature's heaven approximately 425km west of Nairobi and 35km west of Kisumu city. Interestingly is that Ndere Island was established in 1986 to particularly provide refuge for a small population of Impala that were translocated from Kisumu''s Impala Sanctuary,which now acts as an incentive for people to visit the island.

Locals know the island as Chula Rabour, Chula  meaning island and Rabour meaning red, thus Red Island. The logic behind the naming is because the island is virtually covered with Themeda grass species, whose mature flowers are reddish in colour.The vegetation is predominantly grassland interspersed with trees and shrubs. Papyrus reeds are common along the shoreline. The island is rich in animals such us crocodiles, monitor lizards, hippos and a variety of fish species on the shores while on land, impalas, baboons, vervet monkeys , sitatunga antelope, reptiles, birds with over 70 recorded species and butterflies.

What to see and do?
1. The rolling Homa Hill and Beyond
2. Realm for Bird Watchers
3. Boat Rides

4. Sport fishing and game viewing

Where to stay?
There is one camp site at Ndere mainland (KWS) overlooking the island with modern amenities to compliment the campsite, however there are no lodges within the parks.
Best time to visit?
All year round!

Sibiloi National Park : The Garden of Eden

"Shimmering like a mirage in the harshly beautiful desert landscape of nothern Kenya lie the blue-green waters of Lake Turukana.On it's shores lies one of the world's greatest treasures, the 3 million year old Koobi Fora palaeontological site."  writes the Kenya Wildlife Service

In 1972, Dr Richard Leaky and his team discovered Sibiloi, which is today universally recognized as the "Cradle of Mankind" and believed to be the most likely bibilical Garden of Eden.

Sibiloi National Park, located in Lake Turukana, Marasabit District of the Kenyan Eastern  Province, was created  to protect  the sites of the many remarkable hominid fossils finds revealed, with the now park peak moment being when Dr.Richard Leaky and his team discovered one of its most valued treasure, a 2 million year old fossilized almost full skull, presently labeled 1470 by the National Museum of Kenya. The skull somewhat confirmed the excistence of an urbane evolutionary  hominid that we all know as Homo habilis, a diriect ancestor of Homo sapiens - Us! They also found about 160 other additional finds relating to the Homo habilis.

The alttitude is 355 meters above sea level, the climate is scorching hot and arid, with June and july being the coolest months. The area is well over with  grassy plains with yellow spear grass, doum palms, accacia shrub land and desert roses. The wildlife includes animals such us the Grevy's and Burchell's Zebra, Giraffe,Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Striped Hyena, Topi, Beisa Oryx among others!Birds are said to be over 350 recorded species including large flock of Flamingo.

An interesting fact is that the world's largest Crocodile population breeds on Lake Turukana's Central Island, meaning if you are a Crocodile fan, this is the place you want to visit!

What to see?

1. Skull 1470 - Homo habilis
2. The Koobi Fora Museum, Allia Bay
3. The tempestuous "Jade Sea"- the largest permanent desert lake in the world,Lake Turukana
4. Crocodile Kingdom
5. Petrified Forests
6. Prolific Birdlife

Where to stay?

1.Oasis Lodge
2. Lobolo Tented Camp
3. Eliye Springs
4. Desert Rose
5. Allia Bay Guest House (self catering)

Tujionee Migration!

Dear Client,

The rate is KES 10,500 per person, payable in installments before the departure date which is on the 6th of August 2011. The rate includes; transport, food, accommodation and park fees. Excluded are drinks and items of a personal nature.

Accommodation: will be at a budget camp know as Olperr Elong’o camp which is situated in a very good camouflaged and forested area, offering an authentic African experience without sacrificing safety or comfort. Simply designed and built with wood and canvas, the large campfire area and dining area of the camp overlook the surrounding lush forest. The camp comprises 10 large tents furnished in a contemporary yet comfortable style. Each tent houses two to three single beds. A private outdoor seating area in front of each tent allows guests to relax and take in sights and sounds of the bush.

Transport: You will be required to be at our offices ABC Place on the 6^th Aug at 7.00a.m where you will be driven down to the Mara in a 9-seater safari Mini- van.

Day 1: You will arrive the Mara at Lunch time, where you will have lunch and enjoy time at the camp, then have an afternoon game drive, then Dinner and Overnight at the camp.

Day 2: After an early morning game drive and breakfast, depart for Nairobi after having lunch. Arrive Nairobi in the evening drop off will be at our office, ABC Place Waiyaki Way.

It is a good opportunity to visit the Mara during the Migration period and it is a chance to witness what the world calls “The 8 world wonder!”

Serengeti highway construction ditched after months of petitioning

Phew! Is the expression that all of us had when the Tanzanian government announced late last week that they would not be going ahead with their plans to construct a 50 kilometer road that was to join the 400 kilometer Arusha road that connects to Lake Victoria.

This comes after hundreds of petitions on all possible mediums from environmentalists and governments regionally and international such us Kenya, US, UK and Germany!The move is viwed as a big win for the Maasai Mara, a renowned world wonder. This is because with the construction which was set to start early 2012, an estimated 1.3 million Wildebeest and over 300,000 Zebras would have suffered the consequences of a road cutting through the reserve.

"This decision has been reached in order to address the increasing socio-economic need of the rural communities in northern Tanzania, while safeguarding the outstanding universal value of Serengeti National Park," read a statement from the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

They however said they would still construct the highway but circumventing the National Reserve.

Here comes the Wildebeest Migration!

Masai Mara is arguably the world's most known game reserve, with numerous implausible wildlife documentaries filmed there, such as the Big Cat Diary or movies such as the most recently filmed Disney African Cats. Masai Mara is also known as a top choice holiday destination for anyone wanting to spend their holidays in Kenya, especially after the game reserve was named a world wonder due to its astonishing annual Wildebeest Migration!

Each year thousands and thousands of Wildebeest cross the Mara river into the Mara game reserve, from Tanzania's Serengeti park. This makes for a spectacular experience, nicknamed the "greatest show on earth" and is a must see for anyone on an east Africa safari.  The herds enter the Mara from the west and gather on the plains for a few months until the rains break on the southern plains of the Serengeti in December, when they return south.

The exceptional game viewing, the short grass, the huge lion population are all among the many contributory factors that make the Masai Mara in Kenya such a popular East Africa safari destination that entices people from all over the world to visit Kenya and witness this astounding "show"!  

Each year the migration creates a buzz with lodges and camps all located in the park keeping everyone abreast of where the wildebeest are and where they are moving. This creates excitement that undoubtedly reminds me of a wedding scenario, where the wildebeest replace the bride and all we hear is people echoing; Here comes the migration! 

Elementaita - The undiscovered and unexploited tour gem

For some unknown reason, Lake Nakuru has always overshadowed Lake Elementaita when it comes to local tourism. Perhaps, it is because Lake Nakuru region is famous for its hundreds of  flamingo birds that crowd the lake or for Hell's Gate National Park which is a major attraction for rock climbers!Regardless the reason, Nakuru has always stood out! However, over the recent past Elementaita has seemingly become a force to reckon with it's ever friendly people, great natural sites, proximity to Hell's Gate Park but most importantly the emerging amazing accommodation properties!

Elementaita, is one of those places that if you listen carefully you will here it cry out that it should not be forgotten. Among the accommodation places that are stunningly wooing not only the locals are Sleeping Warrior Camp, Sunbird Lodge, Jacaranda Lake Elementaita Lodge, Lake Elementaita Country Lodge and as from early this month, making a new but burly entry is Serena Lake Elementaita Luxury  Lodge!

Unlike most of the tour regions in Kenya, Elementaita is the one place that you can get pocket friendly accommodation from as little as KES 6,000 per person sharing on full board basis to Luxury accomodation worth from KES 10,000 and above, per person sharing on full board basis!

The intriguing part is that Elementaita is only approximately two hours drive from Nairobi and if you were to depart mid-morning hours, you would be at your desired lodge or hotel in time for lunch!

Gorilla Baptism in Rwanda

Next month, twenty-two baby mountain gorillas will be "baptized" in an annual ceremony dubbed as a name-giving event in Rwanda's Volcans National Park. One of the main touristic attractions in Rwanda are the gorillas which accounted for 90% of tourism revenue. The looming sad story is that up until today, mountain gorillas find themselves on the endangered species list however, according to a 2010 census, the total number of mountain gorillas has increased by a quarter over the past 7 years to reach more than 780 individuals!

Conservation and tourism director Rica Rwigamba said the ceremony will be held on 18 June,2011 and among those who will be given names are twin mountain gorillas which is a rare occurrence for an endangered species.