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A 13-Day Wildlife Safari To Schedules, accommodations and prices are accurate at the time of writing. They are subject to change. Join Mass Audubon ornithologist Mark Faherty on a BIRDING AND BIG GAME SAFARI KENYA: February 28 to March 14, 2017 TANZANIA: March 13 to March 21, 2017 Wildlife Safari, courtesy Classic Escapes Travel with Massachusetts Audubon ~ www.massaudubon.org/travel 1 Schedules, accommodations and prices are accurate at the time of writing. They are subject to change. BIRDING & WILDLIFE IN KENYA Dear Traveler, This itinerary – one of my personal favorites – captures the essence of the classic East African safari, the spare beauty of the arid Samburu country, the incomparable vastness of the Serengeti grasslands, and (in a 6-day extension) the majestic crater highlands of Tanzania. Many of Mass Audubon’s well-traveled tour leaders are asked: “If you could recommend only one international nature and birding trip, what would it be?” Without exception, they all answer “East Africa!” East Africa Safari 2010 Trip Report and Slideshow http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/travel-tours/trip-reports/east-africa-safari The great diversity of habitats, landscapes without equal (especially in Serengeti), a matchless abundance and diversity of large mammals, and arguably the best birding in the world – all can be found here. Highlights from previous tours: The Golden-winged Sunbirds above the tree line on Mt. Kenya. (one of over 400 species observed!) Stately Leopards sunning themselves on the Samburu rocks The pink wash of flamingos at Nakuru Waking up in the Mara to a seemingly limitless vista filled with Blue Wildebeest and Plains Zebra Many visits with lazing Lion families (previously, total lions viewed was well over 50) The vivid color and unique hospitality of a Maasai manyatta The world within a world of the Ngorongoro Crater This luxurious safari will give you the opportunity to observe all of the “essential” African mammals: Lion, African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Cape Buffalo, Giraffe, Plains Zebra, Hippopotamus, Spotted Hyena, a stunning variety of antelopes—from the graceful little Thomson’s Gazelle to the imposing Common Eland— and (with a little luck) Leopard. It is possible that our mammal list will top 50 species. As exciting as its charismatic mammals is East Africa’s astonishingly diverse birdlife: storks, flamingos, bustards, hornbills, and a thrilling variety of raptors seem ever-present, their grandeur counterpoised beside the jewel-like beauty of bee-eaters, rollers, sunbirds –and even starlings (your perspective may change on this sometimes denigrated family of birds). As with all Mass Audubon Natural History tours, you will be accompanied by knowledgeable and experienced guides from both from Kenya /Tanzania and Massachusetts. Our very popular leader and ornithologist Mark Faherty worked on a research project in Kenya and looks forward to returning with you! Our local guides have long and deep experience in interpreting African natural history. They have comprehensive interests (plants, reptiles, and butterflies as well as birds and mammals), superb field identification skills, extensive knowledge of animal behavior, and an obvious enthusiasm for their profession. I hope you will join us on this very special trip. Sincerely, Karen ONeill Director, Natural History Travel, Massachusetts Audubon Society Travel with Massachusetts Audubon ~ www.massaudubon.org/travel 2 Schedules, accommodations and prices are accurate at the time of writing. They are subject to change. ITINERARY Leopard, by Karen ONeill Day 1~Tuesday ~ February 28: Boston/En Route Your journey will begin as you board your overnight flight (meals aloft). Day 2~Wednesday ~ March 1: Arrive in Nairobi Plan to arrive at Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi in the evening. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your local naturalist and driver/guides and driven to your hotel—the Nairobi Serena Hotel. Standing among verdant gardens, it is considered one of Nairobi's finest hotels. Enjoy the swimming pool, the restaurant, the excellent gift shop, and the comfort of your delightful room. You will have a chance for a good night’s rest— quite possibly listening to the beautiful songs of Rüppell’s Robin-Chat and the Hadada Ibis calling out its name as you drift off to sleep. Overnight: Nairobi Serena Hotel (meals aloft). http://www.serenahotels.com/serenanairobi/ Travel with Massachusetts Audubon ~ www.massaudubon.org/travel 3 Schedules, accommodations and prices are accurate at the time of writing. They are subject to change. Day 3~Thursday ~ March 2: Nairobi National Park Thursday will be a fairly leisurely day to recuperate from your international flight, but you’ll have the opportunity to see your first African birds and mammals. In the morning, we’ll explore the garden and grounds of our hotel and become acquainted with common yet striking bird species such as Yellow- billed Kite, Common Fiscal (shrike), Little Bee-eater, Bronze Sunbird, Superb Starling, African Pied Wagtail, Spectacled Weaver, and many others. We’ll walk in the Karura Forest—this remarkable upland forest covers an area of 2,500 acres and offers opportunities to experience nature within very close proximity to the city. Time permitting, we will also visit the Nairobi Arboretum to enhance our birding experience. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Nairobi National Park, just 15 minutes from the center of the city, to look for our first Lion, Giraffe, and Grant’s Zebra, and other mammals and some truly iconic African birds such as Common Ostrich, Marabou Stork, Sacred Ibis, Hamerkop, Bateleur, Secretary Bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, and a bewildering variety of new songbirds. We will return to the hotel at a reasonable hour for dinner on your own. Overnight: Nairobi Serena Hotel (B, PL). Giraffe, by Karen ONeill Sacred Ibis, by Karen ONeill Travel with Massachusetts Audubon ~ www.massaudubon.org/travel 4 Schedules, accommodations and prices are accurate at the time of writing. They are subject to change. Days 4/5/6~Friday/Saturday/Sunday ~ March 3-5: Samburu Reserve After breakfast, we will start our long drive past the equator to the Samburu Reserve. Lunch will be at the Trout Tree Inn at Nanyuki en route. A late afternoon game drive will introduce us to the unique natural history of this hot and arid region of northern Kenya. Samburu encompasses highly distinctive, beautiful, arid habitats at the southern edge of the great deserts of Somalia and Ethiopia. We’ll spend two full days exploring the reserve’s dramatic landscapes and characteristic dry country; looking for wildlife such as Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Grevy's Zebra, and Gerenuk, as well as bird specialties such as Vulturine Guineafowl, Pygmy Falcon, Golden- breasted Starling, plus sandgrouse, coursers, bustards, and many other birds. There are Hippos and Nile Crocodiles in the river and a good chance for cats. During our drives, we’ll also encounter Samburu herders with their bright robes and beadwork. Accommodations will be at the Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp. At first glance, our camp appears to be a tree house set on stilts. However, all tents are fully equipped with bathrooms with showers, running hot and cold water, and electricity. We will have two game drives each day. Overnights: Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp (B, L, D). http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/tented-camps/samburu-intrepids/ Vulturine Guineafowl, by Karen ONeill; tented accommodations, courtesy Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp Travel with Massachusetts Audubon ~ www.massaudubon.org/travel 5 Schedules, accommodations and prices are accurate at the time of writing. They are subject to change. Days 7/8~Monday/Tuesday ~ March 6-7: Travel from Samburu to Sweetwaters Floodlight-illuminated waterhole, courtesy Sweetwaters Tented Camp We will explore more of Kenya as we drive to Sweetwaters Tented Camp, which lies in the heart of a privately owned 22,000-acre reserve. The views are magnificent: spanning across the bush to the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kenya. Overlooking a floodlight-illuminated waterhole, the camp offers visitors an unforgettable opportunity to watch and photograph wildlife. We have included a night game drive here, where you may see nocturnal animals such as Aardvark, Aardwolf, genet, Caracal, porcupine, East African Springhare, and galago under a brilliant star-studded sky. The tents are sheltered by thatched roofs, and each has a private bathroom and verandah. Relax at the Waterhole Bar for uninterrupted views of visiting wildlife or cozy up to a blazing log fire in the Kashoggi Bar and Lounge. Overnight: Sweetwaters Tented Camp (B, L, D). http://www.serenahotels.com/serenasweetwaters/ Days 9/10~Wednesday/Thursday ~ March 8-9: Lakes Naivasha & Nakuru After breakfast, we will drive to the Great Rift Valley--an inaccurate but popular name for a part of the complex East African Rift System which stretches thousands of miles (visible from space) and is dramatically studded with volcanoes (mostly dormant). We’ll bird Lake Nakuru: the shallow alkaline lake known for its concentration of flamingos which give the lake a pink shimmering glow. Within, and nearby, Lake Nakuru National Park, we’ll look for some of the 450 documented species of birds, notably among the lake’s vast concentration of waterbirds, and for other wildlife such as the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe, Waterbuck, African Buffalo, Olive Baboon, and Leopard (often found snoozing on the branches of the magnificent yellow-barked acacias). Travel with Massachusetts Audubon ~ www.massaudubon.org/travel 6 Schedules, accommodations and prices are accurate at the time of writing. They are subject to change. Lesser Flamingos, by Karen ONeill On our second day here, we’ll explore Hell’s Gate National Park, named for a narrow opening in the wall of the gorge. A haven for breeding eagles and vultures, we’ll look for Verreaux's Eagle, Augur Buzzard, and thousands of swifts; 103 species of birds have been recorded in the park. A boat ride on Lake Naivasha, where Hippos and waterbirds abound, en route to Crescent Island, provides us an excellent birding opportunity.
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