Wednesday, 26 September 2018

Orange Adventures’ Team Building Proposal


Orange Adventures’ Team Building Proposal
Orange Adventures
P. O Box 30917
00100
Nairobi
+254734825127
+254725289430
+25471957710
Company Summary
Orange Adventures provides individual and group travel to leisure clients.
Services and products provided by Orange Adventures includes:
·         pre-arranged tours, custom packages according to clients’ specifications,
·         Travel consultation, and making reservations for lodging amongst other related services
Orange Adventures seeks to differentiate itself as the premier adventure travel company in the greater East African area.
As it grows it has taken on people and expanded into related markets and services. It also looks for additional leverage by establishing relationships and representations with appropriate strategic allies.
Objectives
Our business strategy revolves around the need to provide quality service to our various target customers, in the process fully satisfying their needs. This has been undertaken through recruitment of a professional team and the provision of good quality custom-designed travel packages, catering to the client's particular needs.
With time our marketing campaign is increasing the awareness of our services in the various market segments we are targeting. This is particularly so with the organization looking at establishing a clear advantage(s) in an increasingly competitive market. We provide clients with the opportunity to focus on their core activities whilst their transportation side needs are fully satisfied. Marketing material is professionally done so as to be reflective of our intended image and reputation. We do position ourselves as a quality commercial transportation operator that provides customer-need fulfillment, enjoyment, reliability and a good image. We have established a good rapport with all the relevant stakeholders, especially hotels and travel agents.
We also have well-designed brochures and other promotional material that enables clients to have an understanding of the types of services we offer and advantages of utilizing them. In addition well-done, informative brochures, fact sheets and business cards often have a triggering effect on clients contemplating utilizing our services. Hence this is undoubtedly generating increased sales of our service.
In summary we have so far attained the following objectives:
 continuously provided enjoyable quality excursions/trips on time and on budget.
 Developed enthusiastically satisfied customers all of the time.
 established a market presence that assures short-term and long-term profitability, growth and success.
 we are fully committed to supporting growth and development in the tourism and overall economy of Kenya.
 Contributed positively to our communities and our environment.
Mission
Internally we have created and nurtured a healthy, exuberant, respectful, and enjoyable environment, in which our employees are fairly compensated and encouraged to respect them customer and the quality of the service we provide. In addition follow-up will be mandatory so as ensure customer satisfaction and make any improvements as recommended by the customers in future. We seek fair and responsible profit, enough to keep the company financially healthy for the short and long term, and to fairly remunerate employees for the work and effort.
1.3 Keys to Success
The keys to Orange adventures success is undoubtedly been effective market segmentation through identification of several niche markets and implementation strategies. Along these lines the company intends to implement advertising, personal selling and direct marketing strategies to the target markets. Our personal selling marketing strategies rotate around keeping in touch with hotels and travel agencies for major customers, and advertising for more individual customers.
Hence our key success factors include the following:
1. Excellence in fulfilling the promise: We intend to offer completely enjoyable, comfortable and informative travel excursions that will ensure that travelers arethoroughly satisfied and appreciative at the end of their trip.
2. Timely response to customers' requests: We cannot afford to delay our clients for whatever reason, as this will have a negative bearing on our image and reputation, including future business. Hence we need to be continually communicating with the client, including hotels and lodges so as to ensure that we are constantly available to the client meeting their expectations.
3. Solid and fruitful strategic alliances: Considering the nature of our services and our relative infancy on the market, we realize the importance of establishing and maintaining fruitful strategic alliances with various stakeholders, including hotels, lodges, and travel agencies, amongst others, so as be assured of a constant flow of customers, fulfilling their needs at every opportunity.
4. Marketing know-how: As a relatively new company on the market there will be a need to aggressively market our business and the services we provide so as to be continuously at the top of our prospective clients minds. This will also act as a temporary deterrent for companies contemplating entering our market. Advertising shall be undertaken on a regular basis.
Services
Orange Adventures is a travel company that intends to deliver leisure travel excursions to customers. Orange Adventures intends to guide customers in selecting a trip(s) based on predefined vacation criteria. This analysis is based on user profiles, set by the consumers, which include preferences such as:
 Budget
 Team Building
 Activities sought
 Destination, and
 Time of Travel
A traveler is hence able to select areas of interest based on their preferences and subsequently identify destinations to visit. The intention is to provide customers with access to exclusive travel destinations, service to fully appreciate destinations through information packages, not just sightseeing, and access to special interest travel according to the group's/individual's preferences.
Company Ownership
Orange Adventures is a Private Limited company incorporated at the Registrar of Companies through the foresight and vision of Mr. Elisha Ojwang Oranga, Mrs. Margret Mbithe Ndambuki and Mr. Shadrack Otieno. It is a 100% wholly owned Kenyan firm.
Company Locations and Facilities
At present the company offices are located at Railways Headquarters,
House no A, S.Q - Plot no 8N,
Workshop Road
P. O. Box 30917 - 00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 725 289 430 | +254 734 825 127 | +254 20 7780653
Email: info@orangeadventures.co.ke | orange.adventuretravells@gmail.com
 However, as time progresses the intention is to move into more accessible and attractive offices in a prime area. This regardless of the fact that our type of business is not too dependent on office location and size.
Orange Adventures Team Building and Event Management
Orange Adventures team building, event management and consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations, people and teams to achieve maximum effectiveness. Considered one of the most comprehensive consulting, coaching and training firms in East Africa, we provide services to organizations of all services. Orange Adventures partners with clients to deliver customized solutions that resolve their most significant issues and create a lasting competitive advantage.
Our Training Programs
 Customer Service
 Leadership training
 Change Management
 Entrepreneurship Training
 Cooperate governance
 Team Building Training
 Motivational Speakers
 Personal Development
 Financial Management
Outdoor Team Building
We motivate your team, create energy and inspire enthusiasm with well-constructed team building events, activities, games and ideas which enhance your business objectives in an innovative and refreshing way. All of our cooperate team building activities are completely -mobile and designed to be an integral part of your meeting conference, training program or company celebration
Indoor Team Building
Our range of Indoor Team Building activities offers something for everyone, from games to mental challenges and creative games; we have activities to suit all ages and interests all designed to improve the effectiveness of your team
Motivation and Inspirations Program
Our Motivational and Inspirational speakers share incredible personal stories of success, failure, persistence, hard work and the events that changed their lives in their thrilling keynote speeches.
Adventure Team Building
As business becomes increasingly aware of the benefits of corporate leisure activities, we have continued to add to our range of adventurous team building program which include rock climbing, rafting, game drives, boat rides, Hiking, Mountain climbing and Treasure Hunt.
Community or CSR Team Building
Looking for a dynamic team building experiences while making an impact in the community?
Have your team engaged in one of our charity Team challenges that takes teams on wildly fun adventure while touching and changing the lives. Tree planting, cleaning, Farming and visiting Hospitals, Schools and Homes.
Corporate Sports day
Company Fun Days are designed to say thank you to all of your companies’ employees and their families. They create a fun atmosphere in which to share experiences and get to know one another outside the office.
Let the Orange Adventures Team handle your fun day logistics.
N/B
The price per person Includes:
1. Use of grounds
2. Transport to and from your facility
3. Food, tea and Snacks, buffet lunch,
4. 500ml water
5. Outdoor Team Building
6. Team Building Equipment
7. Team Building Facilitator
8. Experience itself
Various Excursions Optionsr;
1:- Camp David Grounds Team building Combined with Kitengela Hot Glass Adventure
On this material day you will be picked from your offices and transferred straight to Camp David Grounds for our maiden team building with exceptional stop overs along the way for photo sessions as well as the Italian Catholic Chapel that is very historic where you will learn the full history behind the Nairobi National Park
Camp David has great scenery and after lunch we would give you a chance to head out for a stroll, there is so much to see, including so many lovely birds and by the virtue it is located by the fence of Nairobi National park.
The view across Nairobi National Park makes you want to take a game drive across just to experience the serenity.
Camp David  is 89.5km/55.6 miles from Nairobi and is a perfect getaway from the busy city life.
The atmosphere changes as you start leaving Rongai town and you notice a bit of change in weather and it gets a bit welcoming. The air is also so fresh and clear, you start enjoying the benefit of so many trees and less infrastructure.
The view on your way to Camp David is breath taking, especially the landscape, your mind wonders at God’s amazing creation. We intend to spend the day at Camp David grounds and combine a visit to the Kitengela Hot glass for our fun filled day with loads of bonding and team building activities that give us an opportunity of learning more about our colleagues on attributes and their side that would never come out on our daily work environment.
About The Camp David Resort
A Resort with Accomodation Cottages, Restaurant,Bar lounge,Conferencing and Camping along Southern border of Nairobi National park adjacent to Mbagathi River.
Heaven set on 20 acres on the Southern Border of Nairobi National Park in Maasai land, Oloosirkon, with a horizon Backdrop view of Kenya’s Capital City Skyline, Nairobi. Camp David Resort Kenya is only a 45 minute drive from Nairobi’s International airport (JKIA) and Domestic airport (Wilson Airport).
The resort has 10 Accommodation units, a restaurant, Sports Bar, Conference facilities, Wedding and Events grounds, Camping grounds, Team Building course, Nairobis Boot Camp.
The resort is on the edge of Nairobi National Park, which boasts a spectacular assortment of Wildlife including the endangered Black rhino, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Wildebeests and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded. Visitors can also enjoy the Nairobi Safariwalk,Animal orphanage,David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Girrafe centre, Karen Blixen Museum, Bomas of Kenya,Kitengela glass
About Kitengela Hot Glass
Catching light and touching fire
Visit the gallery and studios and see glassblowing and more all happening amongst the wildlife on the Kitengela plains behind Ongata Rongai. Only 45 minutes from the Nairobi city centre, you should not miss this unique and bizarre experience.
Kitengela Hot Glass help their locale as much as possible – over fifty people have been trained in various disciplines, scholarships awarded, school fees loaned, desks and chairs supplied, roads repaired, security improved, thousands of trees planted and raw materials, fuel and packaging are all recycled. Decent living wages are provided and staff are given transportation to and from work.
It can take up to four years to learn how to blow glass proficiently. Using recycled glass, the blowers ply their difficult craft under a sixty-foot brick dome with over a thousand glass stars inset according to the constellations.
Four hundred kilos of window glass are melted to 1100º centigrade and blown by expert Kenyans into hundreds of different objects designed by Anselm Croze.  The gas-powered glory hole reheats a piece whilst it is blown and when finished; the object is placed in a cooling oven for the night for annealing, the process of gradually reducing temperatures to avoid stresses building up in the glass. Objects come out of the annealer the next day, are packed in recycled newspaper and boxes and sent to various shops and customers all over the world. Kitengela Hot Glass make many architectural elements like blocks for Dalle de Verre, which they transform into translucent outdoor furniture and walls and screens of light. They also create chandeliers and bespoke lighting solutions in their inimitable style.
All their objects are recycled & handmade by Kenyans. They burn used engine oil to melt their glass, & pack it in recycled materials.
recycle   reuse   renew   rescue   recover   reduce   reclaim   realize   responsibility   respect
Activities and plan for the day and all the team building activities will be shared in a program.
After a successful day we will be driving back to Nairobi and anticipating to arrive late in the evening.
The main features of the trip include:
-Road trip with great company from Nairobi to Camp David, Kitengela Hot Glass and back
-Photo session at the historic and scenic Thomson Falls
-Guided tour of the heavenly Castle
-Team Building at Camp David Grounds with professional Facilitators
-Buffet Lunch
-Picnicking
-Swimming & Horse riding (Optional and Self-sponsored) at Kitengela Hot Glass
Charges:
Ksh. 4,800 per person Kenyan Citizens
Ksh 5,500 USD45 Residents
Ksh 6,000 USD50 Non Residents
The cost package caters for:-
-Transport from Nairobi and back
-Entry Fee to Kitengela Hot glass
-Entry and walk through the Kitengela Hot glass-Professional Tour Guides
- Lunch
-Mineral water
-Networking
-Emergency
-Team Building activities
You will carry:-
-Snacks and extra drinks
-Picnicking and team building attire
-Pocket money
-Camera
2:- TAFARIA CASTLE AND THOMSON FALLS DAY TRIP & TEAM BUILDING
(7am to 7pm)
If you haven't visited Tafaria,
then you haven't toured enough!
Completed in 2012 AD, in Nyahururu, with the medieval architectural style of the Castle and its lodges,
Tafaria Castle is the best destination for rejuvenation, relaxation, parties & team building.
The main features of the trip include:
-Roadtrip with great company from Nairobi to Nyahururu and back
-Photo session at the historic and scenic Thomson Falls
-Guided tour of the heavenly Castle
-Team Building at Tafaria with professional Facilitators
-Buffet Lunch
-Picnicking
-Swimming & Horse riding (Optional and Self-sponsored)
Charges:
Ksh. 4,800 per person Kenyan Citizens
Ksh 5,500 USD45 Residents
Ksh 6,000 USD50 Non Residents
The cost package caters for:-
-Transport from Nairobi and back
-Entry Fee to Thomson Falls
-Entry to the Castle-Professional Tour Guides
- Lunch
-Mineral water
-Networking
-Emergency
You will carry:-
-Snacks and extra drinks
-Picnicking and team building attire
-Pocket money
-Camera
3:- Destination Hells Gate Olkaria Hot Spa
Hell's Gate National Park is situated to the south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, North West of Nairobi. It covers an area of 68km2. The park has both wildlife and bird life and some of the wildlife you will find in this park includes, buffalo, Zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson gazelle, baboons, serval cat, klipspringer antelopes and prolific birdlife features 103 species.
Major attractions and activities include:
·         Aruba Dam
·         Game viewing
·         Raptor nesting in cliffs
·         Spectacular Gorge walk
·         Hot springs
·         The Olkaria Geothermal Station
·         The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide
·         Fischer’s Tower
·         Tourist circuits, nature trails and picnic site
·         Hiking Camping Bird watching
·         Wildlife viewing
·         Rock climbing
·         Cycling
Major wildlife attractions at Lake Naivasha include buffaloes, elands, lion, leopard, bushbucks, common zebra, giraffe and Grant’s gazelles.
Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell's Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the bio-diversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa
7:17am Meet Up in Town or at your office premises
7:30Am Briefing for the days activities. Route, Games, Teambuilding, Bonding and meals
7:37-7:47Given time to grab snacks from Nakumatt Lifestyle
7:55Am Depart for Hells Gate via Mahi Mahiu route n stop overs enroute at The Great Rift Valley View
Point for selfies and souvenir shopping
10:00Am Check in at the park for all the activities
10:15 am Hiking around the Gorge at Hells Gate And Game Drive around the Park.
12:00 noon Stretching and Warm down
13:00 Lunch
2:00 pm Leisurely chills at the swimming pool which is Olkaria Natural Hot Spar
5:00 pm Departure for Nairobi
7:00PM Arrival in Nairobi
CHARGES:-
Citizens –3,800/= per person
Residents – 4,800 per person
Non Residents - $90 per person
Includes:-
- Transportation
- Trained and Experienced English speaking driver/guide.
- Lunch
- Bonding, Networking, Experience
- Park entry fees.
Excludes:-
- Laundry
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal drinks
- Any activity not stipulated at the itinerary above
- Personal expenses not mentioned above
Dress Codes:
 Sport and comfortable ware
 Possibly Track suits Closed sport shoes
 For Ladies trousers highly recommended
 A change of clothes recommended after the days activities






Sunday, 13 May 2018

Unique Value Preposition. U.V.P

Unique Value Preposition.
U.V.P
The big question was, has always been, is and will always be, What is it that makes you stand out from the rest?
ORANGE ADVENTURES the East African premium Travel and Tour Company that prides in walking the talk of providing a Magical Life Experience to its esteemed clients through an enabling environment to live the Magic.
Somewhere on the Northern part of Uganda close to the Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo lies Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channelthat connects Lake George and Lake Albert that lies right both in Uganda and Congo. Close to this area is where the famous Corny's Lord Resistant Army[LRA] had established its base.
Each and every time whenever we visited Uganda from Kibale National Park in Fort Portal on our way to Kabale and stopped at this area there was always a funeral that brought lots of questions from our clients.
Did you know that Hippopotamus are the number two killers in Africa coming second to Malaria. In this area surrounded by the water masses that are infested by crocodiles and hippopotamus yet the locals don't have piped water, leaving them with only one option to either o fetch the water from the Hippo infested water or go do the washing of utensils or clothes as well as bath in the crocodile and hippo infested water.
Most of the funerals we saw were as a result of life lost to either Hippos or crocodiles thus left lots of the children from the area as orphans and more women widows exposing the vulnerable families to poverty and this always made me think on how on my own little way as a social leader alongside ours clients on how we can can have an impact on this community.
I always encourage a lot of local interaction on our trips as well as supporting the local economy and we had one African open air market stop that i introduced in order for our cook to stock his vegetable shopping and mobilize our clients to stop and buy a goat which we always end up going around the village and gift it to the more deserving family as shown in the photos below.
For more insight.
www.orangeadventures.co.ke
Tourism & Hospitality expert
Phone: +254725289430/+254734825127
Email: orange.adventuretravels@gmail.com
info@orangeadventures.co.ke
Skype: orangeadventures
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rangeadventures
Web: http://orangeadventures.co.ke/
Blog: https://www.blogger.com/home
Don't look at the difficulties in your path. Focus on the opportunities ahead.
Part II coming soon.

Sunday, 24 September 2017

02Nights-03 Days Maasai Mara Wildlife safari

02Nights-03 Days Maasai Mara Wildlife safari
Tour code: DSOA01
Starting Date: Any day
Number of Passengers: 02 and above
Vehicle: 4*4 7 SEATER TOUR VAN
Starts: NAIROBI
End: NAIROBI
Meals: FULL BOARD
Immediately on the 23rd  October Morning after breakfast and at around 08:00Am in the morning where you’ll be picked up by your driver guide to start an amazing adventure and start your drive towards Maasai Mara National reserve via Mahi Mahio and Narok which is about five hours drive.
The information below aims to help prepare you for your adventure. It’s not exhaustive so it’s worth you doing your own research too and ask us if you still have some burning questions.
Contact Numbers of the in-country team
Elisha +254725289430/ +254734825127
Shadrack +25412089974
Full Itinerary
Day1 [21st Nov17] – Nairobi – Maasai Mara
After breakfast Depart Nairobin the morning at 8.00am for a journey south through the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Arrive in time for lunch at the hotel. Experience Early evening game drive is taken.
  Lunch and Dinner Included.
Dinner and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge
Day2 [22nd Nov17] - Maasai Mara Full Day
Today we have a Full day game drive, in the park in search of the Big Five. Our game drives take us in search of Africa’s Big Five and the plethora of other wildlife inhabiting this vast Kenyan game reserve. On clear days, the Mara offers fantastic orange tinged sunset’s well-worth capturing on camera. The Mara reserve is 1510 km² of incredible wide-open landscapes and fertile riverine woodland following the looping meanders of the Mara and Talek rivers in Kenya. One glimpse is enough to explain its appeal; it is typical open savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.
Wherever you go in the vast Maasai Mara you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as Maasai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest. Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos are also found in great numbers. It is also common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot, but reasonably common.
The ultimate action here is without doubt the annual wildebeest exodus, the Great Migration, in July and August when millions of these grass eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass before turning south again in October.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Meals and overnight at Mara Simba Lodge
Day3 [23rd Nov17] - Maasai Mara – Nairobi
After breakfast depart Mara for Nairobi Morning game drive as we depart Maasai Land through Narok town, arriving late afternoon. On this day we have the opportunity for the visit to a Native Maasai Boma and have a local interaction where we do not only meet but make new and permanent local friends. Our drive back to Nairobi takes a different route through the Great Rift Valley view point and will have a brief stopover to one of the oldest and smallest Catholic church in East Africa which was built by the Italian first world war army officers while constructing the Nairobi to Kampala road.
Breakfast and  Lunch Include.
Price inclusive
•             Transport in 7 seater Tour Van with pop up roof
•             Tour van fitted with Hi-Fi radio
•             Accommodation at the lofge
•             All park entrance fees
•             All Government taxes and levies
•             3 Meals a Day Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian
•             Game drives
•             One Liter Mineral water a day while on safari
•             Drivers Allowances
•             Airport Transfers
Not included
•             International airfare & flights
•             Airport departure tax
•             Travel insurance
•             Visa and Passport fees
•             Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages in Camp
•             Anything not stipulated in the inclusive
PRICE $$$.$$ USD (per. person)
Optional Activities
•             Hot air balloon [$430]
•             Visiting Maasai Boma[$25]
OPTIONAL MASAI MARA BALLOON SAFARI STARTING FROM USD 450 PER PERSON:
•             Close your eyes, and for a moment feel your body lift up, with you having no control over it, and there is a certain part of you, inside you, saying to yourself, I am crazy for taking this balloon safari. This is what most people feel, when the excitement of a Maasai Mara balloon safari crosses one’s emotion of self-control and independence.
Don’t stop! Tell me more about my Maasai Mara Balloon Safari in Kenya?
•             The feeling is indescribable, crispness of the African air, chill in the wind that hits your face as your Mara hot air balloon gradually rises, smoothness in the exhale of your breath, and the excitement to see and learn more. One’s physical presence can be felt on the plains of the Maasai Mara when reading this.
You trip begins when you get your wakeup call at your safari lodge or tented camp in the early hours of the morning, as you yawn away, and thoughts about your wildlife viewing from an elevated position begins to stir your mind. The fresh Kenyan traditional hot tea and coffee quickly awaken you, in fact preparing you for a “mission”.
By 6.15 a.m. you are almost arriving at the hot air balloon site in the Maasai Mara. As you approach the site, the balloon seems bigger than you expected, the experience is one that has never been visited, and you are about to have a trip of a lifetime.
Liftoff! Up and away we go! At 6.30 a.m., the hot air balloon safari starts. The captain asks you to relax and experience the wonders under the African sky. As you finally start to get a grip on the elevation, an inner smile that resonates on one’s face does not need an explanation. The wildebeest moving in large numbers across the Maasai Mara plains, the beauty of the landscape when the rising sun’s bright orange colors are displayed, the elephants at the water pool, and the gazelles and zebras scampering away, just if it was their first time to witness an alien object in the sky.
By 7.30 a.m., one is very content with balloon safari, and it is almost touch down time. There is a celebration, and for those who prefer a toast, champagne is served, as hot breakfast in the bush is being prepared. You ask yourself, is this true? I am really doing this trip of a lifetime in Kenya? In the Maasai Mara? As the sweetness and aroma of the African coffee surrounds you, with fresh eggs being served as you like it, you hope for another ride, and wish that such luxury never ended.
•             By the time you finish your breakfast, you have made up your decision to immigrate to Kenya because such life is only found here. You begin to question yourself, and you feel an urgency to seek, live and enjoy this pristine beauty, a once in a lifetime “thing”.
By 9.00 a.m., you have been declared a champion, a mighty certificate of completion handed out to you which you hope to display in your home country, to family, friends, coworkers. Clapping and participation by everyone present makes you proud to have achieved a trip as wonderful as this.
•             By then you hear a blaring sound of music or even an annoying buzz, you turn around and switch of the alarm clock. Your eyes wide open, you know that you have to get back to Kenya, to Maasai Mara, again otherwise the recurring dreams will drive you mad.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
•             Maasai Mara National Reserve (also known as Maasai Mara or The Mara) is situated within the Great Rift Valley in the southern part of Kenya. Measuring approximately 1510sq. kilometers (approx. 938sq. miles) in size, this unfenced savannah grassland is roughly 150 miles southeast of Nairobi.
•             Maasai Mara derives its name from the indigenous people of Kenya - the Maasai tribe - and the Mara River that cuts through the park.
•             The Maasai Mara provides the best view of the famous wildebeest migration as the animals cross the Mara River between July and August.
•             The Mara is also home to the richest concentration of wildlife, including the "Big Five" (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo), zebras, antelope, gnus, Oribis, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, hartebeests, hippos, crocodiles and others. The park has the largest concentration of African lions, including the black-maned lion. Birdlife is as plentiful as wildlife at the Maasai Mara, which boasts over 400 different birds’ species.
•             The reserve's topography is mainly open savannah (grassland) with clusters of acacia trees along the southeastern area of the park. The Mara and Talek rivers grace the rolling plains of the reserve. Myriad seasonal rivers appear during the rainy season but dry out once the rains are gone.
How to Get to Maasai Mara National Reserve
•             By Road: From Nairobi, it takes about six hours to get to Maasai Mara. The roads are all weather; however, only 4WD game viewing trucks are allowed during the rainy season.
•             By Air: You can book one of the scheduled daily flights that depart from Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. Travel time is about 45 minutes and flights land at one of the three airstrips (Keekorok, Olkiombo and Musiara) that serve the park. Flights are also available from Mombasa to Maasai Mara.
•             Herds of plains zebras are found throughout the park, as well as Maasai giraffes, common giraffes, jackals, white-bearded gnus, Oribis, warthogs, Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, hartebeests, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, rare Topi antelope and beautiful rone antelope, as well as hippos and crocodiles in the Mara River.
Wildebeest Migration
•             Over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and several species of antelope make an annual circular tour between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of greener pastures.
•             The trek happens with a fair share of animal drama as the migrating herds attract the attention of hungry predators - the hyenas and lions that prey on the lame and sick animals along the way.
•             The animals trek for four months (July-October) towards the Mara. The months of July and August are the best times to see what is truly the world's most spectacular wildebeest migration and the dramatic sights that occur during the mass crossing of the swollen Mara River.
Hot Air Balloon rides
•             For the adventurous tourist who wants a sky-high view of wildlife from the air hot air balloon rides and safaris the best way to travel over the massive Maasai Mara park. Hot air balloon rides last approximately an hour and a half and often take place at dawn.
•             You will get a great view of the animals while you glide above them. Breakfast is prepared on the balloon burner upon landing.
Bird Watching
•             For bird lovers, the Mara birds come in every color and size. More than 400 bird species have already been recorded, including birds of prey.
•             You can enjoy a colorful view of birds such as vultures, ostriches, long-crested eagles, pygmy falcons, secretary birds, marabous, red-winged Schalow's turacos, white-tipped crests, ross turacos, orange buffs, Pel's fishing owls, wary guinea fowl, Jackson's bustards, black-bellied hartlaubs bustards and many others.
Maasai Cultural Tours
•             You could step back in time and visit a Maasai village where you get a chance to interact with the Maasai people in their traditional setting and experience their culture. Often the Maasai morans (young Maasai warriors) will perform their traditional dance. You also get an opportunity to purchase traditional Maasai souvenirs, art and collectibles.

 Healthy Travel Packing List
Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Kenya for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.
Nairobi city streets and other towns are NON-SMOKING ZONES but there are designated points for smoking.  Check with your tour director if you need to smoke.
---------Useful tips---------
Baggage
Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium suitcase or hold all per person, plus hand baggage (private safaris where there are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are not subject to this restriction). Visitors to treetops and the ark are asked to take overnight bags only; suitcases can be left at the base hotel. Hotels will normally store baggage at no extra cost.. A baggage weight restriction of 15 kg per person applies on air safaris. Where very small aircraft are used this maybe reduced to 10kg. 
Credit cards 
Visa, MasterCard and American express are widely accepted for tourist services. There's usually a 5% mark-up on top of the price as establishments are charged a fixed percentage of their transactions. 
Security
Normal precautions as in any other destination worldwide should be taken. Visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in their hotel rooms but to make use of safe deposit boxes and safes. One should never carry large sums in cash and women should keep a tight grip on handbags in crowds or busy streets. Jewellery snatching is quite common in city streets. As in all major cities walking alone or in small groups at night should be considered a hazard and avoided. Reliable taxis are available at all the principal hotels. Taking photographs at airports, near military installations, of policeman, the president, the national flag, the state house, state lodges, soldiers, prisons and prisoners etc., is prohibited. Before photographing local people, permission should be obtained and a fixed price agreed. Seek the assistance of your driver/guide in this matter. 
Voltage
Both mains electricity and generated supply in lodges provide 240 volts ac 50 cycles. Most large hotels and some game lodges provide shaving points with 110v 50 cycles. Sockets are normally three pin and of the 'square' variety. 
Tipping and poterage
Although hotels and lodges include a service charge, it is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers and safari drivers/guides. 
Language
Kiswahili is the lingua franca while English is the official language. In addition, most tribes have their own language. 
Post and telephones
keeping in touch by mail and telephone is generally easy. Direct overseas dialing is possible from major centers and increasingly from remote places such as game lodges. Call home bureaus are in plenty in Nairobi as are the cyber café for e-mail and Internet access. 
Arrivals and departures
Kenya has two main ports of entry by Air: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. Located 16 km from the city center. Moi international airport, Mombasa. Located 12 km from the town center. Mombasa is the main port of entry by sea. 
Airport departure tax
International airport departure tax equivalent to us$ 40 per person is payable on departure from the international airports. A local airport service charge is also payable on departure for domestic flights. As this varies from country to country, please check with us on the prevailing amounts payable prior to your flight departure. 
Opening and shopping hours
Major stores, tourist services, offices and museums open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm in large towns though offices often break for lunch. In rural areas and out in the bush small shops can be open at almost any hour. Souvenirs to take back home can include wood and soap stone sculptures and carvings, ciondos (sisal baskets), beadwork and tribal regalia, masks, textiles and gemstones set in unique jewellery pieces.
Photography
East Africa is a photographer’s haven. It is abundant in wildlife and bird life in their natural habitat, magnificent scenery, diverse culture and unlimited sunlight. It is difficult not to capture its beauty. While on safari, one must remember that the animals are not tame and it is advisable to keep a distance or remain in the vehicle.
When taking shots of local people, respect their culture and always seek permission from them first. Photography around government institutions and premises is prohibited. Tourists intending to film and take photos in parks and public city space for commercial purposes have to apply for a permit beforehand. The use of drones is not allowed.
A UV filter and lens hood is required to redu ce the glare while a camera bag comes in handy to protect the equipment from the dust.
Tipping
Most hotels, game lodges and tented camps include a service charge in their tariff, as do most restaurants. Most workers expect a tip for services offered. 
Driver guides and other safari and hiking crew will generally expect some form of gratitude if you are happy with their services. The amount is at your discretion. Recommendation for tipping can be obtained from our office and varies from program to program. 
General advice
Gratuities aren’t compulsory, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you are happy with the services provided, a tip is an appropriate way to thank them.
TIPPING GUIDE To give you a bit of guidance, we’ve put together the following tipping notes. These are just suggestions, of course.
Leaders and drivers - as a guideline USD4 to USD6 per staff member, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. It is best to then divide these amounts into separate envelopes for each crew member. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Local guides – Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your leader. We suggest USD2 to USD3 per person, per day for local guides.
Basic restaurants – When checking the bill, if there’s an addition of 10% service charge, there’s no requirement for tipping. Otherwise, 10% of the total bill amount is appropriate.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL & CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
Kenyans are welcoming and well disposed towards visitors, but you should be sensitive to local culture. Loud or aggressive behavior, drunkenness, foul language and disrespect, especially towards older people, will cause offence.
There is a high proportion of Muslims in Kenya, especially along the coast and on Mombasa and Diani. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they don’t offend.
You should dress modestly. Women should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts, and particularly in Stone Town and other places where the local population may be offended. 
Suggested Kit List
What you need to bring will vary according to your requirements. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage, and walk with it for short distances.
Below are some ideas and helpful tips on what you specifically need for this trip.
Footwear
 Sturdy, comfortable shoes, preferably waterproof. They will get dirty. Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening Comfortable, breathable socks
Clothing
Lightweight, breathable trousers
Short- sleeved shirts, cool and breathable (neutral colors are best, avoid black, dark blue and bright red)
Bathing suit if staying at a lodge with a swimming pool or if visiting Zanzibar
Long -sleeved fleece or sweater for evenings and/or early mornings
Waterproof/windproof jacket is a good idea for wet days, and early morning or evening game activities when it can be cool.
 Warm fleece and beanie for morning and evening game drives.
Women: trousers (capri-length or longer) and shirts that cover the shoulder are advisable for village visits. Lightweight dresses or skirts that cover the knees are optional depending on how rural your village visit is but can also be worn for evening dining at the accommodations.
Men: short -sleeve shirts with collars (for visiting villages or evening dining at the accommodations). Keep valuable jewellery to a minimum Note: Laundry service is available at most lodges either at a nominal cost or free of charge in some cases.
Baggage
Baggage Backpack or waterproof duffel bag Day pack
Suggested kit list
General Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Towel (or travel towel) Scarf (for dust and/or sun)
Spare batteries
 Binoculars (2 pair are standard in each vehicle)
 Money (small Kenyan bills and/or small US bills for small purchases and tips. Larger US bills and/or credit/debit cards for bigger purchases) Journal/notebook, pencil and pen
Travel adaptor
Energy bars and snacks
 Head torch or flashlight
Playing cards, games, books
Camera, memory cards, mini –tripod
Personal music device
Travel pillow
Personal toiletries Roll of toilet paper (for some public restrooms)
Water bottle
Personal medical kit
Painkillers
 Antiseptic cream
Band  Aids
Bandages and tape
Diarrhea medicine
Anti -malaria pills
Antibiotics
Insect repellent
Antihistamines
Lip balm with sunscreen
Suggested



Tuesday, 21 February 2017

The Great Rift Valley Lakes



Great Rift Valley Lakes


The Rift Valley is one of the wonders of the world, stretching from the Middle East, down through Africa, reaching as far as Mozambique. The staggering view, as you approach from Nairobi, Kenya is quite unbelievable. The ground suddenly disappears from under you to show the huge expanse of the great rift, stretching for thousands of miles in either direction.

The first lake approached is the beautiful, deep-green Lake Naivasha.Lake Naivasha Basin holds two small National Parks, both of which are well worth a visit,ie Mount Longonot National Park is based around a young volcano, which rises up to 2,776 meters and Hell's Gate National Park. Famous for its natural hot geysers, eagle and vulture breeding grounds, obsidian deposits and extinct volcanoes, it is possible to walk, game drive, camp, cycle and rock climb within the park. Beautiful rock gorges and natural steam vents add to the beauty of this tiny, 68 square km. Park. Game to view includes hyrax, buffalo, giraffe, eland, Hartebeest, lion and leopard. As with all of the Rift Valley Parks, Hell's Gate is also an ornithologist's dream. The cliffs of Hell's Gate are the breeding grounds for vultures, Verreaux Eagles, Auger Buzzards and thousands of swifts.

Heading further northwest, Lake Nakuru is the next stop. This world famous Park was created to protect its stunning flocks of lesser flamingo, which literally turn the lake shore pink in color. The park spans an attractive range of wooded and bush grassland around the lake, offering a wide range of Eco-diversity. Notable game within the lake area is hippo and the diverse bird life. Both black and white rhino are now resident in the sanctuary and Rothschild giraffe, buffalo, impala, eland, warthog, Mountain Reedbuck, klipspringers and Black and White Colobus Monkeys are all plentiful. This park is world-renowned and is a beacon for ornithologists, scientists and wildlife filmmakers.

The next lake jewel scattered along the Rift Valley floor is Lake Bogoria. Most of this reserve is covered by the lake itself, which is a spectacular sight, reflecting searing blue skies and the rose pink of flamingo. With over 135 species of bird recorded, the area is of significant ornithological interest. As does Lake Nakuru, Bogoria waters grow rich blue-green algae, which seasonally attracts thousands of flamingos. The surrounding bushed grasslands are home to a number of animals, most notably the very rare Greater Kudu antelope.

The tiny Lake Kamnarok Reserve is the last stop on this circuit. Lake Kamnarok has a diverse landscape centred around a 4,000-foot deep valley with semi-tropical vegetation on the sides contrasting with the dry thorn bush at its base. Here you can find bush pigs, waterbuck, buffalo, elephant, pelicans and grebes.

As you travel through this small section of the entire Rift Valley with the rising Mau Escarpment on one side, and the Aberdare Mountains on the other, the lush, green forests of these mountain ranges frame the arid landscape of the Valley floor.

With a huge variety of landscapes, activities, accommodation and wildlife, the Rift Valley Lakes area is an excellent part of any safari holiday.