HUNTING IN KENYA (PHOTOGRAPHIC)

2005-12-22T06:17:00.000-08:00

CAPTURING “THE BIG FIVE”

Who are the ‘Big Five ’ in Kenya.

The present title holders are; the elephant , the rhino, the buffalo, the lion and the leopard so- called because they were the preferred shooting targets of the erstwhile ‘ Great White Hunters ’, the romantic heroes of the early days of the traditional ‘safaris’. Nowadays the only shots to be fired on safari are on film , but that doesn’t stop most visitors from developing an overwhelming urge to capture all of the famous five , on film , video or crossed off the list in their guide books.

As a result ,binoculars in hand , cameras primed and eyes out on stalks , thousands of latter –day .Khaki –clad hunters scan the horizons , comb the grasslands , hunt through the thickets and peer up into trees in search of the uncontested superstars of the wildlife world. The trouble is that in a country the size of Kenya , with celebrities as reclusive and cunning as this elusive quintet , what do you look for precisely ? And --- where , exactly ?

It’s a bit of a conundrum. Especially if you’re trying to spot an elephant by looking for a large grey shape in Tsavo National Park ; where the largest herds are reputedly to be found . If so you will be sadly disappointed because when in Tsavo you need to look for a large pink shape .Why ? Because the Tsavo elephants rather confusingly cover themselves with the local deep, red iron-oxide soil , to keep a way the insects .
The truth is that the best , indeed the almost guaranteed elephant spot is to be found at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park . Here , vast herds of elephant , up to their stomach in water , can be spotted feeding on the lush green grasses of the Amboseli swamps. What’s more there grey –brown colour stands out clearly against the bright green grass , making them absurdly easy to discover . Also because researchers have been tracking the herds for the past 20years , the Amboseli elephants are familiar with humans and relatively un-phased by close-up viewing !Keep an eye on the large matriarch though , who tends to be VERY protective of her family .
If it’s the ‘Big Cats’ that head up your ‘Big Five’ wish list , then head immediately to Masai Mara National Reserve where the wide-open plains and the tree - linked rivers offer happy hunting ground for lion and leopard alike .The cool , shady thickets also provide lion- resting stations for the large prides that return , replete and tired , from the hectic night’s hunting .A good trick is to keep an eye open for a twitching ear or a sudden flush of creamy - white fur as a lioness rolls lazily over and exposes her stomach to the sun! You might also see cubs tumble out of the bush in a flurry of fur ,paws and claws ; much too engrossed in their wrestling match to realize that their cover is blown.
When looking for the ever- elusive leopard , watch out for the giveaway swinging tail ; usually high up in a tree where , draped across a tree branch and cleverly camouflaged , the leopard itself will be totally hidden , the long tail the only clue to his lounging presence . An exceptionally shy and solitary animal , the leopard is seldom found in company and since each animal an individual territory , the only viable way to search him out is often by seeking local advice .Dawn and dusk are the best viewing times , but keep an eye on the shadow at the bottom of the tree. It might just walk off into the long grass.

As for the highly endangered rhino ,these great , grey prehistoric creatures are best found in thick ,scrubby bush ; particularly in those sanctuaries that have been founded to protect them .These include the sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park and a number of private sanctuaries around Solio and the Lewa Downs in Laikipia .
Large , lumbering and very short sighted , this grayish-brown herbivore is surprisingly good at hiding in thickets and is often only given a way by the mound of droppings , known as a rhino midden , that he leaves behind .Look also for telltale movements as the rhino stamp their feet or swish their stubby tails against a branch .

On all the Big Five the buffalo are by far the easiest to bag , because huge herds roam the Mara , Tsavo , Laikipia , Amboseli , the Aberdares and the slopes of both Mount Elgon and Mount Kenya. The best clues to their presence are the dark shadows that dot the hillsides and betray a herd of buffalo on the move .Beware though , because up-close buffalo herds can become decidedly skittish and often break into a lumbering run at approach of a vehicle .

Perhaps the best buffalo photo-opportunity is that offered by a grumpy old male alone in dense thicket from whence only a large yellow- brown eye gleams and a wet black nose protrudes . But don’t get too close ! Buffalo are probably the most dangerous of all the Big Five !

And when all else fails and the hunting hints have let you down why not try tiny Lake Nakuru National Park ? Famous for its pink flamingoes this park also offers a rhino sanctuary , some remarkable tree- climbing lions and a large leopard population.
So you might get three out of five of the big ones , all in one go .

For all the safari information on the BIG FIVE SAFRI please check www.silverafricatours.com or contact as direct on email ; odekfred@silverafricatours.co.ke .

Happy Hunting in Kenya.

By Odek Fred.

MANAGING DIRECTOR
SILVER AFRICA TOURS.

odekfred@silverafricatours.co.ke

DIANI REEF BEACH RESORT & SPA.

2005-12-22T05:55:00.000-08:00

As a tour operator i wish to let the travelling world to know that effective this month of December 2005 Diani Reef Beach Hotel &SPA will not be taking any bookings on all inclusive basis , all the bookings to this hotel will be on halfboard or bed and breakfast basis. Remember 2006 will be a great holiday year in Kenya and only those who are able to make early reservations will be able to get space in some of the best properties in our beaches like this resort.

Silver Africa Tours being one of the official approved agents for Diani Reef Beach Resort & SPA will be ready and willing to assit you or your agency with bookings to this hotel and any sort of excursions or tours you would wish to take in Kenya in the coming year.

I trust you will be able to make time and drop us an email at odekfred@silverafricatours.co.ke or just log into our website www.silverafricatours.com to be able to verify information or contact us for any assitance with your holiday either in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda .

Happy holidays .

Odek Fred
Silver Africa Tours.

Wildbeast migration in 2006 Masai Mara Kenya.

2005-12-20T06:39:00.000-08:00

As we close the year and work on 2006 itineraries it is worth noting that 2006 will be a great year for tourists looking to visit Kenya and Tanzania to view the wildlife spectacle that is ussually at its peak in the month of July to October . The disturbing issue will be the fact that only those travellers who are able to make early reservations will be able to get space in some of this great parks namely Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru , Amboseli , Tsavo , Serengeti , Ngorongoro and Tarangire as accommodation space is a great determining factor on the numbers this parks can accommodate at a particular time .

We at Silver Africa Tours are already working on this issue and itineraries are already prepared for 2006 to ensure that would be travellers can be assisted this early to avoid any last minute rush , with our flexible booking policies travellers will not need to commit colossal amounts of cash to book a tour or safari with us but just pay a small fee and that will be enough to reserve your holiday in one of the best parks in East Africa.

One more advantage is that you choose your itinerary under our stewardship and work with an itinerary that best suits you and family or friends and travel in serenity enjoying the company of the people you know and making new friends in the process.

At Silver Africa Tours the Wild of Africa is within your reach.

By Odek Fred
www.silverafricatours.com

EAST AFRICA

HUNTING IN KENYA (PHOTOGRAPHIC)

DIANI REEF BEACH RESORT & SPA.

Wildbeast migration in 2006 Masai Mara Kenya.