RICHARD & BRIDGET
Kenya November 2024
DESIGNED BY PAUL HAWLEY
WELCOME
What do a polar bear, a mountain gorilla, a Bengal tiger and a desert elephant have in common? They are awesome creatures, few in number, living in places that are spectacular, wild and fragile. I marvel that we live in an age when we can even come close to creatures like these, in the world’s remotest places. And that we can stay in exclusive comfort, in the company of expert guides. And that by travelling we can contribute to these animals’ survival.
I have built a team of Journeysmiths with the ability to match your dreams and aspirations to their knowledge and experience of the world’s extraordinary places. The outcome is a holiday of a lifetime every time you travel. Our holidays go beyond “tailormade” — they are uniquely crafted and arranged and we simply adore what we do.
LAURA BURDETT-MUNNS MANAGING DIRECTOR
WHO ARE JOURNEYSMITHS?
Choosing the right company to arrange your holiday to our world’s most complex and remote locations is vitally important. Like mankind, Journeysmiths’ roots are in Africa. 30 years ago John Burdett and Warwick Hoffman, the original Journeysmiths, founded Africa Exclusive. They were, and still are fired by a passion to show clients the wild world they love, in privacy and comfort. Today, driven by that same passion, Journeysmiths arranges the finest possible holidays to amazing places across five continents for our international clientele. Each trip is expertly arranged to exactly meet each client’s requirements and interests. We are proud of our exceptional level of service, which we believe sets us apart from other holiday companies.
WHY JOURNEYSMITHS?
• We have over 30 years experience
• Our holidays are beautifully engineered
• We are passionate about quality
• We are fastidious about those tiny details
• We listen carefully, each client is unique
• We are passionate about positive impacts
• Our clients have a dedicated expert consultant
• Our prices are fair
HELPING OUT
We are passionate about protecting the world’s most fragile environments. When you travel with us you are contributing to the protection of wildlife and the environment in partnership with local communities. As well as carefully selecting our partners around the world we also give 5% of our net profit each year to supporting charities and conservation efforts in the places we work.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
You have complete financial security when you book with Journeysmiths. We are fully bonded and licenced under the Civil Aviation Authority’s ATOL scheme, licence number ATOL 2883 (Journeysmiths is a trading name of Africa Exclusive Ltd). This covers all clients who book their international flights from the UK and holiday arrangements through us. If you are arranging your own flights or you are not departing from the UK you are also protected by a separate insurance policy that we voluntarily maintain with Travel and General Insurance Services. This is called a Total Payment Protection Policy (TOPP) and the policy number is AELI/topp/20/14.
TRAVEL WELL
Travel to the world’s fragile places should benefit the habitats, wildlife and people who live there. We call this ‘travelling well’ and it is a feature of every safari we arrange.
It may seem counterintuitive that visiting a place could protect it, but staying at the right place can do just that. We actively favour safari lodges which work in partnership with local communities to conserve wildlife. We also support charities and NGOs working in our destinations.
We are fortunate enough to enjoy the incredible biodiversity this planet has to offer. We believe it is our responsibility to preserve it for future generations.
In the 30 year life of Journeysmiths, Africa's human population has doubled. The future of vulnerable species and iconic landscapes can only be assured by a mutually beneficial partnership between Africa's people and wildlife.
THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF YOUR TRIP
30 years ago we encountered Africa and fell in love with its awesome beauty. Ever since, we’ve been spreading the word, sharing our passion so that you too can experience the best of our world. In the best possible way. This means matching your individuality to a unique blend of places and experiences that fulfil your dreams and extend your horizons. It also means fighting to protect these fragile places.
The way we do this is simple but effective:
– We work with people who share our values
– We make it easy for you to see the positive impacts of your holiday
– We encourage you to get involved
– We donate a minimum of 5% of net profit to charity each year
Our planet’s remote places and wildlife are under constant threat from poaching, encroachment and climate change. We favour lodges which actively conserve the land and its wildlife. This requires dynamic partnerships with local communities which leads to them benefiting significantly from wildlife conservation.
We include details of initiatives run by each property you will visit in your travel itinerary, so that you can see the positive impact of your stay. Our team would also be delighted to discuss ways you can get more involved.
To help protect the amazing places we send our clients to; we donate 5% of our net profits each to charitable conservation projects within Africa.
We also work alongside charities that are dedicated to protecting endangered species, providing environmental education to local children and ensuring human-wildlife coexistence is sustained.
18 NOVEMBER 2024
AT A GLANCE...
AT A GLANCE... godwin party
SCHEDULED LIGHT AIRCRAFT FLIGHT DIANI UKUNDA AIRPORT TO WILSON AIRPORT 1545 - 1700 SHARED
ROAD TRANSFER WILSON AIRPORT TO NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (VIA TALISMAN RESTAURANT FOR DINNER AS NEEDED PRIVATE
BA0064 NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO LONDON HEATHROW 2325 - 0540 (+1) WORLD TRAVELLER
When searching for an African safari we found that Journeysmiths was a cut above the others.We have been on safari several times and were attracted by the more remote luxury accommodations and game viewing. From first contact with the company their professionalism and attention to detail was obvious. Everything was as advertised and we were extremely pleased with all aspects of our safari experience.
JOURNEY
ITINERARY
International flight from London Heathrow to Nairobi International Airport
Private road transfer to hotel
ACCOMMODATION
Four Points by Sheraton
Traditional King Room
1 night
INCLUSIONS
Breakfast
Four Points by Sheraton is one of only two hotels located at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Each of the 172 guest rooms are light, spacious and comfortably furnished with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning making it the ideal place to spend a night at the beginning or end of your holiday.
The facilities at the hotel are superb and include a gym and rooftop swimming pool. There is 24hour dining available at Marketplace or fresh international cuisine served at the Tazama Rooftop Bar and Grill.
COMMUNITY
Sheraton’s parent company; Marriott runs a sustainability and social impact platform, Serve 360. The brand commits to creating positive and sustainable impacts wherever the worldwide brand does business. One of their many accomplishments was the raising of US$7 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and UNICEF in 2019.
ENVIRONMENT
Marriott minimises their environmental footprint by sustainably managing energy and water use, reducing waste and carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy. They employ innovative technologies to plan, implement, track and communicate how they operate responsibly to mitigate climate-related risk.
DAYS 2 TO 4
Friday 8th - Sunday 10th November
JOURNEY
Private road transfer to Wilson Airport
Scheduled light aircraft flight to Nanyuki Airport
Road and game drive transfer into Ol Pejeta Conservancy
ACCOMMODATION
Kicheche Laikipia Camp
Luxury Tent
3 Nights
INCLUSIONS
Meals, soft drinks,local beers, wines and spirits, laundry service, and shared activities: day and night game drives, guided bush walks, mountain biking, and canoeing. Fly-camping, horse-riding, visits to the anti-poaching dog team or the endangered species enclosure, and day trips to the Ngare Ndare Forest can be arranged at additional cost.
Situated between the foot hills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an integral part of the Laikipia/Samburu ecosystem and has one of the highest wildlife densities in Kenya including all of the
Big Five (rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo and lion), a wide variety of plains game, as well as endangered species such as Jackson’s hartebeest and Grevy’s zebra.
In the heart of the conservancy sits the very comfortable Kicheche Laikipia Camp, nestled at the edge of an indigenous forest and overlooking a waterhole. It comprises just five well-appointed tents with double beds, and one family tent with two additional single beds. Each tent has a large en-suite bathroom and veranda, providing great views over the waterhole and the looming Mount Kenya in the distance. There is also a very comfortable dining and lounge tent, although superb home-cooked meals are frequently taken outside, weather permitting.
As well as exciting game drives during the day and at night, a stay at Kicheche also offers visitors the unique opportunity to gain an insight into modern wildlife conservation. In liaison with the Kenyan
Wildlife Service, Kicheche is involved in ecological monitoring of several species of flora and fauna, while it is also the location of the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa.
Kicheche Laikipia also offers some other unique activities including fascinating walking safaris on the reserve that allow you to focus on the smaller flora and fauna, learn how to track wildlife and understand the delicate balance of the various ecosystems within the conservancy. There are also thrilling mountain bike rides, canoeing in the dam in front of the camp (water levels permitting), lion tracking with the park rangers and visits to the Wildlife Educational Centre of the critically endangered Northern White Rhino enclosure within the conservancy.
CONSERVATION
Kicheche Laikipia operates with wildlife conservation in its DNA. It is not a soft footprint with Kicheche, there is no footprint at all. You will help to conserve 18-acres of wildlife habitat by funding community leases through Conservancy fees, ensuring the health and biodiversity of this fertile yet delicate ecosystem. As wildlife conservation champions, 25% of the camp’s turnover goes into wildlife conservation, securing wildlife habitat and management of conservancies.
ENVIRONMENT
The camp has solar panels fitted, used for lighting, running refrigerators and water heating. The energy is metered at source and daily records are kept to monitor consumption. Also, Kicheche offers a farm to table dining experience; greens and vegetable produce are sourced from the eco-friendly garden and they ensure only farmers who use environment-friendly ways of farming are used.
COMMUNITY
Kicheche supports 6 schools throughout Kenya. Over the years, Kicheche Trust has built and maintained several school classrooms, sponsored a primary school teacher and has funded his further education studies. They have donated thousands of school books and stationery and donated towards a school bus as well as funding 20 educational bursaries. At Kicheche Laikipia, the camp supports a children’s home with clothes, beddings, mattresses,
DAYS 5 TO 7
Monday 11th - Wednesday 13th November
JOURNEY
Game drive and road transfer Nanyuki Airport
Scheduled light aircraft flight to Masai Mara
Game drive transfer to camp
ACCOMMODATION
Kicheche Mara Camp
Luxury Tent
3 nights
INCLUSIONS
Meals, soft drinks, local beers, wines and spirits, limited laundry service and shared activities: game drives, guided walks, picnics, sundowners and a Maasai community visit. Fly camping is available at additional cost for a minimum of two people and must be pre-booked. A visit to the Mara Elephant Project is possible for a donation of US$100 per person.
A hot air balloon safari with bush breakfast has been included for the morning of Day 7.
Adjoining the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Masai Mara is one of the world’s most famous and spectacular game viewing regions.
Covering an area of over 1800 square kilometres, vast expanses of undulating grassy plains roll from horizon to horizon dotted with acacia trees and isolated rocky outcrops.
These rich grasslands and watering places sustain thousands of elephant, graceful-looking giraffe and big herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. A host of smaller creatures such as baboon, warthog, hyena and jackal call the Mara home, while there are also myriad antelope species, from fleet-footed topi to majestic-looking kudu and diminutive dik dik. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where visitors may see animals in the same super abundance as existed a century ago.
The Mara is home to the largest population of lions in Kenya. Though these magnificent beasts spend most of the day sleeping in the shade of acacia trees, they are always alert for the chance to make an easy meal out of larger herbivores. The smaller plains game are often targets for cheetah, which can be seen chasing down prey across the savannah.
The waters of the Mara River are renowned for huge numbers of crocodiles and pods of hippo, whilst the acacia woodlands and riverine forests are favoured by opportunistic leopard who use their stealth and cunning to ambush antelope and other smaller creatures.
The birdlife in the Mara region is equally as abundant and even more varied. Eagles soar high overhead, vultures dance around carcasses, and hundreds of other species of beautiful birds both great and small provide a continual source of interest.
Kicheche Mara Camp is situated on the private Mara North Conservancy. The camp is tucked away in a large copse of indigenous trees (olive, croton and euclea) with excellent access to areas rich in wildlife and flora. The view from the camp stretches out across the rolling hills and plains.
Each of the seven spacious double tents has comfortable furnishings, an en-suite bathroom with traditional bush shower, and veranda overlooking a seasonal stream where resident birdlife often keep you entertained. There is also a huge family suite with two bedrooms (one double, one twin/triple) that can accommodate five people. The bedrooms each have their own en-suite bathroom and are connected by a central lounge area with comfortable sofa and area for private dining if desired. Families of four or more will also be guaranteed their own private guide and game vehicle.
There is a spacious main lounge tent with comfortable seating and library and a well-sited fully equipped mess/dining tent with fly-screened sides. Lighting at night as much as possible is by solar power but each tent is also provided with a hurricane light. The fully equipped camp kitchen provides delicious food cooked by an experienced safari chef and you will dine al fresco at every opportunity.
As the camp is situated on a private conservancy, there is plenty of opportunity to take part in a variety of activities that wouldn’t be possible if staying within the reserve itself. Game drives during the day and at night are a must and are the best way to get up close and personal to all of the big game in the region. You will be accompanied by a knowledgeable Maasai guide who will use their expertise to ensure that you enjoy the ultimate African safari experience. The Maasai also take care of you in camp, adding local colour and interest as well as ensuring your safety and comfort.
One day you may choose to head out on a full day game drive into the Masai Mara National Reserve itself, possibly heading towards the rivers and key crossing points if the migration is passing through the region. You might stop for a picnic lunch under an acacia tree before making your way back to camp and enjoying an evening in your private piece of Africa. Another day you may choose to stay closer to camp, exploring the game-rich plains all around you and so avoiding the crowds and minibuses commonly found in the reserve proper.
The camps ethos is to provide an adventurous, authentic and diverse Masai Mara safari experience. There is wide variety of activities available that wouldn’t be possible if staying within the reserve itself. Game drives are the very best way to get up close and personal with all of the wildlife in the region and allow you to cover the widest area though there is superb walking in the surrounding hills, across the open plains and in the forested valleys. Local Maasai guides will enhance your walk, focussing on the smaller flora and fauna so often missed on game drives.
One day you may choose to head out on a full day game drive into the Masai Mara Reserve itself, possibly heading towards the rivers and key crossing points if the migration is passing through the region. You may then stop for a picnic lunch under an Acacia tree before making your way back to camp. Another day you may choose to explore the private wilderness area surrounding the camp and so avoiding the crowds and minibuses commonly found in the reserve proper. Elephant Pepper truly embodies a “best of both worlds” camp and allows you to enjoy every aspect of this magical land to the fullest.
The rolling hills, vast open plains, and thick forest of the conservancy also offers guests the opportunity to experience exhilarating walking safaris with your Maasai guide, looking more closely at the flora and fauna surrounding you, understanding the delicate balances in play in the eco-system and learning wildlife tracking, bushcraft and hunter-gatherer techniques that have remained effective and unchanged for millennia.
There is also a strong cultural focus at the camp with staff and guides keen to pass on the bush craft and knowledge passed down to them through many generations.
The camp has strong ties and gives great support to local communities and they will always be keen for you to visit a local manyatta to gain an understanding of the way of life of these seminomadic people in a very authentic way – free from gimmicks and pressure to purchase items. The owners are very careful to visit villages only rarely in order that guests can experience a true reflection of Maasai life.
On the morning of Day 7 you will enjoy an exciting hot-air balloon safari. As the sun rises the balloon slowly lifts above the trees to catch the early morning current. Drifting silently above the ground reveals a new dimension to the landscape of the Loita Hills and Masai Mara. During the one-hour flight you may see wildebeest, buffalo, elephant and lion before descending slowly onto the open plain. A sumptuous champagne breakfast is served before returning to the camp.
Fly Camping is a very adventurous, private and unique experience (at an additional cost and must be pre-booked). Offered as part of a walking safari, you are accompanied by an armed guide and spend the afternoon walking to the fly camp. This provides a special opportunity to get a grasp on what is happening in the ecosystem on ground level while still being surrounded by fantastic wildlife experiences.
The night is spent sitting around the campfire under a starry sky, cooking on the open fire and joining in conversations about the day’s events and listening with tingling spine as a lion roars or a hyena cackles in the night air. A chef stands ready to prepare a traditional Kenyan three course meal on the fire using cast iron black pots and grills. The large canvas dome tent, foam mattress, quality linen, cushions and hot water bottles will make drifting away to a relaxed sleep an easy endeavour though many guests prefer to stay awake and absorb the sounds of the African night.
CONSERVATION
Kicheche Mara operates with wildlife conservation in its DNA. It is not a soft footprint with Kicheche, there is no footprint at all. You will help to conserve 18-acres of wildlife habitat by funding community leases through Conservancy fees, ensuring the health and biodiversity of this fertile yet delicate ecosystem. As wildlife conservation champions, 25% of the camp’s turnover goes into wildlife conservation, securing wildlife habitat and management of conservancies.
COMMUNITY
The community engagement of Kicheche is implemented through the Kicheche Community Trust. Kicheche Mara Camp funds part of the Trust with a donation of $5 per bed night to support surrounding communities. The Kicheche Community Trust is championing the following four pillars and there is a community Trust ambassador in each camp to help supervise the implementation of projects; Environment, Education, Health, and Empowerment.
ENVIRONMENT
Kicheche Mara Camp is a proud member of The Long Run, one of the world’s largest sustainable development initiatives led by nature-based businesses. The vision of the organiSation is of a world in which business, nature and people work harmoniously together for a sustainable future. The Long Run aims to excel in the highest standards of sustainability via the 4Cs — Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Together, the members conserve 21 million acres of land, touch the lives of 750,000 community members in 120 cultures in all parts of the world.
DAYS 8 TO 11
Thursday 14th - Sunday 17th November
JOURNEY
Game drive transfer to airstrip
Scheduled light aircraft flight to Diani
Private road transfer to hotel
ACCOMMODATION
Kinondo Kwetu
Mama Taa Villa
4 nights
INCLUSIONS
Meals, soft drinks, local beers, house wines and spirits, tennis, canoeing, kayaking, use of snorkelling equipment, yoga and gym equipment.
All other activities at additional cost
Kinondo Kwetu is an idyllic coastal hideaway situated on a tranquil private beach on the Kenyan Coast just 30 minutes from Ukunda Airport.
Privately owned and run by Swedish couple Filip and Ida Andersson, Kinondo Kwetu is often described as a ‘home away from home’. With
room for no more than 38 guests amongst the manicured lawns, lush vegetation and winding pathways you will always find your own private spot for relaxation. With no hotels or other properties in close proximity, the hotel is perfect for a few days of peaceful relaxation, or as a ‘winddown’ after an exciting few days on safari.
The suites, private cottages and family rooms are furnished and decorated with Swahili culture handicraft and antiquities and they are all just a stone’s throw from the inviting water of the Indian Ocean. All double rooms are equipped with king size beds and all rooms have fans and mosquito nets. Kinondo Kwetu is renowned for its cuisine, which benefits from locally produced fruits and vegetables. Three-course lunches and dinners are served al fresco, with fresh fish and seafood being natural favourites.
Kinondo Kwetu is renowned for its cuisine, which benefits from locally produced fruits and vegetables. Three-course lunches and dinners are served al fresco, with fresh fish and seafood being natural favourites.
The beautiful blue seas of the Indian Ocean offer great opportunities for scuba diving and there is a PADI diving centre here. You can also enjoy snorkelling or deep-sea fishing. In the green shady gardens that extend down to a white sandy beach there are two pools, one of them with a depth that allows training for PADI diving certificate.
It has its own riding stables and you can go cantering down the white sandy beach or gently trot through the surrounding forest. There is a tennis court and Kinondo Kwetu’s dhow and outriggers are out on the water, waiting to take you sailing, while for those seeking more leisurely pursuits there is relaxing spa which has a sauna and for an additional cost offers treatments such as massage, facials, manicures and pedicures.
Excursions can be arranged along the coast to nearby islands and up the river looking for crocodiles. If you want to see wildlife, Shimba Hills National Park is only a short drive away. The Leisure Lodge Golf Club is just 15 minutes away, while quad-biking and cultural visits can also be arranged.
CONSERVATION
Kinondo Kwetu has a direct involvement with conservation of the wildlife that resides on the Kenyan coast. They are members of the Colobus Trust, a charity that promotes the conservation, preservation and protection of the nationally threatened Angolan colobus monkey and its coastal forest habitat in south eastern Kenya. They are also sponsors of the Whale Shark Trust; a conservational trust that aims to protect species, manage fisheries and promote responsible trade, reducing the demand for non-sustainable shark
COMMUNITY
During its 10 years, Kinondo Kwetu Medical Centre has improved the general health of the local people in Kinondo villages in the following ways: The mortality rate among mothers, infants and children has been brought down significantly. Pregnant women come for antenatal visits to the centre, which has brought down the number of stillborn babies. Malaria infections are cured and do not result in death, unless there is complication caused by another disease. Patients suffering from HIV, TB and diabetes are treated, resulting in a great improvement of their life quality. Babies born by HIV-positive mothers are not infected and stay negative.
Kinondo Kwetu Trust Fund supports Kinondo Primary school by providing for salaries for extra teachers to meet the growing demand of children in education. Furthermore, before the hotel’s involvement, the school was in poor condition. The fund has supported the school’s improvement of the premises and made it a safe place for the children of Kinondo to use.
DAY 12
Monday 18th January
JOURNEY
Private road transfer to airport
Scheduled light aircraft flight to Wilson Airport
Private road transfer to Nairobi International Airport via Talisman Restaurant
International flight to London Heathrow
PRICING INFORMATION
The price of this itinerary (subject to availability) on the basis that you book directly with us, departing in November 2024 travelling as a party of two adults is: £8,528 per person
Inclusions:
• Accommodation as detailed
• International Flights (British Airways - Premium Economy)
• Scheduled light aircraft flights
• Private road transfers
Exclusions:
• Any items not detailed in the travel itinerary
Notes:
• Meals and drinks as listed
• Game viewing activities as listed
• Hot Air Balloon Safari (2 PAX)
• Pre-payable park/concession fees
• Tips
Inclusions are subject to change at the discretion of the property.
Luggage is restricted to 15kg per person on light aircraft flights within Kenya, it is usually possible to store additional luggage if required at a nominal additional cost.
In some circumstances passengers weighing 100kg or more may require an extra seat on light aircraft flights for comfort and safety purposes. Please note that additional charges for those exceeding the above weight restrictions may be made by the aircraft operators at check-in, alternatively we can book additional seats in advance to avoid additional costs once your holiday has commenced.
All the photos contained in this itinerary are illustrative of the lodges, transport and sights you will see on your holiday. Please note however that we cannot guarantee that you will see all the animals and birds shown as these are wild creatures and not under our control. Equally where specific food or drink, or furniture/furnishings are shown, these may not be identical to those you will experience.
If flights have been included within your booking then unless provisionally held for you, these are subject to change and any increases in fares at the time of booking will be passed on. Similarly, if booking a trip inclusive of flights more than 11 months in advance we will try to give as accurate an indicative cost as possible, but exact flight costs will need to be obtained once flight fares become available and as such, any variance will be reflected in your final balance.
Journeysmiths
t. 01604 628979 f. 01604 639879
e. paul@journeysmiths.co.uk w. www.journeysmiths.co.uk
April 2024
VISAS & PASSPORT INFORMATION
VISAS
COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED NATIONALITY VISA REQUIRED VISA COST
Kenya
British Yes (evisa online)
Whilst we endeavour to keep up with the latest information regarding visas and entry requirements for each country, we recommend that clients contact the relevant Embassy or High Commission to obtain further information and up to date fees.
PASSPORTS
Kenya
2
The passports required validity period is from the date of your departure from that country (note: regulations on this vary so please double-check with us if you have less than specified duration on your passport).
Please ensure you have sufficient blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) available in your passport for the countries to be visited.
VACCINATIONS INFORMATION
VACCINATIONS
COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED MALARIA PROPHYLACTICS ADVISED?
YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION ADVISED?
Kenya Yes No
YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATE REQUIRED?
**Yes
** This country requires you to have a yellow fever vaccination (or exemption certificate) only if you have recently visited a place where yellow fever is endemic.
JOURNEYSMITHS
18 Mobbs Miller House Christchurch Road Northampton NN1 5LL
T: +44 (0) 1604 637332
E: enquiries@journeysmiths.co.uk
www.journeysmiths.co.uk