United Holidays Pty. Ltd.
Transcription
United Holidays Pty. Ltd.
Kenya SPECTACULAR United holidays pty ltd UNITED HOLIDAYS KENYA SAFARI United Holidays Pty Limited, with experience stretching back well over 30 years, assures you full attention to all those little details that turn a safari into a great and memorable vacation. We know from experience that an African safari is one important event in life. It is worth keeping in mind that no one will show you firsthand the wonders of Kenya (and the wider East Africa) better than the people who live and work in this country, the original safari destination. We have devoted staff and guides who are experts in their field and speak fluent English. United Holidays Pty Limited invites you to discover Kenya, home of Safari, where daybreak in the African wilderness ushers in a world quite apart from what many of us would call the norm. An amphitheater where the show does not end and for which there is not a script. The lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard, elephant, wildebeest, zebra, baboon, hippo...the list is endless, and they all have a unique part to play. Geography Kenya lies astride the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. It is a mediumsized country by continental standards covering an area of about 586,600km sq. Inland water bodies cover some 10,700km sq, the bulk of this in Lakes Victoria and Turkana. The coastline, about 550km long, faces the Indian Ocean. Kenya has tremendous topographical diversity, including glaciated mountains with snow-capped peaks, the Rift Valley with its scarps and volcanoes, ancient granitic hills, flat desert landscapes and coral reefs and islets. However, the basic configuration is simple. Coastal plains give way to an inland plateau that rises gradually to the central highlands, which are the result of the relatively recent volcanic activity associated with the formation of the Great Rift Valley, home to Kenya’s world beating middle and long distance runners. Language The national language of Kenya is Kiswahili. English is the official language, used in business, the media, parliament and as a medium of instruction in schools and colleges. Kiswahili is the most widely spoken African language. Kenyans speak a total of 42 African languages, some of which are dialects of the same language. The average Kenyan therefore speaks at least 3 different languages. Religion 70% of Kenya’s population are Christian (40% Protestant and 30% Roman Catholic), 7% are Muslim who mainly live along the coast, whilst the rest comprise adherants of indeginous African religions. Credit Cards All banks and major tourist establishments accept credit cards. Money The official currency of Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh). Bank notes come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000Ksh. Tipping Tipping is customary in Kenya for driver guides and game lodge and hotel porters. $20 Australian per day is customary for driver guides. You may tip hotel and game lodge porters anything between $2 and $4 per service, which is usually upon arriving and leaving a hotel or game lodge. Please note, tipping is not widely practiced outside game lodges and hotels. Clothing Casual, lightweight, and comfortable clothing is usually the best. Clothing should be of neutral colour, and white, bright or vividly patterned clothing avoided. Studies have proven that most African game animals are able to see bright blue over any other colour! Useful Phone Numbers Tamasha Afrika Phone: 254-20-4451074/5 and 254-723-944-530 Fax: 254-20-4451075 Web Address: www.tamasha-afrika.com Visas All citizens of Australia and New Zealand (both adults and children) are required to hold valid visas to enter into Kenya. Visas are obtained from the Kenya High Commission in Canberra. Short term visas are valid for ninety (90) days. We can, upon request, arrange your visa for you. Average temperatures in degrees Celcius Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Nairobi 27 2827 2625 24 232327 2725 25 Mombasa 32 32 33 31 29 29 28 28 29 30 31 32 Average Rainfall in Millimeters: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Nairobi 49 36 85 153 126 32 13 18 21 48 132 75 Mombasa 17 10 30 108 149 54 34 47 46 62 66 32 The Kenya Expedition 10 Night/11 Day Safari Price $8888 per person Price is based on twin share accomodation. Package includes: ~ Return Economy airfares ex Sydney including all taxes. ~ All transfers to and from airports in Kenya. All expenses related to the itinerary as follows: ~ All lodges and hotel accommodation with all meals as per the itinerary. ~Hotel arrangements on a full board basis while on Safari unless otherwise stated. ~Air costs for regional charter flights if indicated in the itinerary. ~Entrance fees to all places of interest and to all wildlife reserves included in the itinerary. ~Safari car with an English-speaking driver guide. Optional Excursions Optional excursions may be purchased up to 30 days prior to departure or while on tour. The optional excursions include a balloon safari in the Maasai Mara, a short visit or stay at the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi and a visit to a Maasai village. Day 1 - Sankara Hotel You will spend your first night in Kenya at the Sankara Nairobi. With ample shopping options available close by, Sankara Nairobi combines international 5 star standards with personal service and the authentic flavour of the new Africa. Sankara Nairobi are about contemporary style with signature regional references. Genuine works of modern East African art are exhibited. Day 2 & 3 - Amboseli National Park Amboseli National Park is at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. Situated 280 km from Nairobi, the 320sq km National Park provides breathtaking views of wildlife against the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro, creating one of the finest photogenic backdrops to a game park. Much of Amboseli is dry and desert-like. In dramatic contrast to the dry areas of Amboseli, are two swamps, both fed by underground streams from the melting snows of Mt Kilimanjaro. Wildlife on the plains of the park is easy to spot, attracted by vegetation fed by the underground streams. Elephant, buffalo, lion, gazelle, cheetah, wildebeest, hyena, jackal, warthog, giraffe, zebra and baboon are all present. Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Situated in the heart of the Amboseli National Park with views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Ol Tukai Lodge is one of the best spots in the world to watch elephants. The lodge is a high-class tourist resort in one of East Africa’s most fascinating wildlife and nature parks, and continues to be very popular with international tourists. The design concept of the property was inspired by the beautiful topography to take full advantage of the flat planes on one side and the lush acacia tree forest on the other. The property also overlooks the Amboseli plains to the south. Writers have described Ol Tukai and the surrounding Amboseli National Park ‘as a home for the Gods’. Ol Tukai is an Eco-rated lodge having excellent outdoor and indoor facilities with its unique collection of African art. The property receives overwhelming reviews from the international and local tourism market. Day 4 - Lake Nakuru National Park Lake Nakuru National Park was created in 1968 to protect the huge flocks of over a million the lesser flamingo that breed and nest at the edge of lake, giving it the characteristic pink rim at times. Located at an altitude of 1,220 - 1,757 meters above sea level, the park covers 188 sq km. The vegetation is mainly wooded and bushy grassland with a wide ecological diversity. Situated within this park is Lake Nakuru, one of the soda lakes on the basin of the Rift Valley. The normally watercovered surface of the lake occupies about a third of the park. The lake water supports a dense bloom of the blue-green Cyanophyte Spirulina Platensis from which it derives its colour and which is the major food source for the flamingo. The park is home not only to the lesser flamingo but to over 400 species of birds, and one of the few places in which to see the endangered white rhino. Other wildlife at the park include lion, leopard, zebra, gazelle, eland, giraffe and the rock hyrax. A magnificent and breath taking sunset can be seen from the top of the Baboon Cliffs. Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is nestled along the Lion Hill overlooking Lake Nakuru. Its location affords panoramic vistas of the lake. A short two hour drive from Nairobi, the lodge is a favourite with residents and visitors to Kenya. The lodge incorporates natural landscaping with tall acacia trees, winding walkways and greens dotted with bird feed. It is a natural haven for bird life and attracts over 50 species of birds amongst the 400 species that inhabit the Park. Day 5 & 6 - Maasai Mara Game Reserve The Maasai Mara, located to the South-West of Kenya, occupies 1,672sq km of designated wildlife reserve and forms part of the Mara-Serengeti complex. These endless plains of East Africa are the setting for the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle where, from the vast Serengeti plains to the champagne colored hills of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, over 1.3 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra and gazelle, relentlessly tracked by Africa’s great predators, migrate in a clock wise fashion over 2,800 kms each year in search of rain ripened grass. The Maasai who live within close proximity of the park enjoy a peaceful co-existence with the wildlife, as they have done over many centuries. Bird life is prolific here and includes some 50 or so birds of prey. Vultures may be seen often hovering above a kill, waiting for remnants of the carcass. Maasai Mara is the perfect wildlife sanctuary. Many who have visited this reserve share our opinion. The temperature is never too hot, nor too cold. The rolling plains are not covered by too much vegetation so that the animals are never too hard to find. Mara Sopa Game Lodge The Maasai Mara boasts a number of wonderful lodges. One of the oldest, the Mara Sopa Game Lodge, is located on the slopes of Oloongams Hills. The bulildings are based on traditional African architecture, with varied and beautiful flora (including large desert cacti and sweet smelling jasmine flowers) all around. Visitors may relax by the pool prior to the afternoon game drive, watch a Maasai Warrior dance after dinner, then from a safe distance on the balcony, witness the feeding of the hyenas. Day 8 & 9 - Samburu National Reserve Situated in semi-arid Northern Kenya around the Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu National Reserve is one of the lesser known parks. It nevertheless has abundant wildlife. The reserve is characterised by open savannah plains that are broken only occasionally by small rugged hills. Samburu is becoming one of the most popular game parks in Kenya after the Mara, partly due to its close proximity to Nairobi - 350 kilometres. The game park’s permanent water supply attracts numerous wildlife species in the dry season. These include the rare northern species such as the Gravy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and beisa oryx, a group sometimes referred to as the “Samburu special five” The reserve is also popular with elephant, leopard and lion. Samburu National Reserve is famous for the lioness Kamunyak (Blessed One) Kamunyak adopted at least 6 oryx calves, fighting off predators and lion prides which attempted to eat her charges. She suffered starvation, since the calves would not act like lion cubs and wait somewhere while she hunted. Crocodiles are a common sight along the rivers, and wild dogs may also be seen here. The reserve offers excellent bird-watching opportunities for the bird lover. Samburu Simba Lodge Samburu Simba Lodge enjoys an unobstructed view to the Uaso Nyiro River bank and waterhole from where you may witness elephants and other animals coming insearch of water. Birding enthusiasts would not be disappointed as there are numerous birds around the lodge including vereaux’s eagle-owl, night heron bristle-crowned starling and orange-bellied parrots. The lodge offers some 70 single rooms, double and interconnecting rooms, and Photograph by N. Ndiba tarraces facing the river. Day 10 Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club Originally the retreat of movie star and Club founder, William Holden, the Club’s illustrious former members have included Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby. There are many recreational activities available, including horseback riding, golf, croquet, a bowling green, table tennis, swimming and much more. With magnificent views of majestic Mount Kenya, the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club Resort’s 120 luxuriously appointed hotel rooms, set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens, offer a unique blend of comfort and relaxation after your safari. Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is the ideal base for a truly superb holiday in Nanyuki, Kenya. SAFARI ITINERARY NAIROBI – AMBOSELI – L. NAKURU – MAASAI MARA – NAIROBI – SAMBURU – MT. KENYA - DEPART. Day 1: Nairobi (Sankara Nairobi – BB) relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. check in, lunch is served. Rest. You will be met at the airport on arrival and Available: Swimming pool, Gift shop, indoor bar. • 1600hrs: Afternoon game drive begins. driven to Sankara Nairobi for bed and breakfast Attractions: Rhinos, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Leopard, • 1830hrs: Arrive back at the lodge for accommodation. Flamingo. relaxation, dinner and overnight stay Available: Gift shop, business centre, indoor Road condition: Dirt road for 80kms, Tarmac road Available: Swimming pool, gift shop, indoor and outdoor bar, swimming pool. for 370kms. and outdoor bar. Attractions: Gravy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Road condition: Tarmac for 20kms. DAY 5: Maasai Mara National Reserve oryx, Somali ostrich. Day 2: Amboseli National Park (Mara Sopa Lodge – FB) Road condition: 320kms tarmac, 30kms (Ol Tukai Lodge – FB) • 0600hrs: Morning call, breakfast served. dirt road. • 0600hrs: Morning call, breakfast served at • 0730hrs: Leave Sarova Lion Hill for Maasai Sankara Hotel. Mara. You will make a brief stop at Narok Town Day 9: Samburu National Reserve • 0730hrs: Check out of the hotel. You will be then proceed on to Maasai Mara. There will be (Samburu Simba Lodge – FB) picked up from the hotel by our driver, leave a long stretch of road where you will be driving • 0600hrs: Early morning game drive. for Amboseli. Take a short break at Namanga on the floor of the Rift Valley, exit the valley on • 0830hrs: Back to the lodge for breakfast. Rest. Town. Namanga is the border town between the western edge then drive through Maasai • 1230hrs: Arrive at the lodge. Rest. Lunch Kenya and Tanzania. Country to Maasai Mara. is served. • 1230hrs: Arrive at Ol Tukai Lodge. Check in. • 1230hrs: Check in at Mara Sopa Lodge. • 1600hrs: Afternoon game drive begins. Lunch is served. Leisure time. Lunch. Rest. • 1830hrs: Arrive back at the lodge for • 1600hrs: Afternoon game drive begins. relaxation, dinner and overnight stay • 1600hrs: Afternoon game drive begins. •1830hrs: Arrive back at the lodge for • 1830hrs: Dinner and an overnight stay at Mara relaxation, dinner and an overnight stay. Sopa Lodge. Day 10: Mt. Kenya (Mt. Kenya Safari Club – FB) Available: Swimming pool, gift shop, indoor and Available: Swimming pool, gift shop, indoor bar. • 0600hrs: Morning call, breakfast served. outdoor bar. Attractions: The big five – Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, • 0800hrs: Leave Samburu Simba Lodge, drive to Attractions: Awsome views of Mt Kilimanjaro, Elephant and Rhino. Magnificent scenery. Mt. Kenya region. huge heards of elephant, balloon safari. Road condition: Tarmac road for about 240kms, • 1100hrs: Check in at Mt. Kenya Safari Club. Road condition: Tarmac road for about 200kms, dirt road fo 80kms. You will have some free time before lunch. dirt road for 80kms. • 1230hrs: Lunch is served. More leisure time. Day 6: Maasai Mara National Reserve (Mara You will spend the whole afternoon relaxing. Day 3: Amboseli National Park Sopa Lodge – FB) • 1930hrs: Formal dinner – Ladies are required (Ol Tukai Lodge – FB) • 0600hrs: Early morning game drive. to wear dresses and gentlemen are required to • 0600hrs: Early morning game drive. • 0830hrs: Back to the lodge for breakfast. wear Jackets and formal pants and shoes. • 0830hrs: Back to the lodge for breakfast. • 1030hrs: Leave the lodge with picnic lunch for No sneakers. Leisure time. an extended game drive to the Mara River. Available: Heated Swimming pool, Golf, Spa, • 1230hrs: Lunch is served at the lodge. • 1230hrs: Break for lunch at the Mara River. Animal Orphanage, Horseriding, Trout fishing, Leisure time. • 1330hrs: Game drive continues. Fireplaces in room. • 1600hrs: Afternoon game drive begins. • 1700hrs: Arrive back at the lodge for relaxation, Attractions: This is a relaxing five star facility after • 1830hrs: Arrive back at the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. a long safari. Awesome views of Mt. Kenya. Road condition: 20kms dirt road, 160kms relaxation, dinner and an overnight stay. Day 7: Nairobi (Sankara Nairobi – BB) tarmac road. Day 4: Lake Nakuru National Park • 0600hrs: Morning call, breakfast served. (Sarova Lion Hill Lodge – FB) • 0730hrs: Drive back to Nairobi. DAY 11: Depart • 0600hrs: Morning call, breakfast is served. • 1230hrs: Enjoy lunch at Haandi Restaurant. • 0630hrs: Morning call, breakfast served. • 0730hrs: Leave Amboseli, drive back to • 1400hrs: Drive to Sankara Hotel for check in • 0800hrs: Leave Mt. Kenya Safari Club drive Nairobi. You will stop for lunch in Nairobi. and relaxation. Accommodation at Sankara back to Nairobi. • 1200hrs: Lunch at Tamambo restaurant in Hotel on Bed and Breakfast basis. • 1230hrs: Lunch at Carnivore Restaurant. Apart from your normal, beef, chicken, lamb etc Nairobi. • 1330hrs: Continue on to Lake Nakuru. Day 8: Samburu National Reserve Carnivore does serve wild meat e.g. Crocodile • 1600hrs: Arrive at Lake Nakuru National Park. (Samburu Simba Lodge – FB) and Ostrich. You will later be driven to the Proceed to do a game drive. Visit the baboon • 0600hrs: Morning call, breakfast served. cliff and make a stop at the lake to take a picture • 0730hrs: Leave Nairobi, dirive to Samburu airport to catch your flight home. with the flamengoes. National Reserve. • 1830hrs: Check in at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, • 1230hrs: Arrive at Samburu Simba Lodge; ITINERARY CHANGES Whilst every effort is made to adhere to confirmed itineraries, our Associated Companies or Agents reserve the right to make reasonable changes in the itinerary when deemed advisable for the comfort and safety of passengers, which includes but is not limited to the substitution of hotels, alteration of the itinerary, and reversing the order of the places to be visited. Our associated Companies or Agents also reserves the right to employ subcontractors to carry out all or any part of the services agreed upon. TERMS AND CONDITIONS DEPOSIT AND PAYMENTS All prices quoted are on a twin share basis. To make a reservation, a deposit of 50% of the total amount of the tour together with a signed booking form is required. Please read the conditions carefully before completing the booking form, which will be sent to you upon request. The remaining balance must be paid at least 60 days before departure. Payment by credit card could incur a surcharge. A late fee of $100 will apply to all payments made after the due date unless an arrangement has been made with the management. High season may incur a surcharge for flights. CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS In case of cancellations, please notify us in writing. No refund will be paid if cancellation is made. This applies both to deposit and full payment. No refund is available after the safari has commenced, in respect of any service not utilised. 438 Princess Highway Rockdale 2216 Phone: 02 9556 2665 Fax: 02 9556 2757 Country or Interstate callers Toll Free: 1800 610 710 Email: [email protected] Website: www.unitedholidays.com.au Licence No. 2TA5707 ABN 82 107 248 162 United holidays pty ltd TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance is highly recommended. United Holidays Pty Ltd is an authorised representative of Aussie Travel Cover (underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance) and will be happy to arrange your insurance for you. RESPONSIBILITY United Holidays Pty Ltd and it’s associated Companies or Agents, give notice that we act as Booking Agents only for the persons or companies providing or offering the means of travel, conveyance, transport, accommodation, or other services and all receipts, tickets, vouchers, coupons or exchange orders are issued subject to the terms and conditions under which transport and other services are provided. United Holidays Pty Ltd shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irrecularity that may be caused to person or property. It is the responsibility of the passenger to ensure that he/she is in possession of the proper travel documents and that they are in compliance with the current government and transportation companies regulations. NOTE All prices are based on current exchange rates. United Holidays reserve the right to alter these prices in case of fluctuation in exchange rates, increases in land and air fare costs or any additional taxes imposed by Australian and/ or Kenyan authorities. United Holidays Pty Ltd has no control over airline schedules, which, if altered, may result in additional costs to passengers.