Go low

If the end of the Christmas holiday has left you looking forward to spring and summer for your next chance to get away, you might want to consider planning a trip to East Africa. The April-June period is often overlooked as a time to visit the region because of the wet weather it brings. But those in the know realise that, in many ways, that the low season has several compelling advantages. It’s certainly one of our favourite times to explore both our favourite haunts and unknown reaches of East Africa.

The fact is that the rain which deters most isn’t as forbidding as some would expect. It doesn’t pour continually and is nothing like monsoon rainfall in intensity. Undeniably, it’s wetter during these months, although there’s no guarantee of enjoying drier weather outside the wet season, as last year’s unpredictable seasonal timings attested.

And there are some persuasive upsides. Firstly, the low season means lower prices. Great discounts are available at many hotels and lodges and even on some flights. Even more alluringly for travellers who like their space, it means lower tourist densities. So it’s easier to secure bookings at the best lodges and camps – which may be a telling factor as our accommodation contacts are reporting an especially rapid uptake of places for the high season later this year. And even the most popular game parks and conservancies can be relatively quiet. There’s also less competition for frequently oversubscribed activities such as gorilla trekking.

Baby elephants - one of the attractions
of our imminent Spring Break Safari

Coming in the off-peak months definitely doesn’t mean compromising on the experience. There will still be amazing game viewing, and the plethora of other cultural and adventure pursuits which complete a safari holiday. In fact, with fewer other tourists about, the spring can be the best time to soak up the atmosphere of Africa in serenity and to really appreciate its wilderness with minimal distraction.

And talking of the spring, we’d like to remind you that there is just time to book a place on our Special Spring Break Safari from March 3-10. We’ve compiled an extraordinary selection of wildlife watching, cultural encounters and sublime luxury at some of Kenya’s finest camps and hotels. So if you’re still looking for your dream holiday this spring, grab one of our limited places while you still can. Click here for full details.

Spring Break action

If the dreary winter evenings leave you day-dreaming about escaping to somewhere sunnier in the New Year, a special Spring Break Safari we’ve lined up might be just what you need. Running from March 3-10, this week-long itinerary has been thoughtfully designed to showcase the cream of Kenya’s attractions. And every part of this adventure has been chosen for its child-friendly features, so it makes the ideal family safari.

Rhinos are among the attractions
at Lewa Downs

The game-viewing experience combines the best of two worlds – the exclusivity of the esteemed Lewa Downs wildlife conservancy, and the awesome, must-see spectacle of the famed Masai Mara. At Lewa Downs, expect to see rhinos, elephants, antelopes, giraffes and a plethora of bird species. These encounters take place in one of Africa’s most beautiful settings, against the backdrop of the snow-capped Mount Kenya. The Masai Mara promises to build on the game-viewing thrills with all of Africa’s coveted Big Five on its roll. With mile-upon-mile of savannah and iconic acacia trees dotted across the landscape, you’ll be in no doubt that you’ve found the African wilderness.

This jam-packed tour also has some seductive extras for guests who fancy something out of the ordinary. A once-in-a-lifetime flight in a classic bi-plane will echo the romantic early days of safari. Hot-air ballooning, horse-riding and fishing excursions are all up for grabs too. And everyone on this trip will get to take part in a fascinating cultural visit to a Masai village.
 

A giraffe making a new friend
at Giraffe Manor

Guests can recover from the excitement of this sense-stimulating schedule in accommodation which is stylish and relaxing, with the attentive and sincere hospitality which always comes with an Africa House safari. The elegant Giraffe Manor not only takes you back in time with its 1930s styling – it also delivers a unique twist of eating breakfast alongside the hotel’s gorgeous resident giraffes.

The luxury continues into the accommodation on camp. At Lewa, the comfortable pool and private raised tents with open verandas ensure that the magnificent scenery is enjoyed to the full. And the Elephant Pepper Camp on the Masai Mara is a beautifully atmospheric eco-camp where top service and campfires under the stars make for amazing memories.

All in all, this special Spring Safari promises some truly magical experiences, which we’re certainly looking forward to. If you can get away this spring, we’d love for you to join us. Click here for details.

Looking ahead to a sensational year of safaris

Whatever time of the year you visit East Africa, there’s always something amazing to see. With a consistently warm, tropical climate, and abundant and continuous wildlife viewing opportunities, Kenya and its neighbours are genuine year-round destinations. But each season offers something unique too so it’s worth thinking about which time of year might best suit your needs – booking and travelling with expert operators like us can help you make this decision, and also ensures that you’ll enjoy the best seasonal experiences on offer when you’re on safari. Here’s a brief guide to some of the highlights set to excite safari-goers in 2011:

January, February, March

It’s a bright and busy start to the year in East Africa, with recent rains meaning grasslands are shown in their lushest, greenest glory and rivers are in full flow. This relatively dry, hot period is a great time of the year for spotting wildlife, with many baby animals around to provide the cute factor.

Elephant Pepper Camp, on our Spring Break Safari

Our Spring Break Safari, the first of this year’s special tours, starts on March 8th. This luxurious 10-day safari will show off the best of Kenya’s attractions. Guests will get to enjoy the game-rich plains of Amboseli, against the park’s stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. The wildlife-watching will continue as we visit the strikingly scenic Samburu and the world-famous Masai Mara. If you like the sound of this springtime safari, there’s still time to book your place. You can see the full details of the safari on our website by clicking here.

April, May, June



The onset of rainy weather during this quarter of the year leaves many would-be tourists looking elsewhere in their calendar. However, some savvy travellers rightly realise that these months are the most under-rated times to visit East Africa. For one thing, the very fact that it’s the low season means that those who do take safaris now can enjoy the parks and attractions with far fewer other tourists around. It’s also a more affordable time of the year to stay at camps and lodges.

Stunning Laikipia, on our Painting Safari

And there’s plenty which is special about this season to more than compensate for a bit of rain. The unique landscape and botany of East Africa are particularly picturesque now, with the crystal clear air displaying the landscape vividly and blooming wildflowers in abundance. It’s also a great time for watching birds, of which there are over 1200 species in Kenya alone.

This natural beauty is sure to present the perfect subject matter for our special Painting Safari, which starts on June 23rd and runs for 12 days. This tour is guided by celebrated wildlife artist, Martin Aveling, and Terry Brownbill, our own highly experienced guide and bush expert. Guests will have the opportunity to see landscapes and wildlife in a diverse array of settings, including the magical Laikipia, where there’s a chance to wander freely in search of the perfect spot from which to paint animals at close quarters. You can see full details of the tour by clicking here. Give us a call to book a place or to get further information.

July, August, September

The spectacular wildebeest migration

A trip to Kenya’s Masai Mara is a must around this time of the year, as the great annual wildebeest migration crosses from the Serengeti in one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Countless hordes of wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelle, flood onto Kenya’s grassy plains in search of fresh pastures, while under attack from crocodiles in the river and by lions, cheetahs and hyenas on land.

This dry period offers the perfect conditions for game spotting as fewer drinking spots mean that wildlife tend to congregate around scarcer water sources. The climate is particularly comfortable at this time of the year, with warm days being followed by cool nights, which allow the perfect excuse for guests themselves to congregate – around a glowing camp fire.

October, November, December



Our Photo Safari offers close wildlife encounters

This quarter heralds the arrival of a special tour which we’re very excited about – our special Photographic Safari, which runs from the 1st - 10th October. Guided by Bob Demchuk, an accomplished photographer and movie-maker, guests can sharpen their photographic talents in some of the world’s most inspiring settings. The Samburu Reserve will lure landscape lovers with its acacia woodland and volcanic rock cones, while the Masai Mara will provide plenty of action to capture on camera, especially as the visit coincides with the culmination of the Kenyan stage of the magnificent wildebeest migration. Click here for the full details.

All in all, 2011 promises to be an exciting year for safaris in East Africa. If you’d like to get in on the action this year, we’d love to chat with you about the kind of safari we can design for you. Or perhaps you like the sound of one of the special tours we have planned. Either way, feel free to give us a call on +254 722 512 588 and make it a year to remember!