'Wild is best'

For wildlife lovers, Africa is the ultimate adventure playground. So it’s always a pleasure to be hear how inspired how our guests have been by what they’ve encountered while out on safari with us. We’re delighted to be able to reproduce a letter from a recent guest, Andre, about how the wildlife-spotting anticipations were met while on safari with his wife and friends (interspersed with a couple of Andre’s great photographs from the trip):

Both David and I had been on safari with Africa House before, but that was a hardcore photographic event with 'Amateur Photographer Magazine' in 2010. We liked it so much that this year we wanted to bring our wives so that they could share in the fantastic wildlife of Kenya. This time we had two specific requests – the first was to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and the second was to see both black and white rhino in the wild. Africa House organised everything: safari camps, hotels, internal flights, game drives – everything. All we had to do was turn up at Nairobi airport.

A gorilla at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The gorillas were wonderful. You would never think that you could be so close to these magnificent creatures. Our initial fears were totally unfounded as they seemed totally at ease with our presence with the silverback passing within 2 feet of us as he went off into the jungle. The people of Rwanda are wonderful, so open and friendly and always smiling. Our guide, Eric, was very knowledgeable and gave us a great insight into the culture of Rwanda.

We started our Kenyan safari at Lewa Safari camp and were treated to a mass of wildlife including many rhino, both black and white – such fantastic beasts. In fact, the only animals we didn't see at Lewa were the leopard and the wildebeest and these we saw later at Little Governor’s and in the Mara. Whilst in Kenya we were accompanied by John, our guide, and Jackson, our driver. Their love of the animals shone through and really made an exciting safari memorable. We had a really great time.

Rhinos at Lewa Conservancy, Kenya

Initially, my wife Jan was concerned about being so close to lions, cheetahs and leopards in an open vehicle, having only seen caged animals before. Now she is totally at ease with the experience and really believes that 'wild is best'.

We've got to thank Karen and David for organising our trip of a lifetime. Will we be back? You bet!! All the best and hope to see you again in the not too distant future.

Andre

Gorilla births celebrated

The annual naming ceremony for newly born gorillas in Rwanda took place on 16 June. The event, called Kwitz Izina, attracted an audience of thousands, with senior government officials, including the Rwandan Prime Minister, and leading conservationists present.

Over the last twelve months, nineteen baby gorillas have been born in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, one of the few places on Earth where the endangered species still lives. The new arrivals were given names that include Ijabo, meaning ‘dignity’ and Icyeza, which means ‘beauty’.


A baby gorilla with its mother
at Volcanoes National Park

The naming event is a celebration of the considerable achievements that have been made in protecting the few remaining wild mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The event also provides an opportunity to draw attention to the plight the animals face and to encourage a greater understanding of the species.

The staging of this ceremony is an indication of the importance attached to the protection of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The huge tourist interest in these creatures has contributed strongly to the impetus for conservation. Fortunately, Rwanda’s tourism authorities have pursued a sensitive approach to allowing access to the gorillas’ habitat, issuing strictly limited daily permits.

This green approach to tourism has been a win-win for everyone involved – the gorillas are protected by determined conservation efforts, the Rwandan people benefit from community investment from a share of the permit proceeds, and guests on holiday get to savour the incredible experience of a close, wild encounter with gorillas.

Hopefully, the coming year will bring cause for a whole new list of names to be dreamt up by next June.

Perfectly positioned for a Rwandan adventure

For such a tiny country, Rwanda is packed with some astonishing natural features. The list includes breathtakingly lush and rolling landscapes, wildlife-rich National Parks and, of course, its world famous mountain gorillas. Perhaps most surprisingly for a land-locked country, Rwanda also boasts soft, white sandy beaches, thanks to its beautiful lakes which include Kivu, the country’s largest.
And it is on the edge of this lake that you can find the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. We think this hotel resort is a great find, especially as its location allows easy access to many of those attractions which make Rwanda so special.

First, there’s the immediate vicinity of the hotel, which is set right on the sandy shores of Lake Kivu. With its own private beach on this great lake, and a restaurant overlooking the water, the Serena Hotel is a gorgeous spot for a relaxing beach holiday.

The next facet of this hotel’s location which deserves attention is the fact that its nearest town is in a different country. Owing to the Serena’s position at the very edge of Rwanda’s territory, a short drive takes you into the town of Goma, which is actually over the border in the Congo (formerly Zaire). So taking a short journey down the road means you can say you’ve been to two African countries. The town of Goma itself offers the opportunity to browse and purchase traditional African craftwork and provides a fascinating insight into a city which has suffered the impacts of numerous volcanic eruptions.

A further factor which makes the Serena’s position so attractive is the accessibility of Rwanda’s greatest tourist asset of all – its silverback gorillas. The Volcanoes National Park, one of the world’s few wild places where these rare animals can be found, requires a journey but not a long one. The distance involved means avoiding the high prices of the accommodation which is much closer to the park gates. And as tracking gorillas is one of Africa’s more expensive treats, keeping the cost down by staying at an affordable hotel such as the Serena can only be a good thing.

Aside from the fantastic and varied activities and sights within a convenient range of the Serena, the hotel itself offers all the ingredients needed for an indulgent holiday in the sun. When you’re not lounging on its exclusive beach, you can relax in the swimming pool or at the health club. With comfy rooms and family facilities too, we think this makes a good all-round resort and the perfect base for a great Rwandan holiday.

10 things you might not know about East Africa

1) Modern humans are thought to have originated in East Africa. Some of the earliest archaeological and fossilised artefacts associated with our earliest ancestors have been discovered in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. This has led to the region being known as ‘the cradle of humanity’.

2) The gelada, which lives in the Simien mountains of Ethiopia, is the world’s only existing species of grazing monkey. Also known as the ‘bleeding heart baboon’ owing to a striking patch of red on its chest, the gelada uses its excellent gripping ability to pick fresh green grass to sustain itself.


The gelada, or 'bleeding heart baboon',
is the world's only grazing monkey.

3) Kenya is a highly multilingual country. While Swahili and English are its official languages, there are well over 50 other local dialects in usage.

4) One of East Africa’s favourite beverages is banana beer. Fermented from mashed bananas, it’s a potent drink that contains around 10% alcohol by volume. Kenya and Tanzania are two of the region’s major banana beer producers.

5) The Maasai live in homes called Inkajijik. These shelters, built by women in the tribe, are either star-shaped or circular. They consist of a timber framework, a network of smaller branches, and a render made from a mixture of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung and ash.

6) In 2008, Rwanda became the first ever country to have a democratic government with a female majority. Following the election in that year, the county’s Chamber of Deputies was occupied by 45 women, accounting for 56% of the total parliamentary seats.

7) Despite being positioned almost at the Equator, Mount Kilimanjaro’s towering altitude means that the temperature at its peak can plummet to minus 25 degrees Celsius.

8) The classic movie, Out Of Africa, was filmed partly in the Ngong Hills in Kenya. The film also featured genuine descendants of the Kikuyu, a Kenyan tribe.

9) The Great Rift Valley, which passes through Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, is visible from space. This geological depression, which is responsible for stunning volcanic, mountain and valley features on the ground, appears as a long crack in the surface on the Earth when seen from space.

10) The African elephant uses its trunk as an incredibly versatile tool. It’s used to pull leaves, strip bark from trees and suck up water for drinking or spraying to keep cool. The trunk is also utilised for greetings and communication, smelling danger, and even to fight off lions.

An elephant's trunk has an amazing
variety of uses.

Twin boy gorilla joy

The new twins with their mother

A new birth in the threatened gorilla population is always good news. But nature lovers were given a double cause for celebration last month when a pair of healthy twins was born to a mountain gorilla in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Twin births are highly rare for gorillas, this being only the fifth known occurrence since Rwandan gorillas began to be monitored over 40 years ago. The last case of twin gorilla babies was recorded back in 2004.

These latest twins are a pair of brothers who were born on 3 February to a mother known locally as Kabatwa. They, along with another recently born gorilla, will be named at a national ceremony in Rwanda this June.

The number of mountain gorillas in the wild stands at fewer than 800. The population has been steadily rising thanks to the concerted efforts of conservationists in Rwanda and beyond.

5 good reasons to visit… Rwanda

1) You can get close to gorillas!

An encounter with a Silverback Gorilla
is unforgettable.

By far Rwanda’s biggest lure to visitors are the beautiful silverback mountain gorillas residing there. The chance to track these rare creatures and then to get close to them in their own habitat is a profound and unforgettable experience. Gorillas display a calm and peaceful attitude to human observers in spite of their overwhelming size and formidable power. Being in their presence is truly one of the world’s most amazing wildlife encounters.

2) There’s a wealth of other wildlife too

While the gorillas are a must-see, Rwanda is not all about the monkeys! In its National Parks, such as the stunning Virunga, you can witness a vast array of other spectacular wildlife. Forest elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos and a stunning assortment of African bird species are just a part of the rich and varied catalogue of wild animals which await you.

3) It’s exceptionally beautiful

Rwanda offers magnificent views of mountains
and verdant green landscapes.

Dubbed the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, Rwanda’s landscape is a breathtaking sight. Mountains, extinct volcanoes, rivers and lakes are all present in this tiny African country. There are also endless lush grassy hills and vibrant rainforest, giving Rwanda a refreshing lush greenness you might not have expected to enjoy in the heart of Africa.

4) The climate is pleasant

Despite its equatorial position, Rwanda’s climate is temperate owing to its high elevation. This makes for very comfortable conditions for those scenic walks or that mountain gorilla trek. It makes Rwanda the perfect place for anyone who wants the magic of a tropical holiday but without the intense heat.

5) It’s highly underrated

Rwanda is not widely thought of as a conventional tourist destination so visitor numbers are relatively low. This means that the country has a more authentic, less ‘touristy’ feel than some more established destinations. Many are inevitably deterred from considering Rwanda for their holiday because of associations with its tragic recent past. But the reality is that Rwanda has moved on from its dark times to become a safe and welcoming place. In fact, the country has developed into a beacon of stability and progressiveness - in 2008, Rwanda became the first country to elect a female majority in government. Come along and witness a country full of renewed hope and civic pride.

Africa House Safaris offers a truly amazing set of luxurious Safari options for 2010!

 

Beautiful Binti kept us spellbound for hours in the Mara

We have come to the end of a memorable year despite the difficult economic conditions worldwide. We have not been entirely immune from this financial glitch but, thanks to the support of travel agents and friends who continue to holiday with us year after year, we have enjoyed some fantastic safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

It has been a year of spectacular journeys, life-enhancing experiences and we have fulfilled a great many dreams along the way. It doesn't get any better! We had some really special moments watching nature in its most wild and raw during the Mara migration. The life and death drama of thousands of wildebeest running the gauntlet of hundreds of crocodiles and lions as they cross the Talek and Mara Rivers was absolutely mesmerising. No matter how many times I watch it, I am awe-struck.

 

Well fed lions chill out on a hill as they survey the ‘menu’ below

We had some very close encounters with gorillas in Rwanda. A mother and baby decided to lie on me as I was filming them. Looking deep into those beautifully intelligent and understanding eyes at very close quarters was a really heart warming moment. It was a spectacularly exciting moment.

Sharing a magical moment with a gentle gorilla

The people who make our safaris so wonderful are our guests, many of whom are now great family friends. We have been privileged to enjoy the company of some wonderful families from Arkansas, California, New York, Seattle and Florida and we look forward to seeing them again in the near future. It has also given us a great thrill to have provided many couples from the UK with the honeymoon of a lifetime.

It’s not just the lions who get to chill out, there’s plenty of down time for our guests too!

To round off our year we commissioned a professional photographer and a filmmaker to record a spectacular family safari in Laikipia, Samburu, Masai Mara and, the stunning Rusinga Island on Lake Victoria. We had fantastic fun making the film and we think it illustrates beyond doubt what makes our bespoke intimate and family-orientated safaris such a life-enhancing experience.

A moving and memorable shot for the family album

Watch out for the DVD, which will be available from the end of February. In the mean time take a look at our gallery of photographs taken throughout the safari on the Africa House Safaris facebook site.

For those of you who thought there was no way we could improve on the safari experiences we offer, we have developed a truly amazing set of luxurious options for 2010. Africa House Safaris has built relationships with a wide selection of the most interesting, enthusiastic and knowledgeable experts from a variety of backgrounds including fine art, photography, natural history, gastronomy, horse riding, conservation and politics.

Throughout the year we will introduce a varied range of special safaris accompanied by experts who will act as tutors or give a series of talks as well as being available for more informal conversations along the way. These safaris also benefit from the services of local professional safari guides to ensure they run smoothly.

Awesome Samburu high jumping in Laikipia

We are also expanding our offering to include expert-led safaris on the First World War battlefields across Kenya and Tanzania; wildlife and landscape painting safaris for those who want to enhance their painting skills; and golfing safaris for bespoke groups who want to experience Kenya’s world-class golf courses and those up-country courses that are steeped in old-world charm.

An African sunrise to lift the spirits

2010 promises to be an action-packed year. We are also exploring new itineraries and extensions in Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. We are conducting a ‘recce’ of all these destinations in the Spring with a view to opening up whole new horizons for adventurous families and groups of friends. So watch this space. In May we are making a whistle-stop tour of the States to promote our new offerings and we look forward to catching up with old friends. 

Talk to you in 2010.

Suggy