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.

Easy luxury at private lodge

One of the perks of designing safari adventures is the opportunity to take time out ourselves to try out the lodges we consider for our guests’ itineraries. Ol Donyo Lodge in Kenya is a long-standing favourite with Africa House, so it was with optimistic anticipation that we returned there for a short stay last month.

A comfortable bedroom tent at Ol Donyo

And we weren’t disappointed. One of our most striking impressions of this popular lodge on this latest visit was the pure, gratifying comfort of the accommodation. Big, comfy beds, feather pillows, and spacious bathrooms make it hard not to feel relaxed. We enjoyed plentiful hot water supplied by a solar unit and we loved the choice of an indoor or outdoor shower. The private dip pools which most of the cottages have are a particularly indulgent touch. And the striking architecture and attractive design throughout the Ol Donyo property create a beautiful aesthetic experience.

The trip was also a reminder of how special Ol Donyo’s surroundings are. This south-western corner of Kenya is blessed with extraordinary views. The area’s curiously rounded hills roll out into a staggering expanse of savannah while Mount Kilimanjaro lurks beyond. Recent rain brought a green richness to the scene while we were here. These open landscapes and glorious sights make the location apt for the horseriding safaris also available to guests here.

Horse riding at Ol Donyo

With its off-the-track location, Ol Donyo is not at the hub of Kenya’s game-viewing scene (although we did spot cheetah and lion whilst there). But with the Masai Mara nearby, serious safari action is within easy reach. So the lodge makes the ideal retreat for relaxing at the start or end of a more wildlife-focused itinerary. And with its serene, remote location and beautiful, intimate features, we think it is perfect for honeymooners. With so much going for it, Ol Donyo will certainly remain a firm fixture in Africa House’s line-up of top wilderness properties.

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.

An East African Christmas

With the festive season in flow, many of us turn to the comfort of the time-honoured traditions which make Christmas the most magical part of the year. Here in East Africa too, Christmas celebrations are a revered ritual – with some aspects which people elsewhere in the world would recognise and others which are particular to this region.

Many facets of Christmas in Kenya and its neighbours resemble those in parts of Europe and the America. Of course, the most treasured part about the Christmas holiday for most is the chance to spend time with loved-ones. And this emphasis on families and friends getting together is what really makes the season special here in East Africa just as elsewhere.

Lots of the festive customs here would be familiar in the West too. The singing of carols is a treasured part of proceedings. And brightly coloured decorations, candles and Christmas trees are popular in many homes and public places. The exchanging of gifts and greetings cards is another of the traditions outsiders would recognise.

But there is much that looks and feels different here too. For one thing, the cold weather which helps define the season in the higher reaches of the northern hemisphere is, as you’d expect, not a feature of an African Christmas! In fact, the holiday comes at what is one of the hottest times of the year for much of the region. And while Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25 in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, you might be surprised to learn that it falls on January 7 in Ethiopia, as a consequence of the country observing a different calendar.

Christmas dinner is rather different here too. While Brits or Americans might be tucking into a turkey, an East African family is more likely to be gathered around a roasted goat dish called nyama choma. Depending on exactly which part of East Africa you’re in, the festive meal might alternatively consist of beef, fish, or chapatti bread with chutneys.

Another practice that sets Christmas apart in East Africa is the playing of sports on Christmas Day. While those in the world’s colder climes huddle around a fire to pull crackers, the hot contrast of Africa brings people out to enjoy more active pursuits. In Ethiopia, a hockey-like game called Ganna (which also means Christmas here), which involves a curved stick and wooden ball, is a popular event on Christmas Day.

Whatever form Christmas takes for you, we wish you well over the festive period and look forward to talking to you in 2012. May we wish you a Merry Christmas - or in Swahili, Kuwa na Krismasi njema!

Renovation plans at leading luxury camps

A planned programme of exciting refurbishments has been announced by Heritage Hotels. Next March, the company will begin major improvements to its luxury tented accommodations at Samburu and Mara.

At the award-winning Mara Intrepids, the main restaurant and bar will be relocated and re-designed in an overhaul that is expected to take three months. Its sister camp, the Samburu Intrepids, will undergo a two-month renovation of its public areas and swimming pool.

A family tent at Mara Intrepids

Each of these tented camps has long been popular with Africa House and our guests. Stylish design, brilliant family activities, sensational locations and excellent, friendly service have combined to make the Intrepids properties perennial favourites on the African luxury travel scene.

So we are pleased to see investment being made in what are already two of East Africa’s benchmark tourist properties. Heritage Hotels has promised that the renovations won't mean disruption for guests staying during the transition. We can’t wait to see these great tented camps get even better and look forward to reporting on the renovations when they are completed next year.

Positive steps for coastal environment in Tanzania

East Africa’s natural heritage is a highly prized asset for local people and guests alike. So it is encouraging that an initiative to protect Tanzania’s delicate coastal environment has been so successful that it has received a prestigious award.


The bizarre dugong, for which Tanzania's
coasts are a vital habitat

The project, led by top conservation organisation WWF, aimed to safeguard the ecological well-being of marine life around the districts of Rufiji Delta, Mafia Island and Kilwa. Practices such as dynamite fishing had damaged the area’s fragile ecosystem, threatening the health of coral reefs, mangrove forest and important species such as the dugong. They also jeopardised the long-term security of fisheries on which communities in these areas depend heavily for livelihoods and as an important source of dietary protein.

WWF has collaborated with the local fishing communities to promote a more sustainable approach to fishing and to stimulate economic alternatives to fishing. This partnership has resulted in a rise in fish stocks and a drop in damaging practices, helping to secure the coastal environment and the future of fishing in the region.

The project was named ‘International Relief and Development Project of the Year’ by The Association for Project Management, a UK-based charity set up to recognise excellence in projects organised for the public benefit.

Apps to enhance an African adventure

We know that an African safari is all about escaping daily life and connecting with the wild. But we also know that for committed technophiles, the thought of leaving your smart phone or iPad at home would be unthinkable. So for the gadget lovers, here are some ideas for brilliant apps which can add something extra to your safari:

Google Earth

This groundbreaking app lets you ‘fly’ you to each of your destinations for a bird's-eye view of where you will be staying. It’s a great way to whet your appetite with a virtual run-through of your itinerary. You can pore over maps and examine the terrain at an impressive level of detail. And you can check out hundreds of photos taken at the locations you’ll be visiting. What’s more, Google Earth is free on Android, iPhone, iPad and Blackberry.

Global Wi-Fi finder
While you won’t find Wi-Fi networks out on the savannah, this free Android and iPhone app from JiWire can be handy for tracking down internet hotspots while visiting cities. Accessing Wi-Fi is a clever way to avoid data charges on your smartphone or tablet. At the moment, Nairobi and the Kenyan coast seem to be the most comprehensively covered parts of East Africa in the app’s list of areas.

Kindle app
Thanks to the wonders of app technology, you can enjoy the benefits of a Kindle without actually owning a Kindle. This free, cross-platform app enables you to download books and newspapers and to read them on your mobile or tablet. It’s the perfect way to get all the travel guides, wildlife books and holiday reading you’ll ever need without the weight or the additional luggage fee. And a backlit reading medium has the edge on printed books in the dark of a luxury camp.

Wildlife app
At present, those with Apple devices have the choice of African wildlife guide apps. At £6.99, the Audubon African Wildlife app, available on iTunes, boasts a catalogue of advanced species information on 164 mammals and 284 birds. However, a smart option for Android and Blackberry users is the WikiPock app at £14.99. This powerful software gives you offline access to Wikipedia’s whole collection of articles. So as well as detailed (and largely reliable) facts on every imaginable species of wildlife, you’ll have a plethora of guides about East Africa’s National Parks, culture, history and more.

XE currency converter
The respected standard for currency conversion, this free app works across all platforms and includes every East African currency you might need. It updates with the latest conversion rates on the go but also applies the most recent rates if you stay offline. This is useful for anyone who’d rather not rely on mental arithmetic to gauge how much that market-stall masterpiece will really set you back.

A note of caution: downloading data on your mobile whe1n abroad can cost a small fortune, so it’s worth checking your rates and being sparing with your usage. Turning off data roaming and making use of locally available Wi-Fi networks is a great way to minimise internet charges. And where possible, load apps before you leave and access them offline to avoid internet usage altogether while in Africa.

Have you used any of the apps we’ve featured or alternatives to them while on safari in Africa or elsewhere? We’d love to hear any recommendations or reviews you have about any that you’ve tried. Feel free to tell everyone through our Facebook Page or add a comment below.