Do-it-Yourself Safaris - Guide to Self Drive Kenya Camping Safaris

The self drive Kenya safaris are a viable and exciting option is you have the necessary camping equipment and when you can get a group together. Nothing beats the experience of discovering new frontiers by maps, getting lost and found and all the frills of DIY.

Group self drive safaris

The group will of course help you share the cost of hiring a vehicle and other expenses. It is however highly discouraged to go on a do-it-yourself safari by yourself. Besides the everyday risks of mugging and solitude, you don?t want to be changing a tyre with no one watching your back for that Tsavo lion.

Pros of a self drive safari

There are of course several advantages of a DIY safari over organised itineraries through outfitters. This ranges from the flexibility, independence of being able to choose your safari companions and of-course the thrill of being out and about exploring. It is however also wise to know that going on a self drive safari will cost you as much as an organised cheap safari.

The down side of self drives safaris

Besides the cost, vehicle breakdowns, accidents, security and a lack of local knowledge are also major handicaps in a self drive safari tour.

Your flexibility

With an appropriate vehicle, all accommodation options are open to you even out of the way places and camping and using bandas are two good ways of keeping down your costs.

Camping Equipment Hire for DIY Safaris

If you want to hire camping equipment, there are several places in Nairobi that you can go to for the same. Organize to have at least 2 days to get the vehicle camping, gear, maps, cooking ware, canvas safari bathrooms, supplies and of course water. You may need to also test drive your choice car around Nairobi. Never take the word of a car hire firm as final.

Your check list

Check and double check your equipment and don?t pay until you are sure of the fitness of the car especially. Most importantly find out of the self drive car rental firm has a backup mechanism. Mobile VHF radio or at the least a mobile phone is of course very essential.

Believe me I once had a situation, in the middle of forsaken carnivore territory and not even a match to send smoke signals. Me thinks you wouldn?t want to have been there with me.

Rental/Hiring costs of camping gear

Identification such as passport is required and advance booking is recommended and saves time. Expect to pay 400 for a sleeping bag per day with liner, Kshs 700 for a two person dome tent and Kshs 200 per day for gas stove (gas canisters are extra).

A deposit of Kshs 3000-5000 is payable for most items. For longer trips it may be reasonable to buy some of these items at the big Nakumatt super markets in Nairobi which sell cheap plastic plates, stoves, chairs etc.

It is also possible to hire a vehicle and camping equipment as one package. Some companies in Nairobi offer rather an unusual package of a fully fitted 4WD with roof-mounted tent and everything else you might need for a long self drive safari for up to four people, including mobile phone, fridge, gas cooker and cooking utensils.

Prices range from BP 100 per day (less than 10 days) to BP 80 per day (25 days or more), with a minimum of five days rental; insurance excess waiver is an additional BP15.

Robert has written variously in travel to Kenya East Africa. Degreed in tourism management, he is a travel expert with landmarksafaris.com. For an idea of where to go for self drive safari tours, take the bait here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/carhire/

Kenya The Land Where Safari Was Born

As a child, Africa fascinated me - a land where the wild and exotic animals of storybooks and zoos roamed free on the plains. And where Kenya was always the quintessential home of the safari.

Many visits later I'm no less enthralled by this region of dramatic contrasts, and remarkable wildlife amid stunningly beautiful and varied landscapes that are still unencumbered by the trappings of man. And little compares to nights filled with the primal sounds of the bush - the hoots and laughs of hyenas, the grumble of distant lions and the snorts of a hippo.

Kenya, the land where safari was born, is also known as the cradle of mankind - evidence of some of the earliest human settlements has been found here, suggesting that it was the birthplace of humanity from which descendents moved out to populate the world. However, it's the boundless wilderness and big game of this region that has long attracted adventure seekers from all over the globe. No other African country can boast such an incredible range of scenery, unique geographical features and species.

A safari in Kenya is an extraordinary holiday for any wildlife lover, no matter your budget or the level of adventure you're looking for. There's no end of things to explore; from the highlands of central Kenya to the great Rift valley; from the elephants of Amboseli wallowing in a small watering hole, to the vast shores of Lake Victoria, the second largest lake in the world; and from the spectacular views of Africa's highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro, down to a coast of shimmering white sands along the Indian Ocean.

Soak up the wonders of nature while camping under the stars out in the bush, hundreds of miles away from civilization, or relax in luxury at one of the lodges scattered throughout the many game reserves and national parks of this magical country.

Whether you're walking, driving, or even bobbing your way across the plains atop a camel, you'll discover the scents, sounds, and footprints of the bush, as you enjoy the sight of a hyena at full gallop, weaving behind the adrenaline-powered run of a gazelle, or a mighty battle as buffalo bulls fight over territory.

If you venture on a Kenyan safari during July or August, perhaps the best way to check out the wildlife is by hot air balloon. Few places offer a better vantage point from which to witness the amazing phenomenon that is the annual wildebeest migration across the plains of the Maasai Mara, when millions of hooves thunder northwards in search of sweeter grazing during the drier months in the south.

The Maasai Mara Reserve, 200 sq miles of rolling hills, woods and acacia trees watered by the Mara and Talek rivers, opens onto the Serengeti plains of Tanzania. Home to the famously independent and traditional herdsmen, no trip to Kenya would be complete without a visit to Masai Mara. They regard themselves not just as residents of this area but as much a part of the life of the land, as the land is part of their lives.

A visit to Kenya is a veritable life-changing experience filled with an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, black rhino, lions, leopards and various antelope. One visit alone will be enough to make you understand Earnest Hemmingway's words, "unknowable, unimaginable, unbelievable... and completely unforgettable." Visit: http://www.magicglobe.com/kenya/safaris.asp for more information.

Carlos Cuzme is a travel expert to Africa and specially to the luxury safari business. for more information on safaris to botswana visit: Kenya Luxury Safaris

Kenya Animal Safari; Most Sublime Animal Safari & Tour Park

The landscape in Tsavo is flatter and drier than in Tsavo West, despite the fact that one of Kenya?s largest rivers flows through the middle of the park. The main track through the park follows the Galana River from Tsavo Gate to the Sala gate. The park headquarters, where you can charge and buy smartcards, is at Voi Gate.

Animal Spotting in Tsavo East National Park

Much of the wildlife spotting is concentrated on the Galana River, which cuts a green gush across the dusty orange plains of the park and supports plentiful crocs and hippos. There are several places along the flat topped escarpments lining the river where you can get out of your vehicle, with due caution of course. Most scenic are Lugards Falls, a wonderful landscape of water-sculptured channels, and crocodiles Point, where you may see hippos and crocs.

There are usually armed guards around, but you shouldn?t get too close to the water. Kudus, waterbucks and dik-dik are common along the river banks. Also of interest is the Mudanda Rock, towering over a natural dam near the Manyani gate, which attracts elephants in the dry season.

Large herds of RED elephants

The bush is thinner than in Tsavo West, so wildlife is easier top spot, although it?s not as plentiful. The rolling hills in the south of the park are home to large herds of elephants, usually covered in red dust. The action is concentrated the waterhole at Voi safari lodge, and the Kanderi Swamp, which is home to a profusion of wildlife and the public campsite.

You can expect elephants to stroll through the campsite in the evenings. Further into the park, 30km east of Voi gate is the Aruba Dam built across the Voi River, which also sees loads of wildlife. A lodge has been under construction here for some time.

Your security issues at Tsavo East Park

The area north of the Galana River is dominated by the Yatta Escarpment, a vast prehistoric lava flow. This area has recently been opened up for tourist after a long time closure due to insecurity. Check at the gates the prevailing situation before proceeding here.

Endangered Hirola in Tsavo East animal Park

Until their partial translocation to Tsavo East, the sole surviving population of Hirola antelope was found near Kenya Somalia border in the south Tana River and Garissa districts. Intense poaching (for meat) and habitat destruction have reduced their numbers from an estimated 14,000 in 1976 to a pitiful 450 today, 100 of them being in Tsavo East. There are also around 48 black rhinos, moved here from Nairobi National Park, although how long they last in this hard-to- police sanctuary remains to be seen.

Translocations of elephants to the park

On the positive side, the recent translocation of 400 elephants from the Shimba Hills National Reserve has replenished the populations depleted by poaching, and should herald the start of efforts to rehabilitate the wild northern sector of the park and open it up for tourist activity.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East African travel. Get hooked to the Tsavo National Park here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

The Top Five African Safari Destinations!

Going on African safari would be the adventure of a lifetime for many. Africa, despite it's political unrest and problems over the last century is still a mysterious and beautiful part of the planet and to see it once will provide lifetime memories. But what part of Africa do you want to see?

The great thing about African safaris is you can choose from either a limited number of destinations to visit or depending on your budget, can see it all from top to bottom. So what are the most popular African safari destinations?

Serengeti

The Serengeti is a great year round destination. Tanzania has plenty of attractions but it's the Serengeti which provides Africa in all it's glory. Big cat lovers won't be disappointed whether it's lions, leopards or cheetahs you want to see but there is a multitude of wildlife on offer in this special part of the world.

Okavango Delta

Remember the "Jungle Jim" adventures. When you visit the Okavango Delta you'll feel like you are in another world. Why? This virtually untouched and untamed part of Africa provides safari lovers with just about everything they have dreamed of about deep and darkest Africa. From fauna to flora to water, the Okavango Delta has it all and quite literally, could satisfy all your safari requirements.

Kruger National Park

South Africa's Kruger National Park is a vast and spectacular piece of real estate. Wildlife abounds here but the great thing about this part of Africa is the variety it offers visitors. It's just about everyone's favorite African safari destination as there are endless types of safaris you can choose from. Whether you want to take a self-drive safari or a walking safari; or maybe get off the beaten track a little, Kruger National Park can provide the setting. Kruger has many well organised safari options and is an ideal destination for the whole family.

Masai Mara

Like the Serengeti, Kenya's Masai Mara is teeming with wildlife. Even better still, it has it's own unique appearance. The migration of wild beast during the second half of the year from the Serengeti could just about make "the wonders of the world" list and many veteran African safari seekers will make more than one trip to this part of Africa just to witness this spectacle.

Victoria Falls

Visiting Victoria Falls is like viewing a part of Heaven. The fact it's such a spectacular viewing experience is one thing but the more adventurous of us have the opportunity to try activities of a more daring nature. Victoria Falls combines everything nature has to offer in one convenient location and is a must see for students of photography.

These are just some of the many highlights an African safari has to offer. Seeing all five in one trip would be ideal but visiting just one or two of these areas will whet your appetite for more. Beware, it's addictive and the "danger" is you could very well become an African safari "junkie."

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. If you're planning an African Safari then don't miss this report on the top five safari destinations! Plus, read the latest african safari related news and reviews at:http://www.african-safaris-site.com

A Safari Across the Serengeti

You have decided to take a safari; then I would advise a Serengeti Safari in Northern Tanzania. A Safari across the endless plains of the Serengeti is to witness the last great migration on earth; it is an unforgettable experience. The whole safari across the huge Serengeti is a package with an abundance of animals rivalled no where in Africa; it is compounded with majestic landscapes and the fascinating tribes people you meet; here you will realise you are in Africa proper.

The great migration safari in the Serenegeti comprises of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest in a never ending cycle of movement; closely followed by the predators looking for an easy meal. The Wildebeest follow the rains and there migration is therefore as unpredictable as these rains. It is the last remaining great migration on our planet and as such it is a must to take a safari to witness first hand this great event.

Many safari companies try to predict the whereabouts of the animals. The success of this is dependent on 1. the rains being on time and 2. The rains lasting long enough and then 3. the past experience of the company organising migration safaris in the Serengeti. The problem with these predictions are that in recent years the rains have not been on time or they have even failed leaving some safari-makers with clients in the wrong lodges in the wrong area of the Serengeti. Recently many people on safari in Kenya [as the migration crosses the border and for a short time the Animals are in Kenya] experienced the failure of the long rains and with this failure most of the animals remained in the Northern Serengeti leaving many safari-ists not only in the wrong lodges but in in the wrong country!

How to solve this problem involves a little work on your part. To research your subject and book your safari vacation with care; bellow are a few simple steps to act as a basic guideline.

1. Firstly if you must book your safari from late July through to the end of September/October then it is necessary to book well in advance. This time of year is so busy most of the loges will become full. There are far to many people on photographic safaris at this time of year.

Have you heard of overcrowding in the Serenegeti? If you have the chances are the safari took place between these over crowded summer months; and most probably the safari was in the Seronera Valley in the central Serengeti. This area of the Serengeti has a good reliable concentration of animals with a year round water supply. Many safari companies [especially the bargain priced safaris] are lazy and send there clients to this part of the Serengeti only. This ensures lower mileage, bigger profits and happy clients because of the abundance of animals? Ensure your safari includes two areas of the Serengeti one should be the south or the north of this huge park depending on the time of year and where the migration is heading.

3. If you have the luxury of booking when tourists are few in Tanzania then try to leave the actual booking of the safari until a few weeks before your departure. If it is low season, March through to the end of June then the safaris [that is the accommodation and to a less extent transport] are at bargain basement rates. Keep checking on the whereabouts of the migration and then book your accommodation through a quality operator accordingly. Safari operators should be able to get luxury accommodation cheaper than you booking directly - this is how the safari operators make there profit.

4. Unfortunately the easiest way to a successful migration safari in the Serengeti is also the most expensive. Book a luxury safari in a semi permanent luxury tented lodge. They are semi permanent as they move several times per year as the migration moves. This almost guarantees you will be up close and personal with the great migration. [Do not let the tent bit put you off; they are huge tents with double beds and furniture and even en-suite bathrooms. Some boast of private butlers for each tent. They are small camps and have an intimate relationship with the surroundings.]

How, is it possible to keep a check on the whereabouts of the migration is easier said than done. There are many sites that claim to have regular updates but some are two years past the sell by date. I would suggest keeping in touch with two or three of the small ?boutique? tour operators in Tanzania ? they have vehicles with drivers who are returning from the Serengeti every week and so know the movements of the animals. They are also small and do not mind keeping you informed of what is happening in order to [hopefully] get a safari out of you? the more helpful they are the more likely you are to book through them.

Take time and plan your safari carefully as the planning is a part of the adventure. Take time to research a little and make sure your ground operator in Tanzania is willing to make your safari special. Many of the safari operators are [rather sadly] only bothered about making a quick buck and the client?s wishes are of no concern to them. Beware of such companies as they exist at the Luxury end as well as the budget end of the spectrum. Tanzania and the Serengeti are amazing; make sure your safari experience is as amazing.

This information is taken from the Juma Page web site and this site is dedicated to providing fee information on Tanzania and safaris http://www.thejumapage.co.uk More info can be seen at form do it your self - to work experience and volunteering - to no expense spared this site is a must before you plan and pay for your trip to Tanzania

African Lion Country Safari - Safari Lion Animal Facts - African Wild Lion Hunting Safari in Kenya

The king of the forest or so the African lion has been re-baptized. The lion may be the king of the savannah but certainly not of the forest; it is not its habitat. Its scientific name is panthera Leo, a carnivore; class- mammals; family- felines. Its length may reach 2 ? meters, its height one metre. The female is slightly smaller. Weight; 200 to 250kg. Gestation period; 105 to 110 days. Length of life; up to 20years.

The lioness not only takes care of the cubs (three or four at a time) but it is also the more expert and agile hunter. Zebra and antelopes of various types like impala, Kongoni, make up the regular diet of an African lion. In need, it does not scorn rats, rock rabbits, and even carrions of elephants, buffaloes and giraffes.

The worst enemy of the lion is a rather innocuous animal, the size of a small dog; the porcupine who very cleverly waits for the lion to run after him then suddenly stops letting the hunter stick its nose in a forest of sharp quills in its jaws as this may remain stuck there for life, a painful reminder every time it has to chew.

The lion is a proverbial glutton; it may eat up to one fifth of its weight at one meal. However, it may also fast for three or four days. Humans may become its prey as well. The man eaters of Tsavo became famous during the building of the Mombasa-Kisumu railway. One station carries their name; Simba (Kiswahili for Lion)

Only the male lion wears a mane; it begins to grow at about three years of age. Famous is its roar, it may be heard for 5miles around in the savannah. In African fables and proverbs the lion is often humiliated, tricked or defeated by other small defenseless animals.

Kenya rhino animals

The rhino is the second largest in size after the elephant. There are in Africa, two species of Rhino, the black and the white one. Where black only means a shade darker, white means dirty grew; a bit of a confusion which could be cleared by calling each with its scientific name of ceratotherium simum (the white one) and Diceros Bicornis (the black one).

The first attains a length of 4 ? meters and a weight of 4 tons while the second does not reach 4 meters and just manages 2 tons. The gestation period of the first is a hundred days longer than that of the second, estimated at 450-480 days.

The looks of the rhino are far from friendly; perhaps is nature?s gift to a timid (so experts believe) and even easily frightened animal. There is no doubt that its sight is very poor, so when feeling in danger it plays the bully and charges anyhow to scare off the supposed enemy be it an animal or a vehicle. The two horns on its snout are truly a formidable weapon; but their scope is rather to enable the animal to tear or uproot its food (besides grass and tree bark, roots form its favorite diet)

Rhinos prefer small company; every family chooses its territory and rarely goes beyond the boundaries. The rhino has a queer characteristic; a very conjugal act. This may be the source of the legend widely believed in Asia that Rhino horn powder is a powerful aphrodisiac. That is why it has been exterminated in some places and reduced to very few in others. The legend is not dead yet

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris. He has authored more than 1000 articles on Africa Kenya animal holiday trip. Learn more of your experience in the best of all Kenya animal Holiday safaris here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php/?refferer=ezinearticles

African Lion Safari Kenya- Lion Safari In Africa Kenya-Lion Animal Information

With shores fringed with papyrus and yellow-barked acacias, and freshwater that supports protected hippo populations, fish eagles and a blossoming horticultural industry, Lake Naivasha?s beauty is as undeniable as its importance to the region.

A vast range of plains animals and a plethora of birdlife have long called the verdant shoreline home, as have the Maasai, who considered it prime grazing land. Unfortunately for the Maasai, the splendor of the surroundings wasn?t lost on early settlers either and it was one of the first areas they settled, eventually becoming the favourite haunt of Lord Delamere and the decadent Happy Valley set in the 1930?s.

Amazingly between 1937 and 1950 the lake was Kenya?s main airport, with BOAC?s Empire and Solent flying boats landing here after their four-day journey from Southampton. Lake Naivasha is still one of the largest settler and expat communities in Kenya, and can have a resort-like feel to it in high season, when it essentially becomes Kenya?s St Tropez.

Not only does Lake Naivasha?s fresh water bestow it with a unique ecosystem in comparison with the vast majority of Rift Valley lakes, which are highly alkaline, but it also means that the lake can be used for irrigation purposes. While the surrounding countryside has historically been a major production area for beef cattle and fresh fruit and vegetables, today the flower industry rules the roost.

Shade houses have proliferated in the hills recently, and Lake Naivasha is now the centre of Kenya?s US$360 million flower industry. Astoundingly, flowers that are picked here in the morning can be at Europe?s flower auctions the same day. One flower grower alone produced a million rose stems for Valentine?s Day in 2005!

However, the success of the agricultural and horticultural industry is threatening the very survival of the source of their creation, as pesticides and fertilizers are seeping into the lake and reeking havoc with the ecosystem. Irrigation has further destabilized erratic water levels, which had seen the lake almost dry up in the late 1890?s before rebounding to cover almost 1000sq km in the early 20th century. The lake is currently receding again, and now only spreads over 170sq km.

The lake?s ecology has been interfered with on a number of other occasions, notably with the introduction of foreign fish (for sports and commercial fisheries), cray fish, the South American coypu (an aquatic rodent that initially escaped from a fur farm) and various aquatic plants, including the dreaded water hyacinth.

For these reasons Naivasha has been the focus of conservation efforts and in 1995, after years of lobbying from the lake Naivasha Riparian Association (LRNA),the lake was designated a Ramsar site, officially recognizing it as a wetland of international importance. Besides educating the locals dependent on the lake about the environmental issues involved, the LNRA, Elsamere Conservation Center and other organisations work to establish a code of conduct among the local growers that will maintain the lake?s biodiversity. The results are promising, but much work remains to be done.

Its worth visiting the Lake Naivasha Riparian offices and Elsamere if only to support their work in Naivasha.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. He has authored more than 1000 articles on Africa Kenya vacation travel. Learn more of your experience in Kenya lake vacation safaris and plan your african lion safari and get a free quote here: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner/?refferer=ezinearticles