Big Awareness & Big Five Safari

Rhino Awareness & Protection Safaris

The Big Awareness & Big Five Safari

You are accompanied by an experienced guide and get to know the rhino biologist Dr. Felix Patton who informs, among others, about the problems of illegal trade with ivory and rhino horn. Moreover, you take part in a day of action of the worldwide initiative “Plant for the Planet”. A highlight of this tour is for sure the encounter with your “fosterling” – an elephant or rhino baby from the elephant orphanage in Nairobi. In an elephant release station of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust you get an impressive insight into the daily work of a ranger.

Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival in Kenya

In the morning you are welcomed at the international airport of Nairobi. Transfer to the national airport Wilson from where you fly to Samburu in a light aircraft. On arrival your guide already awaits you. On the way to your lodge you already go on a first game drive. The Elephant Bedroom Camp is ideally situated directly at Ewaso Nyiro river. Here you can get very close to the elephants. Overnight in a safari tent at Elephant Bedroom Camp. (L/D)

DAY 2: Samburu Nature Reserve

The Samburu Nature Reserve lies in the dry savanna in the east of Kenya and borders to the Ewaso Nyiro river which carries water almost all-the-year. Particularly in the dry season elephants and zebras satisfy their thirst, cross the river and take a bath. Beside the pachyderms there are good chances to observe leopards, cheetahs and lions. The big cats are less shy than in other parks. The nature reserve is also known for the rare Grévy’s zebras and the Waller’s gazelles (gerenuks). Overnight in a safari tent at Elephant Bedroom Camp. (B/L/D)

DAY 3: Drive to Mount Kenya

Today you drive towards Mount Kenya. On your way you stop at different viewpoints to enjoy the view of Africa’s second biggest mountain. Your destination today is the Laikipia plateau, an area of 9500 square kilometres which reaches from Mount Kenya up to the north. Here you can find one of the most important rhino sanctuaries in Africa and one of the most beautiful nature parks of the continent, the Solio Game Reserve. Your home for the next days is the cosy and familial designed Rhino Watch Safari Lodge. In the evening you meet Dr. Felix Patton – your guide for the following days. In a briefing you get first information about the planned programme and the workshops. Overnight in a safari tent at Rhino Watch Safari Lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 4: Solio Game Reserve

More than 150 white rhinos and more than 50 black rhinos live at Solio Game Reserve. Thanks to the successful breeding some animals could also be relocated to other nature parks. For example most of the white rhinos currently living at Lake Nakuru National Park grew up at Solio. In the following days Dr. Patton explains you everything about the life of the rhinos, their behaviour and about the rhino poach. Overnight in a safari tent at Rhino Watch Safari Lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 5: Plant for the Planet

Rhino Watch is an official partner of the organization “Plant for the Planet”. Together with school children you take part in a planting initiative and compensate your personal carbon footprint by planting a tree. Overnight in a safari tent at Rhino Watch Safari Lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 6: Solio Game Reserve

You spend another day at Solio and search for new-born rhinos. Besides the soft colossus you can also observe other wild animals. Big buffalo herds of up to 200 individuals are very impressive not only for you but also for the lions which prefer the proximity of these herds. Overnight in a safari tent at Rhino Watch Safari Lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 7: Aberdare National Park

Today’s safari takes you to the mysterious mountain cloud forests of the Aberdares, one of the last primary forest areas of East Africa. The water which is produced by the rain falls in the Aberdare mountains supplies a lot of parts of the country. Beautiful water falls, thick bamboo forests and highland swamps shape the countryside. In this almost untouched hideaway of East Africa there live African forest elephants and various species of apes such as the blue monkeys and the black-and-white-colobus. Overnight in a safari tent at Rhino Watch Safari Lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 8: Solio Game Reserve

Dr. Patton presents you the rhino ID project at Solio and explains how the individual animals are identified and how they can be distinguished. Overnight in a safari tent at Rhino Watch Safari Lodge. (B/L/D)

DAY 9: Drive to Nairobi

You leave the beautiful area around Mount Kenya and drive to Kenia’s capital Nairobi. Overnight at Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club. (B)

DAY 10: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Today is a special day because in the morning you visit the elephant orphanage in the suburbs of Nairobi. Here baby elephants which lost their parents find a new home. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is one of the most successful rescue and release stations for elephant orphans in the world. Here you meet your fosterling – an elephant or rhino calve – for the first time. Furthermore you get a certificate which confirms your sponsorship. In the afternoon you can take part in the feeding and take care of “your” pup before taking it to bed. Overnight at Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club. (B)

DAY 11: Amboseli National Park

Continue towards the south to Amboseli National Park. Above the park looms the Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Here elephants live in herds of up to 100 animals which wander from the hillside to the swamps during daytime. In doing so the animals wade so deep into the swamps that sometimes you can only see their head and trunk. Furthermore the famous national park offers around 80 different species of mammals and first class bird viewing – from African fish eagles to pygmy kingfisher you can observe every kind of bird. Overnight in a safari tent at Kibo Safari Camp. (B/D)

DAY 12: Drive to Tsavo East

Drive to the elephant release camp Ithumba in Tsavo East National Park. The two to three years old elephant orphans are brought from Nairobi to the release camp in order to get in contact with their fellows. Thus they are perfectly prepared for their subsequent life back in the wild. The project’s target is to give the elephants enough self-confidence, so that they can be assimilated in their natural habitat. You spend the next two days with the rangers to join their work with the animals. Overnight in a safari tent at Sheldrick Ithumba Safari Camp. (B/L/D)

DAY 13: Working at Ithumba Camp

Together with the rangers you work with the elephants. Overnight at a safari tent at Sheldrick Ithumba Safari Camp. (B/L/D)

DAY 14: Departure

Today it’s time to say goodbye to Kenya’s animal paradise. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. Those who still didn’t get enough can alternatively book one of our extension programmes. (B)

Travel Dates

10.01.2016 – 23.01.2016
20.03.2016 – 02.04.2016
31.07.2016 – 13.08.2016*
09.10.2016 – 22.10.2016

* Family tour

Rates

Rates Include

• Overnight in a double room in safari camps, lodges and hotels as per itinerary
• Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch or packed lunch, D=Dinner)
• All transfers, game drives and excursions as per itinerary
• Lectures and workshops with rhino biologist Dr. Felix Patton
• English-speaking experienced safari guide
• One year sponsorship of an elephant or rhino orphan at David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
• Donation of 250 USD to the Awareness Campaign.

Rates Exclude

• Flights to/from Nairobi
• National Park fees ca. 700 USD per person (payable locally)
• Beverages
• Gratuities

Map

Photos

Pictures copyright to: Bettina Kelm, Hans Ruedi Ruefenacht, Frank Wirth, Rhino Watch Safaris Ltd.