13 July 2014

Why should your African safari include Klein's Camp?

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Serengeti, the mother of all savannahs is a magical place and a must see for African safari lovers. The endless planes open stunning vistas, wildlife movements can be seen already from far and a picnic becomes quickly a serene experience.

Within the Serengeti, Klein’s Camp is a private concession in its northern part, which allows responsible off road driving with the opportunity to get closer to the wildlife, than in the national park itself, night drives and bush walks.

“Overlooking the wooded hillside, rolling grasslands, lush marshes and forested river banks of the Serengeti and with Kenya’s renowned Masai Mara directly to the north, Klein’s Camp is one of the most strategically positioned wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Set on the edge of the Kuka Hills, it commands breath-taking views of the valley below, through which huge herds of wildebeest and zebra migrate each year. While the Great Migration is an annual highlight, guests can experience excellent year-round lion, leopard and cheetah sightings. Huge herds of buffalo and breeding herds of elephant are all resident and birdwatching in the seasonal marshlands is exceptionally rewarding. Several species of raptor breed on the cliffs above Klein’s Camp and numerous birds of prey, including vultures and eagles, are frequently spotted soaring on the updrafts.” (Klein’s)

But not only when the migration is in the north, Klein’s Camp is a great safari destination. The concession allows excellent wildlife sightings with lion hunting, lion being pushed around by buffalos and elephant, exceptional opportunities to see a lion kill and much, much more. And it is also a comfortable and beautiful camp.


It is an exceptional place for wildlife photography enthusiasts.


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa

Featured African safari tour: Highlights South Africa

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South Africa is a big country with pretty much everything one could wish for, from endless beaches to the Big Five, awesome Cape town, semi desert, mountains and all in between. Even three weeks of African safari holiday wouldn’t be enough to see it all. One got to make a choice and come back for the other beautiful places a couple more times. To start with a first visit to South Africa it should include history with the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, of course Cape Town with the Table Mountain, Cape Point and Winelands and last, but definitely not least the African safari.

The featured itinerary covers them all in only 11 days, visiting the best places in the bush, in Johannesburg and Cape Town. It is suitable as a once in a lifetime experience and it creates desire to come back and see more.

View and download the itinerary
here.


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa


What to expect from the African safari tour best of Kruger lfy-in?

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Travellers with only a week to get away and enjoy a safari will benefit the most from this 7-Day African safari tour. When arriving in the early morning in Johannesburg a light Aircraft transfer will bring the guests directly to the first lodge and lunch will be enjoyed already in the bush. The same convenient flight connection is on the way back to Johannesburg to connect with an evening flight back home.

Both lodges are on private game reserves with excellent Big Five sightings and there are no more than 6 guests on the game drive vehicle. These are the conditions to have an outstanding safari not to speak of the pretty lodges and great food. The private game reserves are different in landscape, although there are not far apart and there is the chance to see besides leopards, rhinos, buffalos, lion and elephant also cheetah, this elegant beautiful big cat.

The tour is a perfect getaway for one week and great to be integrated in bigger itineraries. The details can be viewed and downloaded
here.


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa




What makes Kichwa Tembo a much loved African safari camp

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Blessed with an astounding year-round concentration of animals and site of the Great Wildebeest Migration, Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve provides an unsurpassed wildlife experience. Covering an area of 1 510 km. (583 square miles), the Masai Mara is a land of breath-taking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless landscapes.

With abundant elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah alongside the migratory wildebeest and zebra, the reserve is a photographer’s and naturalist’s paradise. Leopard are frequently encountered, endangered black rhino find shelter in dense thickets and rafts of hippo and enormous crocodiles are found in the Mara River. The reserve is also home to over 450 bird species.

Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp and Bateleur Camp are situated in the Kichwa Tembo private concession, which neighbours the Masai Mara. Meaning ‘head of the elephant’ in KiSwahili, Kichwa Tembo consists of private land leased from Maasai landlords and is situated in the remote western Mara. In addition to its the excellent year-round concentration of wildlife, Kichwa Tembo lies directly in the path of Africa’s spectacular Great Migration.

Well, this is the official explanation of the lodge itself, but what exactly makes it much loved by
African safari guests? In the first place it is all true what they say. What they don’t mention is the incredible view from the camp’s pool area over the Great Plains. You can swim in the pool, watching herds of zebra and elephants passing by. And not to forget the resident warthog family. They roam in the camp and can be found sleeping in the main area expecting everyone to respect their space, what everyone does. It looks so cute. Another feature is the escarpment right behind the camp, that can be explored during bush walks. Also a great experience are bush walks to the river or a hot air balloon flight over the Masai Mara with the launch site right next door.

It is the mixture of untamed nature, great location, excellent wildlife sightings, comfort and adventure what makes Kichwa Tembo so lovable. It is definitely worth visiting, especially now with the Great Migration getting into full swing in the Masai Mara.

Happy Great Migration travelling!


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa





Featured African safari tour: Migration Routes Botswana

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When you hear Migration Routes you probably think immediately of the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. But there are more migrating animals and a pretty big migration, however less know, is the migration in Botswana.

To partake in a Migration Route is to experience a nostalgic
African safari through private nature areas off the beaten path
that recreates a sense of wildlife viewing adventure reminiscent
of the times of the early African explorers. This exciting route
takes the time to explore the changing areas, stunning beauty and continually moving game of northern Botswana: from walking on islands in the jewel of the Kalahari, the Okavango Delta, to the diverse, wildlife-filled Linyanti concession, with its seasonal elephant herds. The camps are located in a range of different habitats to maximize the best possible game viewing through all times of the year.

Inspired? View and download the itinerary
here.


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa


Want to be close to baby elephants?

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Elephants are on top of the list of many visitors to Africa and one of the most popular animals of the Big Five. It is enchanting to watch baby elephants making their first steps and how gentle their big moms are looking after them.

Unfortunately also little and big dramas happen in the bush and baby elephants can get lost or loose their mom. For many of these orphans, a wonderful organization in Nairobi, called David Scheldrick Wildlife Trust, is a safe home. They are lovingly raised to be released into the wild again when they are grown ups.

If you got a day or two in Nairobi during your
African safari, visit the foundation and witness the feeding of the baby elephants. It is a great photographic opportunity and a memorable experience.

Read more about the wonderful work of the foundation in Lizzie Willians post right
here.

Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa






Experience an African safari at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

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The northern safari circuit is one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa and included in pretty much every African safari tour in Tanzania. The cornerstones of the northern circuit are Tarangire/Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti The Ngorongoro Crater is perhaps the most impressive part with its incredible landscape and wildlife.

The Ngorongoro Crater and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are without a doubt some of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania, steeped in history and teeming with wildlife. This protected area is located in the Great Rift Valley and also known as the eighth wonder of the world. The Crater actually is a gigantic fracture of the earth's crust. The magnificent landscape consists of volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes, forests and archaeological sites. At 1600 meters altitude the bottom of the Crater (265 km square),dotted with watering holes, offers shelter to almost 30.000 animals in an area naturally enclosed by the slopes of the volcano. The Crater elephants are strangely, mainly bulls. There is a small number of black rhino. The bird life is largely seasonal and is also affected by the ratio of soda and fresh water on the Crater floor. You will also explore the wildlife: lions, elephants, zebra, hippo, buffalos, and rhino are just a few to be mentioned.

There are only three lodges right at the rim of the crater overlooking the vast crater floor, offering stunning views. One of them is the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and its probably the most beautiful of them with its great design and comfort.

The lodge is perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater. The sumptuous safari suites offer breath-taking views. Inspired in design by the Maasai mud and stick manyatta, or homestead, it is one of the most spectacular lodges in Africa. Three separate and intimate camps totalling just 30 suites are reminiscent of a bygone era. Steeped in romance, each stilted, handcrafted mud and thatch suite is adorned with graceful antiques, grand chandeliers and elegant African treasures. The bedroom, sitting room and ensuite bathroom boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the magnificent Crater below.

Guests can enjoy besides the grant design and views, zebras and elephants roaming in the lodge’s proximity. Not to speak of delicious food and personalized service, creating surprises like a hot bath with rose petals and crater view to welcome you back from a game drive in the crater.

It is an exceptional experience to stay at the Crater Lodge and if in any way possible, include it in your itinerary.

Happy Tanzania safari travelling!


Ute Sonnenberg for Roho Ya Chui, Travel Africa