Let's Go See the Great Migration of 2021 with Smita
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Let’s Go See the Great Migration of 2021 with Smita Masai Mara (Kenya) - Northern Serengeti (Kogatende – Tanzania) September 2021 6-Person Small Group Safari Arrive in Kenya on Sept 24, 2021 – Depart from Tanzania on Oct 1, 2021 Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 1
A Safari in Remote Africa Dear Adventurers: In these unusual times of coronas and quarantines and social-distancing rules, we find ourselves living in a circumscribed world; and yet, we long to be free and feel the wind in our face again. So, it’s nice to know that there are still places on our planet we can visit safely, and activities we can enjoy safely - trips that will isolate us from the crowds but keep us connected to the world around us. Africa is one of those places and a wildlife safari is one of those experiences. If your safari was designed with care, then the only jostling elbows you may see on your trip could be two zebra stallions fighting over a zebra harem…As for those jostling humans, save for a few other savvy travelers, nary a crowd in sight Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 2
When most people think about masses of wildlife, images of the Great Migration usually spring to mind – we imagine hundreds upon thousands of wildebeest and zebra massed nervously along river banks, poised to plunge into the rushing brown waters of the river below, with the instinctive knowledge that this will be a life or death journey for them… for there are enormous white-toothed Nile crocodiles lurking in those waters, and tawny lions crouched in thick bushes on the other side… Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 3
We have designed this safari with a focus on the migrating herds of gnus and other hooved animals as they circumnavigate the Mara-Serengeti eco-system with the attendant predators following in their wake. Throughout the month of September and early October, these mega-herds of animals will cross and re-cross the Mara river multiple times. It is our job to find you a ringside seat in this natural theater so that you can watch the action unfold in front of your own eyes. The grass is always greener on the other side – even for the wildies! This is a pure migration safari, intended for serious wildlife enthusiasts and photographers who won’t mind waiting patiently as the herds mass and re-mass on the riverbanks in their quest to reach that greener grass on the other side… I hope you decide to join us on this immersive and slow adventure in the Serengeti & Masai Mara eco-systems. If you have any questions do write to me at smita@chaloafricainc.com Smita Co-founder Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 4
Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 5
Trip Highlights • River crossings, river crossings and more river crossings! (fingers crossed, the Gods are kind since there is never any guarantee when it comes to wildlife!); • A good chance to see the Big 5, Big 7, Shy 5, Ugly 5 and much much more; • Well-positioned for predator-prey interactions; • Hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti ecosystem (optional); • Seeing hundreds upon thousands of animals on the move – these are wildlife densities seen nowhere else in the world; • Safaris conducted safely and responsibly, with proper Covid-19 protocols in place; • 2 open private vehicles; • Very well qualified Asilia Africa guides; Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 6
Your Safety is our Highest Priority The following safeguards have been adopted after careful consideration and consolidation of the recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other health professionals. Please apply for an online visa in advance of your trip to reduce queues and unnecessary interaction on arrival. PREVENTATIVE EQUIPMENT AT OUR CAMPS At each camp, the following will be available for staff and guest use: • Disposable gloves (latex and latex-free) • Face masks: Please bring your own, though we will have extras for guests • Digital forehead thermometers • Disinfectant/alcohol-based wipes • Disinfectant hand gel. Available at all public bathrooms and in each kitchen and waiter station • Cleaning agent (0.1 percent sodium hypochlorite based/environ-approved products) • Plant-based sterilizer. ACTIVITIES PROTOCOL • We have two 4 x 4 safari vehicles at our disposal. • All vehicles will have at least one bottle of antibacterial hand sanitizer for guests. All guides and support staff will carry their own hand sanitizers to maintain hygiene during the activity and when setting up drink stops. • After the activity, all surfaces and objects used will be sprayed with disinfectant i.e. car door handles, roll bars, boat railings, seats and pouches. • Please endeavour to bring your own binoculars. Guides will be unable to share theirs unless disinfected each time. • Likewise, guides will not pass guidebooks back to guests, but can be looked at from a safe distance. • For bush dining, the communal containers will be replaced with pre-packed and sealed individual snacks for breakfast/sundowner stops. • Guides will wear a face mask throughout the safari. We will gladly provide you with our complete Covid protocol upon request. Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 7
Day 1: Sept 24, 2021 – Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya (JKIA) Our team will meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and transfer you to your lodging for the night – House of Waine. This is a beautiful boutique hotel in the residential area of Karen that feels like a private home. Relax, settle in, and depending on what time you arrive, we can either arrange some other optional activities for you in Nairobi, or else you can simply relax and then meet up with the rest of the group in time for a welcome dinner. Overnight lodging: Standard Double/Twin-sharing room at House of Waine Meals included: Group dinner Some optional activities that can be organised (at additional cost): A trip to the Giraffe Centre or Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Due to limited space, some of these activities have to be booked in advance. Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 8
Day 2: September 25, 2021 – Masai Mara Game Reserve (Naboisho Conservancy) Today, we will take an early morning flight from Nairobi Wilson airport to Ol Seki airstrip in the Naboisho Conservancy in the greater Masai Mara, arriving in time for a pre-lunch game drive en route to Encounter Mara Camp. Situated on the edge of the savannah under the shade of acacia trees, Encounter Mara is a 10-tent camp within the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, bordering the famed Masai Mara reserve in southwest Kenya. From the camp’s outdoor viewing deck, guests can watch zebras amble to the nearby saltlick, see a giraffe strut right past camp, glimpse a mongoose running down the path right in front of you or even spot a cheetah prowling the plains. Over sundowners around the campfire, listen for lions calling to each other as they start their night of hunting. From Encounter Mara, guests can go on a night game drive as well. The conservancy has the big cats in big numbers. In fact, with roughly 100 lions living in the vicinity, it has one of the highest lion densities in the world. The largest pride in the Greater Mara Region – comprising 20 lions – has made the conservancy its home. Of course, such a healthy lion population would not be possible without an equally healthy wildlife food chain below it. The conservancy boasts impressive herds of elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, and zebra. It is also home to Kenya’s rare wild dog. In addition to the abundance of resident game, the Mara Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 9
Naboisho Conservancy also serves as a migration corridor for several hundred thousand animals between the Masai Mara National Reserve and the Loita Plains to the east. The existence of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy ensures that migratory cycles and patterns are not disturbed or forced to change. Overnight lodging: Luxury Double/Twin-sharing tents at Encounter Mara Camp. Meals included: All meals, house drinks (except champagne) and limited laundry. Night game drives are also included at Encounter Mara. Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 10
Days 3 & 4: Sept 26-Sept 27, 2021 – Your safari away from the crowds in the Masai Mara ecosystem Quite apart from the fact that the Naboisho Conservancy has some of the highest densities of big cats for which the Mara is so famous, you will enjoy your days here under the superb guiding of senior Maasai guides, who are based in camp. Nothing is too much trouble for them, nor for the dedicated resident staff, all of whom hail from nearby Masaai villages and are intimately familiar with the park. Spend some time at the salt-lick, watching elephants and zebras as they replenish their mineral requirements. Follow the resident leopard and cheetah as they go about their business in an environment that is one of the best examples of harmonious human-wildlife co-habitation. Overnight lodging: Luxury Double/Twin-sharing tents at Encounter Mara Camp. Meals included: All meals, house drinks (except champagne) and limited laundry. Night game drives are also included at Encounter Mara. Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 11
Day 5: September 28, 2021 – Masai Mara, Kenya to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania After 3 nights in the Masai Mara, you will take an early morning flight from Ol Seki airstrip to Kogatende airstrip in Northern Serengeti, with immigration stops at the Migori and Tarime border posts, arriving in Tanzania in time for a late lunch. This simple but comfortable tented camp is set up in the bush, and from our base, we’ll spend time looking for wildlife such as lions or cheetahs attracted by the huge gatherings of prey. Over morning coffee, you’ll watch wildebeest males chasing each other or zebras tussling. For a sunrise to remember, start the day by gliding above the plains in a hot- air balloon. In the evening, look up as the stars reveal themselves. Overnight lodging: Standard Double/Twin-sharing tents at Ubuntu Migration Camp. Meals included: All meals and house drinks (except champagne), limited laundry. Hot air balloon is optional. Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 12
Days 6 & 7: Sept 29-Sept 30, 2021 – Your ringside view on the river crossings on the Mara River This safari has been designed specifically for those people who want to give themselves the best chance at seeing the famous river-crossings. Please note that in order to do this, you will need some patience. The wildebeest are notorious for coming to the river bank and waiting…and waiting…and waiting some more, before the first ones finally pluck up the courage to plunge into the raging waters below. River crossings on the Tanzania side of the border are less busy compared to the Kenya side, especially towards the end of September and October. Overnight lodging: Standard Double/Twin-sharing tents at Ubuntu Migration Camp. Meals included: All meals and house drinks (except champagne), limited laundry Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 13
Day 8: Fly to Kilimanjaro (JRO) & onward flight home Your safari adventure will end with a last early morning game drive and your last bush flight from the Serengeti back to JRO where you will connect to your international flight back home (do ensure that your flight out is after 5pm). This particular safari will have brought you to 2 of the most iconic game parks of Africa – the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. We hope you will go back with treasured memories, beautiful images, and a real sense of how life is lived in the bush, by its human and non-human denizens. Kwa heri! Until we meet again! Overnight lodging: None Meals included: Breakfast only. You can pick up a light bite to eat at the airport before your onward international flight. Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 14
Call of the Wild - © DT Matthiesen Cost - Based on 6 adults in the group The trip costs USD 8,475 per person in Standard Double/Twin-share rooms Compliments of Chalo Africa: USD 700 rebate per person Final trip cost: USD 7,775 per person in Standard Double/Twin-share rooms Balloon flight (optional): USD 690 per person Note: If this group is confirmed by a family, we can include 2 children at an additional child cost. The cost includes: • 1 bush flight each in Kenya and Tanzania, plus Mara – Serengeti flight • 2 open sided vehicles & specialist guides at Encounter Mara and Ubuntu Camp • 30 kgs person total luggage allowance • Accommodation, meals, drinks and laundry as indicated • Daily activities as indicated The cost does not include: • International flights, visa fees, vaccinations, medical and travel insurance; • Any accommodation, activities, domestic flights, transfers or meals not mentioned above; • Shopping and other items of a personal nature; • Porterage, tipping and gratuity to camp guide and staff; Note: • Do ensure that you have obtained your Tanzania visa prior to arrival. • Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow Fever Vaccination is needed if you are coming from a country with rish of yellow fever. Please see WHO and CDC guidelines. • Internet and phone coverage is not guaranteed. The price quoted may change without notice due to any revision in prices brought about by the suppliers, revision in fuel prices or government levies/duties. It is deemed our detailed Terms and Conditions applicable have been read, understood and agreed upon. A copy of the same can be requested by email or viewed on our website at http://chaloafricainc.com/docs/Terms-and-Conditions.pdf. Please also find a link to the Liability Waiver Form http://chaloafricainc.com/docs/Liability-Release.pdf Adventure #SafarisWithSmita Chalo Africa Inc. 12019 Parkriver Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20112, USA info@chaloafrica.com | +1-703-220-6393 |www.chaloafrica.com 15
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