WW 1 Battle Field Safari Itinerary Series 4 days/ 3nights Tsavo Battlefield Tour

WW 1 Battle Field Safari Itinerary Series
 4 days/ 3nights Tsavo Battlefield Tour

WW1 Battlefield Safari Itineraries
                                         Option 1
Over the next 4 years, the world will commemorate the occurrence of the World War 1 around the world. This “war to end
all wars” was the bloodiest that the world had ever experienced at the time. In Kenya this commemoration is being held in
Taita Taveta County which pitted forces from the German ruled Tanganyika against British forces protecting the British
colonies in Kenya, Uganda and Somaliland.

Battlefield tourism specializes in touring of battlefields, cemeteries, memorials and related historic sites all around the
world. It focuses on historic battlefields where the fighting is long past and is much more strongly linked to heritage and
commemoration.

The featured tours will take you through an odyssey of how the 1st World War was fought in Taita Taveta in what we now
call “The East African Campaign”

Day 1 – Nairobi to Taveta

 7.30am- You will be picked up from a hotel at the city center. Depart and drive to Taveta with a brief stop at Capital
Centre on Mombasa Road to collect fresh picnic lunch boxes. Proceed and drive on Mombasa Road with a
bathroom stop in Emali. Take Loitoktok road weather permitting you will view Mt. Kilimanjaro very clearly as you
drive to Taveta. The stretch of the road from Loitoktok to Grogans Castle is murrum road. On the way have a brief
stop to view Lake Challa Crater Lake. Thereafter drive on arriving at Grogans Castle for check-in. Dinner and
overnight at Grogans Castle (Fullboard)

GROGAN CASTLE

The Grogan Castle is an imposing mega-structure situated within the Grogan Estate about 9 kilometers from the Voi
– Taveta road within Latitudes 03˚ 26′ 58″S and 037˚ 44’ 24″ E. It rests on a hill surrounded by flat plains that open up
south-eastwards to Lake Jipe.
Physical Description: Colonel Ewart Grogan built this castle
on a 1 acre piece of land as the heart of his 81,000 acre
empire. The castle is a magnificent monolith set on a serene
landscape. South-eastwards is a forest that hosts a big
population of elephants among other wild life. The castle
has thick walls of a unique colonial architecture and is built
on a hill overlooking Mt. Kilimanjaro to the west. Inside, the
Castle has several self contained large bedrooms, a dining
room and living room, all elegantly furnished with beautiful
wood work and game trophies. After Grogan’s departure,
the entire farm was bought by Mr. Criticos, a Greek whose
son, Mr. Basil Criticos a former MP for Taveta has developed
the Castle into a hotel.                                                            Grogan Castle, Taveta

Day2– Taveta to Maktau

7.30am After early breakfast depart with picnic lunch from Grogans
Castle.
Visit Mahoo church Fort, followed by Taveta CWGC European
Cemetery, then go to the Former Taveta Police Station where the 1st
gun shot that triggered the 1st World War was fired from. Then drive to
Taveta CWGC Indian Cemetery then proceed to visit Banana Plantation
in Mboghoni before proceeding to Njoro Springs where you will enjoy
entertainment by a cultural troupe called Luworo (meaning peace) as
you interact with the locals and enjoy the natural happenings of the
water springs that forms a heavy flow of Njoro River. Thereafter
proceed to Salaita Hills for a short expedition then visit the Sniper’s
baobab before proceeding onto Maktau CWGC Indian Memorial
Graves. Here you will interact with the locals who sell mines from this
area. Proceed to Taita Hills Wildlife lodge for dinner and overnight
(Fullboard)

Day 3– WW 1 sites within Taita Sanctuary Area

6.00am Wakeup call
6.30am Depart for early morning game drive at the Sanctuary.

Thereafter return back for full breakfast followed by a brief talk at the
WW1 museum which is at the same lodge. Thereafter you will be
driven to Maili 27 and also Mashoti Fort before returning back for
lunch. Afternoon relax by the pool. Evening there will be a WW1 slide
show that will be presented to you. Dinner and Overnight at Taita Hills
Wildlife Lodge (Fullboard)

SAROVA TAITA HILLS GAME LODGE

Built in the shape of a German Fort, Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge is one that bursts with rich history from the
World War I. The beautifully designed lodge offers a truly exclusive bush experience, being situated in the heart
of the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, a private conservancy of 28,000 acres located at the foot of the Taita Hills
              and adjacent to Tsavo West National Park, one of the world's largest game reserves.

 Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge provides the exceptional experience of proximity to the wildlife and a viewing
  gallery from the comfort of your room balcony . Since the lodge is unfenced, animals such as gazelles and
     elephants are commonly sighted on the grounds and at the watering hole near the swimming pool.

Day 4- Taita Hills Lodge Sanctuary to Nairobi via Voi

8.00am Breakfast at Taita Hills Game Lodge thereafter depart and drive to
Nairobi with picnic lunch boxes.

Have a brief stop at Chakareli (meaning check the railway line) to visit a British
family that were sired during WW1 and are part of the Taita Community. Here
there will be a cultural entertainment from this sub-county as you interact with
the locals as you buy souvenirs from them. Thereafter depart & drive to Voi
CWGC Cemetery. This is where Lieutenant Wilber Dartnell, an Australian
volunteer was buried in the beautifully maintained Voi commonwealth war
graves commission (CWGC) Cemetery. The Victorian Cross was posthumously
awarded to him.
Thereafter depart and proceed on to Nairobi. On the way you will be shown the
Man-Eaters bridge on Tsavo river that that is still intact. Arrive in Nairobi early
evening and you will be dropped off at the city centre or a place of your
convenience within the city. End of Tour

COST PER PERSON SHARING Kshs. 73,400/- for Residents/Citizens US$ 884 Non-resident
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT Kshs. 726 for Residents/Citizens US$ 09 for Non-residents

(Above cost is valid from Nov 1st to Dec 22nd. 2014 and from Jan 4th 2015 to March 31st 2015. Require minimum 6 clients &
maximum 8 clients per van)
 COST PER PERSON SHARING Kshs. 80,250/- for Residents/Citizens US$ 967 Non-resident
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT Kshs. 10,100 for Residents/Citizens US$ 122 for Non-residents
Above cost is valid from Dec 23rd . 2014 to Jan 3rd 2015 and during Easter Weekend 2015.)

      Above cost includes:
                                                                              •Entry fees to all the sites, sanctuary & Tsavo West National
                                                                              Park as indicated in the itinerary
         •Transport in 9 seater van from Nairobi and back to Nairobi
         on the last day                                                      •Cultural dances
                                                                              •All government taxes and levies
         •Services of a Professional Safari driver
         •Services of a Professional safari guide
         •Services of a Professional Battlefields guide on ground
         •Accommodation on Bed &Breakfast in Nairobi and
         Fullboard during the battlefield tour (picnic lunch is part of
         the fullboard package)

 What is not included: International Airfare, Entry Visa currently US$50, accommodation in Nairobi, return airport transfer, travel &
 luggage insurance any service not mentioned in the inclusions and in the itinerary. Tips and gratuities which is at your discretion.

            For Reservations Contact: Karibu Paradise Safaris -E.A on 0722 525350 or 0725 959202
 Email: karibuparadisesafaris@gmail.com & info@karibuparadise.com Website: www.karibuparadise.com
 Payment Options: Direct Bank Deposit, Electronic Funds Transfer and Online Credit Card Options available.

Additional notes.
1/ There will be discussions every evening on the day’s events and briefing about the following day’s activities.
2/ There is every possibility to view and photograph wild life not only from the vehicles but also whilst walking in Maili 27
    & Mashoti. An armed Guard will be accompanying you to these sites.
 3/ Stout walking shoes or good runners/trainers are necessary. Most of the lodges have swimming pools to cool off after
    a hot day of travelling so please carry swim wear.
 4/ Pls carry some mosquito repellent and take anti malaria medication as prescribed by your physician before
    commencement of the safari.
5/ Due to heat during the day please carry with you sunglasses, safari hat, light clothing short sleeved shirts & shorts
   during the day and warm and long sleeved and long trousers for the evening.
6/ Carry your digital camera & video and where possible a pair of binoculars
7/ Carry enough money for both alcoholic, non-alcoholic drinks and souvenirs to be procured from the local community

Brief explanation about the Battle field sites to be visited
Mahoo Hill Church
Actually a Church Missionary Society mission post that was occupied by the Germans in September 1914 and
subsequently fortified by them. Several well preserved trenches can still be seen here.

Taveta CWGC European WW1Cemetery
Mainly holds the dead from the various attacks made on Salaita and the surrounding area and also from the battle at
Latema and Reata Ridges. Also has Germans & South Africa casualties.

Former Taveta Police Station
Now on its last legs and desperately in need of restoration. It was from this building that the first shots of the land
campaign were fired from signaling the start of the East African Campaign.

Taveta CWGC Indian WW1 Cemetery
A memorial to several Indian soldiers killed during the campaign and buried here.

Snipers Baobab tree
Legend has it that a German woman was holed up in this magnificent Baobab Tree, sniping at British Empire troops as
they tried to attack Salaita Hill.

Salaita Hill
The cork in the bottle that had to be taken out before the contents of German East Africa were revealed. Strategically
located between the Pare Mountains in the South and Mt Kilimanjaro in the West Salaita was quickly occupied and made
into a strong defensive position by the Germans in 1914. Attacked three times by the British who were beaten off with
heavy loss each time.

Maktau CWGC Indian WW1 Memorial
CWGC Memorial to several Indian soldiers who were killed when General Malleson was ambushed by the Germans. Was
originally a British cemetery, dead were re interred at Voi.

Mashoti Fort
Built by the Loyal North Lancashire Regt in late 1915, trenches and typical regulation design British fort laid out according
to the ‘book’. Well eroded today but clearly visible and easily accessible.

Maili 27 Railway Bridge
The Germans had wanted to blow up this bridge without success in a bid to cut off weapons etc supply to Maktau

Voi Commonwealth War Graves Commission WW1 Cemetery
A consolidated cemetery with graves recovered from scattered burial places, mostly after the war and re interred here.
Lt Darnell VC is buried here. On a Battlefield Tour I like to place a ceremonial wreath on the Cross of Sacrifice.

Tsavo Man-Eaters Bridge
The Man eaters of Tsavo station that virtually unchanged since it was built in the late 1890s. The nearby Tsavo River
Bridge was a target that the Germans were continually trying to get to, to blow it up. It was too heavily defended.