African Safari Lodges Kenya–Africa safari Top & Best Lodges Kenya

African safari lodges in kenya

Africa is dotted with many wilderness parks that host a variety of interesting animals. These parks are located in far flung wild africa areas with little in terms of infrastracture. Since the primary activity here besides conservation is tourism, these safari parks tend to play host to thousands of tourist every year. These parc safari tourists, in their quest to stay in the wild, need to be accomodated in lodges and hotels. The result is a mix of localised architecture and comfort in africa safari lodges.

Location of such lodges in parks is important. Most of the africab safari lodges will be loctaed in places that afford the best view on top of a hill or under a canopy of fever trees next to a strem or river. There is some important safari lodges information you need to know when planning your african kenya safari tour.

Kenya africa is an important africa safari land where you will be guarantedd to see the big five animals. Africam safari tour in kenya is one of the most rewarding if you are able to make a good combination of attractions to include the wild animals, the beach, the scenery and the bush.

Africa Kenya safari lodges

In kenya, safari lodges are also located in some of the most favoured animal parks. The most frequently visiteed animal parks in kenya include the
• Masai mara game reserve-the african lion safari park
• Tsavo national park-the maneater lions safari park
• Amboseli national park-the amboseli elephant and Mt. Kilimanjaro animal safari park
• Samburu game reserve-the africa kenya river safari park
• Mt.Kenya national park-the african kenya mountain park
• Aberdares national park-the african kenya mountain park

The best kenya safari lodges will often feature good size rooms, a buffet restaurant menu, exotic african safari decoration with themes ranging from the masai artefacts to animal carvings and distinct bright or dull african colours. Most of the four 4 star and 5 five star african safari lodges will have a swimming pool to wah off the dirt from the safari game drives.

Masai mara safari lodges-the african safari mecca

Popularised by the annual wildebeest migration, the masai mara hosts over a million tourists in a year. The best safari lodges in the masai mara are loctated in the escarpment to the north of the rserve offering spectacular views of the savannah. These include:

• mpata safari club-best african lion safari lodge
• serena mara lodge- 5 star lion safari in kenya lodge with astounding views from the raised carved pool
• african safari club-all inclusive african safari tour lodge.

Other good african kenya animal safari lodges in the masai mara include:

• Keekorok safari lodge-luxury kenya safari tour lodge
• Mara intrepids safari camp-good value africam safari tented camp
• Governor’s safari camps-best african kenya safari camp-pricey
• Cottar’s hunting safari camp-classic hunting kenya safari holidays base
• Base camp-mid range kenya safari style tented camp
• Olonana safari camp-luxury award winning african ecotourism safari tented camp
• Sopa lodge masai mara-good kenya animal safari camp with best view from pool.
• Sarova game safari camp-top luxury african safari camp by the river and sorrounded by large thorn trees and lush green vegetation.
• Riverside camp-good value african safari tour cottages in masai mara-offers african wild safari trek in kenya
• Mara simba lodge-the african wilderness safari lodge by the river with a hippo pool
• Siana tented camp- top mid range african lion country safari camp by the river.
• Simba camp- budget camp located in the best african safari wildlife park of masai mara
• Acacia camp- budget camp with a african wild animal safari theme in the masai mara

There are other very good african safari tour lodges in other wild safari parks in kenya. I have serialised these african kenya wilderness safari lodges in other articles on this ezine.

Enjoy your African Kenya lion country safari in the best safari accommodation!!

Kenya Tour Africa-Africa Kenya Tour Best Travel Safari Vacation

Nairobi Kenya safari tour is an experience of a city within an African jungle country of Kenya. Nairobi is a metropolitan city with all the luxuries a traveler requires. There are also many Nairobi safari and Kenya day tours. These Nairobi day tour specials highlight Nairobi Kenya famous landmarks including the national museum and Nairobi animal orphanage including the famous Nairobi national park in the city.

Nairobi Kenya Tour Highlights

Marvel at the buildings of the largest capital in an east African tour. Suit clad people going to office and imaginatively painted graffiti on public taxis (the matatu culture). The green city in the sun is an attraction by itself and the urban life here contrasts heavily with the wildlife–filled rural Kenya just beyond the town. Hard to believe how they keep their wildlife from a city so close.

On arrival at the JKI airport-one of the few airports in the world that you can see browsing giraffe within the neighborhood. You are met by one of your tour representatives for the African Kenya tour safari briefing. Thereafter you will drive through Nairobi city enroute to your hotel. This one night Nairobi safari hotel makes you relax and wind down your jet lag in preparation for the safari on the next day. Your dinner and overnight at the Nairobi hotel helps you acclimatise with the tropical Kenyan weather before departure the next morning.

Aberdares Kenya Vacation Tour
On your second day in Nairobi, you may decide to sample one of Kenya best mountain tour parks. The most attractive Kenya parks tour accommodation is the aberdare tree hotel known as the treetops. The only tree hotel/lodge in Kenya is located next to a watering hole where some of the rare African animals can be seen at night at the salt lick.

Your will depart Nairobi after breakfast for the Aberdares in the cmmon pop-up–roof-top safari minivans. Arrival at Aberdares Kenya tour park will be in time for lunch at the outspans base lodge. Later you will be transfered to the Kenya tree lodge/the treetops for an overnight stay with African tour animals. Observe animals at night at the water holes. You will be woken up on request to view a rare animal ( rhino/leopard) when it appears at the water hole at night.

Aberdare Kenya Holidays Highlights

The lush Kenya mountain tour park has wet and cool highlands and hosts the rare bongo, rivers with trout, bamboo forests and mesmerising waterfalls. The aberdares safari park is at an altitude of 6,000-13,000ft which results to a cool alternative to the typical Savannah of most Kenyan Parks. It is recommended in addition to your itinerary to experience the Kenyan diversity in attractions. Elevated lodges of the tree tops and the Ark are ideal african game lodges that are many peoples dream when thinking of an African Kenya tour vacation.

These raised Kenya tour lodges provide once in a lifetime close ups with Kenya jungle animals at the ground level watering hole observation blinds. These are tunneled as close as 2 meters from the watering hole and covered with a glass wall allowing you close up vie of the animals. This observation blinds brings your head to a foot from a huge mass of an elephant at the watering hole. There are over 40 species of animals in the kenya’s aberdare forest park including lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, rhinos, , colobus monkeys, elephants, elands, bongo and over 200 species of birdlife.

Lake Nakuru Kenya Park tour

You are picked from your lodge after breakfast and depart Aberdares. You will drive to the Lake Nakuru National Park arriving in time for lunch and late afternoon game drive. One whole day safari in the Lake Nakuru Park viewing the flamingos and game in the area will leave you gasping. It is recommended to stay a night in Nakuru park with relaxation. Dinner and overnight is at the lodge will also give you the rare African tour in Kenya experience.

Lake Nakuru Kenya Travel Highlights

This bird sanctuary and Kenya lake park hosts more than 400 species of birds. Most are migrant birds in Kenya from Europe and East Asia. Lake Nakuru is one of the many Kenyan lakes located at the floor of the great rift valley (a huge remnant valley that runs across Africa indicating evidence of scars where earth forces failed to tear the African continent from the original pangea mass). Lake Nakuru is a shallow green-blue alkaline lake known for its flocks of pink lesser and greater flamingos. It also has 450 other bird species.

It is not a wonder to have over 2 million flamingos in the Kenya lake tour park at any one time. Lake Nakuru safari park is also a sanctuary for the white and black rhino and the rare Rothschild giraffe. The park is the only one in Kenya here spotting a rhino is almost guaranteed. There are other wildlife here including the hippo, reedbuck, defassa waterbuck, baboons, impala, lions and giraffe. A rare type of forest is also seen here on a hill covered with a cactus-like Euphorbia Candelibrium trees which resembles an inverted chandeliers.

Masai Mara Kenya Tour Holidays-The Prime Of Kenya’s African Safari Tour And Travel

You will depart Nakuru lake holiday park after a morning game drive and breakfast in the lodge. You will also be treated to an enroute game drive as you exit the park. You will pass through the mau escarpment the land of the Masai and the wheat farms. Later, descend into the masai Mara through Narok town. On arrival you are checked in at one of the famous masai mara game lodges or tented camp. Dinner and overnight at the lodge under the clear sky and African jungle sounds.

Masai Mara Kenya Tour Highlights

The Mara as it is called by guides is the ultimate in any Kenyan safari. The Masai Mara provides spectacular numbers of not only grazers but the cats and other hard to spot animals. It is ideal for photographers with its gently rising plains, scenic gorges and dramatic escarpments. Dramatic rainshowers sail across the sky and the last golden rays of the sun will turn the Mara into one of the world’s most dramatic and beautifully golden tableaus.

The abundance of predators and plains game make the mara the only among few places in an African tour of Kenya that you have a high chance of seeing a lion or better , a cheetah make a kill of an antelope. Every year millions of Kenya wildebeest migrate north from the Tanzania Serengeti to the green grass of the mara. Between July-October the reserve hosts 250,000 zebras and 1,250,000 wildebeests. It also host to Kenya tour largest population of black-manned lions. This is a very popular Kenya tour park.

The Masai Mara has an unseen border with the larger Serengeti National Park of Tanzania and offers best Kenya tour game viewing opportunities. The variety of Kenya game yu see in this vast expanses of grassland is mindboggling. A pride of lions puts you under siege for an hour lying under the shade of your vehicle, while elephant pass on silently-a foot from your car window. This is where the action is and where you want to be !!!

You can spend the next three to four days of your African Kenya tour holidays in the Masai mara as the climax of your Kenya travel itinerary. After the Masai mara you will rarely feel inadequate in experiencing the real African safari tour.

Later and depending on the length of your African Kenya tour safari, you can continue to other Kenya wild parks or return to Nairobi for your flight back home. A thoroughly excited and satiated Kenya tour veteran. One bug bites you though… The one that makes you want to return on a Kenya bush tour every year !!!

South Africa - A Quick Alphabetical Tour

At the very end of Africa is a land of wonder - offering everything possible to satisfy anyone's vacation or holiday needs. The following is a brief alphabetical tour of the highlights:

A - Addo Elephant Park - currently housing more than 450 elephants, 400 Cape buffalo, over 48 endangered black rhino as well as a variety of antelope species. Lion and spotted hyena have also recently been re-introduced to the area.

B - Beaches - South Africa has some wonderful beaches, including Blue Flag beaches - some on the cooler Atlantic Coast, and others on the warm Indian Ocean. Visit the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal for endless golden sand.

C - Cape Town - rightfully called the most beautiful city in the world - framed by the awesome Table Mountain, this lovely city is just waiting to be visited. Shops, restaurants, history, views - beaches, mountains, winelands - this is just a sample of what can be found in this wonderful city.

D - Durban - a city in KwaZulu- Natal on the warm Indian Ocean with the famous Golden Mile of sandy beaches and wonderful coastal areas to the North and South.

E - Eastern Cape - part of the famous Garden Route - a stunning area with wonderful scenery, attractive small towns and golden beaches.

F - Free State - when travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town, you pass through this area - although not a popular destination it has its attractions, including Bloemfontein, a small and lovely city.

G - Garden Route - glorious stretch along the Cape Coast from Mossel Bay all the way down to Port Elizabeth - wonderful scenery, beautiful coastal regions, golfing, Ostriches, caves… an endless variety of entertainment and holiday value.

H - Hermanus - on the Overberg Whale Route - a beautiful small town where at the right time of year, you can see the Southern Right Whale close up!

I - Indian Ocean - the warm side of South Africa - from Cape Point, all the way up the right side of South Africa to Hluhuwe in KwaZulu-Natal.

J - Johannesburg - The City of Gold - although probably not the best tourist attraction, and a little dangerous, it has its moments. Fly into Johannesburg Airport on the way to your Kruger National Park safari.

K - Kruger National Park - famous for the Big Five - Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino. Many wonderful safari and game lodges in this area and a MUST SEE location!

L - Limpopo Province - the real and raw Africa with wonderful wildlife, where the Big Five and other animals roam free. Amazing scenery, and malaria free for your comfort…

M - Mandela - Nelson Mandela, the icon of the New South Africa - imprisoned on Robben Island off Cape Town for 27 years before becoming the 11th South African President.

N - Northern Cape - part of the semi desert area of the Karoo - includes the fascinating Kimberley Hole - diamond mine of fame!

O - Oudtshoorn - just off the Garden Route in the on Route 62, this wonderful little town has many ostrich farms - you can even ride on an ostrich if you are brave enough! Also the famous Cango Caves are well worth a visit.

P - Pretoria - capital of South Africa - affectionately known as the Jacaranda City for all the purple blossom-bedecked trees, and a calm and elegant city.

Q - a difficult letter! Suffice to say that the smaller towns in South Africa are Quaint, Quiet, Quintessentially beautiful!

R - Ramsgate/Margate - on the South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal - beautiful seaside towns with endless sandy beaches.

S - Stellenbosch - in the Cape Winelands of the Western Cape - a historic and beautiful town, home to South Africa's second oldest University - the University of Stellenbosch. Surrounded by history and endless vineyards, and well worth the visit.

T - Tours and safaris - South Africa offers excellent tour and safari options in all its many touristic areas.

U - Umhlanga - beautiful seaside town on the North Coast of Durban.

V - Another difficult letter! V is for Visit South Africa for the holiday of a lifetime.

W - Wild Coast - on the Eastern Cape - a remarkable area with wonderful scenery, gorgeous beaches and beautiful little seaside towns.

X - Xhosa - the Xhosa are speakers of Bantu languages living in south-east South Africa, and in the last two centuries throughout the southern and central-southern parts of the country. A fascinating language to listen to with a series of fifteen different click sounds.

Y - You should visit South Africa!

Z - Zulu - A member of a Bantu people of southeast Africa, primarily inhabiting northeast Kwazulu-Natal province in South Africa.

In conclusion, South Africa has so much to offer - impossible to put in full detail on one article, but definitely a travel destination of note.

A visit to South Africa

On the very southerly tip of Africa lies a big land whose generous natural endowment on the natural beaut front provides plenty of ticks on most travellers' desirable place to visit wish-lists. South Africa's pristine beaches, majestic mountains, great quantity & mixture of animal and plant life make it an visible & compelling travel place to visit.

Although visitors undoubtedly find themselves uniquely enchanted by the country's dramatically varied landscape, abundant wildlife, pulsing cities & innumerable eco-tourist & outdoor adventure possibilities, it is the people of South Africa that represent this country's singular appeal.

South Africa is singular in each way, with a number of attractions you won't find anyplace else in the world…

TABLE MOUNTAIN

No visit to Cape Town is whole without a voyage up Table Mountain, from in which you will look at some of South Africa's most breathtaking aspects. Take a guided walk on one of the numerous routes or only ride the cable car to the top - it will be one of your holding up rememberings of SA.

ROBBEN ISLAND

A short sail from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront by ferry, this fabled island is a standard must-see on any newcomer's itinerary. This is in which Nelson Mandela and his associates were imprisoned for decades during the Apartheid era. Former inmates take you on an insightful tour of the prison house grounds. This historical island is nowadays a world inheritance site and also a exclaimed nature conservation area.

THE GARDEN ROUTE

From Cape Town by the seacoast to the Tsitsikamma Forest, this 600-kilometre stretch of small-scale towns, wineries, farms and sea villages has been a traveller's joy for more than a century. Take your time, soak in the scenery, stay over in a guest-house, enjoy the cuisine and allow South African hospitality take up.

Masai mara Kenya game reserve- World famous animal kingdom

The Masai Mara as the Kenyans call it is the most beautiful of all the country’s game reserves. Covering an area of 1510 sq km (almost 600sq miles) it is part of the traditional Masai lands, and its edges are dotted with Manyatas the shepherd’s villages. It’s an integral part of the Serengeti ecosystem, divided in two by the vagaries of human geography. The wildlife is abundant all year round

Stretching as far as the eye can see the savannah of the Masai Mara is dotted with clumps of trees, vestiges of the ancient forest which long ago covered most of the area. an explosion of gnu population from 300 000 during the 1950s to well over a million today has led to overgrazing and consequent increased in the size of the open plains.

If you visit the park in summer you will no doubt see the wondrous sight of hundreds of thousands of the gnu and zebra on the move in search of fresh grass having stripped the Serengeti bare. Later driven on by the arrival of new herbs the first animals ford to cross the Mara River. This perilous crossing undertaken by herds of maddened beasts is truly dramatic many of them drown others get bogged down in the mud and die. Their great numbers attract predators so it is one of the best opportunities you’ll have to observe the big cats hunting

The Animal Kingdom

The lion is the king of the jungle and rules the Masai Mara. The reserve is famous for its thousands lions, the males sporting a particularly dark and shimmering mane. Each pride is made up of about 30 animals, idling away the daylight hours and stirring only at dawn and at dusk.

To watch the lions hunting is a rare privilege but they are not as gifted as you might have imagined, indeed statistics show that many predators put on a very mediocre performance. lions and leopards let 80per cent of their prey get away, While the hyena has a failure rate of 65 per cent.

The champions are the hunting dogs though these animals have become rare and are not easy to spot .the leopard is also elusive but they do tend to let their tails dangle down from branches so keep your eyes open. The cheetah who spends most of the day out in the grassy savannah is more easily observed.

Elephants are found in the wooded zones they number about a thousand in the park living in herds of the some twenty members. You may also see one of the Masai Mara’s 40 rhinos. There are many giraffe and buffalo countless antelopes: Thomson’s gazelle, grant gazelle, impalas, dik-diks and topis.

At the hippo pools on the Masai Mara River a colony of hippopotamus squelch around in shallow waters, which they share with crocodiles. For a unique experience book a place for a morning flight in one of the park’s hot air balloons and glide serenely above the immensity of the savannah in an unearthly silence.

Kongoni Game valley Ranch- Best Kenya Ranch safari

You become one of the privileged few when you stay at the kongoni Game valley ranch. The elegance of the Brithgttti ranch house and its dramatic setting make this a very special place. The Kongoni Game Valley Ranch house is on a hilltop overlooking Lake Naivasha and the surrounding volcano peaks. The romance of the place begins in 1901 with a French marquis who built this home in Africa for his new American bride. They lived there happily until the early 1940's.they are both buried in a secluded part of the garden where the view they loved is absolutely breathtaking. The long low stone house with its ochre-tiled roof stands in a wide expanse of mowed lawns and tended gardens. It all feels very established and well-cared for there is an aura if quality. The house is built around a central country yard the communal living and dining rooms overlook the lake and open out to a wide veranda furnished with commodious wicker furniture and cushions. Guests are encouraged to relax in this restful spot and enjoy the magnificent view
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Below, shinning beyond its fringe of acacia trees is the lake framed by extinct volcanoes and the soaring sides of the rift valley. A forest of primeval euphorbia contrast with the clipped lawns and English style flower beds of the garden. Meals at Kongoni are memorable; intimate tables, garden flowers, and views from the sunroom at breakfast, cozy candlelight inside at night. The food is wonderfully can smell the bread baklkig; pizza arrives fresh from oven. The emphasis is on gourmets Italian cooking and the pasta and ice cream are homemade. Gianna jokes that the big five at Kingoni valley ranch are parmesan cheese, olive oil, capers risotto and pasta-mouth watering. Guests can take a walk at the shore or go boating. you are likely to see a wide variety of birds and perhaps a wide-open toothy yawn from a hippo. You may decide. you may decide simply to sit on the veranda in cushioned comfort and absorb the beauty and peace

Accommodation

Kongoni can accommodate up to 26 guests. Every guest room has been furnished by Gianna. The many personal touches remind you that you are in a private home. Each room has a rather charming and old fashioned bathroom. Many with turn of- the century European fixtures, including bidet. Most rooms open onto the central courtyard but some are in separate cottages or have private outside entrances. Some have fireplaces, and one even has an en suite sauna. Kingoni Valley ranch has recently opened another house very near to the lake with beautiful water views. Though separate this house is still on ranch property and can accommodate a private party of uo to seven guests in one single and tree double bedrooms. it is fully catered and can enjoy all the activities and facilities of the ranch

Lakeside House

Lake side house is a small home near the turnoff onto Moi south lake road the grounds and gardens are not very grand, but you can look toward the papyrus at the edge of the lake from the veranda. Guest sleep in one double room in the main farmhouse and in a nearby cottage .The cottage rooms have en suite shower bathrooms. The rooms are very small and rather crowded with furnishing. There are homey touches such as books magazines and instant coffee/tea trays.

Kenya - Wild Camping In Laikipia

Laikipia is a vast area which has abundance of wildlife and other beautiful attraction. There are many wildlife conservancy and other ranches that support wildlife and more so eco tourism activities. The best packages are offered by the community managed parks/reserves. They have developed the very best eco lodges and campsites that are to be found all over the world. They are first class facilities and though they have a premium charge, it a value for money products. Laikipia is a competitor of the "Seventh wonders of the world" - Masai Mara National reserve. Below, have a few select sanctuaries:

1. Sanctuary of Ol Lentille.

This sanctuary has a house Perched on the flanks of a wooded rock kopje, in the heart of our private conservancy, is The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille - a collection of four private, full-service, fully staffed houses for the discerning few. "Your Own Place in the African Wilderness". The activities are varied and diverse, Horse riding, camel trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing and scrambling, walking, game tracking, light aircraft and helicopter trips, 4x4 driving, quad biking, boules and croquet, a parcours jogging trail, and cultural lectures and demonstrations. Though the Sanctuary is all-inclusive except for rare wines, vintage champagne, aircraft and helicopter. Optionally, arrangements can be made for fly-in grouse shooting or trout fishing.

2. Kaptuya Conservancy

This little known community-based conservation project is located in western Laikipia. It is still in its pristine state and thus the natural environment. This area has varied topography and is a home to over 400 species of birds and 800 plant species. The campsite is located in rocky hill which is covered with small trees and green shrubbery, including African Olive and Combretum. 6,200 feet above sea level, surrounded by steep valleys and undulating hills, this is paradise for birds of prey. If you camp it this area you are likely to see elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, Greater Kudu and wild dog that roam through the region. The campsite has a Firewood is available though there are toilet facilities that have no washing facilities. Activities to involve your self include, walking, hiking & biking: Visitors must be accompanied by a local guide on all walks and hikes, Cultural Interaction are also an advantage of visiting this are.

3. Mukogodo Forest Reserve

This forest is located in north eastern Laikipia; it has natural indigenous forest with 170 identified vegetation species including podo, olive and cedar - clothed with lichen, ferns and orchids. The forest and its adjacent rangelands are a haven for birds, butterflies and wildlife including elephant, buffalo, leopard, wild dog, aardvark, tree hyrax, bush buck and dikdik. This forest has three campsites:

Campsite One: The first campsite is located only a few kilometers from the grassy plain which is inhabited by Mukogodo Maasai. The campsite is situated under a canopy of trees, near a grassy clearing with a small spring where a variety of small mammals, birds and butterflies gather.

Campsite Two: From a large rock kopje shaded with a fig tree is a spectacular 180 degree view over northern Kenya - best in the early morning or sundown time. Near by is a perfect camping area, with ample space to put-up tents under the shade of enormous cedar trees.

Campsite Three: At the grassy plain a rocky road off to east (signed for Tassia Lodge) leads to a beautiful campsite site, where mature fig trees and flowering shrubs provide a perfect habitat for birds, and in particular the Hartlaub's Turaco. During the rainy season a spring flows over a rocky outcrop and is used by the community to water their livestock.

While at this campsite you have an option of various activities that are on offer:
Walking, bird watching, Cultural Interaction, hiking & biking: The Forest has boundless potential for walking, hiking and mountain biking, with various nature trail options suitable for family groups and energetic hikers.

4. Ngare Ndare forest

Location: located on the northern foothills of Mount Kenya is the 5300 hectare indigenous Ngare Ndare forest, with red cedar, podo - measuring over 7 meters in circumference, greenheart, and mugumo (fig). Is a safe haven for large mammals including elephant, and a paradise for monkeys, birds and butterflies. There are also black rhino in the forest which are under constant surveillance. An impressive game viewing platform has been built 25 feet high amongst the fruiting mugumo trees, where groups of Hartlaub’s Turaco gather. The platform overlooks a natural swamp fed by an underground spring, where a variety of unique vegetation grows including phoenix palms, giant cycads and wild flowers. Here elephants and buffalo come to drink. The platform is an ideal picnic and sundowner spot, and on clear starry nights - a fantastic place to sleep. Below is plenty of space to set up a campsite.

5. Naibunga Conservancy

Naibunga Conservancy is an inspiring community initiative, where 9 group ranches with over 7000 community members in central Laikipia have set aside 43,000 acres for conservation. The typical semi-arid landscape with red-earthed rolling hills and rocky outcrops is covered with acacia trees. Wildlife is returning to the Naibunga area, and in particular for one special species - wild dog. Once completely depleted of wild dog, Laikipia and the Ewaso ecosystem now has over 250 individuals, making this the world's 4th largest population.

- Wuakumbe Hill Campsite is located within the Wuakumbe Hills on Morupusi Group Ranch has spectacular views north and west across the Laikipia plains and beyond, with Ololokwe Mountain in the distance. The communities have identified a perfect camping site where there is plenty of space to set up tents under the shade of scattered acacia trees. A stones throw away is a granite rock outcrop, hidden by flowering Euphorbia and tropical Dracaena plants, with uninterrupted views over the Kipsing lugga.

- Sinyai River Campsite also in Morupusi Group Ranch is based on the sandy banks of the seasonal Sinyai River which is shaded by enormous yellow-fever trees. The dry river basin attracts elephants that come to dig for water in the sand, and salt on the banks.

Cape Town, South Africa, City of Beauty and History

I can just imagine the thoughts of Portuguese explorer Bartholemew Diaz, when he first discovered the Cape in 1488. Coming in from the sea to this glorious and mountainous landscape must have been wondrous! Cape Town has come a very long way from its initial stages as home to the nomadic Khoi people and later the Dutch settlers of Jan van Riebeek of the Dutch East India Company.

Now a truly international city of sprawling proportions, all the cliches that have been applied to Cape Town are completely true - the Mother City, The Most Beautiful City in the World.. All with a beautiful backdrop of the amazing Table Mountain. Arrive in Cape Town at the Cape Town International Airport, and drive through a series of dilapidated, but interesting, townships to the city itself. So many international class hotels to choose from, both in the city and Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, and also in the surrounding suburbs. Choose also from a range of quality bed & breakfasts, guest houses and self-catering villas and apartments, for the perfect holiday accommodation.

Take the famed cable car up to the top of Table Mountain - what a glorious view of the city, Signal Hill and the surrounding areas! Meet the famous 'Dassies' or rock rabbits, that live on the summit - almost tame and very cute. Visit the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and take a ferry to Robben Island where you can visit the jail cell occupied by Nelson Mandela for so many years, and enjoy the view of the mountain from the island.

While in the Waterfront, take a sailing cruise, harbour cruise, booze cruise or just relax in the many quality restaurants, cafes and bars. Got a bit of money so spend? Have a shopping spree in the luxurious Victoria Wharf shopping mall! In the city itself, there are many shops, restaurants and cafes to explore, plus the Castle, and also the fascinating Bo-Kaap or Malay Quarter, with its wonderfully colourful houses. Hear the noon gun boom out as it has since 1806! The gun is situated on Signal Hill, just adjacent to the city.

High Tea - here's a treat - experience high tea at one of the luxury hotels. I highly recommended the Table Bay Hotel in the Waterfront and also the historic Mount Nelson Hotel near the Company Gardens for a treat DELUXE - with sandwiches, snacks and pastries, and delicious cakes and chocolate treats plus a range of tasty teas and coffee... you can always diet when you get home again!

Having explored the city to its fullest, go further afoot and visit gorgeous Camps Bay, popular seaside town with some amazing restaurants on the golden sandy beach front. The Atlantic Seaboard and the Cape Point Route have many lovely suburbs and towns, all with endless beaches and so much to explore. Go to the famous Cape Winelands and visit the vineyards for wine tasting, delicious lunches, and beautiful views. I first drove through the wine lands soon after dawn, on a winter morning and the views were so lovely I could have cried! Frost on the hillsides, the dark reds and greens of the vines...

Take a trip down the famed Garden Route all the way along the coast to Plettenberg Bay and the nearby Tsitsikamma Forest. Along the route you will visit beautiful seaside towns, see the ostriches and Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn and experience real tranquility and beauty. Visit the Overberg Region and the Whale Route - Hermanus is a historic little town with so many attractions including whale watching - the whales are so close, you could almost touch them!

All over the Cape Peninsula, golfers will find world-class golf courses to indulge their hobby, all with mountain or sea views. All in all, Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula of South Africa are well worth the visit and you will never forget the time that you spent in this marvelous country.

African Safari - Rock beats person everytime

When I think of Travellers I have a specific couple in mind. Doug and Geraldine Smith – sitting at home in their Miami Condo with their air-conditioning blasting. Doug’s in his bright Madiba Shirt and pink shorts. He is showing his friends photos of his recent holiday to Africa. Photos like: Geraldine on Table Mountain, Geraldine in front of the entrance to Robben Island, Geraldine, in her giant sun hat, standing plump and sunburnt next to a line of lean Maasai woman in the Serengeti.

"So what was Africa like Doug?"
"Well, it has the world’s highest free-standing blah blah", says Doug.
"Gee Doug, that sure is somethin’."

In my mind: Doug is your average traveller, and your average traveller has a fascination with two general things when travelling: One - Famous attractions and 2 - photographing themselves next to famous attractions.

Why is it that if you tell people like Doug the world biggest elephant turd is in sunny Strandfontein – he will take precious holiday time to make sure he gets a photo of his beaming face standing in front of said turd? It would seem that Doug is more comfortable exploring inanimate things like the meeting of two ocean points, an old castle, a monument, than he is in exploring the modern realities of local life – realities like everyday people.

It’s behaviour like Doug’s, that makes me lose sleep at night. It’s behaviour like Dougs, that has me losing all faith in the modern man.

If I read one more description of a place as having the southern hemisphere’s biggest concentration of (insert random useless object here), I think I’m going to have to throw myself off a cliff.

Maybe I’ll go jump off Cape Point - that turd of infamous proportions that shows you the power of marketing. It doesn’t even matter that it’s not the real meeting of the two oceans – so long as we all agree it is. It’s Tourism 101: Suspend fact for the marketing pull people! And it seems we’re all totally ok with this.

So folks. I have a request – please, please, please - forget being green, eco-lovely or whatever other fashionable travel trend is happenin’ right now. Next time you travel, focus on doing one simple human thing. Take some time, skip one or two of the major tourist attractions, and head for local hang outs. Make a real effort to try and connect with local people – I don’t care how you do it, over beer, playing dominoes or doing the African Macarena in some dingy bar at 2 am.

Do that, and hopefully you’ll get a true sense of somewhere else’s reality – that’s what travelling is anyway isn’t it? Finding that common thread in strange lands – the one that makes you feel connected – the one that tells us, despite difference, we’re all human, and we’re all in this together.