KENYA 1ST – 12 MARCH 2017
This was a short trip, mainly to places we had not been on previous visits. Kenya has notably changed since our last visit in 2007 with more traffic and new buildings. Tourist numbers were low at the time and the lodges were almost empty.
Arrangements.
We used a Kenyan company, Suntrek Safaris (http://www.suntreksafaris.com/) to make all the ground arrangements. We had used Suntrek before and found them reliable and efficient. Once the itinerary had been agreed and a price given we paid a 20% deposit by bank transfer. The balance was paid in US$ on arrival in Nairobi.
A large Land Cruiser and driver (Peter) was our transport for the trip. It had a pop up roof and there was ample room for four people, luggage and camera equipment.
Peter proved to be a very friendly and knowledgeable man and a good driver. He was excellent at spotting and identifying birds and animals and getting the jeep into the best position for photographs. Peter had his own binoculars and a “Birds of Kenya” book. Over the whole trip, he did far more than we expected and can be recommended.
Flights.
We used Qatar Airways, London Heathrow to Nairobi with a three-hour transit in Doha. Their schedule had convenient timings and price as good as any of the alternatives, and much better than Kenya Airways.
Weather.
Mostly hot and dry (27C) throughout the trip. A little rain one afternoon in the Masai Mara.
Food.
Most food was included in the price of our trip and was buffet style at the lodges. Bottled water was provided in all the lodges and also by Suntrek during our journeys and Game Drives. We had to pay for other drinks.
For the few meals we bought it was about £7 for a main course. Coca cola around £2 and Tusker beer £4.50. Wine was about £5 a glass.
Daily itinerary.
1st March.
The flight arrived mid-afternoon at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. We got our visa on arrival for £30 each. We had downloaded the application form and filled it in prior to travelling so the process was very quick.
Peter was waiting for us and Patricia from Suntrek who had been our contact since our first enquiry. We went through the itinerary again with her, checking the details, and then paid the balance in US$.
TIP: Only take new dollar bills with no writing on them as any marked bills will not be accepted anywhere.
We changed some money at the airport into Kenya Shillings (125KSh to £1). The hotel/lodges rates were much lower.
We then drove to our overnight hotel Royal Orchid Azure in Westlands. This is primarily a business hotel and very comfortable. Food was good here and they did an early breakfast for us at 6.30 am.
We agreed to meet Peter at 7am to ensure we escaped the Nairobi traffic.
TIP: Leave before 7 am or you will get stuck in traffic.
2nd March Nairobi to Mount Kenya.
Our first stop was at Blue Post Hotel to see Chania Falls and do some birdwatching along the river. A local guide showed us the way. The hotel charges 500KSh each for those non-residents who want to “idle about” as they put it!
Best birds seen: African Citril, Golden breasted Bunting, White-bellied Tit, Spot flanked Barbet, Grey headed and Giant Kingfishers, Green-headed, Marico, Bronze-winged and Variable Sunbirds.
We then carried on to Wajee Nature Park, famous for Hinde’s Babbler. A young man called Robert showed us around the site. Despite using a tape and searching we failed to locate the Babblers. This was probably due to the time of day (12.30-14.30). We did flush a Montane Nightjar, a Little Sparrowhawk and Tambourine Dove, but overall was a bit disappointing. Hinde’s Babbler is best looked for before 9 am.
We had a nice fish and chips lunch here and the staff were very friendly and helpful. We then left to drive on to Mount Kenya and Serena Mountain Lodge for two nights.
The rooms here are a reasonable size with an ensuite shower and flush toilet, and a balcony overlooking the waterhole. Food was very good here and the staff were excellent. A hot water bottle is put in the beds during dinner and it was most welcome as it got quite chilly at night. We were also asked at dinner if we wanted waking if any special animals arrived during the night.
I took a forest walk at 7.30 am with the resident naturalist, Benson, who proved very good.
Best birds seen: Purple-throated and Grey Cuckoo-Shrikes, Mountain, Cabani’s, Slender-billed and Yellow whiskered Greenbul, Grey Apalis, Red fronted Parrot, Hartlaub’s Turaco, White starred Robin, Yellow bellied Waxbill, Montane Oriole, Montane White-eye and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler,
From the balcony I saw, amongst others, Oriole Finch, Crowned Eagle, African Grey Flycatcher, Cape Wagtail, Rock Martin, Hunter’s Cisticola, and a large flock of Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon.
A steady stream of animals was around the waterhole : Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Cape Buffalo, Hyena, Impala, Baboons and Sykes monkey. The latter was very adept at getting into the room through open balcony doors and stealing the sugar from the tea trays! A Genet visited the feeding station on a high platform.
This was a short trip, mainly to places we had not been on previous visits. Kenya has notably changed since our last visit in 2007 with more traffic and new buildings. Tourist numbers were low at the time and the lodges were almost empty.
Arrangements.
We used a Kenyan company, Suntrek Safaris (http://www.suntreksafaris.com/) to make all the ground arrangements. We had used Suntrek before and found them reliable and efficient. Once the itinerary had been agreed and a price given we paid a 20% deposit by bank transfer. The balance was paid in US$ on arrival in Nairobi.
A large Land Cruiser and driver (Peter) was our transport for the trip. It had a pop up roof and there was ample room for four people, luggage and camera equipment.
Peter proved to be a very friendly and knowledgeable man and a good driver. He was excellent at spotting and identifying birds and animals and getting the jeep into the best position for photographs. Peter had his own binoculars and a “Birds of Kenya” book. Over the whole trip, he did far more than we expected and can be recommended.
Flights.
We used Qatar Airways, London Heathrow to Nairobi with a three-hour transit in Doha. Their schedule had convenient timings and price as good as any of the alternatives, and much better than Kenya Airways.
Weather.
Mostly hot and dry (27C) throughout the trip. A little rain one afternoon in the Masai Mara.
Food.
Most food was included in the price of our trip and was buffet style at the lodges. Bottled water was provided in all the lodges and also by Suntrek during our journeys and Game Drives. We had to pay for other drinks.
For the few meals we bought it was about £7 for a main course. Coca cola around £2 and Tusker beer £4.50. Wine was about £5 a glass.
Daily itinerary.
1st March.
The flight arrived mid-afternoon at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. We got our visa on arrival for £30 each. We had downloaded the application form and filled it in prior to travelling so the process was very quick.
Peter was waiting for us and Patricia from Suntrek who had been our contact since our first enquiry. We went through the itinerary again with her, checking the details, and then paid the balance in US$.
TIP: Only take new dollar bills with no writing on them as any marked bills will not be accepted anywhere.
We changed some money at the airport into Kenya Shillings (125KSh to £1). The hotel/lodges rates were much lower.
We then drove to our overnight hotel Royal Orchid Azure in Westlands. This is primarily a business hotel and very comfortable. Food was good here and they did an early breakfast for us at 6.30 am.
We agreed to meet Peter at 7am to ensure we escaped the Nairobi traffic.
TIP: Leave before 7 am or you will get stuck in traffic.
2nd March Nairobi to Mount Kenya.
Our first stop was at Blue Post Hotel to see Chania Falls and do some birdwatching along the river. A local guide showed us the way. The hotel charges 500KSh each for those non-residents who want to “idle about” as they put it!
Best birds seen: African Citril, Golden breasted Bunting, White-bellied Tit, Spot flanked Barbet, Grey headed and Giant Kingfishers, Green-headed, Marico, Bronze-winged and Variable Sunbirds.
We then carried on to Wajee Nature Park, famous for Hinde’s Babbler. A young man called Robert showed us around the site. Despite using a tape and searching we failed to locate the Babblers. This was probably due to the time of day (12.30-14.30). We did flush a Montane Nightjar, a Little Sparrowhawk and Tambourine Dove, but overall was a bit disappointing. Hinde’s Babbler is best looked for before 9 am.
We had a nice fish and chips lunch here and the staff were very friendly and helpful. We then left to drive on to Mount Kenya and Serena Mountain Lodge for two nights.
The rooms here are a reasonable size with an ensuite shower and flush toilet, and a balcony overlooking the waterhole. Food was very good here and the staff were excellent. A hot water bottle is put in the beds during dinner and it was most welcome as it got quite chilly at night. We were also asked at dinner if we wanted waking if any special animals arrived during the night.
I took a forest walk at 7.30 am with the resident naturalist, Benson, who proved very good.
Best birds seen: Purple-throated and Grey Cuckoo-Shrikes, Mountain, Cabani’s, Slender-billed and Yellow whiskered Greenbul, Grey Apalis, Red fronted Parrot, Hartlaub’s Turaco, White starred Robin, Yellow bellied Waxbill, Montane Oriole, Montane White-eye and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler,
From the balcony I saw, amongst others, Oriole Finch, Crowned Eagle, African Grey Flycatcher, Cape Wagtail, Rock Martin, Hunter’s Cisticola, and a large flock of Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon.
A steady stream of animals was around the waterhole : Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Cape Buffalo, Hyena, Impala, Baboons and Sykes monkey. The latter was very adept at getting into the room through open balcony doors and stealing the sugar from the tea trays! A Genet visited the feeding station on a high platform.