Jetsettersblog

Bush and Beyond

Luxury In The Wild: Visit Kifaru House In Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

NAIROBI, Kenya –Situated on the northern foothills of Mt Kenya, Kifaru House is set on the 65,000 acre privately owned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Kifaru, the Swahili word for rhino, is the dream realized by one of Lewa Conservancy’s donors. A private villa built with no compromise in quality or comfort by a unique individual.

The living area is as spacious as the vast plains it overlooks. With a comfortable sitting area around a huge fireplace, it is the perfect spot for conversation after a day filled with adventure.

The dining area includes a spectacular table crafted from ancient dhow wood plus an inviting fireplace. Kifaru has a swimming pool which looks out towards Mt. Kenya.

A short walk from the main area through the beautiful gardens, takes you to six cottages. Each cottage has large windows looking out on stunning views and is furnished with beautiful colonial style furniture.

Canopied double beds, ensuite baths and private verandahs make these “luxury in the wild”. All income generated by Kifaru House is directly reinvested into wildlife conservation and local community development programs.

www.bush-and-beyond.com

The exclusive new Olarro Lodge in Kenya has introduced an adventurous Kids Club to appeal to their younger guests. The Olarro Juniors Adventurers Club (O.J.A.C) creates programmes that are full of bush adventures and give the adventurers a unique insight into the local Maasai traditions and lifestyle.

A fully qualified Maasai guide will take the children on hikes in the Loita hills and teach them traditional methods of how the warriors survive in the harsh tribal lands.

The adventurers learn crucial bush survival techniques such as how to light a fire without the use of modern methods using sticks and dried animal dung, learning about different animal spores and dung and how to track the animals, make and shoot a bow and arrow and constructing a traditional bush shelter. They are shown a range of medicinal uses for indigenous trees and shrubs in an entertaining yet educational manner.

These include the toothbrush tree, wet wipe tree, poison arrow tree, upset tummy shrub, antiseptic and disinfectant shrub and the chewing gum tree! The guide will also explain the traditional methods that the Maasai use without compromising their environment.

The Club is suitable for children as young as six years old although parental presence is recommended to help ensure children drink plenty of water along the way, reapply their sun cream and keep themselves protected from the African sun.

There is a delicious children’s menu so little ones will be excited to get back to the ranch and tuck in. With each hike designed to leave the children feeling invigorated yet tired from all the fresh air, exercise and education, plus a full belly of food – a good night’s sleep is guaranteed!

This also enables a relaxing evening for the parents to enjoy Olarro’s first class cuisine in peace.

For those more energetic children still requiring entertainment Olarro can arrange more relaxed games such as Jenga (the Swahili word for ‘build’) back at camp.

Children over 12 and adults can enjoy unique night drives with the use of night-vision binoculars. This minimises the disturbance to the natural behaviour of wildlife and allows guests a clear view of strictly nocturnal animals.

These night vision binoculars offer the chance to see two of the most magnificent of predators, the Leopard and Lion, at their most active and most interesting hunting and catching prey rather than lying under a shady tree by day.

At the end of the children’s stay, Olarro provides a fun questionnaire and a “diploma certificate” for the O.J.A.C members to complete which is followed by the presentation of their certificate, providing a lasting memory of their stay and achievements.

Olarro is artistically built with undulating curves mimicking the rolling hillside in which the lodge is situated. Blending effortlessly into the surroundings the lodge comprises of seven uniquely different cottages, of which six are co-joined through a common sitting area.

This is an ideal “private spot” where families have the opportunity to socialise and relax in relative privacy. The expansive deck with 180 degree views overlooking this pristine area of Africa is the perfect location to enjoy sundowners.

The split level swimming pool offers a refreshing dip and the mini spa is ideal for adults looking for holiday indulgence.

Little Olarro is a private house that offers extra privacy and seclusion for families with a luxury suite and master bedroom, smaller twin bedroom, lounge, dining area and veranda all again with spectacular views over the Loita plains. Little Olarro also has its own entrance, private kitchen and deck area and private game drives.

Hong Kong’s annual sevens rugby tournament attracts top teams from around the world.

HONG KONG — The 2010 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens, one of the biggest annual sporting events in the region, is fast approaching.

Founded in 1976, the rugby tournament is now considered to be the premier event in the IRB Sevens World Series, which also features stops in locations such as Dubai, South Africa and London.

People using hotels in Hong Kong can expect three days of high-quality rugby from March 26th to 28th, with 24 international teams taking part.

As well as the 12 core sides participating in the IRB Sevens World Series, the tournament will feature six international teams and six outfits representing Asian rugby.

The 12 core teams are Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, USA, Wales and South Africa, the reigning series champions.

In addition, a change to the tournament structure for this year’s event will provide more action for spectators at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium to enjoy.

Instead of dropping out, teams that lose in the quarter-finals of the cup competition will now proceed to the semi-finals of the plate contest.

“The new structure creates three additional matches involving some of the top teams,” explained Warrick Dent of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.

“We also can look forward to an additional final, which is certain to ramp up the excitement of ‘Sevens Sunday’ in Hong Kong even further.”

Standard tickets are priced at HK$1,250 (GBP102), while children can see the action for HK$300.

Once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences including witnessing the Great Migration in Africa, visiting Machu Picchu, trekking in the Himalaya and spotting gorillas in Uganda can now be booked at lower prices as tour operator The Adventure Company announces price reductions on many of its trips for 2010.

The Adventure Company has worked with ground handlers and airlines to lower prices for departures on selected long-haul trips throughout the year. Reduced prices are available now online or to those booking by telephone. The savings below are calculated against the 2010/11 brochure prices, published in October 2009.

Some of the biggest reductions can be found on the following departures. All prices quoted below include flights, accommodation, transportation, the services of a local guide and activities as per the itinerary.

• Family trip to Tanzania – save up to £1,140 for a family of four

Rift Valley Adventure is the ultimate family safari in Tanzania, featuring game drives in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Natron and Lake Manyara with chances to spot dozens of Africa’s most famous wildlife species. The May half term departure is likely to coincide with the Great Migration – one of the greatest spectacles in nature.

Prices on this departure date, 28th May 2010, have been reduced by £340 per adult and £230 per child – a potential saving of £1,140 for a family of four. Prices for this departure now start from £1,689 per adult and from £1,359 per child.

Full details:

www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=32811

• Culture and coastlines in Thailand – save up to £270 per person

Rainforest & Island Safari is a 12-day trip based mainly around lesser-explored regions of southern Thailand.

From sea kayaking and snorkelling off tropical islands to jungle walks in ancient rainforests, this trip takes travellers under the skin of the country. Depart on 29th July 2010 to save £270 on the published brochure price for this trip, which is now available from £1,329 per person.

Full details:

www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=35357

• Trekking in the Himalayas – save up to £230 per person

On the Everest Trail is a trip from The Adventure Company’s Adventure Collection brochure, indicating a higher level of comfort and a more sedate pace for those wanting adventure with a touch more class.

This 12-day trip is a memorable journey from the temples of Kathmandu to the ice-clad peaks of the Himalaya. The 19th December 2010 departure of this trip has been reduced by £230, now costing from £2,119 per person.

Full details:

www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=71632

• Get up close with gorillas – save up to £250 per person

Gorilla Safari begins with the chance to search for chimpanzee in Uganda’s Kibale Forest and a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel to observe hippos. But the highlight comes in encountering great silverback gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Depart on 21st August 2010 to save £250 on the published brochure price for this trip, which is now available from £2,349 per person.

Full details:

www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=32870

• Visit the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu – save up to £200 per person

The 16-day Active in the Andes offers an exhilarating way to see Peru. After visiting Inca and colonial site, travellers will explore the Sacred Valley on foot, by bike and by raft before trekking the classic four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Depart on 8th August 2010 to save £200 on the published brochure price for this trip, which is now available from £2,349 per person.

Full details:

www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=34395

• Family trip to Laos and Cambodia – save up to £500 for a family of four

Magic of the Mekong is a 16-day adventure in Southeast Asia, taking in a riverboat journey down the Mekong, the temples of Luang Prabang, the laid back capital of Vientiane and the incredible Angkor Wat.

The Easter holiday departure of this trip, departing 3rd April 2010, has been reduced by £190 per adult and by £110 per child. This departure date is now available from £1,799 per adult and from £1,699 per child.

Full details:

www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=176448

Other trips benefiting from price reductions include:

• Andaman Adventure – 14 days in Thailand, save up to £190pp

• Empire of the Inca – 15 days in Peru, save up to £180pp

• Monks and Warriors – 15 days in China, save up to £150pp

• Lands of the Mekong – 16 days in Cambodia/Laos, save up to £150pp

For the full list of trips available at reduced prices, see the homepage link at

www.adventurecompany.co.uk  

BOOKING INFORMATION

Trips can be booked online at www.adventurecompany.co.uk  or by calling The Adventure Company on 0845 609 0889.

All prices are quoted per person – The Adventure Company does not charge single supplements. Board basis is a minimum of bed and breakfast, but extra meals are also included in the price on selected trips. See individual trip pages for details.

Trips are for adult travellers unless specifically stated as family trips.

Prices and price reductions may vary on alternative departure dates to those stated above.

NAIROBI, Kenya; –One of Kenya’s major private conservation successes at the foot of Mt Kenya, Lewa Downs has been the Craig family home since 1924 when the Craig grandparents came from England and began raising cattle here.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has three extraordinary assets: beautiful countryside at the foot of Mt Kenya, and as good a wildlife viewing as anywhere in Africa, including 3 endangered species – Rhino, Grevy’s Zebra, Sitatunga, and a major commitment to community development and participation.

The family home accommodates up to 18 guests in comfortable thatched cottages with ensuite bathrooms and verandahs.

The food is wholesome, ranch style, and organically grown. The wildlife experience on Lewa Downs suits guests from all walks of life and all ages.

www.bush-and-beyond.com

Kensington Tours introduced a private guided eight-day Kenya Family Discovery Safari, including the company’s Kids Stay Free promotion (applicable at Kensington Mara West in the Masai Mara).

The private, guided eight-day safari is priced from $5,995 for a family of four.

As with all of Kensington’s itineraries, it is completely customizable to a family’s travel schedule, budget and preferences.

The Kenya Family Discovery Safari includes all accommodations — Country Lodge in Nairobi (one night), Samburu Serena Lodge (two nights), Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp in Laikipia (one night), Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in Nakuru (one night) and Kensington Mara West in the Masai Mara (two nights) –

as well as game drives in a private safari vehicle with pop-up roof so travelers can easily search and photograph lions, elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras and other herds of animals.

Drinks, visas and optional itinerary activities (such as hot air balloon rides over the Masai Mara and camel rides in Laikipia) are not included in the listed safari price.

Adventurers can customize their tours with a variety of additional activities, extensions and excursions.

The Kenya Family Discovery Safari is part of Kensington’s Kids Stay Free promotion valid at any of Kensington’s three East African properties in the parks of Kenya and Tanzania — Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

Up to two children (17 years or younger) stay free at Kensington’s properties when sharing accommodations with two adult family members.

The promotion is applicable to any itinerary featuring one or more of Kensington’s three properties and is valid through July 31. On the Kenya Family Discovery Safari, the kids stay free offer is available at Kensington Mara West in the Masai Mara.

Kensington Tours offers custom private guided tours to more than 80 countries around the world. Kensington Tours launched a technology tool — www.KensingtonFIT.com — to help make the process of creating bespoke, customized FIT itineraries more convenient, flexible and profitable for travel professionals. Kensington Tours was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” in 2008 and 2009 by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine.

Headquartered in Delaware, Kensington Tours has operations offices in Nairobi and Arusha (Tanzania) and sales offices in Toronto.

For more information, call 888-903-2001,

email info@kensingtontours.com  or visit

www.KensingtonFIT.com

General Tours World Traveler enhanced its collection of African safaris with new luxury camps in Tanzania and innovative privately guided programs to Southern Africa. General Tours’ intimate Escorted Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania include game drives in six-passenger open-air vehicles, assuring all guests of unobstructed viewing.

In addition, carefully selected luxury camps promise superior wildlife viewing at any time of year.

Even the location of the Lemala Serengeti Luxury Camp is special, varying by season as it moves from Lake Ndutu into the northern Serengeti near the Mara River. This unique mobility follows the Great Migration for optimal wildlife viewing whenever guests travel.

Perched on the rim of the Great Crater, the Lemala Ngorongoro Luxury Camp has a privileged location next to the Lemala Crater Access, allowing guests to avoid the many safari vehicles that queue up at the main entrance.

With more time on the crater floor, travelers enjoy greater opportunity to observe the impressive wildlife that resides here. General Tours’ new Privately Guided Safaris to Namibia and Botswana also feature luxury camps handpicked.

In the remote Namib Desert, for example, the Kulala Desert Lodge is perched by a watering hole which regularly attracts the local wildlife – including gemsbok, springbok, ostrich and jackal.

In the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the luxurious Savuti Camp was recently named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 16th annual Gold List.

With tents built on elevated platforms, the camp offers a spacious viewing deck and fire pit overlooking the Savuti Channel — once again home to hippos, numerous species of water birds and other aquatic life.

General Tours’ Lemala Luxury Camps are featured on two different Small Group Safaris, including Across the Serengeti, a popular 10-day trip priced from $3,899. On Safari in Namibia is a new Privately Guided trip with fares starting at $5,699, including four internal flights. Priced from $5,899,

On Safari in Botswana & Victoria Falls is a nine-day trip with all meals, all game drives, all nature excursions and all on-tour flights.

With the company’s new Family & Friends Savings, travel agency clients save $50 to $150 per person whenever three or more guests travel together on an African safari.

These savings can be combined with any of General Tours’ other offers, including exclusive AARP member benefits and repeat traveler discounts for members of the company’s World Traveler Club.

For more information, call 800-221-2216 or visit www.GeneralTours.com

There may never be a better time to book that much longed for summer active holiday. Neilson are offering a surge of discounts on their Summer 2010 Beachclub, Beachplus Club and Yachting holidays – with savings of up to £500 per couple, free child places and free Introduction to Yachting courses available to those booking at the London International Boat Show 2010.

Visitors to the Neilson stand will not only have the chance to chat directly with members of the Neilson overseas resort teams about their holiday requirements and preferences, but also to save £££’s at the same time.

Savings of up to £255 per person off Beachclub holidays and prices starting at just £310 per person.

For those whose perfect holiday is all about being active – a Neilson Beachclub holiday is the ideal option. Progressive, friendly tuition and RYA courses in windsurfing, dinghy sailing and now kayaking (new BCU taught courses are available in selected resorts) are a fully inclusive part of a Beachclub holiday with qualified instructors providing the highest levels of tuition.

A week in the windsurfing mecca of Vassiliki departing on 2nd May costs from just £310 per person – a saving of £185.

Wild savings in Kenya!

The recently launched Mnarani Beachclub in Kilifi, Kenya is a world championship sailing venue and the first RYA recognised centre of its kind in this part of the world.

The year-round peaceful and picturesque location offers a range of safaris options in addition to the Neilson inclusive activities. Prices currently start at a crazy £815 per person for 14 nights – a saving of £364 per person.

Set sail & save with a fantastic range of Yachting holidays

For those who prefer to spend their holidays afloat, exploring beautiful bays and islands at their own pace – it’s now also possible to save up to £560 per couple on 2-week ‘Stay & Sail’ holidays in the Greek Ionian. Simply visit Neilson at the London Boat Show to find out more!

Beachplus holidays from £455 per person inclusive of all water & land-based activities with tuition

The popular Neilson Beachplus Clubs have not been left out of the savings equation with discounts of up to £200 per adult up for grabs on holidays to its clubs in Greece and Turkey. Beachplus Clubs offer a multitude of activities from sailing, windsurfing and mountain biking to waterskiing, fitness classes and tennis – all of which are naturally included in the holiday price along with a superb range of equipment and tuition with qualified professionals.

For more information on all Neilson holidays and discounts, visit the London Boatshow stand no. N060M based in the North Hall, call 0845 070 3460 or visit www.neilson.co.uk

NAIROBI, Kenya –

Ol Malo is situated on the northern edge of the Laikipia plateau nestled into a rugged escarpment looking out across the time-honored lands of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District.

These miles of dense thorn bush are favored by the shy, elusive antelope from which the lodge takes its name, “the place of the Greater Kudu”.

An ancient land inhabited by wildlife and people of long ago, undisturbed and living by the rhythm of nature, part of this untamed and beautiful landscape is Ol Malo.

Accommodation is in four exclusive cottages with ensuite bathrooms and private verandahs.

To stay at Ol Malo is to live by a different rhythm – measure the day by the timeworn patterns of nature.

With locations throughout Kenya in the Masai Mara, Chyulu Hills, Laikipia, the Northern Frontier, and Diani Beach, Bush and Beyond offers travelers an unparalleled, up close and personal look at Kenyan culture.

www.bush-and-beyond.com

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Bush and Beyond portfolio features Kenyan safari destinations as varied as the different habitats they occupy and as unique as their owners.

The properties are run by individuals who know the land and have lived their lives in those destinations.

All properties are privately owned and are located in secluded conservation areas where the peace of the bush are maintained despite tourism—not destroyed. Bush and Beyond provides travelers with the chance to experience “real” Africa;

the destinations that are located away from crowds of other tourists. Bush and Beyond also offers travelers other experiences beyond traditional game drives.

Experiences like bush walks, horseback riding, camel treks, mountain biking, fly camping and other unique African experiences are all part of their offerings.

Travelers also have the opportunity to participate in truly authentic cultural interactions as Bush and Beyond’s properties have deep relationships with the local tribes (Maasai and Samburu).

With locations throughout Kenya in the Masai Mara, Chyulu Hills, Laikipia, the Northern Frontier, and Diani Beach, Bush and Beyond offers travelers an unparalleled, up close and personal look at Kenyan culture.

Guests are also guaranteed a personal and memorable experience as all of the properties are small in size—the smallest hosts 8 guests and the largest hosts 20.

Travelers can choose from a wide variety of accommodations such as tented camps, lodges, private houses, and mobile safaris.

www.bush-and-beyond.com