UW: Adult Learning and Technology

Itinerary (subject to revision) – Kenya, East Africa

June 8-June 23, 2007

DAY 1 (June 8): Nairobi City (approx (18 miles from Airport) - 20 minutes
On arrival at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met by a Maridadi Safaris representative and transferred to the Safari Park Hotel located approximately 7 miles from the City center where you are booked on dinner, bed and breakfast. Reception, introductions, program briefing. Overnight at your Hotel.

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS (Days 2-5)

The first few days will be spent in the cultural homeland of the Kikuyu people. Here, amongst the snow-caped peak of Mount Kenya (17,057ft) you experience two beautiful national parks. You'll stay in unique accommodations that allow for close game viewing both day and night. During outings and at the hotels you may encounter the rare Bongo, Rhino, and Giant Forest Hog, as well as elephants, lions, and bushbucks. You'll also have opportunities for nocturnal wildlife viewing. The mountains of the Aberdares contain some of Kenya's most wonderful forests. Bird viewing is excellent -- including the little Yellow-crowned Canary, the striking Red-collared Widowbird with a long straight tail, the white spotted Giant Kingfisher, and the Red-billed Crowned Hornbill.

Day 2 (June 9): Mt. Kenya National Park (102 miles from Nairobi) 2 hrs
After breakfast you'll drive to Mt. Kenya National Park for mountain ecology. Along the way you will be able to visit Karatina open-air market, one of the largest and the busiest open air market in East Africa. Mix freely with the local people (the Kikuyus), selling and buying all sorts of items including fresh fruits and vegetables. Arrive in time for lunch at the Mountain Lodge Tree Hotel. The hotel is located at over 6,000 ft. on the slopes on Mount Kenya and surrounded by a dense rainforest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds. Take a nature walk with the resident naturalist. Throughout the day and night forest animals visit the lodge's waterhole and saltlick. Mt. Kenya consists of three principal zones: the rocky peak area, with its cloak of glaciers and snowfields; the alpine zone with distinctive giant vegetation; and the vast gentle slopes drenched in mountain forest and bamboo jungle. Due to its unique vegetation UNESCO declared Mount Kenya a biosphere reserve. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Mountain Lodge Tree Hotel

Day 3 (June-10): Mt. Kenya National Park
Spend another full day in Mt. Kenya National Park as you watch forest animals visit the waterhole and saltlick. Take a nature walk with the resident naturalist. All meals and overnight at the Mountain Lodge.

Day 4 (June 11): Aberdare National Park (24 miles) 30 min
After breakfast depart for the Aberdare region and on the way stop over at a nearby tea shamba, (small 1-5 acre farm) and witness and perhaps participate in a tea picking exercise. Time allowing, visit a nearby tea-processing factory before proceeding on to the base hotel, the Aberdare Country Club for lunch. After lunch, take a nature walk before transferring to the Tree Lodge situated deep in the Aberdare forest. (Note only limited luggage is allowed. Bulk luggage is left at the Aberdare Country Club for overnight). As you take 4 o'clock tea / coffee, the resident naturist will give a lecture on the ecology, history and wildlife of Aberdare Forest. Throughout the day and night animals visit the waterhole and saltlick, ensuring many exciting moments. Dinner and overnight at the Ark tree lodge.

Day 5 (June 12): Aberdare National Park
Spend another full day in Aberdare National Park and at the Ark tree lodge as you watch forest animals visit the water whole and saltlick. Enjoy another lecture by resident naturalist as you take your afternoon tea / coffee. All meals and overnight at the Ark tree lodge.

NORTHERN RIFT VALLEY (Days 6-9)

Next, experience one of the true wonders of the world, the longest rift in the crust of the earth. The Great Rift valley is home to active and semi-active volcanoes, countless hot springs, forests and a string of alkaline lakes. The forests are homeland of the Ogiek, an indigenous hunter-gather society, and the Turgens, Pokots, Marakwets and the Jemps who mainly live on fishing along the shores of Lake Baringo. (A fascinating thing about the Jemps is they don't spit with their mouth but through a hole pieced through the lower lip, and of course their need of little clothing.)

Day 6 ( June 13): Lake Nakuru National Park (133 miles) 2hrs 45 min
In the morning continue to your lodge situated on the shores of Lake Nakuru via Thompson's falls (another eco-tourism haven). Lake Nakuru, an alkaline lake on the bed of the Great Rift Valley, has earned its fame as home of the greatest bird spectacle in the world - a myriad of more than a million pink flamingos, which seasonally use its waters to feed on the abundant algae that thrive in its warm water wetlands. Lake Nakuru has a great deal to offer beside its magnificent bird life. Here you will also find lions, leopards, buffaloes, and other savannah and forest game which make game viewing worthwhile. After lunch enjoy some leisure time and then an afternoon of game watching. After the game drive and as you enjoy afternoon tea a resident naturalist will lecture on the ecology, history and wildlife of Lake Nakuru. *Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bed at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 7 (June 14): Lake Nakuru National Park
Take an early morning game drive (6:30 am), the best time to watch a kill by a lion, cheeter or a leopard. Return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, and pending Park Administration permission, visit a near by Eco-tourism / hospitality College owned by Lake Nakuru Lodge -- a chance to mix with the local people, teachers and students. After the visit, return to the Lodge for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a brief siesta before proceeding for another game drive at 3:00 pm. After the game drive, return to the lodge for a late afternoon tea / coffee. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Day 8 (June 15): Lake Baringo National Reserve (62 miles) 1 hr 20 min
After breakfast drive north through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Baringo, arriving at Lake Baringo Country Club in time for lunch. After lunch (with prior arrangements) visit some of the following villages: Turgens, Pokots, Marakwets or the Jemps. (This may require a small fee). In some of these villages, it is advisable to request the villagers' permission to photograph them. In most cases they will agree but it is always a good idea not to assume. Proceed back to the Lake Baringo Country Club for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 (June 16): Lake Bogoria National Reserve
After breakfast drive to Lake Bogoria National Reserve for a morning game drive and explore on foot this natural lake land viewing the numerous Flamingos and their hatcheries, the hot geysers and hot springs. Caution must be taken while walking near the Hot Springs, as they are super hot. Enjoy packed lunch at Lake Bogoria. After lunch and afternoon game viewing, spend some time visiting with local peoples. Return to Lake Baringo Country Club for dinner, bed and breakfast.

WESTERN KENYA (Days 10-11)

Next, travel the homelands of the Kalenjin, Luo and Luhya (villagers, farmers, and fisherman). Here, you'll experience another wonder - the world-famous Kakamega Forest. Flora and fauna found in this equatorial rainforest exist nowhere else in Kenya. 350 bird species have been identified, including turacos, parrots, woodpeckers, greenbuls, eagles, and hornbills. You'll also find 400 species of Butterflies and exotic wildlife such as the rare DeBrazza's Monkey.

Day 10 (June 17): Kakamega National Reserve (Approx 117 miles) 2.5 hrs
After an early morning breakfast, drive across the breath-taking scenery of Kerio Valley (a bio-diversity area with a depth of about 1,219m), up the Nandi Escarpment to Eldoret town. Stop for lunch at Sirikwa Hotel. After lunch, escape from the ordinary into the extra ordinary at the famous Kakamega Forest. Check in at Rondo Retreat Center. There are so many exciting things to see and to do in experiencing and exploring the wonderful world of the tropical rain forest: hiking along nature trails; taking in soaring sights; or just enjoying over 60 species of orchids, hundreds of species of Africa birds, all the African butterflies. Well-qualified local guides are available to ensure interests are taken care of and questions answered. Benjamin, for example, is a walking encyclopedia and a conservation activist. Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat Center.

Day 11 (June 18): Kakamega National Reserve
Another full day in the Kakamega Forest, whether you are butterfly collector, beetle specialist, frog fancier, spider hunter, tourist or bird watcher, Kakamega Forest has them all. Among the vast array of birds, the rain forest is home to the flamboyant Great Blue Turaco, gemlike Emerald Cuckoo and the cacophonous Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill. From the monkey family, observe the Blue Sykes, the Red Tailed, the Common Black and White Colobus and the rare Debrazza's. You will also have a chance to catch a glimpse of the local Luhya culture during their many daily cultural activities. All meals and overnight at Rondo Retreat Center.

SOUTH WEST KENYA (Days 12-14)

Depending on your motivation for participating in this adventure, you may find we've saved the best for last. Encounter the Bomware people, a sub-tribe of Gusii people who are great banana farmers and who dubiously boast of the highest birth rates in the world. The Bomware community is around Tabaka village and is known for great soapstone sculptures. From there, experience the vastness of an area little touched by human intervention. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to perhaps the greatest concentration of large mammals on earth. Experience breath taking vistas, and the semi-nomadic Maasai who maintain many of their traditional ways.

Day 12 (June 19): Tabaka Village (108miles) 1hr 35 min
After breakfast, continue southwest with a brief stop in Kisumu City, the land of the fishermen, the Luo people. Take a city tour of Kisumu with a magnificent view of Lake Victoria, the largest fresh water lake in Africa. Visit Kisumu Kibuye open air market and mingle freely with the Luo people. Continue with your journey through the fertile landscape of Gusii. Stop for lunch at Kisii Hotel or similar in Kisii town. After lunch visit Tabaka village, where soapstone is quarried and marvel at the workmanship of the Bomwares with their fascinating sculptures made from soapstone. It is a community based project where both men and women are involved. Dinner and overnight at Kisii Hotel or similar.

Day 13 (June 20): Maasai Mara National Reserve (83miles) 1hr 15 min
Continue across the floor of the Great Rift Valley to the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve for Savannah ecology and wildlife. Spend two days in nature's paradise amongst zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, buffalos, elephants, gazelles and many others. Encounter prides of lions resting in the shade of acacia trees or lying low in the grass in wait for their next prey. There is also a good chance of spotting cheetahs and if you are lucky shy leopards. You will arrive at Mara Serena lodge in time for lunch. After relaxing for a while proceed for a game drive, followed by late afternoon tea/coffee as the resident naturalist give a lecture on the savannah ecology, wildlife and people of Mara. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bed at Mara Serena Lodge.

Day 14 (June 21): Maasai Mara National Reserve
Another full day in Maasai Mara with early morning and late afternoon game viewing with lunch and leisure time at the lodge. Visit a Maasai village (Manyattas) en route for morning game drive where you will freely mix with the local Maasai people as they perform Maasai dances for various occasions. A small fee would be a good gesture, which should be given to the Maasais direct. Like in Baringo, it is a good idea to ask before taking photographs. 99% of the time, they will agree. By nightfall it is once again time for a refreshing drink before dinner. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bed at Mara Serena Lodge.

BACK TOWARDS NAIROBI (Days 15-16)

Now begin the serene trip back to Nairobi. On the way find new and fascinating locations to experience as well as local peoples with whom you can discuss your numerous observations. Gradually prepare for your Kenya departure.

Day 15 (June 22): Lake Naivasha - Hells Gate National Park (173 miles) 4 hrs
After breakfast depart for Lake Naivasha early in the morning, one of the gems in a necklace of Rift Valley Lakes. Lake Naivasha is famous for its remarkable variety of bird life and its hippo colonies. Arrive in time for lunch at Lake Naivasha Country Club or Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

After lunch followed by a brief siesta, (a) take a boat ride to Crescent Island, (optional not included in the price), one of the few places in Africa where you can wander on foot among zebra, wildebeest, gazelle and giraffe. (b) Visit Hells Gate National Park, famous for its birds of prey, unique flora that thrives on volcanic soil, gorges, cliffs, caves and towers. The setting is one of intense, recent volcanic activity where hot springs, steam jets and fumaroles are common Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bed at Lake Naivasha Country Club or Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

Day 16 (June 23): Nairobi- Departure (56 miles) 1 hr 10 min
After breakfast, visit nearby Olkaria Geothermal Power Station, en route to Nairobi. The station is used to boost electricity supply in Kenya. By using a process of tapping the Earth's heat which constantly flows from its core and which provides an enormous source of geothermal energy. Take a slow drive back to Nairobi arriving late afternoon. Lunch and dinner on your own... Relax at Serena Hotel or take a drive to the City Centre for last minute shopping. Transfer to the airport for your outbound flight back home depending on your flight schedule.