Ecotourism in Western Kenya

Ecotourism in Western Kenya, Lake Victoria Ecotourism Safaris, Lake Victoria tours, Kenya Ecotourism Tours, Ecotourism Travel in Africa, Ecotourism Holidays in East Africa, Ecotourism Vacations in Africa

What are Eco Tours?
We consider an Eco Tour to be a trip that causes minimal impact to the environment and local people. The site is usually culturally and biologically diverse and attracts tourists who have a common interest in nature, wildlife and culture.

A fundamental element of an Eco Tour is the education of environmental issues such as, the protection of natural resources or endangered species, usually relevant to the destination. This may be conducted through lectures, involvement in conservation projects or simply by learning from a knowledgeable tour guide with a special commitment to consider environmental and socio-cultural issues in all aspects of your trips.

These considerations may include working with the local community, the restriction of visitor numbers or funding conservation projects in the area.

By choosing to go on an Eco Tour you will be given a unique opportunity to learn and experience nature, to interact with the local communities in their day to day lives, and to have some impact on the lives of the locals even as they earn directly from your visit. In addition a greater awareness of environmental issues will be developed as well as learning practices that can be incorporated in to your everyday routine on your return home.

WESTERN KENYA CIRCUIT - 6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS

Day One - Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi and be met by our tour manager who will accompany you to your city hotel. You will rest briefly and then be taken on a leisurely tour including a visit to Karen Blixens home, the giraffe park and crafts market. Overnight at Nairobi Hotel

Day Two - Kisumu
After breakfast you proceed to the Great Rift Valley on your way to Lake Nakuru. This is one of Kenya's most famous soda lakes and is surrounded by a large game park. The lake is tinged with pink as it provides the home for thousands of flamingos and numerous other birds. The park has a breeding program for the greatly endangered black and white rhinos of which they are many. After lunch at the lake, proceed to Kisumu. Overnight at Kisumu Hotel

Day Three -Western Province
After a hearty breakfast you depart for the Western Province, the land of escarpments and rocky hills on your way to Kakamega via Kisumu or Nandi Hills. The Kakamega rain forest is one of the best parks in Kenya with unique species of primates, birds and snakes. Enjoy your nature walk in the forest, abundant with butterflies and listen to the amazing chorus of insects. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your stay in the forest.
Overnight at Kisumu Hotel

Day Four - Masai Mara
After breakfast proceed to the Masai Mara. The Mara is famous for its vast amount of wild animals, which you will see at close range during your game drives across the vast grasslands of the park. Arrive in time for lunch and spend the whole afternoon game viewing. Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, wildebeest and much more! Hippos are abundant in the Mara river and the Mara is a birdwatcher's paradise. Overnight at Masai Mara Lodge

Day Five - Nairobi
Take an early morning game drive and experience the magnificent golden colors of sunrise over the gentle undulating savannah. An optional dawn hot air balloon ride with champagne breakfast can be arranged. After breakfast you depart for Nairobi, arriving mid for leisurely last day shopping and sightseeing. This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant, famous for its huge open pit cooking fire and specializing in game meats. Overnight at Nairobi Hotel

Day Six
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport. Once in the air you will reflect over the previous five days of adventure, great hospitality and a desire to revisit this wonderful country of Kenya.

Cost:

Adult Rate (Per person Sharing) - US$ 1450
Single Room Supplement - US$500
The above prices are based on a minimum of 4 persons.

Includes:

- Free airport pickup by our Courtesy Team
- All park entrance fees
- Full board accommodation on safari
- Service of an English speaking driver guide
- Transport based on a safari minibus with pop up roof for game viewing
- Driver allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
- Game drives as per the Itinerary
- Government taxes
- Free farewell dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant

Excludes:

- Extras at the lodges i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
- International flight
- Departure tax
- Tips to porters and drivers

The Best of the West Safari - 10 Days

Day 1 Nairobi - Rift Valley- Lake Baringo
Drive to west wards from Nairobi, down the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley to Lake Baringo via Lake Bogoria with a brief stop at the famous hot water springs that are found here - clearly showing that the work that formed the Rift continues under the surface of the earth's crust. Dinner and overnight at a lodge close to the shores of Lake Baringo

Day 2 Lake Baringo
Full day at Lake Baringo boat riding, cultural visits to the Njemps community that live around this lake. All meals and an overnight at the lodge.

Day 3 Lake Baringo - Eldoret
An early start to explore the Kerio Valley Fluorspar mines and also to view the fantastic scenery from the escarpment as we proceed to the town of Eldoret where we partake of dinner and have an overnight at a lodge.

Day 4 Saiwa Swamp and The Hills of Cherangany
We drive after breakfast to Saiwa Swamp which is known for its sitatunga antelopes as well as other rare aquatic wildlife. We spend most of the day in outdoor activities including an exploration and trek up the Cherangany hills. In the evening we return to Eldoret for dinner and an overnight stay after an eventful day.

Day 5 Eldoret Town - Kakamega
Drive to Kakamega town and shop for fruits in the market place of this vibrant western town. Continue to the famous Kakamega Forest and learn what the local Luhya community is doing to conserve this forest which is one of that last traces of the jungle that once spanned the entire equator in Africa, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. Dinner and overnight in the forest lodge.

Day 6 Kakamega Forest - Kisumu
After breakfast and drive to Kisumu, the Lake Victoria port. Visit the famous Weeping Stone en route and listen to fork lore associated with this gigantic weeping rock. Dinner and overnight in Kisumu.

Day 7 Kisumu
Full day in Kisumu, visit the museum, trek up Riat Hill on the shores of Lake Victoria and hear the history of the Luo people and the significance of this hill in their culture. Visit Kit Mikaye en route and listen to more fork lore before returning to Kisumu for another night in a hotel in the city.

Day 8 Kisumu - Takawiri Island
Take a boat to Rusinga Island, fish off Takawiri beach on Takawiri Island in Lake Victoria and spend an overnight in the beautiful cottages that are built by the Lake.The highlight On this day is the Golden Sunset on Lake Victoria as you partake of a sundowner.

Day 9 Lake Victoria - Kericho - Lake Nakuru
Drive to Kericho tea plantation and learn about how tea is grown as you walk through the green and picturesque surrounding. Continue to Lake Nakuru for game viewing in this wildlife sanctuary and an overnight stay.

Day 10 Lake Nakuru - Nairobi
Breakfast, morning game drive in Lake Nakuru Game Park and return to Nairobi in the evening.

Cost:

Adult Rate (Per person Sharing) - US$ 2400
Single Room Supplement - US$800
The above prices are based on a minimum of 4 persons.

Includes:

- Free airport pickup by our Courtesy Team
- All park entrance fees
- Full board accommodation on safari
- Service of an English speaking driver guide
- Transport based on a safari minibus with pop up roof for game viewing
- Driver allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
- Game drives as per the Itinerary
- Government taxes
- Free farewell dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant

Excludes:

- Extras at the lodges i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
- International flight
- Departure tax
- Tips to porters and drivers