A short-term cure may well be, but there is nothing quite like a bit of intensive retail therapy to put the fizz when you are buying a gift. Most of Kenya’s retail structure are the ones commonly referred to as the curio shop with features which are organized, desirable as well as affordable with a variety of uniquely different gifts. Perhaps the best buys are found amongst the handcrafts haul; multi colored Masai beadwork belts, bright sisal baskets, the ever popular cotton wraps for men and women commonly referred to as the Kikoys and Khangas (which do just everything from interior design to high fashion), evocative carvings from elephants to antelopes, soft carved soapstone’s such as malachite, rose quartz and Tanzanite, lots of ‘big’ jewellery wrought from everything; from banana leaves to cow horn- really high on impact and ridiculously low on expenditure and sandals from jewel-beaded to cow-horn-thonged.
Kenya has also taken a new direction with regard to the so-called beach boys who used to peddle their wares on the beaches. This is no longer happening, because they have been housed in purpose-built handicraft centres welcoming to the visitors. Here you can see the items being made and get to chose from the long list of amazing dragon’s horde of glittering sarongs, tinkling jewellery, gleaming carvings and Abstract paintings.
Kenya also boasts of thriving cottage industry which turns out everything from beautifully scented candles made from Masai beeswax to sheepskin slippers made from highland fleeces plus some authentic hand knitted, woven and dyed woolens, subtly woven Kenyan cotton, beaded and painted leather work, eco-friendly paper goods and some interior design options that wouldn’t look amiss in the Milanese design fairs.
Chose from avant-garde wrought iron, hand-blown glass, beaten copper, woven rugs, hand-thrown terracotta, iron and reed work furniture, sisal matting, dhow-wood day-beds, Swahili chests, ostrich -egg lampshades, hand-painted bed linens, colour-washed oven-to-tableware and treasure trove of contemporary Kenyan arts.
As for the fashion, Kenya has a team of dynamic young designers who are rapidly making a name for themselves by turning local leather, cotton, beadwork, knits and silk – into haute culture. So next time you visit any of these shops or if you fancy a shot of neat retail therapy, mixed with some blue skies, bright sunshine, wild adventure and sybaritic luxury, think Kenya – travel to Kenya.
When are you travelling, let us know by writing to us at info@blavals.com or contact us at https://www.blavals.com/contact-us
WHO ARE THE BIG FIVE ANYWAY?
The present title holders are, the Elephant, the Rhino, The Buffalo, the Lion and the Leopard, so called because they were the preferred shooting targets for the Erstwhile “Great white hunters” the romantic heroes of the early days of the traditional ‘safaris. Nowadays the only shoots to be fired on Safari are on film, but that doesn’t stop most visitors from developing an overwhelming urge to capture all the famous five, video or crossed off the list in their guide book.
AS a result, binoculars in hand, cameras and primed eyes out on stalks, thousands of later days. Khaki-clad ‘hunters’ scan the horizons, comb the grasslands, hunt through the thickets and peer up into the trees in search of the uncontested superstars of the wildlife world. The trouble is that in the country size of Kenya, with celebrities as reclusive and cunning as this elusive quintet, what do you look for precisely?
It’s a bit of conundrum, especially if you are trying to spot for an elephant by looking for the large grey shape in Tsavo National Park; where the largest heard are reputedly to be found. If so, you will sadly be disappointed because when you are in Tsavo you need to look for a large Pink shape. Why so? This is because Tsavo elephants rather confusingly cover themselves with the local deep red iron-oxide soil, to keep away the insects.
The truth is that, the best and the most guaranteed ‘Elephant spot’ is to be found at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park. Here vast herds of Elephants dip themselves up to their stomachs in water, and can spotted feeding on the lush green grasses of the Amboseli Swamps. What’s more, their grey brown color stands out clearly against the bright green grasses making them absurdly easy to spot. Also, because the researchers have been tracking them for the last 40 years, the Amboseli elephants are familiar with humans and relatively un-phased by close-up viewing! Keep an eye on the large matriarch though who sometimes tends to be more protective to the family.
If you search is for the big cats that is subject of your Big 5 wish list, then head immediately to the Famous Masai Mara National Reserves, where the wide-open plains and the tree lined rivers offers a happy hunting grounds for lions and leopards as well. The cool shady thickets also provide ideal resting positions for the large prides that return, replete and tired, from hectic night’s hunting. A good trick is to keep an eye open for a twitching ear or a sudden flash of a creamy-white fur as a lioness lays lazily over and exposes her stomach to the sun! You might also see some cubs tumble out of the bush in a flurry of fur, paws and claws; much too engrossed in their wrestling match to realize that their cover is blown.
When looking for the ever-elusive leopard, watch out for the giveaway swinging tail; usually high up in a tree where draped across a tree branch and clearly camouflaged, the leopard itself will totally be hiden, the long tail being therefore the only clue to his lounging presence. An exceptionally shy and solitary animal, the leopard is seldom found in company and since each animal maintain an individual territory, the only viable way to search him out is often by seeking local advice or being led by your guide. Dawn and dusk are the best time are the best viewing times, but keep an eye on that shadow at the bottom of the tree. It might just walk off into the long grass.
As for the highly endangered Rhino, these great, grey pre-historic creatures are best found in the thick, scrubby bush; particularly in those sanctuaries that have been established to protect them. These includes the Sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park, Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park and a number of private sanctuaries around Solio and Lewa Downs in Laikipia. Large, Lumbering and very short sighted, this greyish brown herbivore is surprisingly good at hiding in thickets and its often only given away by the mound of droppings, known as Rhino Midden, that he leaves behind. Look also for telltale movements as the Rhino stamps their feet or swish their stubby tails against a branch.
Of all the big five, the buffalo are the ones easiest to bag because huge herds roam the Mara, Tsavo, Laikipia, Amboseli, The Aberdares and slopes of both Mt. Elgon and Mount Kenya. The best clues to their presence are the dark shadows that dot the hillsides and betray a heard of Buffalos on the move. Be ware though, because up-close buffalo herds can become decidedly skittish and often break into a lumbering run at the approach of a vehicle. Perhaps the best buffalo photo opportunity is that offered by a grumpy old male alone in dense thicket from whence only a large yellow brown eye gleams and a wet black nose protrudes. Other great spotting areas are along or in the swampy locations in Amboseli, while they are resting chewing the curd.
Buffalos are probably the most dangerous of all the big Five!
Otherwise if all the else fails and the hunting hints have let you down, why not try the tiny lake Nakuru National Park or Most probably at the heart of the city, Nairobi National Park. Lake Nakuru is famous for its pink flamingos alongside a Rhino sanctuary, with some remarkable tree climbing lions and large leopards’ population.
Interestingly, you are likely to get five out of five in Masai Mara with a 3 days 2 nights Masai Mara safari.
Happy Hunting!
Is your image of a Kenyan safari that of a whistle-stop beach and bush tour, wedged into mini-bus with a group of noisy strangers’ intent only on the ‘ticking off’ of the game from the list at the back of their guidebook? A slight exaggeration, but its often the picture that springs most readily to mind.
And with good reason too, because ‘packages’ of this kind were once typical Kenyan tourist fare. Nothing wrong with them either; they were affordable, they did the job and could be booked quickly and easily ‘off the shelf’ down at your local tour agent. But times have changed. And todays travellers are looking for something slightly different. Something slightly more ‘off the beaten track’.
In response to which, Kenya has changed too … and when it comes to the provision of a customized safari, not only does Kenya have what it takes but more also, its an area in which her local tour operators excel.
Not only do we local operators know the country better but also because we are on the ground, we can provide the kind of ‘rapid response’ to local events that are ever changing the travel arena demands. Such events like; a shift in the game migration patterns, the timings of the colorful cultural festivals, the scheduling of a major sporting event, the arrival of the hot season or the opening of a new and fascinating accommodation.
What’s more is if you can plan with a local agent you are flexible – less likely to stick to the rigidly prescribed touristic ‘hotspots. You will be more able to strike out on the road less travelled, to stay in a unique accommodation, to travel via a choice alternative means and to discover for yourself the rich tapestry of the local heritage that lies along the way. Nor is it essential to pre-book everything, although to pre-book is better you do not have to despair if you don’t. As for the options, they are as endless as the vistas.
Kenya has some of the finest game parks in the world, home to some of her last great tropical forests, excels on flora, offers unrivalled marine discoveries, has over 1,000 species of birds and offers historical wonders that ranges from the very cradle of mankind to the ancient- sea going dhows with a treasure trove of forts, pillars and tombs in between.
Considering adventure sports?
We cater for them all; if fishing is your passion, there is mountain fly-fishing, perch and bass to be caught in the lakes of the great rift valley or the ‘squeal of the reels’ of the big game fishing of the Indian ocean.
If golf is your game, we offer world-class courses against show-stopping backdrops. We can also tailor adventure safaris to suit all tastes; from camel to bikes, art to photography and from child friendly to honeymoon romantic.
But its not only have we widenedour the options but also our view point to tours tarvel and adventure. We’ve taken an entirely new tourism direction not only do we believe in the concept of eco-tourism we are firm in practice of eco-friendly pursuits. We are also committed to building the kind of community- related projects which benefits the local population, the indigenous wildlife and the Natural Biosphere alike. Such as the Tasia lodge in Kenya’s Northern Laikipia district, built entirely from the local materials on a community-owned ranch run solely by and for the members of the community.
Finally, how do you know if you can trust your overseas travel agent? EASY. Most of reputable agents belong to such world recognized agencies such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), The Kenya association of tour guide operators, (KATO), and or The Kenya Association Of Travel Agents (KATA), or can be checked out through basic inquiry to Kenya’s Travel Regulation Authority (TRA).
Lastly, is it easy to book with a Kenyan operator as it is with your local travel agent? Virtually, because whilst you may not be able to pop in and talk, face-to-face, with your Kenya travel Advisor, thanks to the advent of the online options like Email, WhatsApp and the internet through which you will indeed be able to book.
We hope that this information has been helpful and as you plan to visit Kenya for an ecstatic adventurous safari, Blavals Adventure will be your preferred choice.
Wildlife in Kenya is not confined to the parks and reserves alone, though it is generally more abundant in such areas. Although safaris tend to be routed through the reserves, you will often see plenty of wildlife outside.
On an arranged safari you should have little difficulty in recording between 30 to 40 species of mammals and at least 150 bird species. From the reptile family you are likely to see crocodile and quite a few lizards, large and small but you will have to search hard to find a snake despite having a whopping 169 of venomous snakes recorded in east Africa.
Much of the land in Game reserves is a savannah; rich in pasture shaded with tress and its here that the antelope herds are mainly found. A remarkable harmony where several species can graze in the same land, each eating different grasses and herbs and no one species so numerous so as to interfere with the domain of others. Antelopes are notably large and small; the largest – the Eland – weighs in at around 600 kg, a hundred times the weight of the dainty dik-dik.
Wildebeest which is among the most numerous of antelopes, share their grazing with Zebra and are naturally gregarious but the smaller antelopes such as the Suni, oribi and Duiker are rarely found in big numbers; indeed, they are almost always solitary or in Pairs. These antelopes commonly inhibit patches of thick cover found in the savannah and some of them, like the duiker have evolved with shorter forelimbs thereby making their dive for cover easier. Duiker means Diver in Afrikaans.
Where there are antelopes, there are also carnivores – Lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena, the later as much a hunter in his own right, is however more familiar with the tag of a scavenger. Lion and Leopard are rarely found making a killing in daylight. However not so for the cheetah which need to be able to see to use its principle weapon – the speed.
As a visitor you will also see a range of smaller carnivores – the serval cat, genet and the jackals. Jackals are also predators particularly the beautiful golden-backed (or oriental) species which, again centrally to popular concept, rarely scavenges. Even the most common jackal, the black-backed, finds only one third of its food from scavenging.
But of the predators the average visitors first seek out the lion. But I can promise you that you will likely not be disappointed because the lions are quite common in most of the parks and reserves but nowhere more numerous nor more splendid than in Masai Mara. Lions spends a good deal of the day sleeping or dozing becoming alert in the early evening especially when there is a need to feed.
Lions are remarkably catholic in their tastes. As a whole pride, they kill antelope and Zebra, but warthog,baboon, ostrich and jackals are killed and eaten when hunting alone. A lion eats about 20-25kg at a meal, sometimes more.
Elephants range across a wide spectrum of habitats from the hot coastlands to the cold moorlands of the Aberdares & Mt. Kenya at 3600M. Infact, very few other animals have this range. Elephants are found in most of the parks. However, herds of 100 or more can be found in Meru, Amboseli and sometimes in Samburu. Despite their great size, elephants are remarkably specific when left on their own
The need to maintain its vast bulk (some 150 – 200 kg of forage a day) keeps an elephant on the move and constantly active – even at night the incessant search for food continues. It is this restlessness which makes elephant watch more rewarding.
The wanton destruction of the rhino throughout the whole of Arica, has severely reduced the Rhino population, to the point where it has become very necessary to relocate most of the remaining few into safe sanctuaries.
Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park and Tsavo National Parks (East & West) all hold many Rhinos although in the Masai Mara and in the forests of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya it is still possible to find Rhino which have not been translocated. Few visitors leave Kenya without sight of these shambling, unpredictable monsters. The best time to see them is in the early morning for in the heat of the day, they return to thick bush as their heat absorption capacity is poor.
Giraffe too roam the Savannah with little competition for the tender leaves of the Acacia trees which are their principle food. The reticulated species, found north of the Equator, must be one of Kenya’s most striking animals. The lakes, swamps, rivers and riverine forest supports their own specialized wildlife.
Hippo of course irritable and cantankerous, share their habitat with the little loved crocodiles. The largest concentration of crocodile anywhere is to be found in Like Turkana and at Sibiloi Park. The numbers are especially great with as many as 50 – 60 crocodiles per kilometer of beach. Crocodiles feeds mostly on fish of which our rivers and lakes holds considerable variety. The Nile perch found in Lake Victoria and Turkana is the most notable species reaching enormous proportions - 50 kg specimens are quite common..
The cape (or African) buffalo, judged by most hunters to be the most dangerous of the big game,inhabits grassland where there is preferably thick cover and swamp in which it lies up, but like the elephant it is also adapted to life in dense and cold forest. Yet ferocity is clearly not the mark of buffalo in groups. Their herds which can be numbered in many hundreds are quite timid.
Hippo of course irritable and cantankerous, share their habitat with the little loved crocodiles. The largest concentration of crocodile anywhere is to be found in Like Turkana and at Sibiloi Park. The numbers are especially great with as many as 50 – 60 crocodiles per kilometer of beach. Crocodiles feeds mostly on fish of which our rivers and lakes holds considerable variety. The Nile perch found in Lake Victoria and Turkana is the most notable species reaching enormous proportions - 50 kg specimens are quite common..
This is not the place to describe the wealth of wildlife in any detail. Suffice to glimpse this great pageant in anticipation of a visit. In summary it shows that the major parks (Tsavo, Amboseli, Masai Mara, Samburu and Meru) all features not less than 50 species, but there are other areas such as Maralal and the Tana river primate reserve where there are as many species but less abundance.
