Holiday Features

SAFARIS

Lodges and camps are carefully located near waterholes or strategically built to give commanding views over the African plains. Most lodges have private bathroom facilities and swimming pools for an afternoon dip. Some tented safaris can be more basic with bucket showers! The camps give you a sense of the "real" Africa whilst lying in bed listening to the distant animal sounds. For the more discerning traveller there are deluxe camps with all the comforts of 5 star hotels.

On all safaris you will be guaranteed a window seat and the drivers are expert "spotters" and are very knowledgeable in both wildlife and native lore. At dawn they will be ready to take you out for the early morning drive (don't forget a jumper or fleece as it can be quite chilly early on in the day) and return to camp for a hearty breakfast around 10 a.m. Then it's time for everyone (including the wildlife) to relax or take a nap. After the heat of the day it's time for the afternoon drive, to search for the more elusive animals. You return to your campsite or lodge at dusk and can unwind with a Tusker (local beer!) or two. Evenings at the lodges are spent listening to wildlife talks or videos and watching the waterhole for nocturnal visitors. Sitting around the campfire your local guide will help you identify the night sounds and fill your mind with Masai legends!

For the ultimate experience a dawn hot air balloon safari is a must. As the sun is rising the balloon skims over the trees and follows the herds. The birds eye views are truly fantastic, to see the animal tracks criss-crossing the plains, to see no signs of humans for mile after mile- just nature's wonders. Your balloon flight ends with champagne and freshly cooked breakfast laid out on a crisp white tablecloth. Imagine eating your breakfast in the middle of the African wilderness with topi, gazelles and zebras watching you, and you watching them eat theirs! This is truly an extraordinary experience that you will never forget.

If it is adventure and challenge you want look no further than snow capped Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, straddling the equator at almost 20,000ft. Climbing Kili requires no special skills, just plenty of stamina and determination. The five day trek starts with trails through lush rainforest, open moorland, before lunar like landscape that takes you to Kibo at 15,000 ft. Starting at 1.00a.m, it's an arduous climb to the summit for sunrise. Temperatures at Ulhuru are well below freezing, every step is laboured but the sense of achievement is enormous and the views awesome. Good preparation for reaching Ulhuru is essential, and we at Ocky White Travel have had first hand experience and will be only too pleased to help you reach the "Roof of Africa". This trek can be combined with a relaxing beach stay or safari, or better still if you have the time, both!

No two days are the same on any safari. There are no guarantees of seeing the "Big Five" or seeing a kill but every moment is wild and natural; the sights, sounds and smells of an African safari are unique. Whichever safari is for you, Kenya's lakes with prolific bird life, the Aberdares for the rare sighting of bongo or perhaps my favourite, Tanzania's Lake Manyara, famed for its tree climbing lions, it really will give us great pleasure in helping you plan that holiday of a lifetime.

For the very, very best in first hand knowledge, ask for our very own safari expert, Shan, a "veteran" of eight different safaris! and one ascent of Kilimanjaro!.Phew!