New Guest Camps Open in Kenya in time for Great Migration

New guest camps (including Richard Branson’s new property) are opening this summer in Kenya in time for the Great Migration to give more travelers up-close views of one of the world’s most exciting natural phenomenon.

This month, travelers can watch in awe during one of the greatest animal shows on Earth, the Great Migration.  Each year from July through November, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and Thomson’s Gazelle venture from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s sprawling Maasai Mara National Reserve, making way for one of the most amazing natural spectacles in the world.

New camps opening this summer include:

Mahali Mzuri, a Virgin Limited Edition property – Opening in August 2013

Virgin chief Richard Branson is building a property on the Motorogi Conservancy in the Masai Mara. The property, Mahali Mzuri, part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio, is slated to open next year. Situated within the Motorogi Conservancy in the Maasai Mara, Mahali Mzuri – meaning “beautiful place” in Swahili – will feature 12 tented suites, exclusively catering to a maximum of 24 guests at any one time.  Opening this August, rates will start from $580 per person per night, fully inclusive of all meals, drinks and daily game drives within the Olare Orok and Motorogi Conservancies. For more information, visit www.mahalimzuri.virgin.com

Speke’s Camp – Opened July 15 

A sister camp to Maasai Trails’ Jan’s Camp, Speke’s Camp is a delightful new private camp in the Maasai Mara that is opening this month. Located just outside the Maasai Reserve on private land – Speke’s Camp offers an exclusive and secluded experience. With a rack rate of just $305 per person sharing per night, this quaint camp is part of the more affordable circuit of camps in the Mara. With eight comfortable rooms, Speke’s Camp offers game drives and the option of an epic-walking safari through the Loita Hills. For more information, visit www.maasaitrails.com. 

Elewana’s Sand River Masai Mara Camp – Opened July 1

Located on the banks of a river from which it has taken its name, Sand River Maasai Mara is located within the famed Maasai Mara National Reserve, close to the Tanzanian border.  Situated on a secluded and picturesque site, the Camp replicates the heyday of exclusive permanent tented camps of the late 1920’s. Featuring 16 exclusive tented  suites each with a private sun deck area, the camp offers daily game drives, bush meals, a billiard room, library, and swimming pool for guests. For more information, visit elewanacollection.com.

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Africa Point to plant 10,000 trees on Mount Kenya in a web based social networking initiative

Africa Point Ltd will be joined by Capital FM, East African Wildlife Society and other partners, Saturday, November 19, 2011, as they plant 10,000 trees on Mount Kenya through an initiative that encourages the use of web based social networking to help save the mountain’s rapidly receding glacier.

The trees to be planted at Gathiuro and Hombe parts of Mount Kenya will be the first instalment of a total of 100,000 trees that will be planted by Africa point and partners within five years.

According to Africa Point managing director Andrew Muigai, global warming has seen glaciers on Mount Kenya receding at an alarming rate and scientists predict they could be wiped out soon if urgent measures are not taken.

“Research compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows that seven out of 18 glaciers present atop Mount Kenya in 1900 had disappeared by 1986 and the remaining 11 glaciers had lost between 60 per cent and 92 per cent of their area, said Mr Muigai.

Muigai said the use of social media networking sites is rapidly gaining acceptance as a part of internet marketing strategies in many businesses worldwide, and this can be replicated in the environmental conservation arena.

“Everywhere we turn, we see the constant reference to social media. It is a wonderful tool to spread information to many people, in a very short time,” he said.

Africa Point believes this tree planting campaign will in the long run help reverse the adverse effects of global warming on the snow caps of Mount Kenya.

The event takes place Saturday, November 19, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Gathioro and Hombe parts of Mount Kenya.

To learn more about the Save Mount Kenya Campaign and to participate, visit http://www.africapoint.com/savemountkenya.php. To learn more about Africa Point visit the company website – http://www.africapoint.com.

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