Archive for category: Travel News

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) announced in September that “White Rhinos now number around 16,803 animals, an increase of 5.6%” from the previous year. The first increase in White Rhino numbers since 2012.

The black rhino population also increased and reached nearly 6,500 by the end of last year.

Early September Conservation group African Parks said it planned to release 2,000 southern White Rhinos into the wild after buying the world’s largest private captive rhino breeding operation in South Africa. There are only two surviving members of another, the northern white rhino – both female and both in Kenya.

Meet Judy and Bo!

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Sweetwater’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary, they have introduced two new faces to Ol Pejeta’s symbolic adoption programme!

Judy and Bo are two of the 30 chimps that call Sweetwaters home. Their stories are one of resilience and hope, but sadly like the others and their traumatic and scarring past, these chimpanzees can never be introduced to the wild where they belong. At Sweetwaters, in the sun-filled, leafy green spaces of the sanctuary, they have learned to exist as themselves again, thriving under the expert care and attention received from dedicated caregivers.

It costs USD $5,000 a year to look after one chimpanzee, and they believe that every chimp is worth trying to help. To witness the transformation is incredible! By symbolically adopting, you are helping care for these vulnerable chimps for many more years. Read more about Judy and Bo below!

Meet Judy

Current Age: 40

Date of Birth: 1983

Rescued From: Mombasa, Kenya

Rescued Date: 1993

Judy’s story begins in 1983, in Mombasa, Kenya, where she and two other chimpanzees were found in the company of a man who claimed to have rescued them from Zaire. However, suspicions arose as the man lacked proper documentation for the chimps, leading to the trio being seized and placed in an orphanage in Nairobi.

Judy lived at this orphanage until the age of 10 when her life took a positive turn and she found her way to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

The sanctuary’s vet team discovered that she had endured polio during her infancy, resulting in a painful, withered leg. Despite this challenge, Judy embraced her new home with enthusiasm.

Over the years, Judy has thrived and grown into a vibrant and healthy adult chimpanzee. In 1997, she became a mother and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Oscar. Her journey from a rescued, polio-affected infant to a loving and nurturing mother is truly remarkable.

Meet Bo

Current Age: 9

Date of Birth: 2014

Rescued From: Guinea-Bissau

Rescued Date: 2018

Nestled in the heart of Cantanhez Forest National Park in Guinea-Bissau, a young Bo became an orphan when her mother fell victim to the bush meat trade. At just two years old, Bo too was snatched from the park by a man who wanted her for bush meat, set to face a similar grim fate as her mother. Fortunately, destiny took a turn and the Bissau-Guinean authorities rescued Bo.

Bo’s new home with her rescuers became the tranquil Cufada Lagoon National Park offices in Buba. Here, she started to heal, formed bonds with the park office staff, and began to trust humans again. Without the dedicated efforts of the Cufada Lagoon National Park authorities, it is unlikely that Bo would be here today. They worked tirelessly to find a sanctuary where she could enjoy a life free from harm and exploitation, ultimately reaching out to us at Sweetwaters Sanctuary.

On April 26, 2018, Bo arrived at Sweetwaters Sanctuary, where she now thrives in her new home, surrounded by dappled light, lush vegetation, chimpanzee companions, and a dedicated team of vets and caregivers ensuring her well-being

Judy and Bo are beloved members of the chimpanzee family and they are so excited that they will now be available to adopt through Ol Pejeta Conservancy brand new donation portal! Redesigned to provide you with a visually engaging but easy-to-use experience, the new portal showcases all their symbolic adoption packages and sponsorships, as well as upcoming events, fundraising opportunities, and how your support helps.

Click here to explore the new Donation Portal

Cottar’s 1920s Camp was named as: No.9 Best Resorts in the World overall, and No.2 Best Resorts in Central & Eastern Africa in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS. The camp is situated in the 7608-acre private Olderkesi Conservancy bordering the famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara and the Tanzania Serengeti game reserve. Owned and managed by the oldest established and continuing safari family in Africa it extends an era of luxury and quality and returns to the original spirit and essence of ‘safari’.

The camp has eleven tents in total (two unique honeymoon tents, five double tents and four family tents), all with en suite bathrooms. The family tents are open-plan and have living rooms with fireplaces. The entire camp is situated to ensure that tents are private and quiet whether for honeymooners or families with young children.

The camp has two main mess tent areas for fine dining, drinking, reading and relaxing, and an amazing pool and spa where guests can relax after a game drive. Guests can also enjoy a traditional canvas safari bath, a genuinely unique way of bathing specifically set up on the tent’s verandah, with views out over the plains. The location of the camp provides easy access for day and night wildlife drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Olderkesi Conservancy, wildlife walks, and cultural interactions with the Maasai community.

Rates

• KES 61,560 per person sharing per night in a tent

Valid till 31 Oct 2023

• KES 30,665 per person sharing per night in a tent

Valid from 1 Nov to 19 Dec 2023

Note: Villa is also available

Inclusions

• Full board accommodation, water, tea and coffee
• Local drinks – soft drinks, house wines, beers, and select spirits
• Safari activities as specified
• Cottar’s Private Airstrip transfers
• Transfers to cultural visits
• Laundry
• Nanny service available – must be booked at least two weeks prior to arrival date

Included activities

• Wildlife drives
• Wilderness run/walk with a Maasai warrior
• Cottar’s famous traditional canvas bush bath
• Maasai Warrior School
• Maasai warrior singing and dancing
• Medicinal and foraging walk
• 1 hr Maasai beading with Mamma Nashiro Batian
• The Explorer’s Tent educational visit
• Swimming and/or fishing at the waterfall
• Pool time
• Coffee tasting experience
• Stargazing experience
• Reforestation seedball dispersal activity
• Kids entomology safari activities
• Carbon footprint, recycle and upcycle talk and experience
• One hour learning with female conservation rangers

Exclusions

• Champagne, luxury wines and spirits
• Park and Conservancy fees
• Cultural village entry fee ($20 pp)
• Massage and Spa treatments (starting from $50)
• Exclusive use of vehicle – $330 per day
• Certain activities (see separate activities list)
• Transfers to and from Keekorok Airstrip

Lioness Sister Cubs

Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy is located 10kms away from Nanyuki town centre, adjacent to the famous Mt. Kenya Safari Club.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) decided to place the 2 cubs within the Mount Kenya Animal Orphanage, where they have already started to benefit from the expert care of a dedicated team of animal keepers & wildlife veterinarians. The conservancy’s exceptional animal orphanage meets the required animal welfare standards to host these majestic siblings.

The Lioness sister cubs were rescued from the Nairobi National Park where the parents were victims of human wildlife conflicts (separate cases). The parents were also rescued and currently they are at Nairobi Animal Orphanage.

You are invited to come and experience the magic of these captivating cubs. You will have the rare opportunity to see, learn & interact with the cubs as they rest and play, deepening your bond with wildlife and learning more about conservation through a guided tour.

Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm

Entrance fees:

E.A. Citizens – Adult KES 1,000, Children KES 500 (6 – 12 years)

Residents – Adult KES 2,000, Children KES 1,000 (6 – 12 years)