ELEPHANT WATCH SAFARI

Elephant Watch Safaris by Oria Douglas-Hamilton

"The idea of starting Elephant Watch Safaris came to me as I was sitting on the roof of my Landrover watching elephants through my binoculars. A young female walked up to the car, looked up at me and held her trunk out towards me. Was she trying to learn something about me through her olfactory system, I wondered, in the same way I was about her but through my magnified vision? I held my hand out towards the tip of her long nose and she let out a low rumble, forcing her warm breath over my fingers. For a while she remained by the car, flapping her ears, ripping grass, and twirling her trunk, but all the while I felt a new silent friendship was developing and this I considered to be a great honour. She was the younger sister of a well-known elephant matriarch who had been around human beings in cars for many years. Buses, filled with people, came and went, clicking pictures and talking, but few ever stayed long enough with the elephants to feel this closeness and be able to experience what it was like to be part of an elephant family. Elephant Watch Safaris were launched and we would now be able to share these memorable and unique moments with our special guests. In Africa, the wilderness comes to you and you must learn to accept it."

Oria Douglas-Hamilton

 

DAYS 1 to 3 - NAIVASHA - Olerai House

Elephant Watch Safaris will begin in Naivasha at the Douglas-Hamilton's Farm. Here, in this little oasis of peace, set in the Great Rift Valley, is a farm all green with age-old acacia trees and a feeling of a much-loved place. Billowing clouds mark the horizons, pelicans fly in formation and fish eagles call from treetops. A giraffe peers through a network of branches, a line of impalas pass by and all of a sudden a flock of sheep join the parade. Olerai House, where guests will spend their first nights, is a secluded farmhouse set in the glorious countryside of the north shore of Lake Naivasha.

Elephant Watch Safari guests will be introduced to Africa and elephants in style at Olerai house. One needs time to adjust in Africa and each day will bring new adventures in beautiful places. Here, guests will also gain knowledge about the work of the Douglas-Hamilton's and get to know the elephants before meeting them out in the bush.

 

DAYS 4 to 6 – NORTHERN KENYA - Elephant Watch Safari

On the fourth day, a private charter will fly you out towards the northern arid areas of Kenya and land at Samburu National Park to start the Elephant Watch Safari. Everything is different in the north, the heat, the scenery, the colours and the smells. Even Elephants have a special smell. The first sighting will be en route to The Elephant Camp and here our guests will be introduced to the families whose surnames are the Musicians, the Clouds, Spices, Trees and so on. This will be the beginning of an intimate and very novel experience that we would like to share with you. We look forward to welcoming you into our world...more about Elephant Watch Safar

 

DAY 7 – DEPART

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your private charter flight to Wilson Airstrip where you will be met and transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward connection to the homebound flight.

DAYS 1 to 2 – MASAI MARA - Enkan'g Oloirien

Transfer to Wilson for your scheduled flight departs at 10h00 for arrival into Mara at 10h45. Enkan'g Oloirien is an intimate tented camp located near Talek River in a riverine forest grove, deep in the vast savanna country.

It is owned by Osotua Camp , the same company that have Olla Oda at Buffalo Springs, and it is run with the same philosophy. Conservation is taken seriously. The Camp is intentionally kept small and the tents, overlooking the Talek River, are spaced among the trees to keep visual disturbance to the minimum. For the next two days your activities will include guided nature walks and game drives in the morning and evenings. A Balloon safari is included on one of the days which allows breathtaking panoramic views of the Mara and offers fantastic opportunities to photograph the lions, elephants gazelles and perhaps the spectacular wildebeest migration. The balloon ends with a champagne breakfast at the landing site. Accommodation is inclusive of all meals, beers, wines and soft drinks (except cellar wines and champagne)

DAY 3 – NAIROBI - Ngong House

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled flight departs at 11h00 for arrival at Wilson airstrip at 12h15. You will be met and transferred to the truly inspirational Ngong House where Paul Verleysen, the charming owner, has provided the ultimate luxuries of space, light, and true style. Situated on the outskirts of Nairobi, on 10 acres of private land, it offers peerless views of the misty Ngong Hills and the surrounding countryside. Day at leisure. Overnight on full board basis, inclusive of drinks (except champagne)

 

DAY 4 – DEPART

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your homebound flight.