Day 1
Breakfast and leave for KAKAMEGA FOREST with stopover lunch
at Nakuru-The sheer size and grandeur of these rainforest
trees, some over 100 years old, is impressive. The trees
create a complete environment for birds, insects,
butterflies and wildlife, which are plentiful in this area.
Walking beneath the lush forest canopy the deep shade is
pierced by flashes of colour, exotic birdcalls, the scents
of wood, flower and moss.
The best time to visit is during the rainy season, April to
July, when the flowers are at their most beautiful. There
are seven kms of trails with a team of ranger guides to
escort visitors through the forest. The walk to Buyango
Hill, the highest point in the forest, is a must for
visitors. The Reserve is twice the size of Nairobi National
Park with 380 species of plants spread in swamps, riverine
and hardwood forest areas, glades and the shallow forest
around the edge of the reserve. About 350 species of birds
have been recorded including rare snake-eating birds.
Forest mammals include bushpig, grey duiker, vicet, sunni,
clawless otters and some fascinating nocturnal game: Ground
Pangolin, porcupines and the occasional leopard. Black and
White Colobus are in plenty and the De Brazza Monkeys (known
as 'Karasinga' in Swahili, thanks to its distinctive white
beard) can be found in the adjacent Kisere forest area. Many
rare species of primates are common. They include the Blue
Monkey, frequently seen near the Ishiuki Fall, the Olive
Baboon and the Red tailed Monkey.
Dinner and overnight at Rondo Retreat or in a
self-help banda.
Day 2
Breakfast and leave for RUMA NATIONAL PARK. Created as a
reserve in 1966 to protect the only remaining habitat of
Roan antelope, the Park is in the Lambwe Valley in Southern
Nyanza, 140 kms. from Kisumu town. The 120sq. km park is a
mix of rolling savannah, woodlands, rivers and hills. Its
main attractions are game-viewing, bird watching, hiking and
walking and fishing in the rivers.
Game in this park include Bohor's reedbuck, Rothschild's
giraffe, Jackson's hartebeest, Roan antelope, buffalo,
leopard, serval cat and hyena, as well as diverse birdlife.
Dinner and overnight at the nearby campsite or back
to Rondo Retreat centre.
Day 3: NDERE ISLAND NATIONAL
PARK
The island is just off the northern shore of Lake Victoria,
opened in November 1986. Ndere means 'Meeting Place' in the
dholuo language of the local Luo. According to Luo folklore,
Kit Mikayi, mother of the tribe, rested near Ndere after her
long journey south down the Nile Valley.
She found the lush shoreline so pleasant that she and her
people decided to stay. It is home to a variety of birds
including fish eagles and a big population of swifts. Hippos
and crocodiles, including the lesser known Spotted
Crocodile, are a familiar sight. Fifty impalas have been
introduced to the woodland which fringes the shores.
Attractions include hiking, walking, traditional fishing,
boat safaris and picnics.
Dinner and overnight at Kisumu Sunset Hotel.
Day 4: KISUMU IMPALA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Opened in October 1992, to protect a herd of impala and
provide safe grazing grounds for hippo from the lake. It is
used as a holding point and sanctuary for "problem" animals,
such as leopard, hyena and baboon.
Dinner and accommodation Kisumu Sunset Hotel.
Day 5
Breakfast and leave for Nairobi with lunch enroute at Lake
Nakuru lodge to arrive late afternoon in time for your next
destination.
Pricing US$1100 per person. Minimum four people.
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