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Immerse yourself in the sounds
of Africa, embalm yourself in the colours of
the early morning sunrise and cloak yourself
with the heavy fall of darkness………..go
walking!
You can smell the fresh aroma
of the morning grass on the plains or wander
through a mountain valley, pausing as we search
for birds and animals. Walking in the African
bush can be enjoyable, relaxing and exhilarating
all at the same time.
For 25 years, we (Gametrackers (K) Ltd) have
been operating both four wheel drive game safaris
and walking safaris. Our decision to take the
‘walking’ aspect away from our standard
website and market ‘Wild Horizons’
separately was based on the generalisation that
the kind of client who requests to walk has
a different perspective on travel and wants
to experience much more than is offered from
the confines of a vehicle window.
All our walking safaris are custom-made to
suit a particular client – groups are
normally small (2 to 8 persons) but we will
even host 1 person although the cost will be
higher. Your experienced guide will always be
with you, enabling stimulating conversation
along the way on a range of subjects. Walking
offers an intimate relationship with nature
- you may find yourself examining a tree that
has been used for years by elephants to relieve
an itching back and may even find some hair
stuck on the bark…..or tracing animal
footprints that have used the trail before us.
Sometimes, we find ourselves relaxing for a
few minutes in a forest glade listening to the
gentle clanking of cow bells nearby. It is common
to find ourselves chatting to the local people
who we happen to meet along the way. Walking
safaris directly benefit local people who provide
guides and pack animals as well as having a
minimal impact on the natural environment. Likewise,
local tribal escorts with intimate knowledge
of the area accompany us to ensure we miss nothing.
Having a four wheel drive vehicle with us providing
‘back up’ (i.e. forging ahead to
set up camp and arrange meal stops) is an added
bonus as we can supply a comfortable camp complete
with spacious tents, camp beds, tables to eat
on……….and of course, that
much needed shower at the end of a long day’s
trek.
A vehicle is also great extra security in
case of unforeseen circumstances whereby having
a four wheel drive handy is a comforting notion.
The vehicle can also be used for game drives
if animals happen to be near camp and night
drives to catch those nocturnal creatures at
work. Your comfort and security are basic concerns
that are primary to the itinerary.
Your
Tour Guide
John Bisley is the founder of
Gametrackers [K] Ltd. John’s father was
an eye doctor whose efforts to introduce eye
care to the Masai people took him to many remote
places.
John’s first experience
on safari was with his father and two Land Rovers,
one of which served as an operating table, with
a tent as the ward. With his father’s
assistants they would tour plains and deserts
for many weeks, offering eye care to the nomadic
people.
These trips instilled in John
a passion to explore his own country leading
to his taking up guiding nearly thirty years
ago. His particular delight is the deserts and
isolated mountains of Northern Kenya but he
has led groups in Uganda and Tanzania as well
as all areas of Kenya. Likewise, mountain biking
is a favorite pastime and customized trips can
be arranged.
In John’s opinion, East
Africa has a lot more to offer than simple wildlife
viewing from vehicles. The many different ethnic
communities and wilderness areas away from heavily
touristed locales offer to John his most enjoyable
experiences of guiding.
Please
Note:
- The gear and crew are transferred by vehicle
from camp to camp each day on some itineraries
(Wild Plains and Tropical Moorlands), unless
otherwise specified. However, if specially
arranged, donkeys or camels can be used depending
on area. Some itineraries require donkeys
or camels in which case the four-wheel-drive
would meet us on the last leg of the trip
(Mystic Nomads and Jade Sea Journey).
- If you are coming from overseas we can arrange
transfers from and to the airport, hotel bookings,
beach holidays, balloon safaris, camping and
lodge safaris, overland safaris and any other
activities you would like to participate in
whilst in Kenya. Please enquire with our Sales
team.
- Clients should arrange to have good weatherproof
clothing, a warm sleeping bag, a water bottle,
good walking shoes and a comfortable pair
of shoes to wear in camp.
- Although these itineraries follow a specific
routine, there may be need to alter certain
days due to the pace of walking or even interference
by weather conditions.
-
For Jade Sea Journey only:
Due to the harsh terrain and heat, this
itinerary would be best done during the
rainy/”winter” season (March
to May, June, July and October to November)
as it is much cooler, otherwise,if done
any other time of the year, walking would
start before dawn to avoid walking in the
afternoon when temperatures are high.
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