African Study Tours – Explore World's ‘Oldest' Continent

The diversity of African ecology, biological and geographical spectrums has since time immemorial attracted the most passionate and psyched scholars from diverse study fields and disciplines. The fact that Africa is considered the earth's ‘oldest' continent means there are more than evolution theories with modern discoveries that no doubt will live beyond the 21st century.The East Africa for example is regarded the cradle of mankind with fossils studies showing the world's most reliable evidence of man's evolution. The discovery of fossils dating over one million years and crude ‘human' tools and weapons dating over hundred thousand of years old gives East Africa a unique interest for paleontologists.

The mythical history of Africa, ethnic diversity, unique geographical array, rich mineral deposits and ancient land-form events such has volcanic activities, the Great Rift Valley and unique marine features place Africa in the world map of most searched scholars destinations. It is amazing how theatrically-munificent Africa presents itself to those seeking to discover its amazing natural beauty, exceptional history, biological diversity, great ecological wealth and distinct variety of its people. I know this may seem to you as though Africa is for the top notch scholars or high flying career researchers. Nope! Those who have been to Africa before will bear me witness that Africa gives you what you ask and fulfils the desire of every traveler. Whether in complicated research assignment or just want to wade through Africa for a short study-holiday package, you will discover untold precision of natural allure that will turn into a life time experience.

The notion of traveling to Africa for educational purposes is not new and its popularity in the tourism market is only expected to increase both locally and abroad. There are varieties of African study tours that give every traveler a unique satisfaction in there preference and interests. It is comprised of several sub-types including ecotourism, heritage tourism, rural/farm tourism, and student exchanges between educational institutions. In most cases, the ideal African study tours and student exchange programs end with 6 to 10 days spent exploring the environment and culture of the surrounding country. This include ecotourism packages that involve visiting natural areas with the objectives of learning, studying or participating in activities that do not bring negative effects to the environment; whilst protecting and empowering the local community socially and economically.

Whether your study tour package will see you teaching English in native rural African school, building a community center or tending to village daily chores in Kenya, the surety is: this overseas charitable work will have life changing impact in your life. Indeed, these are transformative encounters that you will live to remember and cherish. The African study tour and exchange programs are mainly a two to three week packages often characterized by home-stay in a remote rural village. This can be extended depending on the demands of the students or the program organizers with most ideal high school summer programs allowing a maximum of 18 students per group, two leaders and two to three in-country support staff.

So as to understand the unique differences between African urbanization and the urban development in the west, most students exchange programs and scholars packages are organized in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya and the largest city in east and central Africa. Here students will examine developmental and environmental issues that are both experienced and caused by the urban space. Students will meet and discuss with a selection of Nairobians their understanding and interpretation of the impact globalization.

An urban home stay component will be used to integrate these discussions and interpretations into practical knowledge. Other packages include Wildlife Conservation and Ecology program and coast study package. In the Kenyan coast study package, Students will examine the critical role tourism plays in the economy and lives of Swahili people of Kenyan coast. They will learn about the challenges of balancing tourism, conservation in Old Town, and the fragile local Muslim culture. They will also have an opportunity to live and interact with an urban Muslim community in Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city and the second largest coastal city in East Africa.

Finally, in the wildlife conservation program, students are encouraged to discuss with their local hosts the intricate relationship that exists between a traditional society that has managed to fend-off the beckoning of westernization and state machinery that seeks to embrace westernization at all costs.
The package is designed to allow students to experience first-hand the wonders of Kenya's renowned wildlife heritage in the Maasai Mara and other selected destinations while exploring the complex challenges faced by the traditional Maasai and other local communities living in wildlife protected areas.

African Adventure Holidays – Enjoy Authentic Active Vacation

Ever thought of a holiday package that is tailor made to suit your passion for active vacation? If your answer is yes, then African adventure holidays would be an ideal solution to your vacation puzzle. While many traditional holiday vacations were associated with rest-lazy concept with minimal activities apart from sunbathing on the white sand sun-baked beaches of tropical coasts, the modern holiday makers have discovered that, innovative tailor-made active vacations feel more relaxing and fruitful as compared to the traditional holidays.

The choices of holiday destinations have also become more profound and informed thanks to the internet inventions that have made communication and sharing of information easy, fast and reliable. As a result of modern technology, the revelation of new destinations that would otherwise stay un-discovered has been made known to the rest of the world. Africa, which for a long time has been considered a black continent with no much to offer, has in the recent past evolved to be one of the world's most adventurous destination. This is with no doubt that most of Africa's holiday destination are less or yet to be discovered and exploited.

The magical uniqueness of Africa and its scenic countryside, its wildlife thrilled savannahs, snow-capped tropical mountains, natural rain forests, the Great Rift Valley features and the unsurpassed beauty of the tropical coast are no doubt the perfect quencher of a hungry adventurer spirit. With a wide range of destinations to choose from coupled with diverse activities, you will be spoilt by choices of what to entail in your adventure Holiday. This diversity ensures that your active vacation in African safari will not just be characterized by long hour game drives confined in safari minibuses. Whether you choose to stay along the coast or do a wildlife tour in various parks and conservatives, or even rough the stunning scenic mountains of East Africa, the sure thing is that you will always find a rewarding active natural activity that will turn your holiday into a life time experience.

You will also have an opportunity to connect with other like-minded travelers in your great African adventure vacation. This is done while ensuring the dignity of your private holiday is maintained and upheld. It also guarantees you are offered your most requested activities, destinations and interests. From active adventures to culture-rich trips, there's a little bit of something for everyone. Activities will include; Trekking and Hiking, Cycling, Walking, or a combination of Multiple activities as per your desired preference, capability and interest. If you are along the coast, you will have a chance to float on the crystalline-blue waters of the Indian Ocean. You can take a boat trip to the magical Islands of Malindi for fish barbeque or enjoy gigantic drama of marine life as you sit on glass bottom boat. If you are fit enough or you are young at heart you can try scuba diving on the warm ocean waters and if it's on a lucky day, enjoy a fantastic snorkel with lovely dolphins in Watamu.

The inland attractions offer what I refer to as the great tropical outdoors. The vast savannahs have incomparable display of wildlife with some such as; the Hells gate, Crescent Island and the Maasai Mara giving you an opportunity to enjoy guided walks amidst wildlife. The scenic beauty and awe-inspiring experience of climbing east African mountains is not only rewarding but also gives the most ideal natural therapy of shrugging-off that excess fat. With time and also depending with your interest and ability, you can hike to the roof top or Africa – The Kilimanjaro or scale through the African most scenic mountain whose rugged peaks gives one of the most picturesque sunrise moments in East Africa. This is Mount Kenya – The name sake of a nation.

Finally, if you enjoy city life, then Nairobi city will be the place for you. With one of the greatest diversity of natural attractions in the region, you will need to alter your perception of modern urbanization as Nairobi is one unique case study of a natural-modern city hosting besides the only wildlife capital, a variety of natural attraction including dense tropical rainforests, rivers and falls within a short driving distance from the city centre.

Kenya Safari: Spectacular Wilderness Thrills of Marsabit

Surrounded by harsh environment, you may be exonerated to assume this remote national reserve is misplaced and its unique attractions far fetched by unknown phenomena. But you are mistaken; the real thrill is true, authentic and natural. On this northern frontier of Kenya arid spheres lay one of the most spectacular wilderness thrills and nature's most unique contrast. This is Lake Paradise in the greater Marsabit National Reserve and the ancient Marsabit town.

Marsabit town and its sanctuaries lie atop a mountain rising sheer from the desert floor to a height of about 1707 meters. The mountain is a natural phenomenon, born out of volcanic fire and shaped by mist where its great massive ranges and undulating peaks have created its own ambient climate.

Every evening, about midnight, the hot air rising from the desert floor cools and forms clinging fingers of mist, which grasp the mountain slopes, rarely releasing their grip until the late part of the morning. Mount Marsabit is famous for the dreamy waters of Lake Paradise which are located on its peak, for the foothills of rugged grandeur that fan out from its volcanic craters, and for the cloud forests which shelter both greater kudu and an ancient dynasty of elephants famous for their huge tusks.

Although the lower slopes of the mountain are scorched and dry, above them are richly forested wonderlands of crater lakes, swamps, towering cliffs and giant trees, all with an astounding display of wildlife and magnificent scenic views. Here bird and beast dart between the tall stands of juniper and podocarpus in a scene much as wildlife filmmakers Osa and Martin Johnson recorded when they made their home at Lake Paradise, one of the crater lakes, in the 1920's.

Many species of raptors inhabit the shaggy cliffs and the treetops around Lake Paradise and Sokorte Guda, a cliff lined bowl, which forms a natural amphitheatre in which Marsabit's elephants parade to drink in the late afternoon. Large herds of buffalo and other ungulates join this display. Other species found on the mountain include the shy greater kudu and other antelope as well as lions and leopards.

On the road south from Mount Marsabit to the rocky plains, the area is home to Sociable Weaver birds, which can be identified by their neater, tidier nests; Sparrow Weavers, with their "scruffier" nests; and white-bellied turacos. The area also unfolds indescribable natural phenomenon while passing through extraordinary Strangler figs in the mountain-top forest. This displays a stark contrast to the dusty track below which is lined by low, flat-topped acacias. Bird watching is a popular activity in this area.

For an estimated 63 years, Marsabit National Park and Reserve was the home of Ahmed, patriarch of the forest, guarded from hunters seeking his mighty tusks, by a presidential decree. A model of Ahmed now stands in the National Museum in Nairobi while his scions wander the forest under the watchful eyes of the Marsabit Reserve's rangers.

Lower down the mountain, below the forest line, groups of Borana people drive their camels to water at the singing wells. Three or four men form a human ladder down these deep shafts and with camel-hide buckets work in swift relay to bring water to the troughs above. The songs they sing while undertaking this work have earned the wells their name.

From Nairobi, the reserve is reached via Nanyuki and lsiolo a distance of 620 km. The road is paved up to lsiolo leaving a distance of 270 km of very bad road that is only motorable by 4 wheel-drive vehicles during the dry season. The reserve is 2 1/2 hrs by air from Nairobi and is adequately served by a tarmac airstrip located about one kilometer from Marsabit town centre.

Marsabit Town is a staging post for the journey to Moyale and onwards to Ethiopia and also the beginning of an adventure, which intrepid travelers make when they cross the inhospitable Chalbi Desert to reach Lake Turkana.

This shimmering and seemingly endless expanse of sand stretches for 300 kilometers to the shore of the lake of which it were once part. Even today, perhaps once in every decade, in one of the torrential downpours, which occur during a rare rainy season, it will again come into flood to form a vast but shallow lake.

There is no doubt that lake paradise and the surrounding enclosures of Marsabit national reserve will soon be asserted world wonders that every soul will desire to experience.

Three Ways to Save Money While on a Kenyan Safari

There are numerous ways in which you can save on your trip to Kenya.

Flights:

To get cheap flights to Kenya, you need to travel in the low season. You could save over $200 as compared to traveling in the high season. Kenya's high tourist season is between January and February and June to September. Additionally, taking direct flights could also save you on airfare.

Accommodation:

It's quite easy to save on accommodations in Kenya. Rather than book your stay in a hotel, you could stay in a hostel or choose a home stay. Home stays have come to be the best option in Kenya budget travel. Here, you get to stay with real Kenyan families and you will experience Kenya from a Kenyan's perspective. Home Stays usually cost about $14 per night inclusive of all meals and usually laundry. For the adventurous ones, camping is a good option too. If you have your camping equipment, it will only cost you $5 a night. Some campsites will rent a mattress and bedding at about $3 per night.

Kenyan Food:

Food in Kenya is generally cheap! You can choose to eat at local fast foods or restaurants. These will be much cheaper than eating out at exotic restaurants or hotels. When going out on a safari, it may be well worth it to visit the supermarket at the start of your journey and buy some things. This may include fresh fruits, juice, bottled water, sandwich items, crisps and the like.

If you get these three areas right, you are likely to save over $500 on your trip to Kenya.

Blue Bay Village

Airport Tips- Traveling to Kenya

Air transport is the most commonly used mode of travel all around the globe when going for long distances. It's a safer and an efficient way to move around various tourist destinations.
For more comfort and less inconveniences here are a few tips on Air travel:

*Before traveling, determine the baggage your airline allows per person so as to reduce your travel costs.
*Prepare a checklist of items to carry and tick them as you pack your bag and then lastly put your name tags on each bag.
*Pack only the items allowed by airport authorities to avoid any confrontations at the security screening rooms.
*Incase you are carrying medical prescriptions, use medical records with your name to support them to the screening authorities.
*Confirm and plan to arrive early at the airport for checking in, this varies from one airline to the other.
*Never carry sharp or metallic objects on your hand bags instead try packing them on a separate luggage
*Have your valid identity and travel documents at hand when going for check in or boarding the plane
*Always carry your own luggage around the airport or in the plane, Don’t help strangers carry their own. You never know what’s inside!
*Be prepared for any form of check up when going through an airport security check.
*Be attentive to the crew members and know where safety exits and oxygen masks are, also ensure that your seat belts are working before take off.
*Follow instructions and respect each others rights in the plane at all times. this brings satisfaction and enjoyment on your trip.
*Be courteous and consult the air crew incase of a problem.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Things To Do And See During Your Kenya Travel

Kenya is one of the best adventure spots of the world with its well-managed system of national parks, which are amongst the finest of Africa. The Masai Mara and the Amboseli National Park are some of the famous wildlife resorts, not to forget, the diving in the Indian Ocean and the hot air balloon trips.

All these have made Kenya the top safari destination in the world and they draw in the tourists in high seasons. However, there are many of other hidden gems that you may enjoy during your Kenya travel. Here are some of them.

Get a taste of the tribal life-style

While in Kenya, you will get to know the living habits of some of the fascinating tribes of Africa, namely the Masai, the Samburu and the Turkana. A traveler can enjoy a tea drinking ceremony or watch traditional tribal dances in these villages. However, it will be beneficial to take the help of a Kenya Travel guide to direct you to get the best of visiting the wonderful tribal-dominated areas of Kenya.

Catch a glimpse of the Wildebeest Migration—one of the largest migrations in the animal world

The wildebeest migration is perhaps the most fascinating sights that a traveler will witness during his holidays in Africa. Every year, during September-October, between half to one million Wildebeests suddenly gather on the Serengeti plains in Tanzania. Thereafter, they trek in a big circle through the south of Kenya and back again. The Wildebeest Migration is, in fact one of the biggest wildlife shows on earth. Some lodges are strategically placed so you can comfortably enjoy this amazing natural view.

Take a tour along the Swahili coast region

The Swahili region is a marvelous mix of myriad cultures- African, Arab and Indian cultures primarily. This coastal region, located within Kenya has a charm of its own. It has been like that since the 9th century. Arabs have frequented this part along the Indian Ocean, which has led to the rise of the famous Swahili culture. A majority of the population is Muslim, although of a liberal type.

Some of the unique attractions that you can enjoy in your Kenya travel are -- watch a Taarab performance, treat yourself to the seductive African-Arab-Indian music played at weddings and other festivals, not to miss out on the 500 kilometers of white sand beaches with excellent and affordable beach resorts. It is here that you can dine and sip Martinis right at your private beach.

Go on a balloon trip

The Masai Mara Wildlife Resort in Kenya is known for the short hot air balloon trips which a traveler can enjoy in this country. If animal watching is the primary aim of your travel to Kenya then Masai Mara is a must-visit with its huge reservoir of animals. They typically leave very early in the morning, so you'll spend the first hours after sunrise gliding over the Kenyan plains, which is the best time for animal watching.

These are only a few of the things that you can enjoy if you travel to Kenya. There is indeed more to it that you can enjoy during your Kenya safari. You may visit us for more information on Kenya safaris, Tanzania Safaris, and other holiday packages available for an African safari tour.

Black Merlin Resort

Precautions While on Kenya Holidays

An African safari is the most exciting adventurous destination for all wanderers. Africa, the land of mystery, has a lot to offer for tourists who come from different parts of the world. However, it is quite useful to take care of certain precautions for maintaining your safety and security while taking the pleasure of Kenya holidays. One of the most important things while visiting a foreign country is to avoid walking to the bushes alone. Always seek guidance of a local person to explore the country on foot. Not to forget, stay away from animals as they can be excited by any of your act and cause a dangerous act. Therefore, it is advised to maintain some distance while feeding the animals.

Besides, above mentioned casual precautions, it is important to take care of other important precautions that can help you to enjoy the best time in the African land. A traveler must keep a close eye on his or her holiday insurance, medical preparations, food & drinks, and money to avoid any unpleasant circumstances. In this article, we’ll talk about these points in brief:

Kenya Holiday Insurance

A traveler must ensure he has a good quality medical or travel insurance before visiting any African destination. Holiday insurance also includes coverage for baggage loss, third party liability, cancellation and curtailment, etc.

Money Tips

In Kenya, travelers' cheques and major credit cards are readily accepted. A traveler is suggested to carry a small amount of cash otherwise he or she can be a target for thieves. One should always change currency through the authorized dealers and banks.

Security Measures

One should keep a track of his or her passport number, airline tickets and travelers' cheques while visiting any African country. Make sure, you keep these original documents in a safe place, separately from the usual luggage bag.

Medical Precautions

African countries are prone to various kinds of diseases and infections. That is why, it is better to go through a thorough medical check-up of your body. Consult a good doctor and take adequate antibiotics. You can keep good quality of mosquito repellent to avoid mosquito bites.

Food & Drink in Kenya

Try to use mineral or bottled water while on a trip to Africa. In hard & soft drinks, you can get a wide range of local beers, as well as imported wines, beers. Choose your drink carefully to remain healthy.

Kenya holidays can be a blessing for any wildlife lover and explorer. However, a bit of precaution can enhance your happiness further.

Leleshwa Camp

Leave your Work in The Office- Enjoy a Holiday

By TANIA NGIMA

Research shows that if you give in to the temptation to work from home, even if it is to check an email, you end up burning out and losing everything.

Imagine a scenario where the minute you get home your boss and co-workers call you incessantly with queries, requests and work. While this may seem like your work-life boundaries are being thwarted, it is exactly the same thing when you decide to do ‘just a bit of work’ from home.

We live in an era where the Blackberry and email-enabled phones and laptops create mobile offices for us while we’re on the go. Unfortunately, research shows that if you give in to the temptation to work from home, even if it is to check email, you end up working longer hours. This leads to lower long-term productivity.

Experiments by Henry Ford, an automobile manufacturer showed that working shorter hours increases the total work output and he popularised the 40-hour work week.

Proper relaxation leads to peak productivity when you get back to work; the hard part is how to ensure that you effectively relax and ‘leave work at work’.

Manage expectations

Avoid the impulse to quickly check your email or respond to a query if it is not urgent. For people who travel a lot in their line of work, there’s usually the need to fulfill your quota of tasks, all the while keeping on tabs back home.

Use the ‘out of office’ auto reply. There is a reason it was created. Unless yours is a one-man office and you’re the one man, leave instructions for who can be consulted in your absence and give a number to be reached on only in case of emergencies. Or don’t leave a number at all; office emergencies tend to be created, not real.

If you’re away on a holiday in Mombasa, leave as many gadgets as you can back home; the laptops, Blackberry and email devices. The anxiety that comes with not knowing what is going on back in the office will dissipate after a day or two.

Create boundaries

Being able to effectively create boundaries means you have capable colleagues who can handle matters arising in your absence or make judgment calls. If you don’t have this support framework then you will need to work hard to create it to prevent every query being something only you can handle.

If you work from home, set aside a defined room or a space to make boundary setting easier. Once you are through working for the day or the morning, physically stepping out of the space or room will help you switch off from work mode. And even though you may feel the need to put in 14-hour days into a business or venture that relies only on you to succeed, the danger is that you may end up burning out and losing everything altogether.

Plan ahead

To prevent the feeling that you have so much that has not been done from following you around, learn to keep a to-do-list.

Spend a few minutes at the beginning of each day looking at it and adding any new items on and a few minutes at the end of each day reviewing your progress and creating one for the next day.

Usually, the constant thoughts running through our heads about one thousand things to be done is just noise, the physical act of putting these tasks down on paper acts as a mental shift and relaxes your subconscious.

The African Fish Eagle

The haunting cry of an African fish eagle will remain with many a traveler long after they have left Africa. Dramatic and regal the African fish eagle which has a black and white raptor is often to be found perched a top a water side tree, throwing its head back to utter it's loud eeried cry. The African fish eagle will then suddenly swoop down over the water, talons out stretched, spear a wriggling fish and ascend again to its perch to eat it.
Places in Africa where the African fish Eagle can be seen

Governor's Mfangano Island Lodge | Rusinga Island Lodge