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Peregrine Travel Centre

Kenya: Wildlife Rangers Expedition

Kenya: Wildlife Rangers Expedition

From $ 2,830 AUD

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Description

This unique expedition takes you into the world of Kenya’s inspiring rangers – the men and women on the frontline of wildlife conservation. Intrepid has partnered with The Thin Green Line Foundation, who protect nature’s protectors, to give travellers an insight into the work – and risk – that goes into protecting wildlife and wild places. Beginning and ending in Nairobi, the expedition takes you behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a Ranger. You will go on game drives and foot patrols with the Rangers working in the area between Amboseli, Chyulu Hills and Kilimanjaro national parks. You’ll also spend time at the Ranger training academy learning what it takes to become a Ranger, and hear the true stories of what it takes to protect wildlife in this part of the world.

Trip Name
Kenya: Wildlife Rangers Expedition
Last Updated
2020-04-20
Days
7
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Meet the Rangers who work on the frontline in the area between Amboseli National Park, Chyulu Hills National Park & Kilimanjaro Park.
  • Help support wildlife Rangers of Kenya with a USD $100 donation included in the price of the trip through The Intrepid Foundation and The Thin Green Line https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/the-thin-green-line-foundation
  • Explore Nairobi National Park with local Rangers. Learn about the unique challenges of Human-Wildlife conflict in a park that's not completely fenced.
  • Visit Rangers at an outstation post and experience Africa from a different perspective, by accompanying the Rangers on foot patrol within the rhino sector of Chyulu Hills National Park.
  • Spend a night at the Ranger training academy and learn about what it takes to become a Ranger.
  • Sit around a camp fire and hear the stories of what wildlife protection in Africa entails, for both the Rangers and the wildlife.
  • Enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive in Amboseli National Park within 4x4 safari vehicles and see the park as tourists.
  • The opportunity to raise additional funds for The Thin Green Line through The Intrepid Foundation and have every donation matched by Intrepid.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES: Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you print and review a final copy prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. ROAD CONDITIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA: Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on our vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. Sometimes the going on this trip is quite tough, the distances covered fairly large and some of the roads and tracks are not exactly smooth or free from dust, but the rewards are exceptional. The travelling times indicated in our Essential Trip Information is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders. DRIVE TIMES: The travel times listed in the day to day itinerary are a guide only. Please be aware that delays may occur and please be patient - it's all part of the experience afterall! Additionally, the travel times do not include time spent on game drives as these can vary with each departure.

Day 1 - Nairobi
Jambo! Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya's capital. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, but feel free to arrive early and check out the sites. You'll meet an experienced Ranger from the program with Big Life Foundation. The Ranger will accompany the group for the duration of the trip to provide more information on the specifics of their work. Hear about the great work these foundations are doing and how your donations and involvement will help, then perhaps join your new travel buds for an optional group dinner in town with your leader.  Please ask the hotel reception where the evening meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight in time for this, consider arriving a day early so you may attend and if you are going to be late, please inform reception. We'll be collecting your insurance and next of kin details at the meeting, so please ensure you have these on hand to give to your leader. For more information on the optional Urban Adventures check out https://www.urbanadventures.com/destination/nairobi-tours
Day 2 - Nairobi
This morning you'll visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust after breakfast for a chance to see orphaned elephants and rhinos up close. Get to know these beautiful, endangered animals and their plight in the modern world, and how The Thin Green Line Foundation supports the trust by providing Ranger support when re-releasing elephants into the wild. From here, travel to Nairobi National Park, just 7 km south of Nairobi, and meet some of the Rangers who work there. Learn about the the unique challenges faced not only by the wild animals living so close to a developing city, but also the Rangers working in a park that's not completely fenced. Visit the famous ivory burn site, where Kenyan president Aniel arap Moi set fire to 11 tonnes of ivory in 1989 to prove it had no value. In 2016, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered 100 tonnes of ivory to be burnt at the same site, continuing to build Kenya's already strong  reputation when it comes to conservation.  Rangers will also touch on the human cost of wildlife protection. Over 1000 Rangers worldwide have lost their lives in the past decade, and The Thin Green Line Foundation is dedicated to not only training and protecting Rangers, but also providing for their families should the worst happen. Return to your hotel in the evening, perhaps heading out for dinner with the group. Your leader will be on hand to suggest the best local places to eat.
Day 3 - Big Life Ranger Headquarters / Kimana Sanctuary
Depart Nairobi early and travel to Kimana Sanctuary (approx. five hours), a protected private area right in the middle of the Amboseli, Chyulu Hills and Kilimanjaro national parks. Stop en route at the Ranger headquarters for The Big Life Foundation, where you'll meet the head Rangers, take a tour around the facilities and receive a short presentation on the importance of the area and how its run in conjunction with the community. Continue to your camp at Kimana Sanctuary (approx. one hour) then set up camp and get to know your surroundings. Later, the group will take an overland vehicle for a game drive around the sanctuary capped off with a few relaxed sunset drinks.
Day 4 - Ranger Outstation / Kimana Sanctuary
Drive back past the headquarters and out to a Ranger station in the rolling green hills of Chyulu Hills National Park (approx. two hours). Here you'll receive a demonstration of control techniques, and learn about the day-to-day activities performed by the Rangers and general life at the station. Get to know the Rangers as you accompany them on a foot patrol of the area, then head back to your sanctuary camp after a truly memorable day. Here you can help out with prepping some food and talk about the day. Later sit around the campfire and listen to stories of animal protection from our experienced Ranger – 'war stories' is a pretty apt description.
Day 5 - Ranger Academy (Greater Amboseli)
Wake up early to be greeted by a convoy of 4x4 safari vehicles and their drivers. They're here to take you on a game drive through the elephant sector of Kimana Sanctuary before returning to camp for a leisurely hot brunch and some free time. The sanctuary provides a corridor for the Amboseli elephants, ensuring they can roam between the Amboseli, Chyulu Hills and Tsavo West National Park. With waterways, swamps and Kilimanjaro providing a backdrop, the sanctuary is a stunning, critical piece of land for a large variety of animals. After eating, head to the nearby Ranger training academy where you'll camp for the evening. This is a chance to gain another perspective on life as a Ranger, and though we won't interrupt their daily activities, we do share facilities with the Rangers-in-training and can take an opportunity to learn more about their lives while helping with cooking and cleaning duties.
Day 6 - Amboseli National Park
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day then take a short drive to Amboseli National Park, located close to the Tanzanian border. Settle into camp and spend some free time readying yourself for an afternoon game drive in 4x4 safari vehicles. Amboseli was designated as a national park in 1974 and declared a UNESCO site in 1991, and is known for its opportunities to get up close to its elephant population. Keep an eye out for the Big 5 and other wildlife, and take a chance to reflect on the incredibly important work being done by the Rangers you've met over the past few days. Without them, opportunities to see these beautiful animals would be diminishing at an even more alarming rate.
Day 7 - Nairobi
Rise early once more for a final game drive through Amboseli National Park, searching for elephants, buffalo, impala, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes and zebras. Return to your camp for a hot brunch, then pack up before beginning a long travel day back to Nairobi. Before leaving the Kimana area visit the Imbirikani Maasai village where you'll meet the village elders and spend some time learning about the unique way of life of the Maasai. On arriving at the Nairobi hotel your journey will be complete.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
25-07-202031-07-2020AUD $ 2,965-
12-09-202018-09-2020AUD $ 2,830-

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights),Camping (with basic facilities (3 nights),Camping with facilities (1 night)

Transport

Overland vehicle,4x4 safari vehicle

Map

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