If you have any questions or would like further information on anything contained within this blog or some general advice on travel to Africa please call us on: 0044 1227 753181 or email info@puresafari.com

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Nairobi National Park Bypass

A new bypass could destroy the migration to Nairobi National Park

What's it all about?

Some leading environmentalists are raising concern for this new Bypass which they claim will destroy the migration of wildebeest and zebra into the Nairobi National Park

What bypass?
The proposal, financed by the Chinese, is to construct the "Greater Southern bypass" near the Nairobi National Park .This is not the Southern bypass which goes north of the Nairobi Park, but the road that goes south of the Park. The Greater Southern by-pass will link the Mombasa highway with Nairobi- Narok- Bomet- Kisii highway at Suswa. The road will be constructed from Lukenya through Kitengela-Ongata Rongai to Ngong where it will branch into two; one heading to Rironi while the other runs up to Suswa.

What are they saying?
If constructed along the proposed route, this road will effectively strangle Kenya’s oldest and one if her most important National Parks, and Nairobi’s greatest asset, the Nairobi National Park. The highway will sever the migration routes of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, Cokes hartebeest, eland, Grants gazelle, Thompson’s gazelle, and many other wildlife species including endangered cheetah and lions which depend on the land south of the National Park. The Nairobi Park is dependent on this wildlife resource for its acclaim and the wildlife depends on the Park for its survival during the dry season.

Nairobi Park is a globally recognized model park because of its location in a capital city. It is Kenya’s oldest National Park and is visited by tens of thousands of visitors (both international and local) every year; is a major environmental education resource for Kenya and generates over US $500,000 annually from park fees alone.

Is all the tourist industry against this bypass?
Not necessarily. Many feel that urban creep so close to this huge city is inevitable. The traffic jams are so bad now that it is affecting tourist transfers to and from central Nairobi, Wilson airport and JKIA international airport. These new bypasses are essential to get traffic moving again and there is bound to be some effect on this National Park within the city. Some believe the key is to find a balance between the inevitable growth of this burgeoning African capital, and the protection of this unique and valuable park with its wildlifecorridors.

What is the solution?
Environmentalists are offering to provide an environmental, social and economic justification for an alternative and less damaging route that involves upgrading an existing road network south of the Nairobi Park via Malili, Konza, Isinya, Kiserian and Ngong. This proposal will bring major social and economic benefits to the communities who live along that existing road, and will not lead to major degradation of this important ecosystem.

Alternatively, others suggest that tunnels for the proposed road could be built in places allowing the migration to continue as before. The benefits derived from constructing wildlife crossings to extend wildlife migration corridors over and under major roads, appear to outweigh the costs of construction and maintenance and have been used successfully in other parts of the world.


Need more info?


Please contact our Safari Experts now.





Call: 0044 (0)1227 753181

Monday 22 August 2011

Elephant Pepper Camp awarded.



Elephant Pepper Camp has been awarded the highest form of eco-rating certification by Ecotourism Kenya, for demonstrating outstanding levels of socio-economic investment, responsible resource use and environmental conservation.

There are only 2 other Gold rated facilities in Kenya, proving the high level of practices required for such a recognition. Ecotourism Kenya has applauded Elephant Pepper Camp for attaining this level of excellence, and has commended the camp's commitment to responsible tourism.




Need more info?


Please contact our Safari Experts now.





Call: 0044 (0)1227 753181

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Baby Gorilla Rescued



An infant mountain gorilla has been confiscated from poachers by Rwandan police in the town of Gisenyi on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Police arrested the Congolese poachers holding the infant as well as two Rwandans who were helping the poachers. The gorilla had been captured near the Bukima area of Virunga National Park, according to the poachers, indicating that it belongs to a critically endangered population. The poachers claimed they kept the gorilla for about six days, feeding him bananas and sugar cane until attempting to smuggle him to Rwanda.


Veterinarians from Mountain Gorilla Veterinarian Project (MGVP), partners of Virunga National Park, took the infant gorilla, estimated at about 8-months-old, to the orphan care facility of Kinigi in Rwanda where they will perform a full health check. According to the veterinarians, the infant seems to be strong despite suffering from a bad cough and runny nose.


If you would like to see gorilla's in their natural habitat please visit our Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge page for details.



Need more info?


Please contact our Safari Experts now.





Call: 0044 (0)1227 753181


Client Feedback - The Tides

Morning Bruce - just a short note to let you know that we arrived back from our holiday at The Tides late last night (to a country in some disarray!). We could not be happier with the standard of care we received throughout our holiday and the excellent arrangements you made went (pretty well) without a hitch. You have made it possible for two rather unadventurous travellers to have a really amazing experience and we will definitely use Pure Zanzibar again if ever we are to return to Tanzania - and we hope we will. We will certainly recommend your service to anyone who should ask. Please pass on our gratitude to your colleagues at Dial-a-Flight who also contributed to a trouble free experience.

We particularly enjoyed our visit to the school at Ushongo Mbaoni and, now that we are back home, will try to make arrangements to continue to support it in some way.

Thank you again,

Lesley Abercromby and Roger Street


Need more info?


Please contact our Safari Experts now.





Call: 0044 (0)1227 753181


Wednesday 3 August 2011

Client Feedback - Kilindi


Ed,

Kilindi was absolutely outstanding in every way. Without doubt one of the most impressive properties I have ever stayed at – it was exceptional in every way.

We will be heading back .. Thank you for persuading us to change – money well spent.

All the best,

phil


Need more info?


Please contact our Safari Experts now.





Call: 0044 (0)1227 753181