TOURS

For more information please send an email to:

Highlight Travel trading as BCD Travel

leisure@bcdtravel.co.ke, Tel: +254 20 2222518/340999

• DAY SAFARIS
• 2- NIGHTS FLYING SAFARI PROGRAMS
• TANZANIA

DAY SAFARIS

HBCD 01 HALF DAY - NAIROBI CITY TOUR

Take a guided tour of Kenya's capital City, Nairobi; the tour takes you through the City center, Parliament buildings, Railway Museum, the Mausoleum, the City Market as well the Historic National Museum and the Snake Park.

HBCD 02 HALF DAY - NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK

Virtually a stones throw away this nearby sanctuary is teeming with Lions, Antelopes and Giraffes to name a few. The tour is concluded by a visit to the Animal Orphanage.

HBCD 03 HALF DAY KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM AND GIRAFFE MANOR

Visit Karen Blixen's House, now a Museum, as shown in the movie 'Out of Africa'. Thereafter, have tea with the Giraffes at the Giraffe Manor.

HBCD 06 HALF DAY BOMAS OF KENYA AND UTAMADUNI

An afternoon tour to Bomas of Kenya where you will be entertained by dancers from the various Kenyan tribes. Thereafter visit Utamaduni, an Arts and Crafts Centre.

HBCD 07 FULL DAY LAKES OF THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY

Descend into the escarpment to the basin of the Great Rift Valley and drive to Lake Nakuru, seasonal home of the beautiful flamingo. This park is also the home to over 450 bird species. Lunch at a lodge then gives way to a scenic drive back to Nairobi stopping at the picturesque Lake Naivasha for afternoon tea.

HBCD 08 FULL DAY NAIROBI COMBO TOUR (NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK + KAREN BLIXEN + GIRAFFEE CENTRE)

Have a safari within the city’s perimeter and search for the big cats with in this park. Visit to the Animal Orphanage and thereafter have lunch at Carnivore Restaurant. Afternoon Visit Karen Blixen's House, now a Museum, as shown in the movie 'Out of Africa'. Thereafter, have tea with the Giraffes at the Giraffe Manor.

2- NIGHTS FLYING SAFARI PROGRAMS

HBCD 08F- TEMBO TRAIL 2 / 2 ½ DAYS AMBOSELI

Day 1
Depart from Nairobi early morning and Fly to Amboseli National Park which lies within the shadow of mighty Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the lodge for check-in. 2 game drives this day in the park in search of its herds of elephants. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2
Full day tour of the park with all meals at the lodge or an option of game drives with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 3
Early breakfast and thereafter transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi arriving early afternoon

HBCD 06F – SIMBA / 2 ½ DAYS MAASAI MARA

Day 1
Depart from Nairobi early morning and fly over the beautiful and dramatic landscape of the Rift Valley to the famous Maasai Mara. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the lodge for check-in. 2 game drives in the park in search of its famous Black Manned Lions and prides. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2
Full day tour of the park with all meals at the lodge or an option of game drives with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 3
Depart after breakfast and fly back to Nairobi arriving early afternoon.

TANZANIA

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, especially just after the rains have finished and the vegetation is lush and green. East Africa has two rainy seasons, the long rains which normally start at the end of March and last until June, and the short rains which normally occur in October and November.

The rainy seasons are the months when rain can be expected as opposed to the dry seasons where it will be unlikely, but it does not mean that it rains all the time. Naturally conditions on the mountains can become very slippery in the rains and snow can become a problem on some of the routes to the summit. Dry season months of June to September and December to February can usually be counted as the best months for trekking.

Temperatures

Being only three degrees south of the Equator, it is the altitude which affects the temperature as the trek progresses. Day-time temperatures on the lower parts of the mountain are often pleasantly warm, even hot, although a brief rain shower in the afternoon is always possible.

As soon as the sun goes down the air temperature becomes cold and as the trek progresses, on the higher parts of the mountain the temperatures often drop to below freezing. Warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag are essential.

UMBWE ROUTE - 8 days & 7 nights (6 days on trek)

Starting on the southern side of the mountain at Umbwe gate this is a fairly steep route and is recommended for the very fit or practiced trekker. Steep forest paths give way to heath and moorland before becoming rocky and where the trek becomes more demanding. Approach to the summit is via Barafu and Stella Point with descent being via Mweka.

DAY 1 01^st March 2010

Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2  02^nd March 2010

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Umbwe for the first section of the climb through the forest along a narrow ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers to reach Bivouac No 1 at 9400ft/2800m taking for overnight camp taking 4-5 hours. Meals and Overnight Bivouac No 1 Camp

DAY 3

Leaving the forest the path continues to follow the ridge, passing through heather and open moorland to reach Barranco Camp at, 13000ft/3900m for overnight camp taking 3 to  4 hours.

Meals and Overnight Barranco Camp

DAY 4

The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley. Meals and  Overnight Karanga Valley.

DAY 5

The path turns north to reach Barafu campsite at 15500ft/4600m for overnight camp taking 7-8 hours. Meals and Overnight Barafu camp

DAY 6

A long day and an early start to reach Stella Point  in time for   sunrise. Continue on to Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa at 19340/5896m. Descend to Mweka campsite at 10000ft/3000m for overnight camp taking 6-8 hours ascent and 5-7 hours descent. Meals and Overnight Mweka camp

DAY 7

Descend through the forest to the park gate at Mweka Wildlife College taking 3-4 hours to be met and transferred back to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight  stay.

DAY 8

Breakfast at  Mountain Inn. Depart for your next destination to:

 (a) The National Parks

            (b) Kilimanjaro International Airport

            (c) Arusha or

            (d) Namanga.

Cost will be US$:

For Group of 10 pax, you can use column 5.  2 vehicles will be required for transfers.

Cost includes:

Transfer from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport and return,
2 nights at base hotel (Mountain Inn) - one night before and 1 after the climb on HB basis as per itinerary,
Accommodation during the climb,
Transfers from the hotel to National Park Gate and back,
Climbing fees (Park Fees),
Porters (2 per person) and guide/s,
Cook, All meals while on climb,

Climb, Hut/tent (2 men, dome  type), Rescue fees.

Cost does not include: Climbing gear, sleeping bags, items of personal nature, laundry, tips and gratuities, mineral water, drinks, visas, travel insurance and any other services not mentioned above.

EQUIPMENT PAGE

* It is recommended that trekkers bring their own personal sleeping bag as bags available may not be warm enough. 

A four seasons sleeping bag is recommended.

TREKKERS TIPS: It is good indeed to line all rucksacks and duffel bags with a large polythene bag and the contents into small individual polythene bags.  It is also advisable to have a small day sack to carry your raincoat, camera, packed lunch and items of a personal nature.

GREAT IDEA: A poncho is a good idea as it covers you and your day sack keeping everything dry if it rains.

Equipment Hire

For trekkers who are not fully kitted out, the following used equipment is available for hire from the Mountain Inn Hotel.

All prices in US Dollars

Remember to bring with you:

Headache tablets, - Torch with  extra batteries, Sun-protection cream - Some sweets and Chocolates.

HEALTH REGULATIONS:
No inoculations are required but an anti-malaria drug is strongly recommended.

VISA: Can be obtained from your respective embassies/high commissions in your country or upon point of entry on arrival.

INSURANCE: Medical Travel Insurance is best purchased from your country of origin.  Often you can get these details from

the Travel Agent where you are purchasing your air ticket - they often have agreements with various insurance programs.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS is what causes most people to fail to accomplish their goal to reach the top.

It is normal for climbers to feel symptoms caused by high altitude sickness.  These include headaches, weakness, nausea and even vomiting. Many climbers do not o beyond a certain amount of discomfort, yet all must be aware of the risk of PULMONARY OEDEMA. This is an abnormal accumulation of liquid in the lungs and is usually fatal if it is not treated. Luckily it does not strike many climbers. 

The symptoms are:

- a greater shortness of breath than expected plus a general feeling of weakness.

- an irritating dry cough which is frequently accompanied by blood stained sputum.

- bubbling noises in the chest.

- a change of face colour, lips, tongue, nose, ears and nails may be tinged with pale blue.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CLIMB:

Anybody with a respiratory infection, sore throat, cold, cough or high temperature should never climb above 2750m (a little above Mandara Hut).

Use the recommended tourist routes and climbing schedules suggested by your organiser. Overnight stops at huts along the route allow your body time to acclimatise to the increasing altitude.

To add an extra night to acclimatize is highly recommended.

Do not underestimate the effect of high altitude. Rushing the climb exhausts the climber, diminishes his chance of achieving his goal and increases his chances of being struck by a serious attack of high altitude sickness. Walking at a slow, steady pace is definitely recommended.

 It is important to keep dry and to take regular rests. When resting, use extra garments to maintain warmth.

 Carry no less than 1.5 litres of fluid with you. Drink regularly and as much as possible. It is better to drink more than you feel like having. This is because the increased breathing in the thin dry air of the mountain sucks water out of the body along with the perspiration engendered by the exercise. Your water intake should be between 4 to 6 litres per day, depending on altitude.

Listen to the advise of your guide.