News from Gamewatchers Safaris

TripAdvisor announced the Top Ten properties in Kenya for "Exceptional Service": PORINI MARA CAMP came first!

TripAdvisor’s 12th annual Travelers’ Choice awards goes through its user reviews and rating over 12 months into lists of its most highly recommended destinations, attractions, beaches, islands, exceptional service hotels and resorts. Porini Mara Camp bagged first place in the top ten hotels for exceptional service in Kenya! and came 4th out of 10 in the top ten hotels for romance in Kenya!

Ecotourism Kenya promotes responsible tourism practices within the tourism industry. This entails encouraging the adoption of best practices in the use of tourism resources, working with local communities and managing wastes and emissions.

The Eco-rating certification Scheme is a sustainable tourism certification program that aims to promote responsible tourism in Kenya. Launched in 2002 by Ecotourism Kenya in cooperation with tourism stakeholders in Kenya, the program’s focus is to recognise best practices in environmental conservation, responsible resource use and socio-economic investment among tourism accommodation facilities by awarding qualified applicants assessed under the scheme with a Bronze, Silver or Gold eco-rating certification based on their performance.

The Eco-rating certification scheme follows a systematic procedure that assesses a tourism accommodation facility on its environmental, economic and socio-cultural performance. The criteria has been designed to suit local requirements and is aligned to the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) formed under the umbrella of the United Nations (UN).

Porini Amboseli Camp is proud to retain its Gold Eco rating due to its potential for nature conservation and involvement in community well being.

Malaika is not having much luck raising a new litter. Since Bawa left her we know of two litters being born. The first litter was killed by lions. A few months ago she gave birth to another litter north of Paradise Plains but unfortunately she seems to have lost this litter as well – the cause however is unknown. Lets hope she has more luck with the next litter.

Photo Courtesy of Femke Broekhuis

Kisiri’s two sons left their mum in February 2014. Kisiri is often sighted around Keekorok, but in early March the two boys were sighted all the way in the Mara Triangle. It is likely they are roaming around trying to establish a territory of their own.

Amani’s three sub-adults (2 males and a female) have now split. The female, who was recently named Imani, meaning "Faith" in Kiswahili, is being sighted on a regular basis. Unfortunately we have no idea where the two males are, but like Kisiri’s sons they too are probably roaming far and wide in search of a territory. Seems like there is a bit of competition over space!

We are sad to announce that Saba (Amani’s mother) has passed away. She was one of the oldest cheetahs in the Mara and at the age of about 10.5 years we think she might have died of old age. The good news is that Amani and her cubs are doing well and are frequently seen around the Double Crossing area.

Photo Courtesy of Nic Elliot

The Ol Kinyei female raised three cubs to independence – two females and a male. They left their mum in July 2013. In the last update a male was seen – we have now also seen one of his sisters in Naboisho and Ol Kinyei. She has been named "Lupita" after Kenya’s recent Oscar winner. We are still keeping an eye out for the second female.

Photo Courtesy of Benjamin Kisemei

We recently sighted a ‘new’ male near Rhino Ridge. According to guides this male was often seen in this area but no one has sighted him in over a year. When we found him he was amazingly feeding on a buffalo calf! After that sighting this male was seen again in Olare-Motorogi Conservancy.

Photo Courtesy of Risa Rakwa

We are ready for the high season and hope that YOU will be joining us on safari soon! Our Group Maintenance Manager, Mr Naeem Aslam, has worked tirelessly with his team and has given our entire fleet a new facelift! The team has spent countless hours and energy to ensure the fleet is ready to take you on the safari of your life! From the overhaul of the engines, to the redesign of the body of the vehicles, to increasing the internal space as well as increasing the panoramic view for landscape and game viewing, Naeem now heads a fleet of 31 vehicles which include our 4×4 Landcruisers, Landrovers, and Noahs for safaris and transfers. Naeem has been in the tourism industry for 10 years and has vast experience in operation and maintenance management.

Open-sided game-viewing vehicles, a small part of our large fleet

Putting a face to the team: Naeem Aslam (pictured 4th from the right) and the hands-on mechanics

For more information on our vehicles, please visit our website