Porini / Gamewatcher Safaris updates from the bush

Dear ATCNews Readers,
Greetings from Kenya where the fascinating natural world continues to enchant all our recent visitors, reviving jaded spirits during these difficult times.

The successful roll-out of Covid vaccines means that the easing of travel restrictions are now expected for countries which had imposed these, including the UK, so more visitors will now be able to come and enjoy our sensational wildlife. Many of our customers are now starting to plan to come out on safari and this gives us all hope that Kenya’s tourism industry – on which so many Kenyans depend for their livelihoods and which is the key supporter of conservation – can once again flourish.

Our Porini Safari Camps are open and operating within WHO Covid-19 protocols to ensure the safety of our guests. We are also able to arrange PCR testing (including in the Masai Mara) 48 hours before homeward flights so that guests can adhere to the testing requirements set out by their airlines and onward destinations.

In recent weeks our wildlife conservancies have been rewarding those guests that have been able to join us with some outstanding sights and experiences.

In accordance with our ethos of low-impact tourism, we have always limited the number of guests and vehicles permitted in our conservancies at any given time, and this makes Porini Camps particularly popular with photographers and film-makers.

?Photographer Sara Jenner took a three week tour of Kenya last month staying at a combination of our camps, and she has kindly shared these images.

More images can be seen on Sara’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sarajennerphotography/ or on Instagram: @sara.jenner1

Other Porini guests have shared their experiences in our Guest Comments Books at our camps and on social media…
"It is almost impossible to exceed my other four stays at Porini Lion Camp, yet this did! I thank my guides Jackson and Little John for incredible sightings, they always make my photography amazing. Daniel and chef continue to feed me delicious meals. I am already trying to figure out how quickly I can return. Thank you Porini, I will miss you greatly",
Kathi Hammer at Porini Lion Camp, February 2021 (image by Kathi Hammer)
"Fantastic! Porini Camps never disappoint! The staff are caring and made every effort to make our stay comfortable. Special thank you to our driver / guides who checked off our list of must-sees. Their knowledge is simply awesome. We will definitely be back",
from Guest Comments Book at Porini Mara Camp, February 2021 (image by Jimmy Lemara)
"So much magic plus beauty! Thank you for the opportunity to experience something rare – an authentic tented camp that leaves no footprint.

Thanks to all the kind, friendly and caring staff",
from Guest Comments Book at Porini Amboseli Camp, February 2021 (image by Wilson Ol Kasaine).

Spying on Wildlife with our Camera Trap and Hide!

The addition of a photography hide at Porini Rhino Camp and a camera trap at the viewing platform by the waterhole at Porini Amboseli Camp have been enhancing the safari experience for our guests.

The hide has been carefully placed at the watering hole right in front of Porini Rhino Camp and it allows guests to get close (safely!) to the animals which can freely stroll into camp.

In Selenkay Conservancy, the camera trap has been set up to overlook the waterhole and it is regularly picking up some wonderful wildlife activity.

This footage shows the huge number of elephants that are regularly visiting us. View the video here (opens in YouTube – please click the Subscribe button to have the latest video clips presented to you!)

Selenkay Conservancy was set up by Gamewatchers in partnership with the local Maasai community over 20 years ago and is a safe area of protected natural habitat bordering Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. As the only accommodation in Selenkay, Porini Amboseli Camp has exclusive access to this area that is teeming with wildlife all year round.
Nairobi Tented Camp now a "Signature Experience"

Our Nairobi Tented Camp has been certified by Magical Kenya (the Kenya Tourism Board) as one of their Signature Experiences. These have been carefully chosen as unique, authentic and exceptional travel opportunities.

Due to its unrivaled offering of genuine safari escapes conveniently close to Nairobi city, the camp has been cited as the "Wilderness in the City Experience".

Nairobi Tented Camp is the only accommodation of its kind in Nairobi National Park and is perfect for short breaks away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

It is also ideal at the start and end of a longer safari tour in Kenya for those arriving and departing from Nairobi’s international airport.
Left: lions in Nairobi National Park by Paolo Torchio. Right: Nairobi Tented Camp
All Creatures Great & Small in Meru National Park

Our professional safari guide and keen birdwatcher, Wilson Ole Kasaine, recently took a trip away from his usual domain of Selenkay Conservancy to Rhino River Camp in Meru National Park – home to all the Big Five, over 300 species of birds plus many rare insects.

L to R: Grasshopper buzzard; Blue-cheeked bee-eaters; Levant sparrowhawk and Golden pipit (images by Samuel Vasell)
In just the first week he was able to tick off various rare birds from his wish-list of sightings, including red-capped robin chat, red-capped warbler, Retz’s helmet-shrike, dwarf bittern, Eurasian sparrowhawk, Eleonora’s falcon, western banded snake eagle, white-eared barbet, purple indigobird, African golden weaver, black and white shrike-flycatcher and broad-tailed warbler. He observed various rare butterflies and moths and even an interesting – yet destructive! – swarm of desert locusts.
Wilson also saw the area’s larger animals such as giraffes and elephants and he spent time within the Meru Rhino Sanctuary.

Rhino River Camp is set in 80 acres of privately owned wilderness right on the edge of Meru National Park.

Find out more about this area: Rhino River Camp …

Cheetah "Entito" and cubs

Previous visitors to Porini Mara Camp will know how the pristine wilderness of Ol Kinyei Conservancy attracts a broad range of animal species. For the big cats in particular, this serene habitat is the ideal place for rearing young. Recent guests have been observing the female cheetah named "Entito" hunting, eating and relaxing with her two cubs.

?This video of the family was taken by Porini Mara Camp Manager, Jimmy Lemara:

Entito & Cubs in Ol Kinyei Conservancy (opens in YouTube).

We regularly upload videos of the wildlife that is seen on the daily game drives from Porini Camps, so do subscribe to our YouTube channel to be alerted to these updates.
Start planning your next safari adventure

Now is the time to plan your safari for this year or next as we have some great value special offers for Kenya as well as other African locations, and with our Flexi-Booking Policy & No Amendment Fee Guarantee you can book with the confidence that your travel dates can be changed with no fees should Covid-19 later affect your plans.

Not yet ready to book?
?Adopt An Acre for Wildlife in the Conservancies

We are most grateful to our many friends and valued clients for responding so positively to support our "Adopt-an-Acre for Wildlife" campaign.This has provided some of the funding needed to keep the wildlife conservancies going whilst the global pandemic reduced the income from tourism.

Donations continue to ensure that rural communities are supported and vital natural habitat is protected where wild animals – including many endangered species such as elephants and the big cats – are currently thriving.

If you are keen to come on safari with us but cannot yet commit to an exact travel date, then please consider adopting 30 acres (US$ 1050) or more as for all donations for 30 acres, you will receive a travel credit – equal to the amount donated – to be used towards the cost of a stay at one of the Porini Camps in 2021 or 2022.

Find out more here on our web site: Adopt An Acre for Wildlife …

We face the coming months with growing optimism as international travel restrictions are increasingly eased, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to Africa and sharing with them our incredible scenery, beaches and wildlife.

Mohanjeet

Dr Mohanjeet Brar (PhD)

?Managing Director
Gamewatchers Safaris | Porini Safari Camps | Gamewatchers Adventure Camps |
Nairobi Tented Camp | Rhino River Camp – Meru |

Please help us spread the word about our camps and conservancies by forwarding this email to any of your friends and family who may be interested in our work supporting Kenya’s wildlife and local communities.