News from Maasai Mara, Kenya July 3rd 2008

Heritage Hotels’ guides can now confirm – the migration has officially started! The stage in the Mara is now set for the world’s most fascinating wildlife spectacle. A herd of almost 2,000 wildebeest have crossed the border from the Serengeti near Sand River gate, with a similar number seen crossing today at a place known to the Mara guides as Roots Crossing. This head of the southern migration was this afternoon taking their traditional route towards Roan Hill, while others entered the central Mara plains via the western side of the hill.

The weather has played havoc with the traditional migration this year. Intermittent rain in April grassed the plains in green, which soon dried due to the dry spells in May and June. This dry and overgrown grass is now expected to slow the migration’s movement northwards.

Looking into the Serengeti from the Sand River, herds of zebra and wildebeest on eastern and western sides of Naima-Lumbwa Hill can be seen heading northwards. The higher concentration is south of the Mara River and Sand River confluence, with the recently burnt area being the main attraction. As this report was being compiled, the Mara had just received some rain, which will replenish the burnt shoots and is expected to hasten the northbound movement of the herbivores. Meanwhile, the Loita herds of wildebeest are settling around the recently burnt area on the Mara triangle, just across the river opposite Look-Out Hill.

While their numbers are still low, our guests have enjoyed being the first to witness the start of the 2008 migration, and we are proud to take them to the best viewing spots.

We have expanded our representation services to include Malawi and Zambia! Ulendo Safaris, our newest client, specializes in safaris in Malawi and Zambia. The Fazendin Portfolio is now the official North American office for Ulendo Safaris and will also represent the company at a variety of travel trade industry events in North America.

More here…

The mini migration which was reported last week is still ongoing, with many more zebra and a few wildebeest seen moving into the reserve from the east. However, this is not the main migration from the Serengeti ecosystem, but a localized group from Loita moving into the reserve. When traveling to or from Narok, one can see herds of wildebeests heading into the park from as far Maji moto area.

The recently burnt grasslands south of the Mara triangle, coupled with the rains has been the catalyst for this movement. The herbivores in this ecosystem have come to associate the burning with fresh lush shoots, which is an irresistible delicacy – especially for the wildebeest! Most of the Mara plains are still awash with a sea of over grown red oat grass, which most herbivores find quite tough and rough for their digestive systems. This explains why the herds have just been rushing through the reserve when there is plenty of grass.

There were crossing activity at the Paradise crossing point over the week as herds cross over to the west of the Mara River. These were mainly the Loita herds from the north east around Musiara Gate, moving across Paradise Plain to the river and crossing westwards. Water levels at the rivers are still low and this makes crossing easy, but it has not deterred the crocodiles from getting their meal.

The coming weeks will witness a lot more activity, and we shall be there to report from the frontline!

Following the postponement of the expected park fee increases in Kenya to Jan 2009, Express Travel Group has released a simplified STO price list for the rest of this year.

There are no changes to the safari rates. Several hotel rates have been revised, all expected park fee increases in the Mara have been removed and flights NBO/MBA and NBO/MYD have increased.

To have a copy of this sent to you please email us.

Check out the latest in our series of White Papers on the topic of African Travel.

To read month after month of glossy travel article on “Africa”, one would think that there are simply no other companies selling travel in Africa besides a few behemoths offering mass-market safaris. However, the industry is made up of many, many small companies who specialize in either a destination, a style of travel or cater to a specific clientele. Each of these companies is unique in their own right and work to make the African travel industry the dynamic and exciting place it is today.

Read the full white paper here.

We’re thrilled to introduce our newest partners in African travel—Alfajiri Villas and Galdessa Camp. Both properties have, for years, been raising the bar when it comes to luxury accomodations in Africa. Stay tuned for more information in the coming week, but here is a ‘sneak peek’.

Heritage Hotels is pleased to announce the completion of impressive renovations at Mara Intrepids Camp in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, home of the Great Wildebeest Migration each summer. Mara Intrepids Camp was recently honored by readers of Conde Nast Traveler as the TOP Kenyan property to be featured on the publication’s esteemed “Top 100 Readers’ Choice Awards, Best in the World” directory, and these new amenities build on the property’s outstanding reputation.

Learn more here.

The Fazendin Portfolio was recently featured in Road and Travel magazine for our green travel options in Africa.

Check it out here!

Across the board we’re doing what we can to help preserve Africa’s delicate ecosystems, support local communities and help travelers learn about this lovely continent while they enjoy a fantastic travel experience.

In April 2008 Sarah Fazendin lead a group of travel agents, tour operators and journalists to Ethiopia. Her detailed trip report, including a day-by-day account of the sights and itinerary planning tips, can now be found here: ETHIOPIA TRIP REPORT APRIL 2008

Stay tuned for trip reports from South Africa, Gabon, Tanzania and Kenya in the coming months.

Due to the continued strength of the Euro against the US Dollar, Express Travel Group has just announced updated net rates for 2008. The changes are only effected where the company has a Euro contract rate with properties. For updates STO rates, please contact us and we will send you the revised materials asap.