Rhino Camp Project
Rhino Camp Project
The Rhino Camp is a nature and wildlife project in Kenya for students, but also accessible to amateur photographers and nature enthusiasts who are interested in learning more about African wildlife. The camp is a combination of wildlife education, rhino conservation and sustainable tourism. We mainly visit private conservation areas, national parks and reserves off the beaten tourist track while experiencing the most breathtaking landscapes. Have the chance to encounter the ‘Big Five’ – rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards – up close. Join us on a journey to one of the best places in the world to observe white and black rhinos.
The Rhino Watch Safari Lodge, which is situated in Kenya´s central highlands, will be your base for this unique expedition. Nestled between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, surrounded by three wildlife reserves, the lodge is an ideal location for the Rhino Camp. Located in close proximity is the ‘Solio Ranch’, which is a fenced, protected area, geared toward Rhino conservation and is the largest rhino sanctuary in the world. Approximately 200 white and 100 black rhino inhabit this conservancy. Another park in the area is Wildlife Conservancy Ol Pajetta, in which three of the last remaining northern white rhino live.
Day 1
You will be welcomed at the international airport of Nairobi where you arrive in the evening. You will be transferred to your guesthouse in the outskirts of the city.
Day 2
Today we start our journey with the drive north to Mount Kenya. We will travel past the largest pineapple plantation in Africa towards the Tana River, which is the longest river in Kenya and where we plan for a shortstop. On our way to the Rhino Watch Lodge we have the opportunity to visit various fruit markets. In the evening we will meet rhino ecologist Dr. Felix Patton as well as Frank Wirth, owner of the Rhino Watch Lodge and certified biologist Josefina Vater, who will be your guides and lecturers during the next few weeks. You will receive an extensive briefing on the program and the various workshops.
Day 3
At dawn we will head into the Solio Reserve. We will be able to observe rhinos as they have lived on the vast plains of Africa for hundreds of years. Throughout the next few days Dr. Patton will educate us about the life history of rhinos, their behavior and the problems of poaching.
Day 4
Rhino Watch is an official partner of the organization “Plant for the Planet”, founded by Felix Finkbeiner. Today we will join a ‘Plant for the Planet Academy’ at the property of Rhino watch Lodge together with 200 children. In addition, we will plant trees and attend another workshop with some local schools. Each participant will plant its own tree in order to compensate for our personal carbon footprint.
Day 5
We will spend another day in the Solio Conservancy with Dr. Felix Patton and will be on the lookout for newborn rhino calves.
Day 6
Various lectures and workshops have been organized at Rhino Watch for today. Subjects include African wildlife, nature conservation and sustainable tourism.
Day 7
Today’s safari takes you to the misty mountain forest of the Aberdare ranges. We take our jeeps to a height of 3500 meters and penetrate thick bamboo forests to explore the high plateau. You can see impressive waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides. The Aberdare Mountain Range is one of the last primeval forests of Africa and home to various species of monkeys, such as Blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. And can you imagine the excitement if you would see a gigantic forest elephant wander out from the bushes or a leopard cross our path!
Day 8
Another visit to the Solio Reserve is planned for today where Dr. Felix Patton will introduce us to the Rhino ID project and will explain how individual animals are identified and being distinguished from one another.
Day 9
Early morning we will leave the Rhino Watch Lodge and the Central Highlands behind us. The expedition continues north via Nayahururu in the direction of Nakuru. On our way we will make a stop at the magnificent cliffs of the Rift Valley. After passing Nakuru we will have a break at Lake Bogoria. Geothermal activity in the form of hot springs and geysers are located on the western shore. The soda waters of the lake attract massive flocks of pink flamingoes which are found in large numbers here. Apart from the flamingos we have the chance to observe birds of prey, such as the Fish eagles, which often prey on the flamingos. The shores are often lined with Gazelle, Zebra, Baboons and this is one of the best places to see Greater Kudu. In the early evening we continue the journey to Lake Baringo. We will spend the night in Roberts Camp on the shores of the lake, where you have the chance to see hippos and crocodiles.
Day 10
For today we have organized a boat trip out on the lake with the local Njemps fishermen. The lake is populated by crocodiles, which are considered harmless by the local people. It also gives shelter to more than 400 bird species that give the area its main attractive. This truly is Kenya’s bird watching paradise. One of the highlights is the food sharing the Njemps do with the African fish eagle. These animals will land close to the boat at times to catch fish out of the water, which makes for amazing photo opportunities. The evening will be filled with an interesting lecture on hippos and crocodiles.
Day 11
In the morning we will visit the Pokot indigenous tribe. The Pokot people live in the West Pokot and Baringo Districts of Kenya and in eastern Karamoja in Uganda. Being a semi-nomadic tribe, about one quarter of the Pokot people are cultivators (“corn people”), while the remaining are pastoralists (“cow people”). They transfer their traditional knowledge from generation to generation and conduct practices to manage their natural resources in a balanced way that ensures ecosystem conservation, cultural identity and food security. After lunch we head back through the Rift Valley to Rhino Watch.
Day 12
Today we will visit the rhinos in the Solio Conservancy for the last time. A final workshop with Dr. Felix Patton is scheduled.
Day 13
We will leave the Rhino Watch Lodge and the highlands behind and travel to Nairobi. You will be accommodated in a guesthouse for the last night.
Day 14
On our last day we will visit the famous elephant and rhino sanctuary and orphanage of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This charity is dedicated to the protection and preservation of Africa´s wilderness and wildlife. Their focus is on elephant and Black rhino conservation, rehabilitation of orphaned animals, anti-poaching and bushmeat trade, animal welfare, community outreach and more. With plenty of food for thought we will transfer you to the airport of Nairobi from where you will depart in the evening.
Dates
January 2015
Rates
€ 1,299.- for students in shared accommodation.
€ 1.599.- Explorer rate in double room/tent
Rates are inclusive of:
• Transfers from / to Nairobi.
• Rhino Workshop with Dr. Felix Patton.
• Rhino ID project.
• Game safaris in private reserves.
• Accommodation in camp with full board and communal kitchen.
• All excursions as stated in the program above.
• Professional guiding by certified biologists.
Not included:
• All flights
• Travel insurance
• National Park entrance fees
• Additional meals or beverages
• Personal expenses
If you have additional questions or would like to make a booking, please contact us
Extended program
For people that are interested to learn more about Africa´s wildlife, in particular elephants, we offer the possibility to extend your stay with another week and join us to the Samburu Plains. The Samburu National Reserve is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River. It is one of the lesser-known national parks, but is nevertheless teeming with life, including large herds of elephants. Here we will build a tent camp that will serve as our accommodation for the days to follow.
Day 13
We will spend the day driving from Rhino Watch through the breathtaking scenery of Mount Kenya to Samburu. We will spend the afternoon setting up our tent camp.
Day 14
Together with our Samburu guide we will head into the national park. We will encounter elephants living along the river. Besides elephants we have the chance to observe giraffe antelopes, Grevy’s zebras and predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs.
Day 15
We visit a very interesting elephant conservation project, the ‘Bees, Trees and Elephants Project’. Elephants, although a major economic asset on tourism level, can cause severe destruction to crops and the economic damage to small farmers can be devastating. This problem is leading to conflicts between local people and wildlife managers. This project is testing to see if bees can aid as a deterrent against elephants to limit crop damage.
Day 16
We will spend the day in a village of a local Samburu tribe and will learn about the culture and habits of the people.
Day 17
Today we will have another game safari in Samburu National Park.
Day 18
We leave Samburu and drive to the highlands of Mount Kenya We will spend the rest of the day and the night in Meru and have plenty of time to explore this typical African city.
Day 19
This is a perfect day for soaking up some local culture and activity. We visit farmers and mango plantations, and you will have a great time wandering through the endless and colourful fruit and vegetable markets.
Day 20
We will leave the Rhino Watch Lodge and the highlands behind and travel to Nairobi. You will be accommodated in a guesthouse for the last night.
Day 21
On our last day we will visit the famous elephant and rhino sanctuary and orphanage of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This charity is dedicated to the protection and preservation of Africa´s wilderness and wildlife. Their focus is on elephant and Black rhino conservation, rehabilitation of orphaned animals, anti-poaching and bush meat trade, animal welfare, community outreach and more.
Rates (for the extension week)
€ 999.- for students in shared accommodation.
€ 1.099.- Explorer rate in double room/tent
Rates are inclusive of:
• Transfers from / to Nairobi.
• All game safaris.
• Accommodation in camp with full board and communal kitchen.
• All excursions as stated in the program above.
• Professional guiding by certified biologists.
Not included:
• Travel insurance
• National Park entrance fees
• Additional meals or beverages
• Personal expenses
If you have additional questions or would like to make a booking, please contact us
