Client letters from the Festival of Wildlife 2004
Client letters from the Festival of Wildlife 2004, held at Governors' Camp in Kenya's Masai Mara
I feel very lucky to have been a participant in the very successful Festival of Wildlife that you held in Kenya's Masai Mara recently. The trip was one of the most memorable I've experienced. Trip highlights included:
-
Incredible game viewing in the Mara. Seeing Kike - the cheetah immortalised in recent
episodes of the Big Cat Diary - was the most moving sighting for me. Each
outing provided so many sightings of such a range of animals, birds and
stunning scenery that participants could be forgiven for suspecting that
Wildlife Worldwide had the wildlife transported in just for us! The diversity
and concentration of game was astounding. - Friendly, knowledgable and approachable experts. The specialists leading the varied activities were clearly excited to be able to share the delights of the Mara with us. The walks, specialist drives, art safaris and masai village visits were all absorbing, educational and exciting and allowed us to experience the Mara in more depth than standard game drives usually allow.
- Efficient, friendly Wildlife Worldwide and local staff. All those involved in organising and running the festival were genuinely interested in ensuring that the trip ran smoothly and that we were each able to maximise our experiences.
-
David Shepherd, renowned wildlife artist and conservationist, gave an impassioned
and eye-opening lecture before holding an auction in aid of the David
Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Seeing firsthand his passion for Africa
and for conservation worldwide, none of us could fail to appreciate the
importance of each playing our part.
I am sure that this Festival is the first of many wonderful Festivals to
come and look forward to hearing all about your plans for the Festival of
Wildlife 2005.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
Kavita
Dear Oliver,
I just wanted to thank all at Wildlife Worldwide for a holiday I shall never
forget. I was looking at the questionnaire you sent and at the moment I
can honestly say that I could not offer any suggestions for improvements.
everyone was so helpful and happy to chat, if i had single anyone out would say that karen great, she travelled with us from heathrow made everything bit easier.
This is my first day back at work and everything feels a little otherwordly!
Thank you again,
Sheila M
Dear Chris & staff ,
I would like to say how much I enjoyed the week with everyone at Governors'
and my only criticism is that it went far too quickly, it needed to be longer!!!!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you all, what a fantastic team you have, and I sincerely hope to meet you all again at some point in the future. I shall certainly recommend your company to my friends and will consult you for our wildlife trips when my husband and I decide to make our next visit to Africa.
I hope you and Steph were not too tired after the long flight and managed to work O.K. I look forward to hearing about the next Wildlife Festival and any other special events.
All the very best,
Ruth P
Dear Oliver,
I will be sending in the questionnaire just received but I thought I should
just send you a brief e-mail to thank you and all the team for such a terrific
time at Governors' Camp. The whole event certainly exceeded my expectations.
The extension to Tsavo and Amboseli was very good indeed and not really the anti-climax I thought it might me. In one sense, it was great to be touring round the two parks with just the driver/guide though I missed sharing the observations with someone else. Actually, it was possible to share the daily experiences with others in the camps and the small sizes of the two camps made this relatively easy - I almost always managed to join others for meals; both Finch Hattons and Tortellis are excellent camps by the way.
As I expected, the game was not as interesting as in the Mara but there was still quite a lot to see in Amboseli. Having returned to the Mara after 20 years during which time I have visited many other game parks in Africa, there is no question in my mind that the Mara is the best place to see the widest range of birds and animals.
Best wishes,
Charles K
Ok you want me to tell the tale of my trip to Kenya - where to start - at the beginning (always so mundane and boring) - in this case, seeing an ad in the Telegraph and responding to it. Going to Africa - make that AFRICA - on safari, has always been one of my dreams - along with suddenly finding myself with unmentionable wealth and the companionship to spend it with, and other probably unattainable aims - but here I go.
Several letters and much money changing hands later, and it is the day before I leave, bag (no more that 15 kilos and easily transportable by native transport) packed, tickets confirmed, including the bus to Heathrow of course, strange looking foreign notes in purse, and backpack (rucksack to the English - now why that name? - but I digress)
Having an iron constitution, and surviving without a twinge the necessary preliminary injections, I come down with a ripper of a cold. Ah well stuffed to the eyeballs with Vit C, panadol, sudafed etc and cough lozenges so I don't disturb my fellow travellers too much, and here I go. My little flat is clean and tidy - in the hopes that my daughter will return it to me in this state after the wild parties she could have whilst I am away. But of course she is too mature for that now ("Mum. I'm getting wrinkles, I'm getting OLD!" - all relative really if you'll pardon the expression). Bills are paid - well, that too is another dream, but although it won't happen overnight - it can happen, at least when I return!
Where am I going? Well, Kenya - to the Masai Mara, to go live the high life in civilised tents, go on safari each morning and learn about African wildlife, nightlife, stars, culture, photography, and the highlight, a brief but glorious balloon safari trip one morning over the game areas.
It was an easy bus ride from Brighton to Heathrow. Then a long wait around the airport for check-in, playing "spot the fellow Wildlife Worldwide traveller" . Most had the distinctive baggage tag previously handed out to us. Some dressed in obvious safari type gear. All had the obligatory soft bag " weighing no more than 15kg" for travel on the local airline once we got there. I was quite pleased that mine weighed in at 12kg. This of course did not include the backpack full of books, camera, binoculars, water and essential travelling impedimenta.
On to the Kenya Airways aircraft, fully laden, knees tucked under chin and away for a 9 hour flight to Nairobi.. An interesting seat companion - non Masai bound, but heading to assist the English Olympic team with their training - oh for Kyla to be with me!
Arrival at the airport in Nairobi and all (about 40 of us) met by Faith, bearing a large "Festival of Wildlife" placard as instructed. Off to transport to the smaller Wilson Airport to await our steed to whisk us off to the Masai Mara. The first hitch - we were scheduled to have lunch there, and were ushered into a large aircraft hangar - complete with helicopters, and strategically placed chairs and tables.. There we sat, slumped dosing, or wandered around, making desultory conversation awaiting the anticipated feast. The girl in charge finally came around to give us our boarding passes and confirm our names, and several people brought in brown carrier bags which turned out to be our breakfast - after nearly two hours! - consisting of a fresh bread roll with bacon and egg filling, a piece of fruit cake, some yoghurt, a small fruit drink and an orange. Rather a let down.
However, we were then herded back around through the security area to board the little plane for a half hour flight to the Masai Mara. Yay! At last!!
Arriving at the small airstrip we were thrilled as we exited the plane to find a
group of Masai ladies singing us a spirited welcome. There was a large line-up
of green landrovers ready to transport us to the camp. Those of us who had
been booked to stay at the Little Governors Camp were told that because
of the recent heavy rain our stay would be at the main Governors camp instead
as the river had risen considerably and there was concern that access was
limited - and the hippos could wander freely through and presented a danger.
A short drive - our first "game drive" - over muddy tracks and we were at The Camp. Our guide pointed out elephants, various antelopes etc on the way.
I had decided flashbacks to taking visitors to Tasmania out to the Wildlife reserve and pointing out wallabies, pademelons, wombats etc. but this was real - I was here in Africa at last.
The camp is a large affair set up on the banks of the Mara River. It caters for up to 90 people at a time. There is a large open bar and restaurant area, reception and shop complex and the "tents" are scattered over a large area. Each tent has its own en-suite facilities. Mine was number 2 - a good two minutes walk down the track.
There are actually a number of camps under the Governor's umbrella, some more upmarket, and others smaller and more distant.
Lighting consists of oil lamps - one in the en-suite area, one out on the front porch, and a candle by the bed.
Once unpacked and after a quick shower it was time for lunch, a welcome and talk by Angie and Jonathan Scott - of Big Cat Diary fame; Great people and very natural and unaffected. Then off in landrovers again for the first of many game drives.
The driver/guides were African natives who were incredibly knowledgeable about
their subject - some had been in the job for up to 15 years. I never ceased
to be amazed at how they could manoeuvre over the rough waterlogged tracks,
and spot a pair of ears sticking out the grass, or a particular bird in
the distance. They had a sixth sense for the presence of wildlife, and could
describe and explain so much. Cameras and binoculars at the ready, we were
treated to sights of lions, elephants, giraffe, Thompson's gazelles, topi,
waterbuck, baboons, and so much more.
Some of my fellow guests had elaborate photographic equipment, others like myself were happy snappers. Some took photos with a view to painting them later, others were avid bird enthusiasts and delighted in the variety around. No one was disappointed.
Each day went something like this.. a wake-up call "good morning, mam" and James would unzip the front and bring in the oil lamp and a drink of juice and two biscuits. Then there was quarter of an hour to get dressed and head down to the assembly area - escorted every time by an ascari (native guard) -as there were elephants wandering through the camp at night. They escorted us back to the tents each time too in the evening - no wandering around unaccompanied!
At night when we managed to stagger to our tents there was always a small gift
on the pillow - a tiny carved hippo, a bag of deliciously fragrant Kenyan
coffee, a beaded bracelet, and a small Kenyan cloth.
One night I was woken at about 1.30a.m. by the noises of an elephant just outside the back of my tent. She was munching and crunching, then she was joined by a companion at the side and the rumbled and snorted happily to each other. They were close enough to hear their stomach grumble - and the subsequent burp! Similar visitations happened other nights.
The evening meals were al fresco, and the hippos would come out of the river on to the grassy banks nearby to graze - also many ascari were then in close supervision of the guests. There were baboons just outside the camp, but they had been discouraged from entering by long training and chasing away - the tents had suffered at their hands originally - and small mongooses rushed hither and thither around the area. There were signs on the trees near the restaurant area " do not feed the warthogs" and sure enough there was the occasional animal peering from the bushes.. On the river banks were many hippos, and crocodiles of varying sizes.
The prime guest of honour was David Shepherd, a gentleman of some 70 something years of age who does the most amazing paintings, and has instigated the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (check out www.davidshepherd.org). All the guest speakers joined in with the group in a very friendly and natural way, only too happy to answer questions and elaborate on their pet subjects.
Other lectures included talks by Professor John Parkinson, an astronomer who specialises in studying the sun - he has seen every solar eclipse in the last 20 years and travelled to some way-out places to do so. He has travelled on a space shuttle and been the subject of TV documentaries. John gave us a talk each evening while we waited for dinner on various astronomical topics.
Derek Solomon, from Southern Africa, was the "sound specialist". In his vehicle he set up a microphone and headphones so the group could listen to the sounds of the animals and birds - and watch the reactions of some of the animals when he played sounds to them - for example the hyena den with numerous youngsters happily playing around suddenly became deserted except for two large females on guard when he played the sound of a lion, and some female elephants got very confused at the sound of a male calling enticingly. Derek's speciality was birds, and his knowledge of the varieties encyclopaedic and fascinating.
Jonathan Scott showed us in detail the vehicle they use for filming "Big Cat Diary"
and discussed many aspects of photographing wildlife. Jonathan Truss, another artist, kept us hugely entertained with his quick
wit and humour, and his expertise also in painting and drawing.
Patrick Reynolds, originally from Zambia, took groups on a bush walk, and pointed out the smaller details, like orb spiders webs, native plants as used by the Masai, and what various track were from. He did a magnificent dance when bitten by some ants! The walk was finished off buy a champagne breakfast at one of the smaller camps by the river.
Ian and Nina provided photographic expertise in the unfortunate absence of Mark Carwardine, and Lyn from the "Wanderlust" magazine joined in and took many photos too.
We paid a visit to a nearby Masai village where the natives again put on a
great show for us, with first the ladies, then the children, then the adolescent
males, performing their dance for us. The village is circular, surround
by a boma - a collection of large sticks, and the animals - cattle, sheep
and goats, herded in for safety at night. They had a large area of handcrafted
items for sale - and haggling was the expected norm. Kavita, with whom I
had chummed up, bought a beautiful carved rhinoceros. I got a set of salad
servers with giraffe handles. I resisted the beaded jewellery and little
baskets.
Monday morning was my turn for the balloon safari. Up at our usual 5.15 a.m. we were transported to Little Governors camp where there were two balloons getting prepared. The balloons are made in Australia - as are the specialised safari baskets used to carry us beneath. Up and away, and the view was magnificent - it was so quiet that between the whoosh of the burners you could hear the millions of frogs on the ground, and the whumph of the hippos in the river. The wide perspective of the Masai Mara area was magnificent, and we could imagine what it would be like to watch the wildebeest migration from there.
All too soon it was time to land - for another champagne breakfast in a midst of nowhere - the landrovers having chased along to greet us and set up the tables, then back to camp in time for another game drive. Every outing was different - each driver so knowledgeable and helpful - or did I already mention that?
Different people had different experiences, all positive, like the Scottish artist,
Hugh Kirkwood (yes, he has a website too) who came back to lunch on a real
high having seen a leopard with her kill. We returned late for lunch one
day to find a group of elephants had walked through the river with their
young and provided ideal photographic opportunities for those eating nearby.
Apart from one twisted ankle and a couple of minor stomach upsets the group stayed healthy. The ages varied from two teenage girls with their parents, to some over 70's.
One highlight amongst the many was when we were heading back from viewing lions, elephants, various antelope, and Julius stopped the vehicle and said "there is something happening here" - as usual his sharp eyes had spotted in the distance a small family of warthogs, and some 1000 yards away the two lionesses and two cubs we had noted from the day before looking very lean and hungry (these were remnants of the Marsh Pride that Jonathan had followed as part of his Big Cat Diary)
We saw, through binoculars, the lionesses at first stalking - one sending the
cubs back to their mound - then splitting off and chasing and finally catching
one of the young warthogs. Julius then stared the engine and drove rapidly
down the hill where we parked within 2 metres of the four lions feeding
on the- at first still alive - small warthog. A few hyenas turned up, calling
urgently for reinforcement, and two jackals circled warily, but none had
a chance with the hungry lions crunching and munching every morsel. A mere
snack for them, but very welcome after their days of semi-starvation. Apparently
food is fairly scarce for the lions at present , and any meal is a good
one. They wait hopefully for the wildebeest migration in August/September,
a long way away yet.
One other trip was out to the Friends of Conservation Masai Mara Research Camp where a small group of conservationists are trying to improve the lot of the Masai tribes and at the same time help to conserve the bush and wildlife. They are doing an amazing job under difficult circumstances and it was disappointing that more participants from the group did not make the journey out to see their efforts.
We were all reluctant to leave; a few were carrying on to other areas to continue the African experience. New guests were arriving at the camp as we prepared to leave, and there was a strong feeling of "intruder alert - what are they doing in our camp!!??" We flew back to Nairobi, where we were greeted by an incredible downpour. Once off the plane and through security again we headed for the "Rusty Nail" restaurant for a final farewell feast.
I cannot speak too highly of the organisation and effort that went into the trip - the prime movers and shakers were Chris, Oliver, Antoine, Karen and Steph. They were there each morning directing us to our various vehicles, smoothing over problems and helping the one or two more infirm to get the best out of their time. Dave, the Camp Commandant, was also a willing participant, sharing his wide knowledge of the area, and the birds in particular which were his passion. The food was great, the company entertaining, and the trip home an anticlimax, leaving us wanting more.
Next year the Festival of Wildlife is to the Galapagos!... watch this space.
Lorraine
Dear Karen, Stephanie, Oliver, Chris and Antoine,
Many thanks for a most wonderful time in the Masai Mara. It was such a rewarding, magical holiday.
I would rather be a lion for one day, than a sheep for the rest of my life.
Kind regards,
Hannelore H
Dear Oliver,
I do not quite know where to begin... Just magic ... it was all so magnificent
for one who has never done anything like this before ... and to organise
an elephant invasion was just over the top!! So please forgive me if I run
on quite a bit.
I really do want to thank you and all your team for such a super holiday - we seemed like one big family. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Chris, Antoine, Karen, Stephanie, Katrina, all those who helped in Governors, and of course you - so nice to put a face to a phone voice. I was terribly sorry not to have said a personal goodbye to Karen as she did so much for us, looking after us going out and whilst there and I was glad to often spend time with her, but it was all such a rush in the rain to get off on the extension. Please extend my heartfelt apologies to her for this, I think she was organising her flock as efficiently as ever.
To the celebs, how down to earth and friendly they all were mixing with us all the time. It was a delight to meet my Big Cat Diary hero, Jonathan Scott and hear firsthand how things are really done and Angie Scott's photography is simply superb, such a personally feeling with her subjects.
David Shepherd, I found refreshingly straightforward and great raconteur - great
to listen to and what a super artist. As one who has not painted since school,
I approached this with some trepidation, but had a most enjoyable paint
safari with Jonathan Truss - such a character, he would instil confidence
in anyone - he certainly did me. Derrick Solomon was able to show me the
lovely birds that I do not think I would have normally been able to locate
in the trees, and with my long but not too well informed interest in astronomy
and the planets, I enjoyed listening to John Parkinson - he seemed to gear
his talks to us so well, not talking down or above our heads as one might
think of a person in his position, certainly more informative than my last
teacher who drowned me in mathematics!! I was sorry not to meet Mark Carwardine,
but was delighted with the Scotts' Antarctica.
Now last by no means least and to me the very best was the Bush Safari with
Patrick Reynolds - his knowledge is fantastic, and the unassuming way he
showed us so much we could have walked by on our own and never seen, he
knew it all and to be out of the jeep and actually walking on the Masai
Mara (people told me before I came that I would be mad to get out - little
did they know). Walking about in the open I felt great confidence with him
(although I realise he would never have put us in danger, but all seemed
so wondrously unpredictable out there, with the buffalo staring at us as
if we were the game to watch!). To finish with that super champagne breakfast
in such a lovely place was the icing on that cake. The balloon safari and
yet another champagne breakfast were great fun.
The game drives were simply super, what fantastic eyesight the Masai Mara drivers have and what super people they are - to have seen 2 leopards - I can hardly believe it - Hugh called me his leopard-lady. Just to cap it all as we were about to leave, I saw another at Lake Nakuru (also a magical place with the flamingos) - maybe the leopards were also out to give me a super holiday. Food was delicious and surroundings surreal having a tent on an elephant trail...
To you personally, thank you so much for all your help with the information and arrangements - I don't know when I have had better on a trip or been so well taken care of. My only problem was with the light (aging eyes!!) - I was never sure my makeup was on right or my socks matched in the mornings!! Needless to say, my friend was very jealous of all that happened, but she has enjoyed seeing all my photographs and I was able to bring her back a message and signed book by Jonathan Scott in which she delighted.
Emotional outpourings over (hope you managed to get through all this - I am quite happy for you to pass any of it on as you might feel), but again many, many thanks to you all.
All the best regards,
Diana
Thanks again, Chris, to you and your team for a very enjoyable trip. Very well organised, even having Elephants crossing the Mara to come into camp!
Regards, Barry
I have travelled far and wide - this trip outstripped all others - the organisation
that you all took part in far exceeded my expectations and all of you were
so friendly, efficient yet with no vision of the tremendous strain you must
have to reach 100% perfection.
My grateful thanks, sincerely,
Jean H.
P.S. The Gala evening was sensational!
A truly magical experience. Impeccable organisation - many thanks to Wildlife
Worldwide and GovernorsĢ?? Camp.
Malcolm and Vivien
We came here for an "African Adventures" as our first visit and we really
have had a fantastic time way beyond our wildest dreams. Our thanks to everyone
concerned both at Wildlife Worldwide and Governors'. HereĢ??s to the next
time!
Ruth and Philip
From the moment I first learned about the Festival, I felt I just had to be part of it. Graham and I came here full of excitement and anticipation. This has been the most wonderful experience and thanks to all the team at Wildlife Worldwide for working so hard to make this a success.
Great stage management - hippo wandering by on Saturday night during dinner, elephants bathing in the river, even a thunderstorm!
The final experience - watching two lionesses hunt and kill a wart-hog -
watched the whole thing - an experience never to be forgotten. Great people,
great place, great memories!
Thank you, Christine
The reality was better than the dream. Congratulations Wildlife Worldwide.
Benita
