Tales of a Safari Guide

KCB RESCUES BUNGULE VILLAGE FROM WATER PROBLEMS AND JUMBO MENACE

2011-07-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

Bungule, Kasigau Voi July 16 –

Residents of Bungule village in Kasigau, Voi marked a new dawn in the race to access clean water, after receiving 30,000 liter water harvesting system that will enable them harvest run-off water from Mt. Kasigau. The water harvesting system was donated by the KCB Foundation and shall benefit over 1500 residents from this area strained by water scarcity and human elephant conflicts. The water tanks shall provide residents with water and keep them away from the wildlife watering points. ‘These tanks shall help save lives because previously we had to fight with wild animals; especially elephants at the water pans’ said Mzee Alphonse Mwaudoma (Chairman Kasigau Ranch)

Bungule village is at the foot of Mt. Kasigau, residents have been using water from the mountain streams that collects at the water pans. Lack of a reservoir and safe tapping points was a critical challenge that has now been overcome. An existing water pan in the Kasigau ranch is set to be deepened to provide wildlife with sufficient water and help limit the human animal conflict witnessed in the area.

The community and wildlife now have separate water access points. The overall outcome is reduced human elephant conflicts, further the residents have adopted other ingenious methods like chili planting that keeps elephants at bay. The long term intervention includes building the capacity of local communities to protect the water resources through afforestation programs, increase chili farming to deter elephants from destroying crops and as a livelihood activity, recruitment and training of scouts to enhance the protection of wildlife and forest resources. According to Frank Omondi, “Kasigau Wildlife Trust has a long term involvement in the area and is happy to partner with KCB Foundation to address the water situation and explore other strategic interventions to improve the livelihood of Kasigau people.”

About KCB Foundation

The KCB Foundation was established in 2007 to drive social investments of the KCB Group in markets where the bank operates. The Foundation invests in communities in the areas of Education, Environment, Enterprise development, Health and in Humanitarian aid. Since its inception the Foundation has invested over 400 million shillings into development projects. In 2011 the KCB Foundation shall inject 120 million shillings into community development projects that seek to provide sustainable solutions to challenges facing communities in Kenya, South Sudan Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

About Kasigau Wildlife Trust (KWT)

Headquartered in Nairobi with a field office in Kasigau, KWT is a joint venture between Finch Travels Ltd and the over 26,000 Kasigau residents. The long term goal of this partnership is to enhance the protection of the natural resources; currently at a high risk due to poaching and logging, and to build and strengthen the institutional capacity among the Kasigau Community to manage these resources in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to them in the long run. W: www.kasigau.org

Contact:

KCB:

Judith Sidi Odhiambo -

Corporate Communication Manager

Email jsodhiambo@kcb.co.ke; Tel 327 0082

Kasigau Wildlife Trust:

Frank Omondi and David Ogiga

T: +254 7222 14932 or +254 7214 74286

E: frank@kasigau.org ; david@kasigau.org

The Computer Project- High School Teachers visit Slovakia

2011-04-13T02:57:00.000-07:00

Kasigau Wildlife Trust in Partnership with Youth for Conservation, Slovak Aid and Pontis Foundation sponsored ICT project in Moi High School.

This Project has seen Moi High School get 20 Com-puters and an assortment of information technology equipment to aid E - Learning at the school.

Recently, Two teachers from the school; Chris Mwawana (Deputy HM) and Fredrick Otsieno (Academic Master) accompanied by the Computer Project Officer David Ogiga had a 12 days visit to Slovakia as part of the exchange program.

The Kenyan teachers had a great opportunity for exchange of ideas, gained practical skills on how ICT can be used to enhance learning in classrooms. The schools they visited included Bosany School, Partizanske, Pezinok, Levice Business School and Comenius University in Bratislava. They also had a taste of the culture ranging from foods, tourism and entertainment. The teachers came back determined to apply the lessons learnt.

We will continue to support this project and will always be on the lookout for opportunities to help Kasigau community escape from poverty and illiteracy.

About Kasigau

Kasigau Conservancy lies in the foothills of the towering 3000 feet Mt. Kasigau, which is itself saddled in the ecologically significant elephant migratory corridor between Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, Kenya. The Old Line Safari Company is partnering with this community through the Kasigau Trust.Today, this initiative has seen the setting aside of a conservancy where active wildlife management is practiced. Kasigau being large (52,000 acres) and diverse, offers the greatest and realistically viable opportunity for wildlife conservation and management in perpetuity.

Already the 18 bed Kiwanjani Eco lodge is on its final stages of completion with each of the rooms tastefully designed using traditional local knowledge and materials. The exclusive hide away is an elegant beauty in the middle of Tsavo wilderness and is set to open its doors in June 2010.

About The Old Line Safari Company
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, The Old Line Safari Company offers guided East African safaris of all descriptions-from camelback or horseback treks, camping, and student excursions to family vacations, exclusive luxury sojourns, corporate travel, and honeymoons. The privately held enterprise's focus on promoting conservation and community economic development through ecotourism defines its corporate mission: to actively and conscientiously conduct business in a way that protects the natural environment and endeavors to improve the quality of life of the surrounding community. For more information, please visit http://www.oldlinesafari.com/

What Other Safari Companies Don't Tell You

2010-11-09T00:20:00.001-08:00

What Other Safari Companies Don't Tell You
During your last safari to Africa, how many of
these annoyances threatened to spoil the vacation?

Crowded hotels, lodges, and tented camp
Unprofessional, mostly untrained safari guides and drivers
Off-road driving and wildlife harassment
Villagers mobbing you in the manyattas (villages)

Okay Frank, you say, I know just what you’re talking about. I’ve experienced these disappointments myself or know someone who has. The wildlife, scenery, and culture were wonderful, but everything else seemed to go wrong.

You don’t ever have to suffer such inconveniences again. Safari really is the experience of a lifetime—when you travel with The Old Line Safari Company.

Ring any bells? Read on . .... Whats difference about oldline safari company

Why endure a tiresome 5-hour ride in a minibus when a comfortable, affordable alternative is available.You can arrive at your favorite destination like Maasai Mara Amboseli and Tsavo to begin your safari in just 45 minutes on a twin-engine aircraft then get whisked away in an open sided 4 wheel drive.......Read more

About Frank Omondi

since 2000 Frank has worked extensively in his field conserving wildlife and directing safaris in Kenya and Tanzania he runs the Oldline Safari Company www.oldlinesafari.com

Old Line Safari Adds Chogoria to Tours

2010-09-29T01:21:00.000-07:00

by Steve Beck on August 28, 2010

Terry and I toured with Frank and Boniface [the principals of Old Line Safari Company] in 2008 after spending 8 days in the village. They picked us up at the VHI office, waiting a half hour til I finished my last conversation with KK and Wafula, and then we took off for 10 wonderful days, including our last day sightseeing in Nairobi. In return, we took the two partners out to dinner along with our driver, had a great evening together, as well as a tour of the then just reopened and remodeled national museum, before being dropped off in the evening at the airport to fly home.

The owner/partners were most accommodating in helping us plan the trip we wanted, making sure that we would find the experience we truly wanted. I’ll admit to being surprised to discover that the two-night private home stay overlooking Lake Victoria, was in a family compound with a collection of straw and mud one or two-room houses, with meals cooked outdoors behind one of them, dining outdoors on a flat spot on the sloping hillside, and a primitive latrine with a shower attached, for which one of the family’s younger boys arose early to start a fire to heat the water to pour in the rooftop tank.

The first morning, we walked down past other family homes, observing women and children transporting lake water by burros and mules or on their heads to the fishermen’s beach landing site, where they brought in the previous night’s catch to sell. Our guides selected what we needed for lunch, and then we walked back, stopping to chat with a man repairing his grass roof, and with other neighbors.

After lunch, we left our scenic spot for a hour or so and walked to the local elementary school where we met the principal and presented the notebooks, pencils, and other school supplies we’d purchased in a Wal-Mart style store in city about 30 minutes away. While talking with the principal regarding plans for building additional classrooms to reduce crowding, the local pastor came by, and invited us to come have tea with him at the church a few hundred feet away.

Each evening, our guide’s parents, who live in a more substantial house on the family compound, joined us for dinner, during which we learned a lot about their extended family and a unique view of a young African male fighting with the British in Burma during WWII. It was hard saying goodbye to all the family members we’d met during barely 48 hours, and who bent over backwards to make us feel safe and comfortable.

Ironically, our next stop was at a privately-owned preserve of Kenyan rainforest where the accommodations were near the other end of the scale, and we were served tea and biscuits on the broad veranda during a tropical downpour after returning from a self-guided tour of one of the tails through the property, known as Rondo Retreat.

The principals in the company have degrees in wildlife biology. They worked for several years on government game reserves, and decided to create their own safari company offering a different style of tour and a view of African wildlife from a biologist’s perspective. Aside from the wonderful itinerary, both Frank and Boniface are great fellows to spend time with. Check out their website and keep them in mind if you or friends are thinking of a trip to East Africa.

For more info: http://villagehopecore.org/blog/?p=335

Visiting Childrens Garden Home, Nairobi

2010-09-09T02:53:00.000-07:00

NAIROBI 06 Sept 2010- The Old Line Safari Co. partnered with Pinnacle Productions E.A Ltd to donate clothes and food stuff to Children's Garden and School in Nairobi last Friday. It was a moment of joy and fun as nearly 200 children sang and danced in joy to welcome the 20 guests. Receiving the gifts was the Center's Director Moses Ndungu who thanked The Old Line Safari Co and Pinnacle Productions E.A Ltd staff for the kind gesture. This is the third time the two companies are partnering to offer a helping hand to the centre.

"At The Old Line Safari Co, we draw meaning from giving back to these deserving youngsters and we will continue to play this role in the community besides providing memorable safari experience to our clients" Frank Omondi. The Old Line Safari Co. Director.

Children's Garden Home and School is a community based, non-profit charitable organization for street children, orphans, abandoned, abused, desperate and neglected children rehabilitating children through parental love, spiritual care, and offering formal education in Nairobi. The problem of street children is still severe in Kenya and heightened especially after the post election violence in early 2008.

The over 20 staff and friends of Oldline Safari Co and Pinnacle Productions Ltd led by Frank Omondi and Tase Asetto spent time with the children mentoring, coaching them and later played an interesting football match with the children's team.

''It's a good tradition that we would like to keep '' adds Ms. Asetto, Director Pinnacle Productions, ''these kids have a promising future and we are always delighted to help with all that we have, even just with our time"

About The Old Line Safari Company
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, The Old Line Safari Company offers guided East African safaris of all descriptions-from camelback or horseback treks, camping, and student excursions to family vacations, exclusive luxury sojourns, corporate travel, and honeymoons. The privately held enterprise's focus on promoting conservation and community economic development through ecotourism defines its corporate mission: to actively and conscientiously conduct business in a way that protects the natural environment and endeavors to improve the quality of life of the surrounding community. For more information, please visit http://www.oldlinesafari.com/

About Pinnacle Productions East Africa
Since 2006, Pinnacle Productions E.A Ltd has established itself as a leading full service marketing and Communications agency providing integrated communication services throughout the East African region. The Kenyan Company offers brand support materials with innovative designs that are useful, functional and fully integrated into the customer's strategy. The owner- run agency specializes in filling the gap that exists in delivery of quality branded products in the highly competitive corporate market place. This they achieve through a highly skilled team, global partnerships with internationally recognized manufactures and service providers including ; Fruit of the Loom (UK) ; Ruggers Ltd (Kooga) ; Care Concepts and Errea (Italy).

About Children's Garden
Children's Garden Home and School is a community based, non-profit making charitable organization for street children, orphans, abandoned, abused, desperate and neglected children regardless of their religion, sex, colour or tribe, through parental love, spiritual care, rehabilitation and offering formal education to nourish their potential capabilities and personal capacity building. This is through a myriad of activities such as non-formal education, psychosocial support and vocational training For more information, please visit http://www.childrensgarden.or.ke/

A New Beginning For a Nation, Kenya- on August 27, 2010

2010-09-09T01:20:00.000-07:00

NAIROBI- September 09, 2010- Kenya ushered in a new constitution after it was overwhelmingly endorsed in a peaceful national referendum about a month ago. The promulgation of the new laws by President Mwai Kibaki, on August 27, 2010 was a major national event at the historic Uhuru Park grounds. Leaders from across the world joined Kenyans during the celebrations.

"The new constitutional moment is a fresh beginning for our country, something that will bring major and important changes to propel us to greater heights'' says Omondi, The Old Line Safari Co., Director

Players in the tourism industry are upbeat that the new laws are laying a strong foundation for institutions and governance, providing incentives to investors, bringing in political stability, national cohesion and focus on progress and forward momentum.All of us at The Old Line Safari Company take this early opportunity to wish all Kenyans, friends and partners a better and prosperous future as we engage in reshaping our destiny.

About The Old Line Safari Company

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, The Old Line Safari Company offers guided East African safaris of all descriptions-from camelback or horseback treks, camping, and student excursions to family vacations, exclusive luxury sojourns, corporate travel, and honeymoons. The privately held enterprise's focus on promoting conservation and community economic development through ecotourism defines its corporate mission: to actively and conscientiously conduct business in a way that protects the natural environment and endeavors to improve the quality of life of the surrounding community. For more information, please visit http://www.oldlinesafari

A Night by Kiwanjani Eco lodge Water Hole

2010-03-19T06:24:00.000-07:00

By David, your host at Kiwanjani

One of natures’ bundles of surprises is a waterhole next to Kiwanjani Eco-lodge; an elegant exclusive lodge next to Tsavo West National Park. The mid day heat is solid you can almost pick it up hit a wall and it will stick there! But morning and evening is cooler; a cool breeze permeates the land, this is when it is hard to tell the difference between the sound from the dominant acacia whistling thorn tree from a singing cisticola or the melodious robin chat.

At one time they merge into one harmonious orchestra- then you see a bunch of red elephants striding to the waterhole, the cape buffaloes give way at the sight of big brothers, and over the yonder, hundreds of elands patiently waiting for their turn to take a dip. This is the magic of the land.

My best moment is nightfall. Today I decide to spend my night by the waterhole atop Kiwanjani lodge balcony; almost too near for comfort but where else could you soak in the sights and sounds better? Normally, I spend my night in a tent some 500meters away from the action point but today Iam challenging myself.

My day is usually spent attending to logistics of the conservancy and the construction work; rattling and hurtling in a 19^th century Isuzu Trooper between Rukanga*, local township, to Moi High School where recently we donated some 20 computers plus internet to the students, to attending to cases of illegal herders trespassing into the conservancy to helping Kenya Wildlife Service rangers trap a marauding lion to giving water and greens to a sickling turtle too weak to fend for himself. By the time Iam done with these chores, its almost 2100 hrs and by then my body joints and muscles is something next to a jelly.

But today, I have nightfall to look up for. I find that Ali the camp chef has whipped something for dinner; a gravy of cowpeas and ugali which he gleefully place on my table. The last time I took this combination, I had a serious heartburn! Going without dinner may complicate matters further, so I decide against this with the consolation that I could later wash down the mix with a tusker. Ali the chef is quite a story teller mostly on social scenes but today I have different plans. From the dinner ritual, I beckon, Milton the ranger who is to keep me company in the lonely balcony.

Having found a strategic corner, we nestled in. Milton is breathing grumpily- either he has developed sudden fear or he is about to catch a cold. Either way, I will find out. The sky is dark yet only moments ago it was a galaxy of stars. I can hear what sounds like a chimpmunk but I quickly decide against this. But the nightjar is unmistakenable with the squeaky shrills, an owl hoots in a distance from where cicadas seems to be having a major conference. From our position we can see the waterhole.

About Kiwanjani Eco lodge

Kiwanjani sits elegantly in the middle of the two Tsavo’s evoking an incredible sense of familiarity – a true home in the wilderness. The secluded and spacious thatched cottages are a reflection of contemporary Africa combining the traditional African building style with the modern luxuries to create a true eco lodge in all aspects. At Kiwanjani, it’s not unusual to see elephant, gazelles or buffaloes grazing only metres away. Perhaps, you couldn’t even get a better place for an “armchair safari’

info@kiwanjani.com

www.kiwanjani.com

Wilderness Trails- My 12 day Safari

2008-10-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

Maasai Mara : 19th Oct 2008

Its Day 3 on our Safari, and we are totally blown away with our experience so far.
We woke up early at 6 o'clock only to find three Cheetahs for ourselves during our game drive.

Just had breakfast and chilling out waiting for our afternoon game drive.... Our lodge- The Mara Serena is awesome, I particularly like the people and the food- my clients are vegans and they've been well very well looked after. I'm even beginning to rethink about my eating habits...