Africa Voyage 2010

Itinerary

Part 1: Africa Center for Holistic Management - Zimbabwe

Day 1: Arrive in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. You will be met by your tour director, a Holistic Management educator who will stay with you for the remainder of the trip taking care of all your needs. Staff of the Africa Centre for Holsitic Management (ACHM) will take travelers to Dimbangombe ranch, located in the Matetsi area, just a 30 minute drive from Vic Falls. Settle in your bungalow accommodations, surrounded by green acacias, the sound of wildlife, and the fragrance of the African bush. We will meet Allan Savory and Jody Butterfield and the ACHM team. We will enjoy an interactive and passionate presentation by ACHM team on the incredible work being done at Dimbangombe and the nearby villages, including their land restoration efforts, the women’s goat bank, cascade training of villagers and food production programs. Time to relax, explore, chat with Allan and your fellow travelers, and get ready for a scrumptious welcome dinner.

Day 2: Before dawn, the campfire will welcome early risers for tea and conversation with Allan Savory. Those who wish may join an early morning bush walk led by Allan Savory. After breakfast we will visit the Villages where ACHM has been working for many years, building capacity and helping the villagers increase the biological diversity and productivity of their land base through holistic planned grazing, and improve their quality of life through the practice of holistic decision making. We will have a unique opportunity to interact with the members of these communities; learn about how women have taken charge of business development and finances, hear their stories, listen to their songs of hope and gratitude; and walk on the land and witness the improvements achieved by the disciplined and passionate practice of Holistic Management. We will continue onto the mighty Zambezi River and enjoy a Sunset Cruise, enjoying wildlife viewing (hippos, bird life and luckily much more) as we sip refreshments and nibble on African epicurean delicacies. Return to Dimbangombe. Time to freshen up and rest. Conversation over dinner with Allan Savory on the important global issues the Savory Institute is tackling at the international level, including global climate change, desertification and the unique positioning of holistic decision making to avert global catastrophe.

Day 3: Breakfast. Today is a free day for group’s activities and attractions in Victoria Falls (white water rafting or canoeing at the Zambezi River, etc.) or to stay and relax at Dimbangombe. We will have dinner at The Boma restaurant in Vic Falls, where we will get the chance to try a variety of wild meats while enjoying a fantastic show of local Zulu dancers. Back to Dimbangombe. 

Day 4: Breakfast. Farewell. We will depart in early morning for Victoria Falls. Today we will visit the Smoke that Thunders. The Victoria Falls form the greatest curtain of falling water in the world and has been described by Frederick Courteney Selous as “One of the most transcendentally beautiful phenomena on this side of paradise”. The Victoria Falls area is a World Heritage Site.  After exploring the magnificent falls, we will enjoy a farewell lunch at the historical Victoria Falls Hotel. We will later fly to Nairobi, Kenya, via Johannesburg, in what will be a challenging schedule, but one that will allow us to make the most of our time in Africa. Vic Falls-Johannesburg: We will have time to relax at the elegant Intercontinental Airport Sun Hotel just a few minutes’ walk across the OR Tambo International Airport building. You could join an optional tour of Johannesburg and Soweto, and enjoy a lovely dinner before returning to the airport for our midnight flight.  If we plan well and follow our tour director’s suggestions, we should be able to rest on the 5 hour flight to Nairobi and get there bright and early with a full day ahead to relax and put your feet up.

Part 2: Savory Institute programs in Eastern Africa and Masai Mara wildebeest migration - Kenya

Day 5: Arrive in Nairobi. Connecting flight to Samburu  National Game Reserves. The Buffalo Springs and Samburu National Game Reserves and the extensive ranch and communal lands of the Samburu Heartland, support some of Africa's most impressive wildlife and dramatic scenery. Northern specialty species like the Reticulated Giraffe and the Grevy's zebra roam the acacia grassland where lions, leopards, cheetah and wild dogs hunt their prey. We will stay at Sasaab Lodge. Sasaab is perched above the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, capturing panoramic views across the culturally rich Samburu land, Laikipia plateau and Mathews Range, and it is one of the most stylish and luxurious game lodges in Northern Kenya. The lodge is in the midst of a community conservancy, rich in raw Samburu culture and traditions and has been built with wildlife conservation and preservation of the environment foremost in mind. The lodge has been established in association with the local community who benefit directly and indirectly from our stay at Sasaab. Welcome dinner.  

Day 6: Early morning game drive. Meet our local guide, HM educator Craig Legget, who works with the Savory Institute in several of the projects taking place in Kenya as well as in Ethiopia. We will visit with him the Westgate Conservancy Group, a community of ranchers working with HM educator Belinda Lowe and the Grevy’s Zebra Trust to integrate pastoralism with habitat improvement for ecotourism and research. We will be led by Craig and Belinda and learn about the great ongoing projects in the area and the positive impact for the communities, the health of the land and wildlife and their economic wellbeing. We’ll head back to our lodge and have time to relax, take a plunge in the beautiful swimming pool overlooking the African savanna, or may be read a book on your private verandah. We will end the day enjoying music and a show of Samburu dancers at a natural rock amphitheater. Sundowner and dinner at Saasab.

Day 7:  Early morning game drive or bush walk. We will spend the morning visiting Meibae, another community of ranchers in the area, working closely with the Savory Institute. Craig and Belinda will be our local guides as we learn the inspirational strides that have been made to heal the land, increase the productivity and sustainability of their business, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve the quality of life of the community at large. We will head back to Saasab. Safari/nature walk or drive, or time to relax. Sundowners and farewell dinner.

Day 8 - 10:  After breakfast we will take a short and early flight to the Masai Mara. The Masai Mara Game Reserve is widely considered to be Africa's greatest wildlife reserve. It comprises of 1510 square kilometers of open plains, woodlands and riverine forest, and is part of a massive ecosystem, contiguous with the plains of the Serengeti. We will stay at a beautiful luxury camp, situated on a secluded and private corner of the Mara, offering spectacular views across the plains towards Tanzania. Guests have the opportunity to witness one of the world's greatest natural spectacles, a natural wonder of the world - the Great Wildebeest Migration and voted in November 2006 a new natural wonder of the world. Each year the promise of rain and green grass brings more than 1.3 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra. These numerous migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by a block of hungry predators, most notably lions and hyena. From your tent you will be able to enjoy an abundance of birdlife and wildlife. Game drives and optional activities during our stay at the Masai Mara.

Day 11: Fly back to Nairobi (AM) - to connect with flight back home or continue on with your next adventure. End of our services. 

If you are flying to Johannesburg from your departure city, and plan to go back to Johannesburg from Nairobi on your return flight, please, let us know, as we might be able to book your flights together with the Johburg-NBO leg of our trip and reduce your expense.

All Kenya photos are courtesy of Sasaab Samburu. Please visit their site to explore their complete photo gallery.

Trip Dates and Current Rates

Contact Daniela Ibarra-Howell at dhowell@savoryinstitute.com or (970)249-0353 to find out about availability.

All prices are in U.S. dollars. AIRFARE TO AND FROM DESTINATION IS NOT INCLUDED IN OUR LAND PACKAGE PRICES.  A 40% per person deposit, is required to book your space. The child rate applies to Guests under 12 at the time of travel when accompanied by an adult in the same room. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you are traveling with children, check this trip's minimum eligibility age and recommended minimum age, which you can find in the Overview. Room configurations are subject to availability.

Included in land package price: Domestic and International flights in Africa, accommodation at all destinations, all meals, ranch and village visits, park entrances, land transportation, safaris, shows. Snacks and alcoholic beverages before or after meals, phone calls and room service at hotels (such as laundry) are not included in the package price. Should you incur such costs, you will need to cancel your bill upon check out. Optional activities and lunch in Victoria Falls on day 4 are not included in the package price.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Travel

Brown Revolution Journeys is committed to the protection and enhancement of the places we visit. Our choices are carefully made to preserve and support the natural environment, culture, local economies and the quality of life of the people we visit.

We recognize that travel contributes to our ecological footprint and greatly impacts the Earth’s climate. We are, through our Brown Revolution efforts on the land, helping sequester the atmospheric greenhouse gases causing global climate change. Additionally, we believe that the astounding experiences gained in our Brown Revolution Journeys will more than compensate for the negative impact of our travel; they will inspire and engender many passionate and informed stewards of the planet.

Please note: A State Department travel warning for Kenya is in effect (click here to view the State Department's information page on Kenya). We will continue to monitor events in the country.

Please also see the Information Packet covering what you will need to plan for when traveling to Africa with us.

See to Learn. Learn to Love. Love to Protect.