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African Safari Guide Part1

Inspiration Safari Guide - Authentic, Intimate, Ethical

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PART ONE<br />

INSPIRATION<br />

Authentic, Intimate, Ethical


All great<br />

adventures<br />

start with a whisper<br />

of wonder…


In the modern world, you may need to listen a little<br />

more carefully for the call of the wild. But, beneath the<br />

hum of technology, the chatter of convenience, and<br />

the buzz of bright everyday living – it’s still there.


Often, it’s not outside your window,<br />

but within your own heart. Lend<br />

an ear and you will hear a thousand<br />

hooves, the midnight roar of a lion<br />

on the prowl, and the rhythm of fire<br />

and drums.


Before now, maybe you thought<br />

a safari was something for the future,<br />

some far flung agenda that you would<br />

get around to eventually. Only, the<br />

drums have been beating louder and<br />

the idea of watching pink flamingos<br />

take flight has been creeping into<br />

your dreams.


It’s time,<br />

Africa is calling your name.<br />

These golden plains bring a raw emotion shimmering to the surface; it’s a place<br />

where sunsets can make you weep, where the snows of Kilimanjaro pull at your<br />

primitive side, and where the ballet of life and death that plays out across the<br />

undulating landscapes causes the heart to both wither and bloom.<br />

There is time to get lost in the orchestral emotion of safari, but the first step is<br />

piecing together those fragments of a dream to make a crystal-clear image of<br />

the side of Africa you are ready to experience…


<strong>Safari</strong>s<br />

Designed for the Senses<br />

Those who have never stepped foot in<br />

Africa before, may have a dust smeared<br />

vision of a safari in their mind. Yet,<br />

the beauty of a <strong>Safari</strong> adventure is that<br />

they can be expertly crafted around<br />

your own aspirations. From watching<br />

elephants from the steamy bliss of<br />

your private jacuzzi to camping beside<br />

flickering flame and a sky smeared with<br />

stars – there is the simple, the soft, and<br />

the utterly sensational when it comes<br />

to safari.<br />

For many, the allure of a journey to<br />

Africa is to walk in the place where<br />

man’s first footsteps fell, and to engage<br />

in intimate encounters with buffalo,<br />

lions, rhinos, elephants and slinking<br />

leopards. This is only one branch of the<br />

tree – your Africa can take a million<br />

different tangents.


For Wild Wishes<br />

Wildlife lovers can lap up the wonders of<br />

the big five, but also watch hippos wallow<br />

in the mud, crocodiles stalk the riverbeds,<br />

and see the blur of cheetahs as they race<br />

across the Serengeti.<br />

Gaze in awe at tall necked giraffes nibbling<br />

leaves from the trees, and feel your heart<br />

race as you watch a pride of lion’s hunt<br />

zebra beneath a blue arched sky.


For Cultural<br />

Clarity<br />

Culture aficionado’s can walk<br />

alongside the ancient tribe of Masaai<br />

Warriors, haggle for woven wares<br />

at the bustling markets, laugh with<br />

children in the classroom, and get a<br />

truly authentic taste for local life. You<br />

can follow the footsteps of some of<br />

our first ancestors in the Ngorongoro<br />

Crater, admire ancient fossils, and<br />

dance to the local beat of drums until<br />

you collapse beside the fire.


For Rare Romance<br />

Hopeless romantics can sleep soundly in white<br />

feather beds, clink champagne flutes on a sunrise<br />

balloon ride, soak in spa waters, and stroll the<br />

ivory sand beaches of Zanzibar.<br />

Lovers can nibble gourmand picnics in the bush,<br />

take tandem bicycle rides on birdsong trails,<br />

and make time for true connection against<br />

a backdrop of rare beauty.


For Family Finesse<br />

Far flung families will make memories that last a lifetime<br />

in the landscapes of Africa. Children will be awestruck<br />

at their picture book animals springing to life, teens will<br />

invoke their inner explorer, and feel the friction of life<br />

as they mountain bike, swim in wild lakes, and embrace<br />

cultures outside their own. <strong>Safari</strong>’s are the ultimate<br />

learning experience that speak to all ages.


Whatever your ambition,<br />

find a safari that fits as well<br />

as a tailored glove.


Selecting Your<br />

Signature <strong>Safari</strong><br />

Style<br />

<strong>Safari</strong> is not a one size fits all adventure,<br />

there are many options on the shelf,<br />

and a myriad of materials to tailor<br />

your trip to be one you desire. We<br />

understand that for many, a safari is<br />

a once in a lifetime excursion and we<br />

are firm believers that you shouldn’t<br />

compromise on dreams that run this<br />

deep.


Africa’s safari history dates right back to the<br />

13 th century when wealthy traders would<br />

stalk the lands for prized hides and trophies.<br />

Now, we tend to swap blood and destruction<br />

for education and culture. Yet these swaying<br />

grasslands, undulating plains, shimmering<br />

waterholes and soaring mountains remain<br />

something you want to snag; not for mounting<br />

above the fireplace, but for keeping stashed in<br />

your heart.<br />

Take a look at some of the safari styles you<br />

can choose...


Perfectly Private<br />

Completely customized itineraries<br />

strip away the mystery of ‘what<br />

if’ and deliver an unabashedly<br />

indulgent experience for savvy<br />

travelers. If you don’t like the idea<br />

of taking someone else’s trip but<br />

long to see Africa – your way, then<br />

boutique independent tours are<br />

the answer.<br />

Fully customizable trips to Africa<br />

are like being a child in the candy<br />

store of sublime life experiences.<br />

You select the destinations that call<br />

to your curiosity, you handpick<br />

the wonders you want to see, you<br />

select the dates that align with<br />

your life, and you muse over<br />

accommodations, journeys and<br />

tours that turn a hazy outline into<br />

something true and tangible.<br />

Go Group,<br />

Go Together<br />

If you want to go fast, go<br />

alone. If you want to go far,<br />

go together. Group tours are<br />

another way of exploring the<br />

nooks and crannies of this<br />

mighty continent. Group<br />

travel takes compromise<br />

but can usually help to cut<br />

back on the costs of a safari.<br />

Departure times are normally<br />

set in stone and you also need<br />

to be prepared for the chance<br />

that in larger groups you may<br />

not get the best seat for prime<br />

wildlife viewing.<br />

However, shared experiences<br />

and the camaraderie of group<br />

travel can be its own reward.<br />

With a boutique independent<br />

tour, you share your savannah<br />

with no-one – save the big five<br />

and your guide.


Lavishly<br />

Luxurious<br />

Gone are the days of<br />

roughing it out on the open<br />

road, high end safaris are<br />

here to stay. From lodges<br />

with spas and swimming<br />

pools to pop up luxury<br />

tents with en-suites and<br />

verandahs that turn<br />

camping into a creative art<br />

– these safaris blend the<br />

beauty of the wild with the<br />

finesse of the finer things<br />

in life.<br />

Think lavish canopy tents,<br />

rainfall showers, private<br />

chefs preparing candlelit<br />

meals in the bush, and<br />

toasting each day with a<br />

glass of sommelier wine<br />

to the soundtrack of the<br />

wild.


Classical Cool<br />

Fall back into the pages of<br />

yesteryear with a classic safari.<br />

The traditional pathway to<br />

discovering Africa will conjure<br />

visions of Hemmingway,<br />

binoculars clasped in hands,<br />

the cry of the wild, and<br />

evenings spent with canopy<br />

walls and campfires.<br />

Often, the game drives and<br />

journeys are overland – gifting<br />

you time to become one with<br />

the sun soaked prairies and<br />

plains that stretch out before<br />

you.


There is the<br />

simple, the soft,<br />

and the sublime<br />

when it comes to<br />

safari.


Divine<br />

Destinations<br />

to Dream About<br />

From East to South, the continent of<br />

Africa manages to capture both the richly<br />

grandiose and the glory of simplicity. We<br />

are keeping our eyes turned towards the<br />

east, the fabled Africa we yearn for in our<br />

dreams.<br />

The Africa where the Great Migration<br />

thunders across the plains, where the<br />

Masaai stand on tall legs wrapped in<br />

coral colored shawls, and where the<br />

turquoise and white islands are soaked<br />

in spice and come with a heady dose of<br />

hedonism.<br />

If the world is a painting, we don’t<br />

even consider East Africa to be the box<br />

of paints; instead it is the canvas from<br />

which the very visions of this great and<br />

beautiful life are sketched.


Kenya<br />

Calling you Home<br />

Acacia’s prickling the scorched orange grasslands, the shimmering heat<br />

rising, and the ancient threat of the Great Rift Valley – the very backbone<br />

of the world. Kenya isn’t the place you visit, it’s the place you come home<br />

too.<br />

The cradle of all things wild and wonderful, you can expect a world<br />

filled with rich colors, fascinating tribes, and an impeccable coastline<br />

for plunging, lounging, and purveying the pink frothy sky.


For wildlife, Kenya graces us with all the big<br />

five and some of the most stunning National<br />

Parks. The Masaai Mara ripples across the<br />

border with Tanzania and offers that sublime<br />

sea of grass view – studded with big cats and<br />

wild beasts.<br />

When the annual Great Migration takes place,<br />

the waves of wildebeest rise-up, turning this<br />

spot into one of nature’s most impressive<br />

events.<br />

The Amboseli Game Reserve gives us<br />

parchment paper landscapes, mighty<br />

elephant herds, wild savannahs and Sulphur<br />

springs bubbling beneath the big sky.<br />

The Sarara Singing Wells are awash with<br />

the cry of cats and the howls of wild dogs,<br />

and Great Rift Valley with its soda lakes will<br />

turn your world seashell pink with the sight<br />

of thousands of flamingos.


Tanzania<br />

The Dance of<br />

Life and Death<br />

Even the name rolls of the tongue<br />

with a slight buzz, Tanzania<br />

is the home of life both great<br />

and small, the delicate dance of<br />

first breaths and death, and the<br />

diamond capped splendor of<br />

Mount Kilimanjaro.<br />

The Serengeti is the spot that<br />

promises that poetry of golden<br />

plains and blue skies dotted with<br />

bright hot air balloons. Back down<br />

on the ground, and this is the front<br />

row cinema spot for witnessing the<br />

Great Migration, especially in the<br />

heart of the National Park.


There are many ancient fables sewn into<br />

the seams of Tanzania, the Ngorongoro<br />

Crater packs its own punch, with<br />

submerged hippos and herds of yin<br />

yang zebra. The Olduvai Gorge boasts<br />

footprints, fossils and early age tools<br />

from over two million years ago, and<br />

Lake Manyara is where the giants<br />

roam.<br />

Chimps swing from the trees in the<br />

charming parklands framing the<br />

Gombe Stream , and the thick forests<br />

and crater lakes of Arusha teem with<br />

the bright feathers of water birds and<br />

climbers ascending the razored ridges<br />

of Mount Meru .


Then we come to the mountain of all<br />

mountains – Kilimanjaro. Throwing<br />

her shadow across the plains, the<br />

bold and the brave dare to take the<br />

treacherous journey to the snow-capped<br />

peaks, to be rewarded with standing on<br />

top of the shoulders of Africa.


Zanzibar<br />

Sunshine and Spice<br />

Shake the dust from your hair<br />

and swap the wide plains for<br />

the salt tang of the Indian<br />

Ocean. Zanzibar is a melting<br />

pot of cultures, a place where<br />

you can lose yourself in the<br />

tumble streets of Stone Town,<br />

snorkel through the radiant<br />

coral reefs for hours, and tour<br />

the fragrant plantations that<br />

grant the island it’s exotic<br />

name.<br />

This is the land of sweet<br />

cinnamon and nutmeg, vanilla<br />

pods cracking on the branch,<br />

and lemon zest rippling<br />

through the air. It’s a place to<br />

touch and smell everything.<br />

In Zanzibar you feast on<br />

culture and fresh fruits, you<br />

sip tea in the streets of Stone<br />

Town, you sail the seas in<br />

ancient Arabic boats, and<br />

you lavish in luxury resorts<br />

without a care in the world.


“I never knew of a morning<br />

in Africa, when I woke up<br />

and wasn’t happy.”<br />

– Ernest Hemmingway


Seasonal Soirees<br />

From scorching summer days where the parched<br />

grasslands showcase every animal, to letting the rain<br />

soak you right down to the bone – there is always<br />

time for invoking your Africa experience.


December<br />

to March<br />

Experience summer in the Serengeti, where the winds roll<br />

in soft and warm, and the rains come in short sporadic<br />

bursts to quickly cleanse the lands and leave again.<br />

The grasslands are stripped right back meaning that the<br />

sleeping big cats are easier to spot. The watering holes turn<br />

into bustling hives of social activity as elephants seek to<br />

cool their thick skin, and zebras and wildebeest congregate<br />

to drink.<br />

In Tanzania this is the time where new life bursts forth<br />

vividly into our world. You can witness long legged calves<br />

take their first stumbling steps. The main draw of the<br />

summer season is the chance to witness the wonder of the<br />

Great Migration. A time when millions of wildebeest make<br />

their journey to richer plains across the Serengeti, crossing<br />

the perilous plains where lions stalk the shadows. This is a<br />

time of drama and death, of new life and love.<br />

In Zanzibar it’s the time when the waters are clear and<br />

warm for sublime diving sessions, and for those looking to<br />

conquer the heights of Kilimanjaro - January and February<br />

offer warm temperature conditions for climbing.


April to June<br />

The long rains are coming, you can spend<br />

hours watching the skies flood and the<br />

colors bloom beneath the torrential skies.<br />

This is the green season, the usually gold<br />

grasslands suddenly burst with color, but<br />

the big game can be hard to spot.<br />

Shoulder season shouldn’t leave a bitter<br />

taste; the lodges and activities come at a<br />

lesser price and the crowds have all but<br />

dispersed leaving you to embrace the<br />

silvery landscapes of Africa alone.<br />

The southern and central Serengeti and<br />

the volcanic crater park of Ngorongoro<br />

still offers ripe pickings for gorgeous game<br />

viewing. The wildebeest are banding<br />

together to begin their journey on the<br />

open road once more.


July<br />

to November<br />

A classical time to start your adventure in the wilds<br />

of East Africa. The skies have cleared to make way<br />

for abundant sunshine, and the rains are virtually<br />

non-existent meaning that once again, the animals<br />

must stay close to shrinking water sources.<br />

Visitor numbers hit their peak at the parks in<br />

August, and guests can expect high season prices<br />

when it comes to camps and lodgings.<br />

The Great Migration turns once more to head back<br />

to the Masai Mara Game Park. Crossing the Grumeti<br />

Reserves and the Mara River is a tense time; yellow<br />

eyed crocodiles wait in the depths to snap as the<br />

wildebeest and zebra plough into the dangerous<br />

waters.<br />

Game viewing across these months are unrivalled<br />

and for those gazing longingly at Kilimanjaro,<br />

September is sublime. The coast of Zanzibar is also<br />

spectacular come September, when the humidity<br />

has dispersed with the rains and the breeze is bright<br />

and beautiful.


Authentic, Intimate, Ethical


Picking<br />

the Perfect<br />

Provider<br />

Go it alone or go with the grace of<br />

a glorious operator? The million<br />

dollar question every dreamer<br />

must face when it comes to safari.<br />

In the age of the internet, travel<br />

has become much easier to address<br />

yourself. When you have the needle<br />

and thread of the World Wide Web<br />

you can stitch it all together at<br />

home. But, creating great garments<br />

takes time, patience, and skill.<br />

Sometimes, it makes sense to see<br />

a tailor.<br />

Selecting a safari provider can help<br />

lift that great weight from your<br />

shoulders – you share your dreams<br />

and they spin those threads and<br />

fragments into a living, breathing<br />

reality.


One Who Knows Africa<br />

Pick a provider who is well versed in<br />

Africa. I magine Africa as a great novel,<br />

you need someone who has studied<br />

every page – not just skimmed the<br />

blurb on the back of the book.<br />

One Who Lends an Ear<br />

Look for a keen ability to listen.<br />

Anyone can promise the world, but<br />

finding a provider who wants to do<br />

more than send you on a cookie cutter<br />

tour is paramount.


One Who Cares<br />

for Their Reputation<br />

There is an old Ghanaian saying that<br />

tells us ‘Rain beats the leopards<br />

skin, but it does not wash out the<br />

spots’ , this is a caution to care for<br />

your reputation, for once your name<br />

is marred, it will be difficult to wash<br />

those stains away.<br />

Always check the recommendations<br />

and reviews that follow your chosen<br />

tour provider. Previous travelers<br />

will be keen to share both a terrible<br />

experience and those rare and<br />

wonderful moments that changed<br />

their life. TripAdvisor can be a<br />

valuable resource, mine the internet<br />

and find your answers.


One Who Delivers More for Less<br />

The best experiences aren’t always those that<br />

are packaged the prettiest. Once you peel away<br />

the ribbons and bows, you want to make sure<br />

that what’s inside the box is substantial. Quality<br />

isn’t just skin deep, it cuts right down to the<br />

muscle.<br />

Pick a safari provider who has an ethos you<br />

agree with. One who offers ethical, intelligent,<br />

and transparent solutions and suggestions.


The world is about<br />

more than frills<br />

and lace, it’s about<br />

authenticity and an<br />

honest heart.


A Taste of Our<br />

Favorite <strong>Safari</strong> Tours


Fables of Africa<br />

5 Star / 10 days<br />

LEARN MORE > ><br />

Dive straight into the storybook lands of Kenya and Tanzania and<br />

embrace the splendor of Mother Nature. This first-class ten-day<br />

tour immerses you in four of Africa’s finest wildlife parks. Get<br />

close to the Big Five in the Serengeti, walk alongside warriors at the<br />

Masai Mara, step into ancient craters at Ngorongoro, and witness<br />

wild elephants against the sparkle of Kilimanjaro at Amboseli.<br />

Make yourself comfortable in lavish tented camps; complete with<br />

plunge pools, gourmet suppers beneath the stars, and personal<br />

guides and vehicles. This is Africa in all her finery…<br />

Rare Encounters, Kenya<br />

4 Star / 7 Days<br />

LEARN MORE >><br />

Africa is a land of many mysteries; a place where man’s first<br />

footprints fell, where mountains soar, and where bright tribes<br />

live within the fierce heart of mother nature. This seven-day tour<br />

will take you by the hand and lead you deep into the lands of<br />

Kenya’s indigenous people. Walking with the Masai, learning of<br />

their culture, making captivating memories with the children,<br />

and witnessing the splendor of their day to day life – few have<br />

this privilege to be part of such a rare and wonderful world. Of<br />

course, there will still be plenty of wildlife encounters – trekking<br />

big cats, strange birds, and breathtaking sights.<br />

Our motto is to provide authentic, intimate, and ethical tours for<br />

those who truly want to experience Africa. On this four-star Rare<br />

Encounters tour, you will see that Africa is a place of fables, and<br />

there are so many stories worth celebrating….


Game and Glory Kenya<br />

4 Star / 10 days<br />

LEARN MORE >><br />

The drama of Kenya goes straight to the heart. This ten-day tour is<br />

all about immersing yourself in the beauty, grace and sometimes<br />

gory glory of Big Game. Yes, matriarchal elephant families, big cats<br />

rolling in golden grasses, a million dusty Wildebeest thundering<br />

across the plains, wide mouthed wallowing hippos, and more. From<br />

the shimmering sights of Amboseli, to the pink flush of flamingos<br />

at Lake Nakuru, and sundowners on the riverbanks of Samburu<br />

National Park, Kenya doesn’t get any more spectacular than this.<br />

Our boutique touch brings a familial warmth to your four-star<br />

Kenyan tour. We like to go that little bit further, with community<br />

connections, local guides, hot air balloon rides, and complete<br />

customizable charm. Because Kenya is always calling you home…<br />

Blue and Gold, Kenya<br />

3 Star / 9 Days<br />

LEARN MORE >><br />

From trekking through the bush to splashing in Mombasa’s<br />

gin colored waters – this nine-day tour captures the very best of<br />

both worlds. Starting at the soft shores of Lake Nakuru you can<br />

watch black and white rhinos charge thousands of pink feathered<br />

flamingos. The Masai Mara is the ultimate <strong>African</strong> cliché in the very<br />

best way – grasslands loaded with zebra, big cats and wildebeest<br />

– all fighting for survival. Finish with a few days on the vibrant<br />

and exciting coast of Mombasa- a cultural melting pot with a vivid<br />

local scene and postcard perfect beaches.<br />

Care, consideration and creative thinking ensures that your three<br />

star Beach and Bush tour is simply magical. We bring the sparkle to<br />

safari; with a completely customizable calendar, rare and refreshing<br />

places to stay, and private guides every step of the way. Explore<br />

Africa from every angle…


A Small Note from ToKenya<br />

The Swahili word for friend is Sahibu, and being originally from Africa;<br />

we want to share our passion for a place of wild wonders, rare visions<br />

and climatic cultures with you - our dearest Sahibu. At ToKenya, you<br />

become part of the family as soon as you step into our world. While the<br />

bigger brands wrap their safari tours in ribbons and bows, bringing the<br />

personal touch to safari is what we do best.<br />

We prefer to invite you to sit with us by the fire, discuss your dreams,<br />

and to experience authentic Africa as we know it. All without losing<br />

the luxury touch.<br />

For 15 years we have been helping dreamers and doers plan these life<br />

changing adventures. From the might and majesty of watching a lioness<br />

prowl, to the first sip of palm wine beneath the stars – our guests adore<br />

what we do, and we think you will too. Check out our TripAdvisor<br />

reviews and find out why we are consistently rated five-star.<br />

We bring boutique to the bush; all our journeys are completely<br />

customizable, working on your clock, with private vehicles and personal<br />

guides. We don’t expect you to share your savannah experience with<br />

anyone but the ones you love.<br />

Our complementary safari guide is a great place to get started. We also<br />

invite you to peruse some of our favorite journeys and tours, expertly<br />

curated by those on the ground. Local knowledge, local lore and local<br />

love. Africa isn’t just another name on our books, it’s the back of our<br />

hand, our homeland, and a place everyone must experience at least<br />

once.<br />

Warmest Regards,<br />

Charles Kasinga<br />

Charles Kasinga<br />

ToKenya <strong>Safari</strong>s


Phone: 1. 866.ToKenya (1.866.865.3692)<br />

Email: safaris@tokenya.com<br />

TOKENYA.COM INC<br />

7755 Center Ave Suite 1100<br />

Huntington Beach, CA 92647<br />

USA<br />

Office Hours:<br />

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 6pm (PST)<br />

Pacific Standard Time

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