Click to Visit Our Site

Gorge Valley - Mt. Kenya These kinds of trips are eye opener and afford you to see everything you always wanted to know about Africa. They offer a firsthand experience, an essential ingredient for a dream vacation. Without doubt they quench expectations and inspire to live your dream with passion. We just have to say, they are meant for die hard, out to tap into rich African attractions and forget about the conventional safaris offering no extra insights into African cultures, community involvement or customized service.

2011 News Letter Karibu!! Welcome to CultureLink Safaris - an eco-travel provider and environmentally responsible safari company. As an eco-travel entity, we incorporate in our treks, wildlife, cultural and adventure safaris a lot of considerations to ensure that there is reasonable effort to conserve environment and delicate cultures. As well, we device ways in which part of our safari revenues benefit directly local communities in destinations we run our trips, in order for them to see the need of conserving resources in their midst. Our trips are, specifically, tailored to connect main safari circuits with unique destinations far off the beaten tracks, but rich in attractions and community involvement - suitable for those envisioning for a dream vacation. They are knowledge packed with access to array of activities, and not the same old type safari, but rather a new dawn in safari experience with opportunities to discover a new trick in travel. Not just that, but learn closely how to get hands on Africa wildlife and cultures with visits to exotic destinations suitable for a night in the middle of nowhere with just sounds of Africa night; Hyenas, lions etc. In fact, every aspect of African safari and local way of life are incorporated.

Africa tales around bone fire Bush lunch – On Bush treks

Geysers - Lake Bogoria

Things to consider in these trips are infinite possibilities; customized services, diverse options and rooms for flexibilities. Whether you are looking forwards to enjoy wildlife, cultures, volunteer, spending in camp or lodge, they are the smartest options since you will never find a better way to enjoy a taste of East Africa diverse attractions. The hidden truth is they bring expectations alive and get you rejuvenated.

African Elephants

Our staffs are trained in all aspects of ecotourism and can deliver well an authentic and impressive package safari with limited supervision. Their rich local knowledge is one of our secret weapons important in addition of value to our trips, boosting of client’s satisfaction and making service delivery efficient and effective in order to meet the needs of our clients and communities we partner. The 2011 is packed with decisive activities ranging from volunteering, trekking/ walking, wildlife to cultural safaris all blended with knowledge base activities. They are those products customized to meet individual’s time, budget, taste and be eco-responsive.

Narasha Village Water Project Narasha is a remote masai village we support in the heart of Masai Mara. We utilize their land (in one of our trips, the Kenya Greenland trip) and pay for their camp, land for game walking and plus other services. Elders provide cultural exposure to our clients while youths work as guides and guards to provide security against wildlife for a fee. Women do bead works and sell directly to our clients, a wise way of eliminating middlemen who reap from where they didn’t sow. This mutual relationship is an innovative approach allowing them benefit from tourism activity we run in the area – besides the support we give to school and maintenance of water project, there is something for everyone to do and earn from, which is not possible on conventional trips, considering that it is a remote and off the tourist circuit destination.

A night in the middle of nowhere

The village has had perennial problems with clean fresh water. When we saw the need we decided to provide them with cements and other material support for repair and maintain the only fresh watering point in the area. Also we managed to buy a PVC water tank for the village school to harvest rain water with for the school children. We are doing this because water conservation is import and is part of our vision. As a matter of fact we are a member of a water conservation organization in the region, Mara River Water Users Association (MRWUA).

Masai Village – A touch of culture

For our visitors, this area is an important destination, offering a memorable time and relaxing atmosphere to unwind from after a long flight while en route to Masai Mara for an envisage wildlife viewing. It gives the needed opportunity to learn Masai culture and prepare for Masai Mara, the home of major big games and an annual millions migrating wildebeest (a spectacle like no other that have been recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world).

Kids at a new classroom

Volunteer Activities Volunteering helps us lives up with our ethos as a fair trade safari provider. We include in some of our trips volunteering activities tailored to promote living standard of community in some selected remote destinations. One such volunteer project is Kipsongol primary school. The school is in a remote area and people here live in less than a dollar a day. They have limited resources to live on and education their kids. When we saw their plight we began thinking of a volunteer safari to this area. We came up with a 14 day trip volunteering, in which the first week is spent helping construct a classroom and have the remaining days spent in a wildlife-cum-cultural safari. Money for this purpose is part of the monies paid for the trip – you can’t imagine a better way of utilizing revenue accrued from tourism to reach the needy. We believe, if we get every year more clients signing up on this volunteer safari, we will be in a position to build enough and quality classes for entire pupils and even extend the gesture elsewhere.

Children in class – school support

Safaricom Lewa Marathon Safaricom Lewa marathon is an annual Fund Raising Event organized by Tusk and supported by Safaricom mobile provider, schedules for JUNE each year at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. We are grateful to be participating in this worthy course. The money raised is used for a range of charity activities such as education, community development, health and wildlife conservation projects across Kenya. In the past events several schools in northern Kenya, forestry programs and hospitals in Mt. Kenya (Isiolo county) among others benefited. It is one of those a must attend event.

On course - Lewa Marathon

We have planed ahead for the coming event slated for 25th June 2011. Several participants have already signed up, and we still have limited space available for anyone interested. This marathon is categorized to cater for all ages and tastes. Full Marathon, Half Marathon and a fun run for children and elderly – a family run event and not age specific. It is also unique in itself because the circuit is inside a wildlife protected area where you run while enjoying wildlife spectacles throughout the course. Other attractions to enjoy are eye-catching sceneries which include a majestic view of Mt Kenya in the backdrop and a vast savannah bush land deems with wildlife. The marathon is never dull since it is combined with an inclusive wildlife safari extension for wildlife enthusiasts or option for a hike on Mt Kenya, meant for zealous hikers. It is not just marathon run, but a one stop safari option.

View of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Wildlife Safari with Cultural Options East Africa is deems with diverse and unique wildlife and cultural attractions. These range from major game animals to hundred species of birdlife and hundreds of tribes with rich cultures. The main attractions attracting thousands visitors annually to East Africa are the Big Five; lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes and elephants. The term Big Five was coined in the early 1900’s when sport hunting for trophies was the main sorted after activity by visitors from Europe in search of Lion skins, Leopard skins, Rhino horns, Buffalo skulls and Elephant tusks. But when sport hunting was banned, they remain targets as photogenic and hence the term, the Big Five. Irrespective of these, we also have the Small Five attracting interests due to their synonymous names to the Big Five, though quite small to spot. The other main wildlife spectacle is an annual millions migrating wildebeest crisscrossing Masai Mara and Serengeti plains in search of green pastures and breeding ground. The event starts in June in Serengeti and at its peak in September in Masai Mara when they start crossing the famous Mara River where they become preys to vicious hungry crocodiles. Their number is dumfounding, covering entire landscape, virtually everything like a swamp of bees - an occurrence not to be missed. During end of November, they began migrating back to Serengeti for carving after successful mating in the Mara but having lost thousands to lions, crocodiles and other predators.

Spotting game on foot

Each region of East Africa has diverse animal species, though some regions have unique and endemic species. In southern parts, are more or less similar species but towards the north, are different and distinct. For example, in northern part of Kenya have reticulated giraffe, oryx etc among others endemic to this region.

White rhino – Lake Nakuru

For this reason, our wildlife safaris are designed to offer options covering all these areas in order to meet our clients’ diverse tastes and budgets. But we try to blend them with a touch of cultural activities in order to get insights into rich African lifestyles and enables communities participate in tourism generating activities.

Walking and Trekking Options Our walking and trekking activities also covers a wider destinations; savannah, bush lands, major hills and low and high mountains of East Africa. These walking safaris are day hikes to week long walking trips. Long treks are run in the heart of Masai land, Loita plains and Nguruman escarpment. Other destinations for long walking safari are in Kenya northern frontier; Lake Bogoria, Sukuta valley and Turkana. These destinations are selected because they are culturally rich as well as with beautiful sceneries ranging from desert sand dunes, hot geysers etc. When running trips here, we utilize services of local guides who know well their area terrains and indigenous way of life. This kind of arrangement makes trips rich, interesting and worthwhile to visitors as well as offering extra source of income for the local youths.

Short treks with vehicle support

Lenana (4985m) – Mt. Kenya

Mountain trekking destinations are Mt. Longonot - 2600m (a crater mountain), an hour drive from Nairobi. A day trek is recommended to this mountain for those with limited time to spare. It can also be combined with a visit to Hellsgate park for an extra day walking-cum-wildlife safari. Mt. Kenya (5199m) is the main alpine hiking destination in Kenya. A 3 day trip to week long hiking trip on this mountain is possible, either on education or just a hiking expedition by serious acclimatized hikers. While on the hike, whether you are a novice or expert hiker, slow pace hiking guarantees success irrespective of age. Mt. Elgon (4036m) is in the western side of Kenya on the Uganda border is another major mountain hiking destination. At least 5 day is recommended here with options to choose. You can do a hike from Uganda at Mbale and cross over to end it on Kenya side - a unique cross border mountain trek. On the other hand, Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest in Africa. Successful treks to the summit, Uhuru peak (5598m) require a lot of preparation and sound acclimatization with adequate number of days to spare between 5-7 days. We, therefore, have tailored trips to all these destinations.

Snapshots of our treks

Tanzania Safari Option It is a round trip combining two East African countries (Kenya and Tanzania) and covers the great Rift Valley Serengeti plains, a wildebeest migratory route, stretching from Tanzania to Masai Mara. The trip offer a whistle stop safari to visitors with limited time to sample up what East Africa has to offer in the shorted time possible. Tailored trips of 7-14 days are recommended depending available time, budget and taste. It can begin from the famous Masai Mara or Ambboseli National park on the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, both full of major animal species and amazing habitats suitable for wildlife viewing. Then down Arusha in tanzania (a fast growing town in Africa hosting the Tribunal for Rwanda genocides), Ngorongoro crater (one of the 8th wonders of the world with a natural enclosure fencing in wildlife) and finally the Serengeti. Serengeti was coined by Maasai people, referring to a vast and endless plain. It is the second home to millions migratory wildebeests.

Time for a meal Culture Link Safaris Rich Wildlife and Diverse African Lifestyles Box 16019-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. www.culturelinksafaris.com inquiry@culturelinksafaris.com +254722357308

The trip is a mixture of wildlife viewing with visits to community projects in Mto Wa Mbu (river of mosquito) in Lake Manyara. This small town, have over 200,000 people and with representatives of all the 120 tribes of Tanzania. The town women have formed self-help groups, organizing sustainable cultural activities that are revenue generating. At the course of our trips, we visit and support them. We recommend participation in one of these trips because they are rewarding and help promote the living standard of these women. They really turn that dream into a reality! Uganda Explore - Wildlife and Cultural Insights For those pressed with time constrain and would like to sample the many unique attractions in Uganda, we advice to take one of our elaborate tailored package. Uganda has rich wildlife that includes the chimpanzee, Gorilla and the big five not missing out on a cultural tour of bush-men, the Batwa people. These options are have flexibilities to cater all ages and not age specific since most activities are done not on foot unless when tracking the Chimps – hence suitable for children and elderly alike. Major wildlife destinations are Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth park and Bwindi Impenetrable, home to Gorilla and here is where Gorilla tracking is done. Other walking wildlife-cum-cultural safari opportunities are tailored to empower local projects.