LION CONSERVATION SAFARI – 9 DAYS
Lion conservation recently became an issue of international concern when statistics revealed that lion
numbers in Africa have plummeted to between 16,000 and 45,000. The lion population has declined by
30%-50% in just over the past two decades, a reduction largely due to habitat loss and conflict with
humans. The lions in the Samburu / Buffalo Springs / Shaba ecosystem of Kenya are in an extremely
vulnerable situation as they live in or adjacent to areas inhabited by nomadic people. Lions and their
predatory behaviour have caused great resentment among the increasing rural pastoralist populations,
and this has led to increased persecution of lions - lions continue to be shot, poisoned and speared.
This unique 9 day safari will provide you with an authentic and close-up insight into lion research in
some of Kenya's most stunning areas. Spend 6 days with lion expert Shivani Bhalla in the Shaba and
Samburu areas with 2 nights at Joys Camp and 3 nights at Sasaab Camp and then the last 3 days at
Porini Lion Camp in the famous Masai Mara in an exclusive conservancy with several resident prides of
lion.
You will have the opportunity to be involved in this crucial research and 5% of the total
safari cost will be donated to the Ewaso lions project (www.ewasolions.org).
Your time will typically include early morning and evening game drives when the lions are most active,
participating in monitoring and recording and can also include the following:
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Participate in Ewaso Lions tree project and Wildlife Cinema in West Gate. This involves visiting
schools and also manyattas (Samburu homesteads) at night to show them wildlife films.
Carnivore 'call-ins' at night playing a recorded carnivore call and using speakers to call in carnivores
as a method to estimate their density.
Engage with the community and complete questionnaires on conflict and perceptions of predators.
Track radio-collared lions.
Go on patrol with the Ewaso Lions scouts and help record data on predators and identify spoor tracks.
Help record data in the core Conservation Area
Investigate any conflict in the area, e.g. donkey killed by lion, etc...
About Shivani Bhalla: A Kenyan national working on her PhD through Oxford University, which
focuses on the lions of the Ewaso ecosystem in Northern Kenya. Through this project, she is continuing
and complementing the research she did for her Masters' degree (MSc) in 2003. She currently works in
Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves and the West Gate Community Conservancy
with the objective to investigate factors influencing the lion population in the Ewaso ecosystem in
Northern Kenya. The area of study includes the 3 National Reserves (Samburu, Buffalo Springs and
Shaba) and the West Gate Community Conservancy. This research will formulate strategies for the
long-term conservation of lions by understanding the issues and threats facing their population, their
movements in the wild and the extent of human-lion conflict. There is a huge knowledge gap in this
area and it's her intention to address this.
Day 1
Depart from Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to Shaba. The Joys Camp 4x4 and guide will meet
you at the airstrip and transfer you to the lodge. Settle into your tent and then meet lion expert
Shivani Bhalla, over lunch, where she'll brief you on the lions in the area, the research and
opportunities to participate over the next few days. This luxury camp is built on the site of Joy
Adamson's tented home in Shaba National Reserve, made famous by Elsa the lioness. Afternoon game
drive with Shivani to learn about the lions of the area and participate in recording data and identifying
the lions. Overnight at Joys Camp.
Day 2
After breakfast spend the day with morning and afternoon game drives in the with Shivani in the
camps 4x4. Shaba is a perfect location for discerning guests interested in an authentic wildlife
experience, away from the crowds. Joy Adamson produced the film "Born Free" after a lifetime with
lions right here at Shaba. Lunch, dinner and overnight will be at Joys Camp.
Day 3
Depart after breakfast and transfer from Shaba National Reserve to Archers Post where a vehicle from
Sasaab Lodge will be waiting to transfer you through the Samburu Reserve to the lodge which is in the
West Gate Conservancy. Settle into your spacious rooms overlooking the river. Sasaab is located above
the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, in the arid heart of Samburu land, a tranquil setting that offers
views towards the Laikipia plateau and Mount Kenya. After lunch, relax in your room and then take an
afternoon game drive to track the resident 'community lions'. Overnight Sasaab Camp.
Day 4
Full day with guided bush walks, lion tracking and visits to the local community to monitor lion
predation of livestock and other such issues. Overnight Sasaab Camp.
Day 5
Spend the day in the Samburu Reserve with a picnic lunch tracking lions and viewing the numerous
wildlife drawn to the river, many of which are unique to this part of Kenya including the endangered
Grevy's Zebra. Overnight Sasaab Camp.
Day 6
After breakfast transfer to the airstrip for a flight to the Maasai Mara. You will be met at the airstrip by
the Porini Lion Camp guide and 4x4 and take a game drive to Porini Lion Camp, located in the Olare
Orok Conservancy, famous for its numerous lion prides. Afternoon game drives in 4x4 vehicles within
the game rich Mara ecosystem followed by a sundowner before dinner and overnight at Porini Lion
Camp.
Day 7
Full day in the Mara with a picnic lunch. Overnight Porini Lion Camp.
Day 8
*Optional Balloon Safari and Champagne Breakfast.
After an early breakfast, go on a morning walk in the Conservancy escorted by Maasai warriors and a
guide, returning to camp later in the morning. In the afternoon you will go on a game drive to explore
more of the Olare Orok Conservancy on the lookout not only for the Lion but also elephants, buffalo,
giraffe, other big cats. Enjoy a night game drive after dinner to in search of the nocturnal animals
including Lion and the elusive leopards which are resident in the expansive Olare Orok Conservancy.
Overnight Porini Lion Camp.
Day 9
One last early morning game drive or guided bush walk, before returning to the camp for breakfast.
Check out for transfer to the Ol Kiombo airstrip where you will board a scheduled flight departing at 11
a.m. to arrive at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, at around 12.05 pm.
PRICE INCLUDES:
2 NIGHTS JOYS CAMP (SHABA), 3 NIGHTS SASAAB (SAMBURU) & 3 NIGHTS PORINI LION CAMP
(OLARE OROK CONSERVANCY).
PRICES INCLUDE FLIGHTS: WILSON - SHABA FOR 2 NIGHTS AT JOYS CAMP. ROAD TRANSFER
FROM JOYS CAMP TO SASAAB FOR 3 NIGHTS. FLIGHT SAMBURU - MARA FOR 3 NIGHTS AT PORINI
LION CAMP. ALL AT FULL BOARD WITH SOFT DRINKS BEER & HOUSE WINE, BUSH BREAKFAST /
LUNCH, LAUNDRY ( ONLY AT SASAAB & JOY'S CAMP), GUIDED WALKS, GAME DRIVES*, PARK &
CONSERVANCY FEES. FLIGHT BACK MARA - WILSON.
5 DAYS WITH LION EXPERT SHIVANI BHALLA. FIVE PERCENT OF THE SAFARI COST TO BE DONATED
DIRECT TO THE EWASO LION PROJECT.
Exclusive use of Vehicle included at Sasaab & Joys Camp.
*Night Game Drives included at Sasaab & Porini Lion Camp.
TRACKS SAFARIS – WE GET YOU CLOSER TO AFRICA!