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Lion Research Safari

From: £3,889

This unique 10 day safari will provide you with an authentic and close-up insight into lion research in some of Kenya’s most stunning areas. Spend 7 days with lion expert Shivani Bhalla in the Shaba and Samburu areas and then the last 3 days at Porini Lion Camp in the famous Maasai Mara in an exclusive conservancy with several resident prides of lion.


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.

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:

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.

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Departure Dates Nts Board Basis Room Type Transportation Start - End point UK Airport Airline Price
03Jan12-31Mar12 9 Mixed Tent + Standard Room Air Nairobi Heathrow Kenya Airways £3,929
01Apr12-15Apr12 9 Mixed Tent + Standard Room Air Nairobi Heathrow Kenya Airways £3,949
01Jun12-30Jun12 9 Mixed Tent + Standard Room Air Nairobi Heathrow Kenya Airways £3,889
01Jul12-13Jul12 9 Mixed Tent + Standard Room Air Nairobi Heathrow Kenya Airways £4,369
14Jul12-18Aug12 9 Mixed Tent + Standard Room Air Nairobi Heathrow Virgin Atlantic £4,719
19Aug12-30Sep12 9 Mixed Tent + Standard Room Air Nairobi Heathrow Qatar Airlines £4,439
01Oct12-31Oct12 9 Mixed Tent + Standard Room Air Nairobi Heathrow Qatar Airlines £4,129
For other dates or durations, please call for your tailor made quote.
Day 1
Upon arrival at Nairobi Airport you will be met by a Gamewatchers Safaris representative and transferred to Wilson Airport for your 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 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 Joy’s 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. You will be met for transfer to Nairobi Hotel where you will spend the night
Day 10
Pick up from the hotel & transfer to Nairobi Airport for your flight back to Uk or onward connection for a few days on the beach

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