Africa specialist urges safari lovers to visit Kenya

The huge reduction in tourism to Kenya over the past six months has had a dramatic impact on the behaviour of the wildlife there, making the animals significantly more relaxed, more frequently sighted and easier to observe. Judith De Witt, of Rainbow Tours, the Africa specialist, has just returned from Kenya and was bowled over by the abundant game and its relaxed behaviour around visitors. During one day, she witnessed cheetah eating their kill, a pride of lion with 7 cubs, leopard, large breeding herds of elephant that were not too agitated about their tiny calves, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and enormous herds of plains game.

De Witt ascribes the incredible sightings to the steep decline in tourism to Kenya in recent months, but predicts that this will change in August when the wave of visitors is set to return. “Now is absolutely the time to go to Kenya,” she says. “You will see more lions than minibuses and there are still some excellent deals around”.

It looks as if the Migration will be early this year, too. The head of the migration is massing and a few zebra herds have already braved the crocodiles to make the crossing.

Rainbow Tours is currently offering a reduction of £145 per person sharing on a 3-night stay at the Kicheche Mara Camp in the Masai Mara until 15 July. Set in a grove of wild olive trees in an area of prolific year-round wildlife, this classic bush camp has 11 spacious Selous-style tents and activities include morning and afternoon game drives in specially-adapted safari vehicles, bush breakfasts and lunches, sundowners, the opportunity to visit the local Maasai village and the conviviality of drinks and tales around the campfire.

Or stay five nights at exclusive Serian Camp and get two additional nights free, a saving of £608 per adult. Until 21 July, you will also get an upgrade for two nights from your marquee in Serian Main Camp to a ‘large marquee’ in the even more exclusive Ngare Serian, which is worth an additional £184 per person sharing.

For more information, visit Rainbowtours.co.uk.