Kenya: New National Park fees from 01 Jan 2012

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the custodian of Kenya's national parks, announced already back in September 2011 that it will increase the tariffs for the countries National Parks, but they are only now coming into effect.
As of 01 Jan 2012, foreign visitors to Kenya's so-called Premium Parks, Amboseli NP & Lake Nakuru NP, will have to pay a conservation fee of US$80/person per day (2011: low season US$60/person; high season US$75/person) as a flat rate charged throughout the year.
Visits to parks not designated as premium parks, such as Tsavo East NP, Tsavo West NP & Meru NP, will from 01 Jan 2012 have to pay a daily fee of US$65/person.
Pls download (pdf) the complete list of park conservation fees in 2012 for more information.

Kenya: Spot wildlife with a camera-trap iPhone app

Biologists from the Zoological Society of London recently released a fascinating new iPhone App called "Instant WILD" which transmits images from motion-sensing cameras in Kenya and other locations (Sri Lanka, Mongolia & the UK) to your smartphone (iPhone only) whenever a creature wanders into view.
Those camera traps are a tool widely used in conservation work. They take a photo when a motion sensor detects movement within the field of view, and within a certain range. With the App you'll receive notifications (and the photo) when a camera you've elected to follow, such as the one in Kenya, takes a new photo.
The camera in Kenya is situated in communally owned land in the Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem.
 Beside the fact the "Instant WILD" is a fun app to have (get us an Android version!!), the actual main idea behind the app is to help researchers monitoring wildlife by identifying the animals in these live photographs. Anyway, the "Instant WILD" app is for free and can be downloaded form Apple's App Store!

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) increased fees for some National Parks

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the custodian of Kenya's national parks, has again increased the daily (foreign) visitor fee for the so-called "premium parks" Amboseli and Lake Nakuru to US$80/person as a flat rate charged throughout the year with immediate effect.
Foreign visitors used to pay US$60 during low season at the premium parks and US$75  during the peak seasons (January to March, July to October).
According to Kenya's Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa, the increase had to be done to meet KWS' conservation obligations, to boost the conservation efforts and reduce the service's dependence on the government.

Beside the "premium parks" Amboseli and Lake Nakuru, the tariffs for the so-called "wilderness parks", namely Tsavo East, Tsavo West & Meru, also got increased. All other 47 parks managed by KWS are not affected. Kenyans will continue paying Sh500 at premium parks and Sh300 in all others.

Tour of the day: Mountain biking holiday in Kenya & Tanzania

Countries: Kenya, Tanzania
Trip type: Adventurous mountain biking holidays
Departures: 2010: 5 Jun, 3 Jul, 24 Jul, 14 Aug, 4 Sep, 25 Sep, 16 Oct (Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam)
Price: From €1970 (16 days) [curreny converter] excluding flights, depending on year of travel. Local payment US $200 , local bike hire US $200 . Price includes transport, meals, accommodation and activities.

• 12 days biking, 90% dirt, 4x4 and gravel roads and some paved roads. Some off road biking experience is preferred. From 25km to 90km per day, 100% vehicle supported.
• Two Game parks, Amboseli National Park (Kenya) and Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) included.
• Group size minimum 4, maximum 10 plus Escape leaders and local staff.
• Accommodation is twin share, 1 night in a hotel and 14 nights camping. (Upgrades to rooms are available at some campsites at your own expense).
• Food includes 3 meals per day from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast Day 16. This excludes 2 lunches and 2 evening meals which are at your own expense to give you the opportunity to experience local cuisine

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