Great Migration Safari with Mike and Judy Rainy

06/03/2016

Judy and I think that the very best way to experience the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara is to spend at least a week in one of the Private Campsites in the Mara Conservancy in the Mara Triangle : http://maratriangle.org/

01/03/2016

Now that Judy and I have been retired from over 41 years of being On Safari in Kenya for more than two years. We are going to Use this page to Highlight some of the Gem Stone destinations available here in Kenya for those who want the Best. Period and we Start with THIS REAL DEAL"

https://www.facebook.com/OloloSafariLodge/?fref=ts

A boutique, family run safari lodge and farm overlooking Nairobi National Park.

17/09/2014

21/04/2014

Let's get ready to RUMBLE! This epic standoff was captured by photographer Marc Mol in 2011 during a trip over Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Mol was taking a microlight flight early in the morning when he and his copilot saw more than 140 ...

20/04/2014

Please check Shep Abbott's concerns about the Great Serengeti Mara Here:

http://www.serengeti-mara.info/

20/04/2014

Please join the defense of the Great Serengeti -Mara Ecosystem and the Great Migration.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=742671115764654&set=a.125680667463705.14344.125601617471610&type=1&theater

THE MIGRATION AS SEEN RIGHT NOW

Long time supporter and fan of our page - Jim Griggs - just returned from the Serengeti. He sent us this wonderful photo with this following commentary:

"Nothing really prepares you for an encounter with over a million wildebeest and zebra, NOTHING! This year was without a doubt, the greatest encounter we have had with a migrating herd! There have been previous times with fragments of herds numbering into a few hundred, maybe a couple of thousand animals, but over a million? Just totally unprepared. Seeing the mass moving along together makes me wonder how in th world a paved highway with truck traffic could ever be possible without totally destroying the migration. Each encounter with the smaller herds has been in Ndutu or Gol Kopjes but this major herd was north of Gol Kopjes and on the move north, slowly but surely. I can't imagine the survival of the ecosystem there without the herds and their constant movement." ~ Jim Griggs

IF WE CAN'T SAVE THE SERENGETI - WHAT CAN WE SAVE?
ADOPT THE SOUTHERN ROUTE!!!

www.savetheserengeti.org

15/04/2014

Blessings for Passover and Easter from Maasai Mara.

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofmaasaimara/photos/a.1422313661342651.1073741832.1391850824388935/1441580909415926/?type=1&theater

15/04/2014

Brian Sandberg, I have just learned that you left us suddenly.

Checking your page and Ayesha's post it seems true. I am unable to believe it!

Africa has lost one of her smartest and most supporting Sons, one who came to my rescue many many times when I was nearly defeated in brainless battles with conservationists who seemed to be in the battle to save Natural systems mostly for the money they could get in their Pockets.

R.I.P Brian - until you get you breath back:

and then give St Peter a Kick in the pants and ask him How in Hell he expects the remaining few you have left behind to fight and win the conservation war for Africa's Rhino's and Elephants and Great Migratory Open spaces without more reinforcements, Angels and Miracles.

You will NEVER be forgotten Brian - Peace Brother!

Ayesha Cantor Posted this 4 hours ago.

A fellow rhino warrior has passed away suddenly.
Someone who's company I enjoyed immensely, who's posts I looked forward to reading.
He was my 'go-to-guy', could always bounce things off him and could count on a well thought out and level-headed response.
Rare in rhino circles is that he was one of the few one could disagree with, yet debate remained civil & lively....
I'm so sorry that he will not live to see the things he was working on, come to fruition, but I guess that's the case for so many folk who pass away before their time.
His next of kin have not all been contacted as yet, which is why I cannot say who I am referring to, many of you will just know though......
R.I.P my friend...it was a pleasure......
You will be missed
xx

14/04/2014

Paula Kahumbu
Another beautiful dawn over Nairobi Park and I can steal a few moments to reflect on what is happening here on the wildlife front. I cannot deny that there have been days when the continuing sights of dead and suffering elephants and rhinos threaten to kill my spirit - and it's not just me. Kenyans from all walks of life, and international donors, and tourists have admitted to feeling helpless, despondent and crushed. Our faith in KWS whose vision is "To save the last great species and places on earth for humanity” has lost it's shine - loss of wildlife, destruction of parks like Hells Gate, roads through parks and other blatant violations have been rampant. Poaching and trafficking of ivory and rhino horn in protected areas, denial and concealment of information. Threats. Lots of them have been hurled at us. But we have stood our ground. As conservationists we are here for a purpose, and our movement is infectious, now people from all sectors are joining us. No one wants to see a Kenya without wildlife. Everyone wants to be part of success. So, when I put things into perspective I am proud that we can celebrate some major successes. Most Kenyans ARE now aware of the scale of the poaching problem and how it affects them, Our president and parliament HAVE enacted a new and severe law, the ministry of Environment and Natural Resources IS taking bold and to many, unpopular steps to reign in poaching and corruption, the Media have take up their crucial role in making this issue a national concern and public interest. We ARE witnessing far reaching legal reforms and the Chief Justice and Director of Public Prosecutions have agreed to a schedule of intensive training, public participation, new legal structures and standard operating procedures. Those who had been quiet for fear of intimidation are now speaking out about the crisis which has deeply wounded our psyche. For the first time I am feeling quite hopeful and proud of my beloved country because our leaders ARE listening and ACTING and the public is making its message clear, we stand for excellence! As conservationists, we can now shift our focus and work to sustain public interest, accelerate change, demand inspiring leadership for environment, wildlife and nature, and replicate our successes in the region. Thank You Judi Wakhungu and everyone at the Ministry and at KWS for renewing Kenyans hope in turning this crisis around. Kenyan conservationists remain loyally committed to a future with all of the big five. ,

11/04/2014

The Cross Serengeti Transport corridor that is planned to cut across the Great Migration Route between the Serengeti and Maasai Mara will also Kill the goose that lays Golden Eggs in Both Tanzania and Kenya

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=738334979531601&set=a.125680667463705.14344.125601617471610&type=1&theater

TOURISM SUPPORTS TANZANIA

Over $1.8 billion is generated each year from tourism
- with over 600,000 Tanzanians employed DIRECTLY in the tourism industry - from Safari Guides, lodge chefs, maids, mechanics for safrai vechicles etc.

But there are also many more that are supported by tourism dollars - the local farmers and ranchers whose produce and meat are sold to the lodges, the petrol stations, the curio shops - and the artisans that do their work for them such as this Tinga Tinga artist who depend on tourists to be able to make a living and feed their families.

Serengeti National Park - SENAPA received 128,742 tourists during the 2000-2001 season and 515,864 tourists during 2010-2011 season.

Each year tourism is growing in Tanzania, and they have positioned themselves as a "must see destination". While there are many attractions for tourists in TZ, the majority come to the Serengeti many to see the wildebeest migration. The gate fees generated by the Serengeti help to support all the other parks throughout TZ.

Why in the world jeopardize this when there is an alternative? The World bank and Germany have offered to fund better roads OUTSIDE the park for the local communities to get to the next largest town WITHOUT having to go through the park (which villages on both side have told us they don't need) and a SOUTHERN ROUTE which will only take 1 hour longer to drive that will connect Arusha to the Lake Victoria Region. This area is a heavily agricultural area and will help 5x as many people without impacting wildlife. Many of the roads are already there - they just need to be upgraded and connected.

TANZANIANS - WAKE UP TO WHAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING - it is NOT what is best for Tanzania, her people, or her grand children, and their grand children.

You can read more in our Economic impact statement here:
http://www.savetheserengeti.org/issues/highway/economic-impact-statement/

10/04/2014

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=735769893121443&set=a.125680667463705.14344.125601617471610&type=1&theater

SERENGETI [AREA] TO GET FIRST TARMAC ROAD

"The Serengeti District Council is currently looking for a contractor for the first stretch of a tarmac road in the country's wildlife rich district, the District Engineer has said.

Serengeti leaders see the construction of the road as one of the significant projects designed to transform Mugumu town to a tourist hub.

The much awaited highway popularly known as Makutano Juu - Mto Wa Mbu is designed to link Mara [region in Tanzania] and Arusha regions through SENAPA (Serengeti National Park) a move aimed to uplift living standards standards of local communities residing near the world's famous park.

The government of Tanzania says construction of the highway will "skip" 53 km cutting across SENAPA in order to avert any harm to the park's ecology - DAILY NEWS

OP ED
This section of the road on the west of Serengeti is bordering Ikorongo game reserve just on the path of the great migration Western corridor.This route on the existing gravel road always always has a great deal of wildlife on it - particularly wildebeests and zebras on both sides of the road during the migration. Animals do not know "borders" and the migration frequently occurs in areas to the West and East of the Park.

This article says - there is no money to take the Tarmac road up to Tabora B gate of the park. Good.

The government - as in this article - frequently say the highway will "skip" the park. What they mean is that they will "skip" tarmacing it but rather intend to gravel it rather than pave it. We, and scientists around the world contend that ANY all weather commercial highway with up to 800 vehicles a day by the governments own EIA will destroy the Serengeti ecosystem.

We recognize that the people on either side of the park need better roads. But when we have spoken with them in community meetings they say they have no need to go THROUGH the park, they just need better roads to the nearest large town which the German government has offered to fund.

And to connect the "Mara" /Lake Victoria region to Arusha there is the alternate southern route that will help 5x as many people, cost less, and the World Bank has offered to fund.

PHOTO: Bulldozers already working on areas west of the Serengeti from "24 Tanzania".

Read entire DAILY NEWS ARTICLE HERE:
http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/29956-serengeti-to-get-first-tarmac-road

10/04/2014

What I have Learned since about six of us Like Minded concerned Observers began the Stop the Serengeti Highway effort on Face Book on 6th June 2010 is that this planned Transport corridor through the most important Great Migration Route on Earth is totally out of control and will likely happen and thus deeply degrade the Great Serengeti Mara Ecoysystem.

I have also learned that this is just a Giant tip to a much bigger Iceberg as similar Transportation Corridors similarly threaten Natural ecosystems everywhere that have large numbers of people as neighbors.

The modern Global political and economic systems that have developed in the last 100 years since World War I have morphed into a World War III against and at the expense of Surviving Natural Ecosystems nearly Everywhere.

It is going to take more than the best wishes of a few 10's of thousands of us to give priority to life producing and maintaining Systems.
We ecologists ans scientists have NEVER BEEN MORE TOOTHLESS !

http://www.savetheserengeti.org/issues/highway/stop-the-serengeti-highway/

The Serengeti ecosystem extends from Tanzania to Kenya and includes areas within and without the Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara Reserve. The area along the Kenya-Tanzania border is particularly important. The ecosystem is surrounded by growing human population. Dots in blue on the Tanzanian…