| Say Kilimanjaro and most people will think of | | | | the Maasai. Predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard |
| mountain trekking. This, the highest mountain in Africa | | | | and spotted hyena even though shy and elusive, are |
| captures many people's imaginations and every year | | | | present around Sinya Camp; which is also a heaven |
| thousands climb to the summit. Other than that the | | | | for birdwatchers. Your guide here has grown up and |
| area around Kilimanjaro and some of the villages on | | | | lived all his life in this area of Tanzania and Kenya and |
| Kilimanjaro are devoid of visitors although they are | | | | is therefore the best guide you could possibly have. |
| rich in culture and animals. | | | | The Maasai are native to this area and have |
| Off the beaten track, is an over used phrase and to | | | | managed to live here and keep their traditional culture |
| well and truly get off the beaten track usually means | | | | intact; the Maasai link this area of Kenya and |
| inaccessible, sleeping rough and expensive. However, | | | | Tanzania and ensure the continuation of traditional |
| Kilimanjaro is easily accessible and close enough to | | | | values that other tribes cast off long ago. The |
| the Serenegeti to easily be included in any safari | | | | challenge is for the Maasai to improve their life |
| itinerary. | | | | conditions and not compromise 'the ways' of which |
| To get off the beaten track here and discover the | | | | they are so proud. |
| joys around Kili is easy, comfortable and will not | | | | I would encourage you to interact with the local |
| necessitate you having to pay for expensive internal | | | | people and learn about their culture and traditions. |
| flights. To get away from the hordes of tourists is | | | | The Sinya community [with the help of Kibo Tours] |
| easy here; most people will be at Machame village or | | | | uses tourism to help to make a stand up the |
| Marangu village ready to climb Kilimanjaro. This | | | | challenges of a fast changing environment. |
| mountain is huge and some of the areas around the | | | | At Sinya you journey into Traditional Africa, learn |
| mountain are rich in game and adventure. You just | | | | about the language and way of a life of some of the |
| need to know where to look. | | | | last nomadic pastoralists on Earth, visit their |
| The west of the mountain and bordering on Kenya's | | | | "manyattas" (village), play with their children, enjoy |
| famous Amboseli Park is a private game concession; | | | | singing and dancing or taste a roasted goat the |
| that is a private park that has few visitors. There are | | | | Maasai way and all this under the Majestic presence |
| few lodges here and the land is owned by the | | | | of Mount Kilimanjaro the tallest mountain in Africa. |
| Maasai. This is one area in Africa where huge | | | | This project is supported/funded by Kibo Tours who |
| Elephant Bulls, more than 50 years old, carrying huge | | | | can be reached through the internet. Responsible |
| tusk, are regularly seen. These bulls are part of family | | | | tourism can change lives and I would encourage you |
| units and are permanently in this area. These family | | | | to support responsible tour operators. |
| units can be spotted negotiating the acacia | | | | Activities in Sinya include game drives in open car, |
| woodlands of the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro in | | | | night game drives [not available in the National Parks] |
| search of food and water. The elephants here are | | | | to see the nocturnal animals, walking safaris escorted |
| the healthiest Elephant populations of the whole | | | | by Maasai warriors, interaction with the local Maasai |
| African Continent. | | | | including participation in ceremonies if available. I know |
| It is not officially permitted to cross the border here | | | | of one lady who on her last night at this camp was |
| into Kenya but usually your guide will drive into the | | | | taken to a hill top to watch the sun set as she |
| Kenyan side of this national Park. | | | | sipped champagne; as the setting sun turned the |
| Wildlife in this area is very rich in zebra, wildebeest, | | | | snows of Kilimanjaro a dusky pink the Maasai of the |
| Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, Maasai giraffe. By far | | | | camp came dancing and chanting up the hill in tribute |
| the best way to experience this area is in Sinya | | | | of her stay with them. It is a moment that will stay |
| Camp - it is eco friendly, pure luxury and managed by | | | | with her forever. |