Astronomy safari Ever heard of an astronomy safari adventure in Africa? Solar Eclipse Astrological tour hosts interactive astronomy presentations in Lake Turkana hybrid solar eclipse that will occur in November 3: 2013 at Maximum eclipse: 14:25:13.4 012.2° 253.6° for the gazing enthusiasts. 

(TRAVPR.COM) KENYA - February 23rd, 2013 - For the astronomers, one of the awe-inspiring sights that will await you if you come to the Lake Turkana National Park from the city is the brilliant display of Hybrid total Solar Eclipse in the African sky. With 74 percent of possible sunshine”, strong confirmation of the weather on this day, around you, the heavens take on a whole new splendor, especially for the experienced eclipse chaser. Such a narrow and abrupt eclipse will come with a prominent presentation of the colorful innermost atmospheric layer of the Sun (the chromospheres) and a spectacular view along the axis of the Moon’s shadow.

These astronomy tours are an ideal complement for visitors, taking advantage of Africa as being one of the best locations in the world for both professional and amateur astronomy.

Northern Kenya where the event will takes place is lightly populated, untamed and often barren. Setting foot in these parts is like leaving the 21st century; it is an explorer's heaven, and the variety of tribes that live here are some of the most captivating people in the world. They include the Samburu, Turkana, Rendille, Boran, Gabbra and El – Molo.

This is a 9 day expedition to Northern Kenya that avoids the rigorous journey across the Chalbi Desert but still transverses rugged country to the frontiers of Kenya and the Lake Turkana. Transport is by custom built four by four Land cruisers that seat 7 people and accommodation is in canvas tents that are pitched in the middle of the African Wilderness to create a private camp.

This rugged 1,800-km expedition is run in land cruiser or expedition trucks. You will traverse along some of Africa's worst roads towards the lake Turkana; see beautiful mountain forest surrounded o n all sides by hot dusty deserts, eventually arriving at our camp o n the shores of the Jade Sea (Lake Turkana). We have been offering this as our best selling safari for over 10 years especially for those true explorers and travelers who want to get off the tourist beaten track. You will see a great variety of tribes during the tour and cross the Chalbi Desert .

Day 1 – Samburu 30th October
Depart Nairobi in the morning heading north via the shoulder of Africa's second largest mountain, Mt Kenya to the Samburu Game Reserve.  Accommodation in our semi-permanent campsite is beautifully set under a canopy of trees or we may pitch tents o­n the edge of Uaso Nyiro (meaning Brown in Samburu) River.  Cold showers are available which are amazingly refreshing in the hot, dusty climates.  Over night in Samburu Sopa Lodge 4* lodge. 

Day 2 - Marsabit 31st October
After breakfast, We  head north again along the Trans-African highway to Marsabit (meaning place of cold), an astonishingly cool, green and hilly oasis rising high above the dry heat of the surrounding desert lands. The local Rendille and Samburu people in their bright red outfits, beads and earrings make it a vibrant place. We will visit the Paradise Lake and Little Lake. Here, an indigenous forest and a desert come together to create the most compelling landscape o­n earth. We will have eveining game drive in search of Elephants and greater kudu abound. The dense forest in the park is also home to a variety of birds.  Over night at the lodge inside the National park and as long as the rooms may not be enough due the number of people doing the same safari we will use Kenya wildlife service bandas or tented camps.

Day 3 - Kalacha 1st November
We depart after an early breakfast through the scenic landscape of the arid north with views of picturesque hills. We arrive and camp at Kalacha, a small Gabbra settlement on the edge of the Chalbi Desert. The Gabbra are an Eastern Cushite people related to the Somali-Rendille in their historical origins in the southern Ethiopian highlands about AD 1000. The men wear traditional shorts and a blanket-cloak and the women wear a wrap-around and head cloth. They are pastoralists, particularly attached to their camels.

Day 4- Sibiloi National Park 2nd November
This morning, following a delicious breakfast, we will check out of our camp, meet your safari drivers guide and board your safari vehicles as your begin your drive further north to the East of Lake Turkana where Sibiloi National Park is. Upon your arrival you will either use the KWS camps or pinch our tents with the help of our guide and the cook. Over night at Kenya wildlife service bandas or tented camps because we dont have lodges here.

Day 5: After Break fast,  3nd November
We will start preparing for the great event at two in the afternoon. This will take place in November 3: 2013 at Maximum eclipse: 14:25:13.4 UT 012.2° 253.6°. The period of totality ends when the motion of the Moon begins to uncover the surface of the Sun, and the eclipse proceeds through partial phases for approximately an hour until the Sun is once again completely uncovered.

After the eclipse, we will drive back to the camp to continue exploring the Ancient hominid archaeological site in northern Kenya, east of Lake Turkana, discovered by Richard Leakey in 1968. Cultural deposits there go back perhaps as far as 2.3 million years before the present, and include the KBS and Karari cultural strata. This is where Richard Leakey belived that the first and the tallest man once lived. The skeleton of that man is still in this park.

Day 6 - Sibiloi National Park- Lake Turkana also known as loyngalani 4th November
We depart early crossing the Chalbi Desert to Lake Turkana which is the largest desert lake in the world and extends for 288 kilometres up to the Ethiopian / Kenyan border. It is surrounded by volcanic rock and desert. We arrive at our semi - permanent beach village where we have our traditional Turkana Huts; making it a perfect place to relax, protected from the scorching sun and heat characteristic of the climate of this remote area. Oasis Lodge, nestled amongst the Doum Palms in the semi desert of northern Kenya, near Lake Turkana, presents a very special opportunity for an especially unique safari for the more adventurous client. Dinner and over night at the campsite.

The Jade Sea, as Lake Turkana is also called, is a remarkable fishing ground, and Albert, the chef, prepares tasty meals from the daily catch. Oasis Lodge is also the scene of the filming of The Constant Gardener, a recent Hollywood production, based on the book written by John LeCarre. Lake Turkana - Oasis Club - It isn't just a safari; it is a journey to another world and an adventure one will not easily forget.
Oasis Lodge also hosts two lovely pools fed by natural hot springs.  After one of the activities available, your clients may enjoy the relaxing atmosphere in the shade of the doum palms, a cool drink at the famous bar, or just take a swim in the pool.

Some of the activities available at Oasis Lodge at an extra cost are:
Day trips to Mt. Kulal
Picnics
Boat trips to South Island and fishing for Nile Perch.
Visits to the El Molo Village.

Day 7 - Lake Turkana - Maralal 5th November
We depart after break fast via the Horr Valley situated between Mount Nyiro and Ol Doinye Mara viewing the breath taking scenery as we continue to climb on torturous, rocky hills to Maralal. Near Maralal is one of the most breath taking scenes in all of Kenya – the Losiolo escarpment, an endless stretch as land drops down to the Suguta valley.  Maralal is the unofficial capital of the Samburu people and has a distinctly frontier feel about it, like something out of a ‘wild west’ movie. It boasts a colourful Samburu market and a game sanctuary that lies just outside of town. Maralal is also home of the Maralal International Camel Derby that happens once a year between July and October and attracts riders and spectators from the four corners of the world. Dinner and over night at budget hotel.  

Day 8 - Nairobi 6th November
Heading south again via Laikipia Plains and Nyahururu we may stop at the Thomson falls named after Joseph Thomson who walked from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the early 1880s. Shaped by the waters of the Ewaso Narok River, the falls plunge over 72m into a rift, spraying the dark forest below. After picnick lunch we drive back into Nairobi arriving by mid afternoon followed by an afternoon farewell dinner at the carnivore restaurant. After which you will be transferred to the air port for your onward flight back home.

The cost per person sharing  doing lodges camps and budget hotel. US $2300

Single room suppliment per person will be US $ 378

BASIC TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• airport transfers if you arrive/depart with the group and have selected our international group air
• Accommodation as indicated in itinerary with private facilities
• all tour features as listed in the itinerary
• All transfers and touring by private chartered coach with experienced driver / guide
• Airport arrival and departure assistance
• Meals only as indicated by (B) Full breakfast (L) Lunch and (D) Dinner
• Entrance fees at attractions listed in the itinerary unless otherwise noted
• Hotel Porter age
• Accommodation in Nairobi for one night.
• bus transfers to/from solar eclipse site
• solar eclipse briefing
• Evacuation cover from the flying doctors services
• beverages only where specified

BASIC TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Passport fee
• International air (can be purchased separately) and the domestic flight Cairns to lodwar
• Meals not stated, drinks, visas,and travel insurance
• Any additional charge(s) and/or special documentations to be filled for importing/exporting telescopes (if required)
• Room use outside of normal check-in/check-out times
• travel insurance (highly recommended)
• beverages unlesss specified
• airport departure taxes (if required)
• optional excursions
• tips and gratuities
• personal expenses and anything else not included in the 'tour includes' features list

###