Around the Next Corner & Other Tales

Even though this Earth Day is the 50th anniversary, we can't celebrate in our usual favorite ways. Trails and national parks are closed, beaches are off limits are campgrounds sit empty. Though we may not be out and about, enjoying the glories of nature firsthand, there's still plenty of ways to enjoy a slower paced Earth Day at home. Whether you're lucky enough to have a backyard or live in an urban apartment, here is our list of suggestions to celebrate Mother Earth from the safety of your own home. Don't worry, she'll be waiting for us once all of this over! 

 

1.  Plant a pollinator friendly garden with wildflowers native to your region.

2.  Opt for local, in season produce.

3.  Buy organic whenever possible. Not only does this support the reduction of pesticides and fossil-fuel based fertilizers, but it also produces healthier foods as organic crops are higher in phytonutrients thanks to relying on their natural defense systems against insects.

4.  Enjoy some screen-free entertainment with books, board games, a backyard picnic or play time outside.

5.  Start your own vegetable garden. No yard space? Try a herb garden in your kitchen or balcony. 

6.  Use this time to finally round out your collection of reusable items, including grocery totes, water bottles, travel mugs, cloth napkins, reusable ziploc bags, mesh produce bags, beeswax wrap and countless others.

7.  Read books that celebrate the Earth with your kids. We love this list of teacher-selected books that cover everything from gardening to birds. 

8.  Donate to your favorite local or international conservation organization. To support African wildlife, we love the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Fallen Rangers Fund (mountain gorillas), Rhino Conservation Botswana and African Parks Network. 

9.  Start your own compost to help reuse organic kitchen scraps.

10.  Switch traditional lightbulbs for new energy efficient ones.

11.  Try out delicious new recipes for Meatless Mondays as a way to cut back on meat consumption.

12.  Go birdwatching in your backyard - see how many species you can spot!

13.  Opt for a Rainforest Alliance certified coffee to ensure sustainable practices and fair wages went into your morning cup.

14.  Opt for brands that use organic cotton and natural dyes in clothing to reduce the use of harsh chemicals both in producing and processing the cotton.

15.  Refresh your beauty and hygiene routine with Earth friendly products.

​16.  Use this down time to unsubscribe yourself from junk mail to help reduce unnecessary paper waste.

17. Run a BioBlitz for your kids (or yourself!) A BioBlitz is when you try and find as many different species of plants and animals in 24 horus within a given space. This is often used by scientists looking to engage the public with conservation, while also collecting valuable information about a region's ecological welfare. Try hosting your own version with your kids in your backyard. You can even coordinate with neighbors by sharing photos and lists of what you found.

Whitney Meyers

Office Manager & Do'er of all things that no one else wants to do
Team member since 2016

What’s your hometown?
Plainfield, IN
What’s your favorite thing about working at Mango?
I love that Mango is a small business. We actually invest in what we care about (conservation and getting folks to Africa), and we’re a tight knit crew.
Why do you love to travel?
My background is in Anthropology, so I love learning about people different from myself and my experiences. Traveling is an opportunity to learn more about the world and expand my world view.

What’s your favorite destination in Africa and why?
I loved my time meeting the habituated chimpanzees at Greystoke Mahale in Tanzania
What’s your favorite destination outside of Africa and why?
I’m fascinated by the Near East and I can’t wait to visit .
What’s your dream trip for 2020?
Visiting the remote wilderness of Ethiopia
What’s the best thing you ever ate while traveling?
Fresh baked chicken right from the oven of a stall in the Fez riad.

What’s the most memorable wildlife sighting in Africa?
Really anything with cats, but the first time I saw cheetahs in Kruger National Park, South Africa. 
What’s the most unique souvenir you’ve ever brought home from a trip?
I am the owner of a very ornate rug from Fez.
What 5 things are always in your carry-on bag?
Motion sickness pills, ginger tea, baby wipes, extra set of clothes, and snacks
What’s the foreign currency you have the most of floating around at home?
I currently have a bunch of Moroccan dirham
What’s your top travel tip?
Always pack an extra set of clothes (and deodorant) in your carry on.
What’s your favorite animal?
Leopard!

What do you love to do outside of travel?
I spend a significant amount of time playing roller derby. I sometimes call it my other job.
What’s your go-to drink for sundowners?
A local soda
What’s your favorite movie or book?
Elizabethtown
What’s your favorite food?
Anything that is cooked in the house kitchen, upstairs from the Mango office. Getting overwhelmed by the smell of fresh Mexican food during work is an A+ experience.
What pets do you have?
2 goofy cats (Thomas & Paige) and a bunch of plants inside and outside

What’s your perfect summer day?
Starting the day gardening, lunch on the catio, antiquing in the afternoon, and ending the day drinking beverages on a bar patio
What’s your guilty pleasure movie?
Any Christmas romance movie (like Holiday in the Wild, hahahaha)

 

 

Kelsea Lee

Africa Expert, Conservation Outreach Manager & Marketing
Team member since 2012

What’s your hometown?
Eugene, Oregon

What’s your favorite thing about working at Mango?
Getting to travel and explore new destinations, of course! But also, the fun and energetic work environment

Why do you love to travel?
The world is far too extraordinary to stay in one place! There are so many cultures to experience, places to see, foods to try, trails to hike and cities to explore.

What’s your favorite destination in Africa and why?
I love Madagascar because it’s truly like nowhere else on Earth. It feels like a hidden world forgotten by time, where nature retreated to do her most creative experimentation in form and function. Over 90% of the plants and animals are found nowhere else. The landscapes and marine ecosystems are equally incredible too, so you’ll never run out of amazing things to see.

What’s your favorite destination outside of Africa and why?
Antarctica is one of the most special places I’ve ever been to. Words can’t do the landscapes justice and seeing thousands of penguins parading along at once is possibly one of the most charming wildlife experiences you can have. Seeing all of the whales and dolphins amid the icebergs is very memorable too. If you ever get a chance to go, I strongly recommend taking the icy plunge and going scuba diving. Hearing the humpbacks singing and the giant icebergs creaking and cracking is amazing!

What’s your dream trip for 2020?
I would love to go to Japan for the Olympics then eat my way through the rest of the country afterward. Bring on all the sushi, tempura, udon and gyoza! Or I would love to explore the landscapes of the Central Asian Steppe – Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

What’s the best thing you ever ate while traveling?
Greek salad in Oia with homemade feta and olive oil, and peak season vegetables picked right from the garden, still warm from the sun

What’s your most memorable wildlife sighting in Africa?
We were sitting down for dinner under the stars in South Luangwa, Zambia when all of a sudden, we heard a resident female and young male lion mating behind the tent immediately next to the dining area. That was memorable enough, but then the dominant male caught wind of what was happening and came in to fight the younger male and chase him off. All of this was unfolding about 50 feet away from us while our guide had us crouching down behind the table!

What’s the most unique souvenir you’ve ever brought home from a trip?
Paintbrushes with parrot feathers instead of bristles from the Venezuelan rainforest

What 5 things are always in your carry-on bag?
Lip balm, unscented hand lotion, wet wipes, phone charger and headphones.

What’s the foreign currency you have the most of floating around at home?
Madagascan ariary and Venezuelan bolívares

What’s your top travel tip?
Always bring a full change of clothes and some extra underwear with you in your carry-on! You never know when delays or lost baggage will occur.

What’s your favorite animal?
Bumblebees! I did a fair bit of research on pollinators and gained the nickname ‘Crazy Bee Lady’ amongst my friends.

What do you love to do outside of travel?
I love cooking new recipes, perusing farmers markets, going for trail runs, going to Portland Timbers games and doing pub trivia or board game nights with my friends.

What’s your go-to drink for sundowners?
Either a good local beer or a gin and tonic with extra lime

What’s your favorite movie or book?
I love anything written by Barbara Kingsolver.

What’s your favorite food?
Chicken pho with all the fresh herbs and lime – delicious in every season!

What pets do you have?
I have a lot of high maintenance houseplants…do those count?

What’s your perfect summer day?
Early morning trail run in Forest Park followed by stocking up at the farmers market with all of the seasonal produce. Spend the afternoon at the river with friends, then all head home for a big evening of grilling and enjoying all those farmers market goodies. End the night with a backyard campfire, s’mores and drinks. 

What’s your guilty pleasure movie?
I’m a sucker for the 80s rom coms. I love Sleepless in Seattle and Dirty Dancing.

 

 

 

Suzanne Spencer

Mango Safaris - Africa Expert
Team member since 2017

What’s your hometown? 
Boulder, CO

What’s your favorite thing about working at Mango? 
Talking to people about travel to Africa

Why do you love to travel?
Opens my mind and expands my way of thinking.

What’s your favorite destination in Africa and why? 
DRC or Rwanda.  I love observing the gorillas.

What’s your favorite destination outside of Africa and why?
Too many to list – I haven’t been somewhere that I didn’t love. Well, I am not too keen on humid jungle settings.

What’s your dream trip for 2020?
Sudan and Chad

What’s the best thing you ever ate while traveling?
Can’t think of one meal but 6 weeks in Cape Town was a dream come true with the incredible restaurants to choose from.

What’s the most memorable wildlife sighting in Africa?
I love watching baby elephants especially when they are just learning to use their trunk.

What’s the most unique souvenir you’ve ever brought home from a trip? 
Not unique, but I try to bring home local fabric.  I also have a serious mask collection that line my office walls.

What 5 things are always in your carry-on bag? 
Book, water, headphones, pen and paper

What’s the foreign currency you have the most of floating around at home? 
I have boxes of foreign currency from all the change I forget to take out of my pockets before going home.

What’s your top travel tip? 
Go into your trip with an open mind as it is often the small experiences that have the biggest impact.

What’s your favorite animal?
If African wildlife 1) Gorillas 2) wild dogs 3) elephants otherwise I love dogs.

What do you love to do outside of travel?
Ski, run, hike, tennis, sewing, reading, spend time with husband, family, dog and pals.

What’s your go-to drink for sundowners?
Cold beer

What’s your favorite movie or book? 
Too many books to list.  I just re-read the City of Thieves and a Gentleman in Moscow.  Both are excellent.

What’s your favorite food?
Anything with Asian spices and noodles

What pets do you have?
One incredible dog – Luna Belle

What’s your perfect summer day?
Going for a long hike

What’s your guilty pleasure movie?
I love animated movies like Madagascar or Kung Fu Panda

 

 

BRIAN HUGGINS

Mango Safaris - Africa Expert & Token Guy in the Office
Team member since 2006

What’s your hometown?
Hillsboro, OR

What’s your favorite thing about working at Mango?
Helping folks realize their travel dreams and working with the Mango team to create these amazing experiences.

Why do you love to travel?
I am open to all experiences. I love to learn about and interact with other cultures, see the natural facets of a destination, take it all in.

What’s your favorite destination in Africa and why?
Greystoke Camp for the very special chimpanzee trekking you can do there. I have never felt more up close with nature.

What’s your favorite destination outside of Africa and why?
SE Asia, all over. For the people, culture, cruise, weather, diving and much more.

What’s your dream trip for 2020?
Antarctica/Galapagos.

What’s the best thing you ever ate while traveling?
Many small street food items in places like Chiang Rai, Luang Prabang, Mui Ne, Hat Yai, Geroge Town, etc.

What’s the most memorable wildlife sighting in Africa?
Hard to narrow to one. I’ll go for the time we saw a large lion pride hunt, capture and eat two buffalos while on the Selinda Reserve in Botswana.

What’s the most unique souvenir you’ve ever brought home from a trip?
I tend to look for small little things that catch my eye or have a meaning so I have things like a small sculpture, or carved bowl, even a cheesy small key chain or other little items that can spark memories of adventures passed.

What 5 things are always in your carry-on bag?
Phone, book, glasses, headphones, sleeping pills.

What’s the foreign currency you have the most of floating around at home?
Probably Vietnamese Dong. But in African currencies, for sure ZAR.

What’s your top travel tip?
Try to keep an open mind.

What’s your favorite animal?
Elephant

What do you love to do outside of travel?
Friends, family, movies, reading, eating at fun spots.

What’s your go-to drink for sundowners?
Used to be a G&T or two, but these days I go for sparkling water.

What’s your favorite movie or book?
To many to choose from, so let’s just say The Alchemist for book and The Reservoir Dogs for movie.

What’s your favorite food?
My absolute favorites are very simple…eggs over medium on top of steamed rice with chili sauce and scallions.

What pets do you have?
The office cats love me for some reason, but sadly I have allergies so have zero pets at home.

What’s your perfect summer day?
A nice hike along the Willamette, breakfast with some friends, farmer’s market stop, back nine at Heron Lakes Blue, cook out under the stars.

What’s your guilty pleasure movie?
Pitch Perfect.

 

 

TERESA SULLIVAN

Mango Safaris Co-Founder
Team member since 1999

1. What’s your hometown?
Portland, OR

2. What’s your favorite thing about working at Mango?
It is incredibly rewarding to help our family of customers create life changing journeys to Africa.

3. Why do you love to travel?
I enjoy experiencing all of the beauty and power of mother nature on our Goldilocks planet. Also, I believe that I am a citizen of the earth and that we have much to learn and share with each other.  
To quote Mark Twain
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."

4. What’s your favorite destination in Africa and why?
Okavango Delta – you cannot feel the presence of man or the year. you have truly fallen into nature.

5. What’s your favorite destination outside of Africa and why?
Indonesia - snorkeling remote islands by sailboat is wild!

6. What’s your dream trip for 2020?
K-Pop concert in Seoul with my daughters

7. What’s the best thing you ever ate while traveling?
Chocolate mousse frozen hard on the outside from liquid nitrogen

8. What’s the most memorable wildlife sighting in Africa?
While drinking coffee, we watched 3 wild dogs chase an impala into the river in front of us. The wild dogs had their breakfast caught but were foiled when a giant crocodile came out of the water and stole the impala for himself.

9. What’s the most unique souvenir you’ve ever brought home from a trip?
I have a long list here…
A carved threshold of a Zanzibari door
3 carved walking men
A large scrap metal bird

10. What 5 things are always in your carry-on bag?
Cozy scarf, eye mask, lip balm, great moisturizer, hopefully a great page turner

11. What’s the foreign currency you have the most of floating around at home?
South African Rand

12. What’s your top travel tip?
Get a good manicure and pedicure before you travel. No dishes on vacation!

13. What’s your favorite animal?
Elephant

14. What do you love to do outside of travel?
I love spending time with family. I have two girls ages 9 and 12. And I am obsessed with the game of tennis and spending time in my garden.

15. What’s your go-to drink for sundowners?
Sparkling water

16. What’s your favorite movie or book?
Cutting for Stone or Lincoln in the Bardo

17. What’s your favorite food?
Tuna poke

18. What pets do you have?
2 cats and 2 office millennials

19. What’s your perfect summer day?
Sleep in, drink coffee, work in the garden and play tennis

20. What’s your guilty pleasure movie?
Indiana Jones

 

 

CASEY HERMANSEN

Mango Safaris Co-Founder
Team member since 1999

1. What’s your hometown?
Denver, Colorado

2. What’s your favorite thing about working at Mango?
Creating amazing travel experiences for people in a very special place.

3. Why do you love to travel?
Seeing the world, meeting people of different cultures and gaining empathy.  I love exploring the world with my daughter and husband.

4. What’s your favorite destination in Africa and why?
Kenya – for the family safari industry, Mozambique for the vibe, Botswana for nature at its best, the Seychelles for the most beautiful beaches.

5. What’s your favorite destination outside of Africa and why?
Probably Italy – love the people, the language, the food and the lifestyle of making the most of each day.

 

6. What’s your dream trip for 2020? 
I’m taking my greater multi-generational family of 12 on safari in Kenya and Tanzania – it is a lifelong dream of mine to have us all there with the kids, having fun together.

7. What’s the best thing you ever ate while traveling? 
Mangos in season in Mozambique, Rambutans in season in Indonesia.

8. What’s the most memorable wildlife sighting in Africa?
Watching cheetahs compete for territory with my daughter.

9. What’s the most unique souvenir you’ve ever brought home from a trip?
A one piece ski suit from Hong Kong or the metal and driftwood bird I brought home from Zimbabwe.

10. What 5 things are always in your carry-on bag?
iPhone, reading glasses so I can take my contacts off on a long flight, gum, hand lotion and Dermatone lip stick.

 

11. What’s the foreign currency you have the most of floating around at home?
Pesos

12. What’s your top travel tip?
Use a specialist to help you book your trip.  You get the same costing trip but so much more value – saving you time and having someone with intimate knowledge make recommendations for that area.

13. What’s your favorite animal?
Elephants

14. What do you love to do outside of travel? 
Ski, cook, see live music, tennis, eat at great restaurants

15. What’s your go-to drink for sundowners? 
A Pimms cup

16. What’s your favorite movie or book?
The Far Pavilions, Celestine Prophecy and Shadow of the Sun

17. What’s your favorite food? 
It was cheese, now it is becoming bread.

18. What pets do you have?
A kitten named Dexter

19. What’s your perfect summer day? 
A float down the river with family and friends – being out in nature.

20. What’s your guilty pleasure movie? 
It's a TV show - Survivor

 

 

At Mango Safaris we pride ourselves on being a conservation-based organization that gives back to the destinations we visit. Every trip we plan includes a contribution built into the trip cost for our chartiable efforts. We believe in supporting both the wildlife and the communities that make our destinations so special. Every year our team sits down together and discuss which organizations stand out to us, and which we feel are doing an outstanding job of conserving wildlife, developing communities or a combination of the two. Based on this we allocate our annual contributions. We aim to suppport a variety of groups across a wide geographic range, from the flood plains of the Okavango Delta in Botswana to the mist draped volcanic mountains of Rwanda. Some groups target specific animals, while others take an ecosystem level approach...some focus on education, and others on job skill training...but all are doing their part to improve the welfare and future of Africa, just like we aim to do.

By traveling with us, many of you have already made a contribution, but if you are inclined to donate more in the holiday spirit, we have included links below to their webpages where you may make an additional contribution. 

Photo: Mara Sullivan (daughter of Mango co-founder Teresa Sullivan) feeding an orphaned baby rhino at Sarara Camp in Kenya

 

THE MANGO-BISATE GORILLA HABITAT REFORESTATION PROJECT
Annual contribution: $16,000 
Where they operate: Rwanda

Why we love it: Several years ago, Wilderness Safaris, one of our biggest partners in Africa, approached us about a partnership for a large-scale environmental restoration project. Their vision was to buy back land adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda and convert back from agricultural land to native forest. The end goal was to donate all the land back to the national park, thereby expanding its boundaries and the habitat available for endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and countless other species. The massive undertaking is executed in several phases. First, land is bought back from farmers at market value. Second, the local laborers are brought in to clear invasive species and do other ecological restoration. While the land is being cleared, the agronomy team gathers clippings from native plants and propagates them in the Bisate Nursery. Once big enough, they are transplanted into the cleared land in phase three. The agronomy team continues to monitor not only the health of the plants, but also the progression of species returning to the restored habitat. 
We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible project. In addition to our annual contribution of $4,000 from past years, we also fundraised $12,000 during our 20th anniversary celebrations. We auctioned off a luxury 13-night safari through East Africa, with 100% of ticket sales going directly to the Mango-Bisate Gorilla Habitat Reforestation project. 

Visit mangoafricansafaris.com/blog/bisate-mango-forest to make a donation yourself or learn even more about the project.

 

RHINO CONSERVATION BOTSWANA
Annual contribution: $6,000 
Where they operate: Botswana

Why we love it: RCB is working to give wild rhinos a fighting chance in an era when poaching is rapidly driving them to extinction across Africa. With rhinos disappearing at an alarming rate, conservation organizations such as Rhino Conservation Botswana are working diligently to develop innovative and effective techniques to protect wild populations. RCB struck on the unusual idea of translocating black and white rhinos from areas of high poaching to areas with much lower risk that will provide a safe haven for populations to grow and thrive naturally. Numerous have already been moved from South Africa to Botswana and are currently being monitored, but the work is never done and there are many more rhinos in need of translocating. Each rhino costs around $70,000 to rescue and relocate. Once locally extinct from Botswana, they are now being repatriated into the complex tapestry of waterways and islands that define the Okavango Delta. Despite the ongoing monitoring and anti-poaching efforts, poachers are also continually evolving and shifting their tactics, so supporting organizations such as RCB has never been more important. If we want rhinos to continue to live in the wild for generations to come, it is essential that we support their work. For this reason, Mango Safaris has chosen to continue to include them in our annual conservation donations. 

Visit rhinoconservationbotswana.com to make a donation yourself. Let us know if you contribute – we would love to give you a shout out in our next newsletter!

 

CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS
Annual contribution: $5,000
Where they operate: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Malawi

Why we love it: When it comes to conservation, we are all in this together. Educating and inspiring the next generation is essential for the future of our wild spaces and the remarkable biodiversity that calls it home – ourselves included. Children in the Wilderness operates in some of the planet’s most sensitive and ecologically fragile areas, such as the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda). With many of these ecosystems threatened by the impacts of climate change, ensuring their long-term preservation has never been more important. Many of them act as the last refuges for critically endangered species, such as the mountain gorilla and white rhinos. The program runs numerous programs across seven countries that include conservation education for elementary school students, scholarships for promising students studying Africa wildlife and ecology in university, and training for schoolteachers on incorporating more science into their lessons. Many of their participants have gone on to work in conservation and ecotourism operations across all seven of the countries in which they operate in positions ranging from anti-poaching to conservation educators. 

Visit childreninthewilderness.com to make a donation yourself. Let us know if you contribute – we would love to give you a shout out in our next newsletter!

 

CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND
Annual contribution: $2500, plus donating and organizing safari packages for their fundraising auctions
Where they operate: Namibia

Why we love it: Cheetahs are an iconic of the vast African savannahs, but they are sprinting toward extinction at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, the illegal pet trade and human-wildlife conflict. With only 10% of their historical population remaining in the wild, organizations such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund are essential to preserve their future. CCF deploys a multi-pronged approach to saving them, ranging from rescuing and rehabilitating injured wild cheetahs to raising and giving out livestock protecting dogs to villagers in areas where cheetahs have been killed in retaliation for taking goats or sheep. They also operate several education programs to engage the future generations and teach them about the importance of wildlife. By working with the animals hands-on, targeting the sources of their decimation and proactively reducing the risk of future losses, they hope to not just preserve those that remain but boost their numbers. 

Visit cheetah.org to make a donation yourself. Let us know if you contribute – we would love to give you a shout out in our next newsletter!

 

THE FALLEN RANGERS FUND
Annual contribution: $6,000
Where they operate: Republic of Congo

Why we love it: The Fallen Rangers Fund is part of the Virunga Alliance that works to protect endangered mountain gorillas in a region where populations remain critically low due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. With about one third of the world’s remaining population, protection is critical. Poachers are highly motivated, so these long-lived, slow-reproducing animals need rangers that are continually evolving their dedicated efforts to protect them. Their work and willingness to risk their lives for these magnificent animals has paid off. With numbers once as low as 274 individuals in 1971, the population has managed to grow to around 1000 gorillas – a remarkable feat when considering that in the past, the population had halved in just 12 years. This wonderful news doesn’t come without a price though – since the national park was founded in 1925, over 175 rangers have lost their lives protecting the wildlife. 
Starting in 2007, park authorities have made the effort to track every widow dating back to 1991 when conflict escalated within the country. For six months after a ranger’s death the park continues to pay their full wages to their widow as their family adjusts to their way of life. The families also receive free medical services provided through the park’s facilities. The Fallen Rangers Fund gives 100% of donations directly to the widows. The fund also provides critical support, employment and job skill training to the widows to help them find an alternative way to support their families. 

Visit virunga.org to make a donation yourself. Let us know if you contribute – we would love to give you a shout out in our next newsletter! Photo by Adam Kiefer for Virunga

 

RETETI ELEPHANT SANCTUARY
Annual contribution: $2,000
Where they operate: Kenya

Why we love it: The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Northern Kenya’s Namunyak Conservancy is entirely owned and operated by the Samburu communities who have called the region home for thousands of years. Elephants are struggling across the continent, falling victim to illegal poaching, habitat loss and other human wildlife conflict. Reteti is a particularly wonderful example of how humans and wildlife can come together for the mutual benefit of both. Orphaned elephants are cared for and raised in the sanctuary, helping secure their future in the region for generations to come. This in turn helps the region remain a wonderful destination for ecotourism that brings in revenue, jobs and benefits such as schools and medical clinics for the communities. With only three luxurious camps in the entire 850,000-acre community-owned conservancy, the experience is wonderfully exclusive and allows welfare of the conservation and community to be priority. At Mango Safaris we believe this model of high-end, low-volume ecotourism is the future of Africa and the best hope for protecting the integrity of the continent’s wild spaces. 

Visit retetielephants.org to make a donation yourself. Let us know if you contribute – we would love to give you a shout out in our next newsletter!

 

THE KARISIA SCHOOL MEAL PROJECT
Annual contribution: $3,000 
Where they operate: Kenya

In partnership with two past clients, Jan and Jon Lee, we have been supporting a school in Northern Kenya by providing the students with a daily meal. Early childhood nutrition is essential. Improved nutrition allows kids to pay attention in school better, helps them grow up healthy and strong, and boosts their immune system. 
The Lees visited the school in 2016 when they traveled to Kenya, and felt inspired to create this project. We are always open to collaborating on such efforts with our clients, and strongly encourage anyone who feels inclined to contribute however they can.

 

 

Flying into Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy is an experience in and of itself. The dramatic craggy mountains of the Mathews Range encircle wide forested valleys, giving the impression that you’re entering a secret world as you descend from the sky to the airstrip below. As you step out of the Cessna, a herd of camels greets you, milling about in the scrub as their young herder tends to them. Though protected for wildlife conservation, this reserve still acts as the ancestral home to the Samburu people. For generations, people throughout Africa existed in harmony with the natural world and the wildlife they shared it with. This relationship continues to this day in the reserve, with the humans helping to protect the wildlife and the wildlife helping to generate revenue, jobs and other benefits for the community.

An impressive 850,000 acres of untouched wilderness have been set aside for the reserve. Though supported through ecotourism, there are only two camps in the entire area, creating an extraordinarily exclusive experience for guests. When you visit Sarara or Sarara Tree Camp, you get so much more than just a typical wildlife safari. The culture and heritage of the region are at the forefront of experience, giving a genuine taste of what life is like out of the gaze of mass tourism.

A visit to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary promises plenty of adorable baby elephant antics, chances to learn more about the daily lives and duties of an elephant keeper and wonderful photo opportunities. During the keeper talk, you tour the facilities, learn about the finely tuned diet the baby elephants eat and hear the stories of the orphans currently living there, including the circumstances that landed them at the sanctuary. An incredible amount of time and effort goes into raising the babies to be successful adults in the wild. Every day the keepers go on long walks with them through the bush so they can learn essential skills like foraging and wallowing in the mud. With the visits scheduled to coincide with the afternoon feeding, you will get to watch the babies as they stampede in from the bush, ears flapping and trunks reaching eagerly for their oversized baby bottles filled with formula. There’s nothing cuter than watching the babies as they are bottle-fed either by themselves or by their keeper. The ones that finish first will often try to steal away others’ bottles, earning them a scolding by the vigilant keepers. It’s a touching and incredibly wonderful experience that is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip.

Back in camp, life is just a good. Sarara Camp is a perfect blend of grand and organic. Towering tented rooms with panoramic windows take full advantage of what just might be the best views in Kenya. Details with natural materials bring the beauty of the bush into every moment and outdoor showers let you enjoy the setting during even the most mundane of tasks. The main area opens up to sweeping views of the valley and mountains. Right from the pool that’s built into the rock, you can watch the waterhole below, enjoying the creatures that stop by for a drink. Giraffes, elephants, kudu and even the resident wild dogs on occasion will wander by.

 

 

 

The Masai Mara in Kenya is perhaps one of the most famous destinations in Africa. Defined by its sweeping savannahs, it is home to a wide diversity of wildlife, including the vast herds of the Great Migration. Every year 2.5 million wildebeest and zebra move en masse in search of the best grazing and safest birthing grounds to drop their calves. Beyond the migration, the Masai Mara is home to incredible predator populations including cheetah, lion, leopard, hyena. Large herds of elephants, towering Masai giraffe and a diverse array of other plains game roam about grazing on the fertile grasslands. The traditional homeland of the Maasai tribes, many villages still thrive on the periphery of the national reserve where they tend their cattle herds and continue their pastoral lifestyles.

As a classic safari destination that has long the been the must-go place for adventurous travelers, the Masai Mara has a wide variety of camps available. From intimate, luxurious camps perfect for honeymooners to trendy and stylish camps ideal for the jetsetting crowd and off-the-beaten track hideaways, there is something for everyone. The Mango Team has visited the Mara countless times - Teresa even named her daughter after this magical destination - so we know the best there is to offer. Below are our favorite camps and why...

 

BRIAN HUGGINS

NGARE SERIAN
This is an intimate and private camp set right along the famed Mara River in a quiet corner of the Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya. With just 4 tents, all with lovely views of the river, this is an ideal Wildebeest Migration spot in season. Beyond the standard game drive activities here, the camp also boasts a 4,000 acre private reserve which allows for some really interesting walking safaris. The private reserve also means hardly any vehicles, so you'll have sightings all to yourself. You can get exclusive use of a private vehicle with a guide and spotter at no additional cost. I also love the ‘Tree House’ they have for sleepouts under the stars. It's a special little experience that really adds a fun element to your safari there. 

TERESA SULLIVAN

RICHARD'S RIVER CAMP
I love Richard's Camp because it's a small family run property that oozes that signature Kenyan hospitality that has made this country such a beloved destination. The tents are the perfect blend of stylish and comfy, complete with outdoor showers and hanging swing chairs. The family tent is also one of the best - my family absolutely loved our time there. Between game drives we had a blast playing lawn croquet out front of the main lounge area. The location is so fantastic too - right within striking distance of the main reserve during the wildebeest migration season but also home to plenty of resident game and no crowds for other days of bliss. 

SUZANNE SPENCER

KICHECHE BUSH CAMP
This small and simple camp is just perfect in my opinion.  The private Olare Motorogi Conservancy has wildlife that is absolutely off the charts and the guides to match. Not only do they know their stuff, they're also very experienced with working with photographers, so whether you're a pro or an amateur, they'll always set you up for the best shot possible. The in-camp experience is just as awesome with superb staff, service, food and rooms. Total A+ in my books! 

CASEY HERMANSEN

MARA PLAINS CAMP
Mara Plains is an intimate canvas walled camp that delivers big on style and creature comforts. Think beautifully appointed interiors and oversized open-air copper bathtubs. Their guides are also some of the best in the industry, so your experience will be absolutely incredible. The private Olare Motorogi Conservancy where it's located has epic wildlife – lions everywhere! It's also situated right next door to the main Masai Mara Game Reserve, so it's easy for those day trips to the iconic Mara River migration crossings.  

KELSEA LEE

TANGULIA MARA
Tangulia Mara is the only camp in Kenya that's 100% owned and operated by the Maasai people themselves. Started by conservationist and businessman Dominic Nchoe and legendary guide Jackson Looseyia, they have hired an entirely Maasai staff, creating a wonderfully authentic experience. The guiding is world-class thanks to training from Jackson. The in-camp experience is super fun too - Maasai art is woven throughout the design and the camp offers the best view in the Masai Mara. The entire camp sits along a ridge overlooking a vast salt lick beside the Mara River. Wildlife abounds - be ready for some fantastic game viewing right in camp! When you're out on activity, you will also have direct access to the game-dense Musiara Swamps. 

You can stay in one of our favorites too! Give us a call or email today to get started planning your own dream Masai Mara safari. 

Email: info@mangosafari.com
Portland: 503.282.9009
Denver: 303.698.9220