Freeman Safaris
‘Yesterday’s Safaris Today’
The camps we use are sited to give “yesterday’s” experiences today. They will enable you to enjoy the bush in its purist sense, its wildest sense. Doing so encourages the local people to continue investing in the wildlife, to leave areas wide open for the game to roam rather than be fenced off into ‘shambas’ (Swahili for farm) as is the case in South Africa. It is so important that we all encourage eco-tourism if we want future generations to enjoy the real culture and experiences of Africa. I just cannot overstress the importance you play in this cycle.
So that we can keep the bush as nature intended all our sites are available only to us and our camps are mobile so that the natural patterns continue as if we had never visited. The camps blend in to their surroundings, the paths we use are the elephant or hippo trails and the tents are sited to give maximum views without interfering with the vegetation, thus retaining the natural beauty of the area.
As for the camps, each one is uniquely different and maximises on the beauty of the area, from the wide open plains of the Mara to the river and arid terrain of Samburu.
"Suddenly Barissa comes over our radio with 'Faro Faro' Brian instinctively turns, changes course, increases speed and knows exactly where Barissa is. Yet, looking out of the hatches, we could not see him for love or money. Brian changes course again to intercept the rhino, saying “You won't have much time, get ready and make the most of a fleeting target”. As we come around a line of bushes he comes into view, what a size, just out of this world, fantastic, tail up and trotting! Brian anticipates his course and, without upsetting the rhino, positions the Landrover so that we get shots of him coming towards us passing to our front and luckily turning just to our front to give side on shots. He stops, looks at us and Brian whispers, “keep on filming!” My hand is shaking by now, I just hope the shutter speed is fast enough as I am aiming and shooting. The rhino scents the bush, walks towards us and then, just as I was about to ask Brian if should we move, he turns and goes off into the scrub leaving us all in an excited state. “Time for another cup of tea” Brian says, knowing we were all fit for nothing, all trying to speak at once. If we saw nothing further in the Mara in the next 3 days I would leave happy, an action packed 20 minutes and all to ourselves."
Mick
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Eco-friendly Safaris
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