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Latest News
2017
Happy New Year to all reading this. It would be wonderful to think that this is the year that tourism gets back on its feet in coastal Kenya. Only time will tell.
It's good to know that Jonathan has already had a few clients out locally this year and that many of them refer to this site. That makes it all worthwhile! He also has a 5 day safari in mid February to Amboseli and the Tsavo region. So, there's renewed hope of more business for Jonathan. Many thanks to those of you who have contacted him to arrange trips locally or further afield. The impact on his family from this income is immeasurable.
Contact details remain the same. if anyone would like to pick my brains before contacting Jonathan, I'm happy to help. An email to either "[email protected]" or "[email protected]" will find me. Alternatively, contact Jonathan direct on email address and/or telephone number shown in "contact us".
2016
There's not too much to add to the 2015 words. There have been a few visitors heading back to the coast but it's still early days. Until flights resume to Mombasa from Europe, tourism will continue to struggle.
Jonathan has been able to take several birders out locally throughout the year. Most make their way to the coast after flying from Nairobi [either to Malindi or Nairobi]. It's nice to see that Jonathan's clients are still full of praise for him after all this time. I've read a few accounts of trips [see Bird Forum's Vacational trips report by Mike Kilburn [15 October 2016] and the "Diplobirder" Blog dated 9 February 2016 for updated reports and reviews.
2015
Hello to all reading this. There has been little to add this year. What a rotten time this has been for all those caught up in the terrorism events. Of course, this has had a significant effect on Jonathan's business as so few tourists are visiting the coast at the moment. We can only hope that eventually, the situation will be dealt with and normal service resumed.
I haven't changed the website in the last 12 months so some of the info may be out of date. We still have a significant number of hits so there must be a few people thinking about a trip. I hope you will contact Jonathan if that's the case. He needs your support more than ever.
Visits to the National Parks and areas closer to Nairobi appear to be more popular at present. Jonathan has visited quite a few of these so should be able to advise you on the planning process if you drop him an email. All email addresses shown elsewhere on the website remain relevant.
2014
January 2014 - I wonder what the New Year will bring. The van is now showing signs of wear. It won't last forever. Of course, a replacement will very expensive and Jonathan may or may not be able to fund one. That will be a shame but at least he has fulfilled his dream of owning his own van and being able to take people out to see birds and animals. I am always interested to see how many people access this site. I think it must be a decent source of information for those thinking about a trip to Kenya. I would estimate that about 1 per cent of those looking at it actually use Jonathan's services. That's a great shame for him and his family, the continuation of this website and for birding information in this area generally. We work hard to keep prices as low as possible but the van is costly. All proceeds go to Jonathan. There are no on-costs for anything done in the UK. I'm always happy to help people who are hoping to visit the area so please feel free to contact me if you genuinely wish to use Jonathan as your guide.
2013
December 2013 - A better year for Jonathan after his operation. He is much better now and has been able to lead many tours throughout the year. Much of his work was done at the coast and Arabuko Sokoke Forest but he did make a few trips to Tsavo East and Tsavo West NPs too. We received many glowing reports from his clients and we will arrange to post these on the website in the next few weeks.
At the end of November/early December, Bob visited Kenya with 4 of his friends. A report on this trip will be added to the website in the next few months. Well over 300 birds were seen in 8 days. The highlight was certainly the early morning birding at Ngulia Lodge after conditions proved perfect for migrants. 100s of Crab Plovers among 1000s of waders at Mida Creek wasn't too bad either!
After we left, another birder from Europe spent 3 days with Jonathan in the coastal area. In that short time, he had 42 lifers, including great views of Malindi Pipit and Four Coloured Bushshrike [I know because I've seen the photos!]. We had missed both of those a couple of weeks earlier. It just shows that the birds are there if you have enough time.
2012
December 2012 - It's been a difficult year for tourism in Kenya. Jonathan has had fewer clients this year and has also had a period of illness. Happily he has now recovered and looking forward to 2013 with renewed vigour!
He has led a few tours and a report from Ann and Roland Gifford is now attached.
We also have some new testimonials from recent clients - these are shown under the "Jonathan" page.
2011
December 2011 - Jonathan met Dave Williams in Malindi. They visited a number of local sites and then went on safari to Sagala Lodge, Tsavo East and Tsavo West. See Dave's comments about Jonathan and the van by clicking on "Jonathan" above.
October 2011 - Bob visited Kenya for a week, flying direct from Manchester to Mombasa. Jonathan drove the van to Tsavo and Taita Hills before heading back to the coast, again via Tsavo. Over 200 species were seen. Highlights included Taita White-Eye and Taita Thrush in a very wet Taita Hills, a male lion and many Shrikes, Helmet-Shrikes and Bush-Shrikes in a very dry Tsavo East and 1000s of birds at Sabaki. 50 Crab Plovers at Mida Creek and migrating European Bee-eaters added a touch of class to the proceedings!
March 2011 - Several birders [from the UK and Holland] visited Kenya in the first few months and Jonathan went on safari with them, seeing lots of excellent birds and a wide variety of animals. He also escorted them to the local coastal sites, where they saw a number of the local specialities.
February 2011 - Bob met Jonathan in Nairobi for a 6 night trip to Kakamega, Lake Baringo and Lake Naivasha. Around 260 birds were seen. Birds everywhere! Report to follow soon.
2010
December 2010 - Jonathan arranges a 3-night safari to Tsavo for a couple from England. A number of interesting sightings are recorded - both birds and animals. Jonathan also arranges local visits, including Sabaki, where several Broad-billed Sandpipers are seen, together with good numbers of Collared Pratincoles, Avocets and other waders.
September 2010 - A group of birders from Northumberland go out to Kenya for a two week holiday. Jonathan acts as their guide throughout. 310 species of bird are seen from within the Tsavo Region and Coastal Kenya sites.
August 2010 - The Biggs family goes to Kenya. Jonathan meets them and they go on safari for 5 days. The last 10 days are spent at the Turtle Bay Beach Club, relaxing and birding at local sites. 270 species of bird are seen in total.
Early 2010 - More financial help is received from a number of sources to enable the additional work to be done.
October 2009 - After three years of fundraising by the Biggs family, Jonathan buys the safari vehicle. There is still lots of work to do on it but the main decision has now been made.
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December 2012 - It's been a difficult year for tourism in Kenya. Jonathan has had fewer clients this year and has also had a period of illness. Happily he has now recovered and looking forward to 2013 with renewed vigour!
He has led a few tours and a report from Ann and Roland Gifford is now attached.
We also have some new testimonials from recent clients - these are shown under the "Jonathan" page.
2011
December 2011 - Jonathan met Dave Williams in Malindi. They visited a number of local sites and then went on safari to Sagala Lodge, Tsavo East and Tsavo West. See Dave's comments about Jonathan and the van by clicking on "Jonathan" above.
October 2011 - Bob visited Kenya for a week, flying direct from Manchester to Mombasa. Jonathan drove the van to Tsavo and Taita Hills before heading back to the coast, again via Tsavo. Over 200 species were seen. Highlights included Taita White-Eye and Taita Thrush in a very wet Taita Hills, a male lion and many Shrikes, Helmet-Shrikes and Bush-Shrikes in a very dry Tsavo East and 1000s of birds at Sabaki. 50 Crab Plovers at Mida Creek and migrating European Bee-eaters added a touch of class to the proceedings!
March 2011 - Several birders [from the UK and Holland] visited Kenya in the first few months and Jonathan went on safari with them, seeing lots of excellent birds and a wide variety of animals. He also escorted them to the local coastal sites, where they saw a number of the local specialities.
February 2011 - Bob met Jonathan in Nairobi for a 6 night trip to Kakamega, Lake Baringo and Lake Naivasha. Around 260 birds were seen. Birds everywhere! Report to follow soon.
2010
December 2010 - Jonathan arranges a 3-night safari to Tsavo for a couple from England. A number of interesting sightings are recorded - both birds and animals. Jonathan also arranges local visits, including Sabaki, where several Broad-billed Sandpipers are seen, together with good numbers of Collared Pratincoles, Avocets and other waders.
September 2010 - A group of birders from Northumberland go out to Kenya for a two week holiday. Jonathan acts as their guide throughout. 310 species of bird are seen from within the Tsavo Region and Coastal Kenya sites.
August 2010 - The Biggs family goes to Kenya. Jonathan meets them and they go on safari for 5 days. The last 10 days are spent at the Turtle Bay Beach Club, relaxing and birding at local sites. 270 species of bird are seen in total.
Early 2010 - More financial help is received from a number of sources to enable the additional work to be done.
October 2009 - After three years of fundraising by the Biggs family, Jonathan buys the safari vehicle. There is still lots of work to do on it but the main decision has now been made.
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