Weather and grasslands:

We have enjoyed some lovely fair weather this month with stunning early morning sunrises. The early morning temperatures have been generally cool at 13/14°C and mid day temperatures were warm and averaged 31°C. January was a relatively dry month with little pockets of rain in the evenings with no more than 3-5 mm at a time. The Mara River appears at a low ebb and is slowly receding. On the 9^th of January there was a spectacular full moon, that afternoon guests took sundowners and moon risers, and enjoyed watching the sun go down and 15mins later the moon rising, magic ………. Read more pdf

Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has made some changes to their announcement made last week regarding the permit price increase.

Please find below the new permit purchase protocols:

1) All permits purchased between now and 31st May for any trekking dates in 2012 will be at $500 – permits need to be purchased in full. In order to purchase the permits in full we will require the client’s full names and passport information.

(2) All permits purchased for trekking dates in 2013 will be at the new price of $750.

(3) Any permits purchased after 1st June 2012 will be at the new price of $750. For 2012 and 2013.

(4) Deposits will remain at 40% – $300.

(5) Top up date will remain at 1 month prior to trekking date.

(6) For any permits already secured with deposits for trekking dates in 2012, if we top them up by 31st May then the price will remain at $500. If we do not top them up by 31st May then they will increase to the new price at $750. Hence at top up date (1 month prior) amount to be paid will be $550 per permit.

(7) Any permits already secured with deposits for trekking dates in 2013 are automatically increased to the new permit price of $750. This means at top up time, amount to be paid will be $550 per permit.

Porini Mara Selected as Top 10 for Best Service in Africa 2012 …….

Porini Mara Camp in the Ol Kinyei Conservancy has been listed by
TripAdvisor as in the top ten properties in Africa for service in their 2012
Best Hotels in Africa Travelers’ Choice Awards…..   read more pdf file

It has been officially confirmed today that the following amendments will be made to the Rwanda permit price and procedure:

(1) All permits for trekking dates after the 1st June 2012 will be at an increased price of $750 per permit.

(2) Deposit amounts to be paid to secure these permits has yet to be confirmed.

(3) For permits which have already been secured, i.e. 40% deposits paid, you have until the 15th March 2012 to pay the remaining balance on the permits. If the balance is paid before the 15th March 2012, then the permit remains at the old price of $500 per permit.

(4) If the balance for already secured permits is not paid by the 15th March 2012, then the permits revert to the new price of $750. This means that at top up time there will be an additional amount of $550 per permit to be paid in order to keep the permits.

(5) Top up date is currently 1 month prior to trekking date. This may change. This is yet to be confirmed.

(6) Any new permits purchased for trekking dates prior to the 1st June will remain at the old price of $500.