Maasai Song Exchange

If you’ve been lucky enough to hear traditional Maasai music in person, you know the combination of hypnotic rhythms, thunderous bass and hi-pitched cries make for a compelling and powerful auditory experience. And then, just as your brain begins to process the sounds, you discover the music has inexplicably surrounded you as if you were in an amphitheater…how do they do that?

Below is a clip of a fun you-sing-we-sing cultural music exchange between our travelers and a group of Maasai women.

Do you have any videos or photos you would like to share? Contact us

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February 16, 2010

Photography Tips from Andy Biggs

Have you been admiring the hippo photo at the top of the page? That was taken by professional photographer, Andy Biggs, who leads special photographic safaris for us. We think he’s a super photographer and a great guy!

Andy shared his photography tips on ABC’s morning show, View From the Bay, where he shared travel photography tips including natural lighting, equipment and packing efficiently for excursions. Speaking of packing, did you know Andy designed a camera bag inspired by his travels to Africa? You can check it out here.

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February 9, 2010

First Female Paraplegic to Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro

We are so proud of challenged athletes, Erica and Tara, and their crew from the C.H.E.K Institute! As promised, we have some photos to share with you from their inspiring trek. Derek, the team coordinator, adds a final reflection: “A couple quick thoughts on what we just did. First and foremost which sticks out in many of our minds is something that will never be able to be taken away from Erica or even us, the first female paraplegic on the summit of Kilimanjaro. I have written it many times or said it but the faces of those coming down, absolutely defeated in exhaustion, seeing us going up, was absolutely priceless. Most people just stopped and starred and were like “how in the hell or why in the hell are you doing that”. Well the truth is, why not. Erica was great and never got mad or down, and neither did Tara for that matter. Both girls gritted their teeth, and kept climbing. But both of those girls were going to make that summit. And they did. It was freezing, high and just absolutely exhausting, but they did it.”

Check out some photos from the inspiring trek!

click thumbnails for larger image

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February 2, 2010

Migration Report

Kissanga, one of our senior guides, sent us a migration update from the Serengeti. He reports, “It has stopped raining and it is hot, very hot, dry and dusty. The grass in the Serengeti is already losing its green and will soon be dried up and brown. The wildebeests are confused.”

Kissanga brought our guests to see the migration in the Ndutu marsh area last Thursday. He predicts that by next week the herds will leave the marshes in search of greener grasses.

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February 1, 2010

C.H.E.K Climbers Summit Kilimanjaro

We just received word that ALL of the C.H.E.K Institute climbers made it to the summit! We can hardly contain ourselves and send a big congrats to the climbing team. We will post photos as soon as the signal from the mountain allows; you’ll definitely want to see the images of this very inspiring and successful climb!