1. In East Africa, Safaris That Leave a Lighter Footprint By ALIDA BECKERJAN. 31, 2014 Sarah Kutchko

2. Two travelers that went to two different camps and ate with the animals while experiencing African life. The two camps were called Elephant Watch in central Kenya and Olakira in the northern tip of Tanzania. Iain and Oria Douglas-Hamilton, who’ve been studying Earth’s largest land mammal for more than 40 years. A British zoologist, Iain Douglas-Hamilton first came to Africa in 1965, at the age of 23. They established a research station at Samburu and a charity, Save the Elephants. The safari camp opened a decade later.

3. The first camp is hidden among the trees on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, offering access to a hilly landscape of dry savanna dotted with patches of scrubby forest. Elephants are so used to people they just accept them as a part of the herd Both camps have scenic views everywhere you go during your stay The second yielded the panorama of the Serengeti plains, along with spectacular sunrises, from a string of tents pitched above a bend in the Mara River, one of the crossing points of the Great Migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeests. Olakira also moves with the migration, pitching its nine canvas guest tents near the Tanzania-Kenya border during the dry season, then following the herds back to the southern Serengeti grasslands when it’s time for the wildebeests to give birth to their calves

4. Wildebeests in Tanzania. Credit John Becker Lions. Credit John Becker

5. Advantages of the camps The furniture in the houses that they live in are made from the scraps that elephants take off of trees A stay at their camp also includes a visit to the Save the Elephants research station, where you can see the results of their tracking operations of elephants Breakfast and lunch on the scenic riverbank every day You can look across the rivers and see crocodiles sun bathing Monkeys will appear in your tent on the daily You participate in the Save the Elephants project while being in the safari

6. Sunrise over the Mara River as seen from the Olakira camp. Credit John Becker

7. Special precautions to be strictly followed Always keep your place zipped up Leave nothing but footprints behind in the animals habitat Never travel anywhere alone at night Always keep the kitchen locked up Be alert, you are in an environment with lions and crocodiles

8. If you go to these camps Elephant Watch base rate is $745 a person To stay at the Olkari camp it is $660 without park fees Camps is within easy driving distance of an airstrip They ask that you pack lightly Entering Tanzania are required to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever

9. Key Points Boosts enthusiasm for people to explore African life Iain and Oria Douglas-Hamilton started the Elephant Watch Program The Elephant Watch program takes place in the camp The camps goal is to leave nothing but footprints to not interfere with the animals You get to explore how animals live in those areas and get personal experience You live in the habitat of African animals along with them