Elephants of Tsavo
Other teleconference Q&A's
Laurie, what was the best part of this expedition?
The expedition was just a great experience. You can watch elephants all day, for as long as you want. What really made the experience special was the PI, Barbara McKnight. She knows elephants like they were members of her family, and it was wonderful listening to her talk about them. Her knowledge brought the whole thing to life; it was magical.
Will we still be flying in to Nairobi for the rendezvous site?
Yes. Most flights are on KLM or British Airways, and they usually arrive later in the evening. Earthwatch recommends arriving a day before the expedition and spending the night at the Fairview Hotel. It's a pleasant hotel with a pool, and it is very secure. They can even arrange a car to pick you up at the airport and charge it to your hotel bill. You should contact them early to book your room, since telephone/fax/e-mail lines aren't always reliable and they can fill up. It may take a week or two for them to get back to you, but they always do.
How long is the ride to the research site from Nairobi?
You will be riding in a land rover for up to six hours. The vehicle seats 9 people, and most of the road is tarmac. If you have back problems, you should bring an inflatable cushion for the ride. Halfway through the ride, you have a rest stop. The roads are very dusty as well.
Where will we be dropped off when the expedition is over?
Most people fly out of Nairobi the same day the expedition ends, since flights out of Nairobi usually leave at night. You leave the site after breakfast, so you'll be in Nairobi in the afternoon. We can drop you off at the airport, which is on the way, or at your hotel, if you prefer.
Is Nairobi a tourist destination?
It is a big city, with the same crime as any big city. Tourists are sometimes targeted because they are perceived as having more money. If you want to explore the city, you can arrange for a driver at the Fairview Hotel. The driver will stay with you and drive you around for the whole day, and recommend places you should see, if you don't know where to go. We don't recommend that you go out walking alone, but in a large group you should be safer. If you are looking to buy souvenirs, there are gift shops at the Fairview and at the expedition, as well as a prison gift shop down the street from the Fairview that has some nice, unique things to bring home.
Let's talk money. What should I bring for currency?
You can use US dollars in a lot of places, if that's all you have. It's best to change money at the airport either in London or Nairobi to get Kenyan shillings. If you're going to do some shopping or like wine with your dinner, or are a big tipper, you should exchange about $200-300. At the Fairview, you can use your credit card to get shillings from the hotel. At the Wildlife Lodge, there aren't any ATMs, and there are no places to exchange money, so make sure you get cash before heading into the field. You may need cash if you drink at the bar or want to purchase souvenirs, but the hotel accepts credit cards too. When you bring US bills, bring small bills that are no older than 2003, and that are not ripped or dirty. They are very picky about the date and condition of the bills. Traveler's cheques can be cashed at the Fairview, but they're not very useful outside the city. If you bring traveler's cheques, make sure you also bring the receipt for them, or they won't be accepted. If you bring credit cards, make sure you contact your credit card companies to tell them you'll be using the cards overseas. Also ask them about extra fees that they may apply, and if your credit card limit is changed when you're out of the country.
Should we tip our guides?
Tips are accepted, though the decision to tip is yours. Barbara McKnight, the PI, prefers that the volunteers do this themselves instead of going through her.
When will we get the briefing?
We are hopeful that the briefing will be sent out in late December, but it's hard to estimate as it passes through a lot of hands. If you need any information before then, please call us at Earthwatch. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have. We have access to the 2006 briefing and know of most changes to it.
Will we have any opportunities to see the local culture?
On the non-research day, we had three options: go into town to use the internet, visit the post office, and go to the market; go to Tsavo West Park; or go to Mombasa West Park. The team members have to choose two of the three and split up.
Is Mombasa safe? Do we need a guide to take us around?
Mombasa is similar to Nairobi in safety. It's a city, and you may be targeted as a tourist. You can explore Mombasa with a guide, and the coast is beautiful. For women, make sure that you wear long pants or a long skirt in the city because it is a conservative Muslim community.
Do we need to bring our own binoculars?
Yes. Get at least a 10X40 magnification. You will be observing elephant behavioral and physical details, such as scars on the ears and head. Barbara McKnight, the PI, is very careful about how close to the elephants you get. She won't take you any closer than 50 meters. But, if the vehicle is stopped and elephants decide to walk over to you, you will see them at a much closer distance.
Will there be a lot of other people staying at the lodge?
It depends on the season. In low season (April/May), there aren't as many people. In high season (August/September), the hotel can fill up. It's a very nice hotel with pools, bars, restaurants, and spacious and clean rooms, so people enjoy staying there.
Will we be able to leave the vehicle at all during the day?
You'll only leave the vehicle for lunch and bathroom breaks. Barbara McKnight, the PI, is particular about where you eat and relieve yourself, in regards to the animals and safety.
Will we be able to see other animals?
Absolutely. We saw baboons, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, and lots more in Tsavo East. In the Wildlife Sanctuary, the brush is thicker, so it's more difficult to see wildlife. It also depends on the time of year you go, because the elephants migrate in and out of the park. The hotel is right next to the park, so we saw elephants at the watering hole just outside every day.
Tell us about bugs!
There are mosquitoes, which will be most prevalent in the evenings and the early mornings. You'll be in a malarial zone, so bring your own bug spray with the highest level of DEET you feel comfortable with. Also, talk to you physician about malarial medication. Wear long pants and long sleeves to help prevent mosquito bites. During the day, it's OK to wear shorts and t-shirts, since the mosquitoes won't be out, but it's also OK if you want to wear longer apparel to protect yourself from the sun.
What kind of shoes should I bring?
Hiking boots are not necessary because you will not be hiking. During the day in the vehicle, you can wear shoes, sandals, or sneakers, but you might want closed-toe footwear in case of thorns on your bathroom break. At the hotel, you should wear closed-toe shoes because of scorpions.
Do I need a visa to get into Kenya?
Yes, American citizens need a visa. You can get it through a passport agency before you leave, or you can buy it in Nairobi when you arrive. It's about $50, and it's easy to get it in Nairobi. It depends on what is more comfortable for you to do: if you like to plan ahead, or if you know you'll be groggy when you get to Kenya, you may prefer to get it ahead of time.
Will we learn how to locate elephants?
The soil is a very rusty red, and the elephants are covered in it. They stand out against the very green foliage. Seeing them depends on whether the transect you drive crosses where they are. In the vehicle, there are 3 or 4 research tasks. The field team will teach you everything you need to know about how to fulfill these tasks once you get to the research site, and there are examples of the field forms in the briefing.
Will we be able to stand up to take pictures out of the top of the vehicle?
Yes, when the vehicle is stopped, you can stand up and take pictures. You cannot stand up in the vehicle while it's moving. If the elephants get very close, Barbara may ask you to not take pictures, because the sound may affect the animals.
How many people are on each team?
These teams need at least 6 people to run. 8 is the most on any team.
What is the time zone for Nairobi?
Nairobi is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. So, if it's 12 noon in New York, it's 8 P.M. in Nairobi.
Will we have internet access at the hotel?
The hotel doesn't have internet access (as of May 2006), but there is internet access in town that you'll have the opportunity to visit about once a week. The technology in Kenya is not always reliable.
Are there safes in the lodge where we can keep extra cash and our passports?
Yes, and we recommend keeping whatever valuables you must bring with you in the safe.
What does a typical day look like in the field?
Breakfast is around 7 A.M, and you leave for the field at 8 A.M. You bring a packed lunch and a snack, which you have in the field. The park locks its gates at sundown, so you're usually back in the hotel by 6-6:30 P.M. It's a short drive from the lodge to the park gate, but where in the park you're going will affect how long a drive it is. This is a basically sedentary expedition; most of the day, you'll be seated in the vehicle.
Was there anything you wish you took with you?
Yes. My husband.
Can you buy bug spray and sunscreen there?
Yes, but it's more expensive. Also, if you prefer a certain brand, you should bring it with you from home.
What's the climate like? Will it get cold?
It can get cold at night, but your work in the field will be completed by sundown. Your best bet is to dress in layers, and bring a wind parka.
Should I be concerned about circulatory problems with sitting for so long?
You can always stand up and stretch when the vehicle is stopped, and for breaks. You won't be able to walk a distance into the bush, but you can change position in the vehicle and do exercises in your seat. The hotel also has a gym, so if you're worried about exercising in general, you can utilize their facilities at night. You should bring the "Project Conditions" section of the briefing with you when you visit your doctor.