Brand New and Exclusive Elephant Research Tour in Kenya led by Saba Douglas-Hamilton

 4 September 2015 and 12 February 2016 

Ahead of the new BBC documentary 'This Wild Life' scheduled to air on BBC2 next month, Steppes Travel is delighted to announce a very special and exclusive partnership with Saba Douglas-Hamilton and Save the Elephants.  BBC Presenter of The Big Cat Diaries and The Secret Lives of Elephants, Saba's latest documentary will focus on life at Elephant Watch Camp in Samburu with an insight into her family, the wilds of the bush, Kenya's elephants and the Douglas-Hamilton's dedication to saving elephants in the wilds of Samburu and beyond.  

Steppes Travel's week-long expedition Kenya:  Elephant Research and Lake Turkana is an exciting opportunity to spend time with the Douglas-Hamiltons and be immersed in the elephant world.  For anybody wanting to learn more about elephant behaviour and conservation, this is a remarkable opportunity.  Conservation and preservation is synonymous with the Douglas-Hamilton name. 

Nobody has done more for elephants and nobody cares about elephants more than the Douglas-Hamiltons.   Iain Douglas Hamilton is one of the world's foremost authorities on the African elephant, who at the age of just 23 pioneered the first in-depth scientific study of elephant social behaviour in Tanzania whilst studying zoology at Oxford University.  In the 1970s he investigated the status of elephants throughout Africa and was the first to alert the world to the devastating effects of ivory poaching.  He was awarded an OBE for his work in 1993, and the same year he founded 'Save the Elephants', an NGO dedicated specifically to elephants, which is today still hugely important to him and his family.

Iain's wife Oria, is equally passionate about elephants and they together co-authored two award-winning books, Among the Elephants and Battle for the Elephants. 

Their two daughters, Saba and Dudu, were both born and raised in the African bush learning how to survive in the wilderness, including how to catch snakes and creep up alongside elephants.  Their first language was Swahili, they hardly ever wore clothes and they only started going to school at the age of 7.  Unsurprisingly both are continuing their parents' legacy in conservation and championing the cause for elephants:  Dudu produces films on wildlife and extreme climates while Saba is a BBC Wildlife Presenter. 

After being educated in England, and studying at St Andrews University, Saba returned to her African roots.  Alongside her husband, conservationist, journalist and author Frank Pope, she lives in Kenya with their three daughters and now runs Elephant Watch Camp with her parents.  

Situated in a stand of riverine forest on the north bank of the Ewaso Ngiro river in Samburu National Park, the camp reflects the passion, colour and character of the Douglas-Hamilton family, Elephant Watch Camp is one of the few places in the world where elephants roam so close to vehicles that you can almost touch them.  Without a doubt this is the place to learn everything you need to know about these beguiling and gentle giants.

Steppes Travel's exclusive trip includes walks and game drives along the Ewaso Ng'iro River, escorted by Saba Douglas-Hamilton, and the opportunity to meet researchers from Save The Elephants to gain an insight into the important work of Iain Douglas Hamilton.  Spend days tracking the resident elephant herd and learn about the complex and fascinating dynamics that take place between these animals. There will also be the chance to monitor the behaviour and lives of the elephants with some hands-on participation which may include searching for a lost animal with a VHF tracker, collecting data on orphan groups, monitoring estrus females and interactions with must bulls.

As well as incredible hands-on conservation and one on one time with the Douglas-Hamiltons, the trip also includes a helicopter safari into Kenya's Northern Frontier flying over Lake Turkana.  Known as the cradle of mankind, it is a land of extraordinary contrasts where few have the opportunity to visit.  This is a rare chance to see the spectacular emerald waters of Lake Turkana, a breeding ground for lesser flamingos, the dramatic rock formations of The Suguta Valley, and the vast canyons, cliffs and sun baked rocks.  After a sundowner at the Sugata Dunes, the helicopter will land at the luxurious Desert Rose Lodge, perched dramatically amid dense forest and jungle foliage in the towering landscapes of Mount Nyiru.  

After a private charter to Lake Naivasha the trips ends at the Douglas-Hamilton's home, Olerai House.  A small corner of paradise where Colobus monkeys call from the treetops, buffalo wallow in the swamps, giraffes wander through the acacia and hippos hide from the heat of the day in the shallows of the lake.  

Live like a Douglas-Hamilton on Steppes Travel's 8 day trip Kenya:  Elephant Research and Lake Turkana which departs  4 September 2015 and 12 February 2016.  The trip costs £8,995 per person including full board accommodation and international flights. 

 For further press information please contact: 

Frangelica Flook frangelica.flook@cedartreepr.com 

Henrietta Quicke henrietta.quicke@cedartreepr.com

T: 020 7978 4534, M: 07747 606 898

Note to Editors:

Specialist tour operator Steppes Travel designs innovative tailor-made itineraries for 'off the beaten track' trips. With over two decades' experience in the industry, Steppes Travel fields a team of creative, knowledgeable and responsible experts committed to providing ethical, pioneering journeys all over the world.

Steppes offers exceptional wildlife holidays focusing on conservation with sustainable and responsible travel at the forefront of their mind. By joining forces with local research projects on an Indian tiger safari or whilst gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, or supporting carefully chosen wildlife charities in the Galapagos Islands, Steppes is able to give privileged insight into the natural world while supporting conservation and local communities worldwide.

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