- ULTIMATE AFRICA SAFARIS - |
|
Comprehensive safari planning includes tailor-made and group safaris, air tickets and trip insurance.
Ultimate Africa
Safaris Why book your safari with us?
"I followed it for days. ULTIMATE AFRICA
SAFARIS Copyright © 1996 - 2001 |
Shaba Ready for Survivors, July 7 2001 Kenya's Shaba Game Reserve will be the location of Survivor 3. Sixteen Survivors selected from over 60,000 applicants will arrive tomorrow, and the filming of the weekly series aired by the American broadcaster, CBS TV, is likely to follow three days later, deep in the reserve's wilds, about 350 kilometers northeast of Nairobi. Three-quarters of the 256 square kilometer reserve will be cordoned off to everyone, except the Survivors, the crew and, of course, the wildlife, during the preparation and actual filming, and the subsequent editing of the show. A contingent of 118 security personnel drawn from paramilitary units, regular police, administration police, Kenya Wildlife Service rangers, and civilian guards are on the ground to ensure safety for the 16 Survivors, the filmcrew and support staff; altogether 400 people. "We have to keep our people safe," says Greg Piligian, the co-executive producer. A locally assembled company, Mwandiga Productions, is coordinating the logistics. A no fly zone has been created by authorities to guard against paparazzi snooping around. Nanyuki Airbase will ensure the airspace restriction is not flouted during filming. A number of international journalists are already in Kenya ostensibly to feed their news agencies back home on the shooting of the TV program. However, the organizers are concerned that any leak could remove the thrill out of Survivor III and consequently jeopardize the viewership. "The show is about suspense. We have to be secretive on how it goes, so that we can surprise our audience," says Greg. Although the Survivor series is yet to reach Kenyan viewers organizers claim that about 40 million people in the United States watch the program weekly. "It is the biggest and most watched program in US," says Greg. Survivor is about endurance and native instincts of survival. Essentially, it is a game of wits and physical endurance, where the 16 Survivors are dropped in a very harsh area. Barely equipped with a compass, the actors live off a ration of rice, and wild fruits and animals. Even in their fatigued and famished condition, they are made to compete in enduring sports. Unlike in Survivor 1 and Survivor 2 the competitors will not kill any wildlife for food but are likely to live off the wild fruits and insects. In addition Shaba's terrain is rough, and the Uaso Nyiro River which traverses the reserve known to have a high concentration of lion and is crocodile infested. Almost US $5 million will be sunk in Survivor III, and already state of the art equipment, including dozens of cameras and editing machines, have been ferried in the country from the US. The camp is also has a satellite link. The quasi-statutory marketing body, Kenya Tourist Board, expects the show to help market Kenya abroad, as did "Born Free" and "Out of Africa", which led to the tourist boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. "We are going to see another boom (of visitors)" says Betty Buyu, the KTB managing director. Kenya used to receive about a million tourists each year however tourist arrivals have plunged over the past four years in the face of stiff competition from other African destinations such as Botswana - a politically and economically stable country in southern Africa with tremendous wildlife and wilderness areas. Survivor 3 is facing controversy over the level of compensation to the local community and the likely environmental impact of the project. Everything is above board, say the show's directors, the county council and Kenya tourism officials. "We are known to be eco-friendly, everywhere we go," says Greg. "Whatever I bring here, I will leave with it," adds unit manager Dick Beckett. A visit to the site has revealed little, if any, influence on the ecosystem. The water that feeds the camps is drawn from nearby springs and disused oils are ferried to Nairobi, 300 kilometers away, for disposal. Survivor III / Ultimate Africa Safaris
At Ultimate Africa Safaris we know how to start a fire using two stones and springhare droppings...we know how to carry fire for weeks at a time in ostrich eggs...we know how to make a fish hook and line from the thorn tree and how to cure a stomach ache with a handful of leaves...We know Africa first hand. Canoe with hippo and crocodile; raft the world's most challenging white water beneath the world's largest waterfall; track lion and elephant on foot; interact with locals in their villages; experience Africa; Contact our office... If you are interested in traveling to Africa contact Ultimate Africa Safaris in Seattle, Washington, USA. Our expert safari consultants have hands on experience in Africa. Call Toll Free in the USA 1 800 461 0682 or send an email to info@ultimateafrica.com |
