#KenyaLive - broadcasting for wildlife lovers

11 Jan 2016

Kenya's stunning wildlife is set to be showcased with two world firsts in a series of live web broadcasts using new state-of-the-art technology. #KenyaLive will enable people to witness the excitement of a night safari in the Mara - as well as Kenya's coastal underwater treasures - as the action happens in real time.

Building on the success of #MaraLive - the world's first live web broadcast of the great wildebeest migration - Make It Kenya has partnered with HerdTracker to use a combination of the most innovative filming technology, and Twitter's Periscope app, to give people around the world unprecedented access to some of the most exciting and rare animal behaviours, with 50 live broadcasts over 11 days.

The broadcast team, led by safari hosts Carel Verhoef and Andre Van Kets of DiscoverAfrica.com and co-creators of HerdTracker, will use cutting edge technology - including the incredible new starlight camera; underwater live periscope and 360-degree video, to capture the exclusive content - available to viewers via their mobile phones, tablets or computers via Periscope and MakeItKenya.com.

Mara Conservancy Lion Interaction

The first of the live broadcasts will offer an unprecedented view of the lions in the Olare Motorogi and Naboisho Conservancies of the Maasai Mara, and what the conservancies have to offer: off-road game drives, fly camping, night game drive safaris as well as walking safaris. Viewers will be treated to a series of live night broadcasts - the very first of their kind!

The team behind the broadcast will be staying at the Olare Mara Kempinski Hotel, Asilia Africa's Encounter Mara and Naboisho camps as well as Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Mahali Mzuri luxury safari camp from 7-13 January.

#KenyaLive - broadcasting for wildlife lovers

©Stuart Price for Make It Kenya

Local Ocean Trust

From 14-18 January, the team will be in the coastal town of Watamu to host live broadcasts of the Local Ocean Trust project, including the world's first live underwater broadcasts. The project rescues sea turtles accidentally caught in fishing nets as by-catch before sending them back into their natural habitat. One very special broadcast will even involve live footage captured via "TurtleCam", using a GoPro strapped to a turtle's back.

#KenyaLive will also demonstrate what Watamu has to offer as a fantastic holiday destination, with exclusive live broadcasts of some of the activities available, such as a dhow cruise, treetop yoga and kite surfing in an attempt to showcase a typical safari in Kenya. Viewers may even be able to spot dolphins in the area during a live stand up paddle-board broadcast.

How to follow the broadcasts

To follow the live broadcasts, download the Periscope app and follow HerdTracker's channel from 7-18 January 2016. Updates of the live broadcasts will also be posted to Make It Kenya's Facebook and Twitter, and HerdTracker's Twitter and Facebook pages.