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November 3, 2013, Hybrid total solar eclipse safari in Africa (Kenya)

In November 3, 2013, a total solar eclipse will pass over equatorial Gabon in Western Africa congo, Uganda, Kenya and finally Ethiopia. Lodwar in Kenya reports a very encouraging “percent of possible sunshine” of 74 percent, strong confirmation of a pronounced decline in cloudiness toward the eastern end of the eclipse track, though the value is so high as to invite a little suspicion which results to a very high resolution which makes it the best point to be during this time of event. There is a penalty to be paid for good weather however, as the duration of the eclipse declines to less than 20 seconds across Kenya and to less than 10 seconds in Ethiopia. For the experienced eclipse chaser in these locations, such a narrow and abrupt eclipse will come with a prominent presentation of the colorful innermost atmospheric layer of the Sun (the chromospheres) and a spectacular view along the axis of the Moon’s shadow.

The following are some of the safaris that will take you all the way to the total solar eclipse observation point.

We have seven days safari

Nine days safari

The total phase of a solar eclipse is very brief. This will be only seen in Kenya for 15 seconds alongside Lake Turkana on the western side of the lake. It rarely lasts more than several minutes. Nevertheless, it is considered to be one of the most awe inspiring spectacles in all of nature which is worth traveling to go see. The sky takes on an eerie twilight as the Sun's bright face is replaced by the black disk of the Moon. Surrounding the Moon is a beautiful gossamer halo. This is the Sun's spectacular sola corona a super heated plasma two million degrees in temperature. The corona can only be seen during the few brief minutes of totality which takes place near Lake Turkana in Kenya come 3rd November 2013. To witness such an event is a singularly memorable experience which cannot be conveyed adequately through words or photographs. This Actual eclipse of November 3 is the total eclipse of the sun throughout the land.

Under rare circumstances, a total eclipse can change to an annular eclipse or vice versa along different sections of the eclipse path. This happen when the curvature of Earth brings different points of the path into the umbra (total) and antumbral (annular) shadows, respectively. Hybrid eclipses are sometimes called annular/total eclipses. The last hybrid eclipse was in 2005 and the next one is in 2013 and will be witnessed in Africa starting from Gabon, Congo, Uganda Kenya and finally Ethiopia.

There are not too many suitable (safe) locations in Africa to view this eclipse, which should, because of the short duration of totality have excellent displays of edge phenomena such as Bailey’s Beads, the chromospheres and diamond ring. Libreville should be a good starting point for maximum (land based totality) and Lake Turkana in Kenya for a real esoteric experience. This location receives 15s of totality at 14h25UT.
The hybrid eclipse is the rarest of the four types of solar eclipses. It starts as an annular eclipse, proceeds to be a total solar eclipse before becoming an annular eclipse again. It is caused when the moon passes in front of the sun and casts a shadow on the surface of the Earth. At first, the moon is not large enough to completely cover the sun. An annular solar eclipse begins.

As the moon's shadow tracks across the surface of the earth, the curvature of the globe causes the surface to rise up a little. This is enough to change the event into a total solar eclipse. As the curvature of the Earth drops away again, the event becomes an annular eclipse once more. Much of the eclipse path experiences the less desirable annular eclipse. The moon is barely able to eclipse the sun so the period of totality is often quite short. Still, it does have a period of totality which makes the hybrid solar eclipse one that is worth traveling to see.

The eclipse moves off quickly across Gabon, and into the Congo, and then the Democratic Republic of Congo at about 14:07 UT. Here, the path of totality has shrunk to just 36 km wide, and the total eclipse will last just 49 seconds. The path of totality then crosses northern Uganda, north-western Kenya, and southern Ethiopia. It finally ends in Somalia at 14:27 UT, with a total eclipse lasting just 7 seconds. Libreville should be a good starting point for maximum (land based totality) and Lake Turkana in Kenya for a real esoteric experience. This location receives 15s of totality at 14h25UT.
At eclipse tours a solar eclipse is one of our passions - which is why we are totally committed to giving you the best possible solar eclipse tour experience. An eclipse tour has 6 years industry experience and is a reputable, knowledgeable, and efficient supplier of quality tours. Being the first time it is going to happen in Africa and in particularly in our country, we plan to give the best we can.

Total solar eclipses are nevertheless rare at any particular location because totality exists only along a narrow path on the Earth's surface traced by the Moon's umbra.

Day 1: Nairobi- Lake Nakuru 30th of october
Drive to lake Nakuru national park after an early breakfast arriving at the Lake Nakuru lodge in time for lunch. The park is a home to stunning flocks of lesser and a great flamingos, which literally turn the lakeshores in to a magnificent pink stretch. The bird life here is world renown and over 400 birds species can be seen like, white pelicans and the marabou stork, all water birds that breed in the lakes alkaline waters. You may also spot white rhino, rare Rothschild giraffe, and other plain game. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 2: Lake Nakuru- Kitale 31st of October
Depart Lake Nakuru after breakfast for Kitale arriving there in the afternoon. After Lunch spend the afternoon relaxing preparing yourself for the next day. Dinner and overnight at the hotels.

Day 3: Kitale – Lodwar 1st of November
Depart Kitale for lodwar after breakfast and drive in between the mountain of this region with beautiful sceneries. Northern Kenya is lightly populated, untamed and often barren. Setting foot in these parts is like leaving the 21st century; it is an explorer's heaven, and the variety of tribes that live here are some of the most captivating people in the world. They include the Samburu, Turkana, Rendille, Boran, Gabbra and El – Molo.

Day 4: Lodwar- Kalko 2nd of November
Depart Lodwar after breakfast for Kalko where we will camp waiting for the eclipse day the following day . This rugged 1,200-km expedition is run in land cruiser or expedition trucks. You will traverse along some of Africa's worst roads; see beautiful mountain forest surrounded o n all sides by hot dusty deserts, eventually arriving at our camp o n the shores of the Jade Sea (Lake Turkana).

Day 5: Kalko 3rd of November
Board our buses and drive to the eclipse line which is not far from the camp. This will take place in November 3: 2013 at Maximum eclipse: 14:25:13.4 UT 012.2° 253.6°. The period of totality ends when the motion of the Moon begins to uncover the surface of the Sun, and the eclipse proceeds through partial phases for approximately an hour until the Sun is once again completely uncovered. After the eclipse, we will drive back to the camp for our overnight stay.

Start Partial Eclipse	16:13:03 EAT
Start of Total Eclipse	17:25:12 EAT
Sun Altitude	11.8°
End of Total Eclipse	17:25:26 EAT
Approximate Sunset	18:17 EAT
End of Partial Eclipse	18:27:47 EAT
Duration of Totality:	15 seconds

Day 6: Kalko – Kitale. 4th of November
Drive back to kitale

Day 7: Kitale - Nairobi 5th of November
Kitale back to Nairobi arriving in the eveining with lunch stop over in Nakuru. Check in at the Boulevard hotel in Nairobi.

Rates are per person based on double occupancy, in US dollars. $ 2300

Single room suppliment US $ 380

Trip Details at-a-Glance
Length: 7 days
Arrive: Jomokenyatta International air port, Nairobi
Depart: Nairobi
Lodging: 6 nights
Meals: All meals from dinner on October 25 through breakfast on November 6
Activity: Cultural Adventures, Wildlife adventures, bird watching,
Trip Level: Optional excursions including nature walks, balloon safari in masai mara and cultural exploration

BASIC TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

airport transfers if you arrive/depart with the group and have selected our international group air
Accommodation as indicated in itinerary with private facilities
all tour features as listed in the itinerary
All transfers and touring by private chartered coach with experienced driver / guide
Airport arrival and departure assistance
Meals only as indicated by (B) Full breakfast (L) Lunch and (D) Dinner
Entrance fees at attractions listed in the itinerary unless otherwise noted
Hotel Porter age
bus transfers to/from solar eclipse site
Evacuation cover from the flying doctors services
solar eclipse briefing
beverages only where specified

BASIC TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Passport fee
International air (can be purchased separately) and the domestic flight Cairns to lodwar
Meals not stated, drinks, visas,and travel insurance
Any additional charge(s) and/or special documentations to be filled for importing/exporting telescopes (if required)
Room use outside of normal check-in/check-out times
travel insurance (highly recommended)
airport transfers
beverages unlesss specified
airport departure taxes (if required)
optional excursions
tips and gratuities
personal expenses and anything else not included in the 'tour includes' features list