Kenya is the original home of the safari. It has every natural advantage. Wrapped around the equator, it has the most extraordinary range of landscape, from the Indian Ocean to the Turkana Desert, the Great Rift Valley to the forests of Mt Elgon and the soaring highlands of Mt Kenya. The country even shares the great annual wildebeest migration with Tanzania, as around 2 million wildebeests circle the Serengeti Plains, which reach north into Kenya at the Masai Mara. This is the country where lakes can be brushed pink by a million flamingos, where elephants trumpet below the snows of Kilimanjaro and where red robed Maasai stride over savannah plains. Kenya is a top wildlife destination, recommended especially for those taking a first time safari.

When visiting Kenya one could choose to stay in the villages and experience untainted traditional ways of life or experience urban culture in Kenya’s cities, where the fast life is never fast enough. For a long time, many people have identified the cities, beaches and wilderness of Kenya as being some of thebest in all of Africa. Now there is an alternative! Villages in Kenya are the perfect places to get introduced to local culture and lifestyle. Now some visitors are exploring our unspoiled Kenyan villages, spending days in the homes of ethnic communities learning and getting involved in their daily lives. The village experience in Kenya is a reflection of the purest forms of traditional culture of the 42 tribes of Kenya. You could travel up North to the lake shores of Lake Turkana, at the El Molo villages and understand the mystery and strange lifestyles of the smallest tribes of Kenya, or Western Kenya to the Alego Nyangoma Kogelo village, ancestral home to the first black President of the US, Barack Obama. Not forgetting the shores of Lake Victoria. Better yet, the historic ruins of Swahili villages, Gede ruins down South at the Coast.

For the Trekker, Kenya is a world of highs and lows from the snowcapped peak of Mt Kenya to the desert plains of the north. Mt Kenya is considered the most challenging technical climb in Africa, and attracts experienced climbers from all over the world. In general, the climbing season is from July to early October.

Kenya also embraces Business travelers. Business travelers to Kenya will find all of the facilities they need widely available. Many hotels and resorts throughout the country offer corporate rates and discounts and have modern, efficient business centers with complete computer, telecommunication and internet services.

NAIROBI.

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. The word “Nairobi” was derived from Masai word (an Eastern Nilotic language) “Enkare Nyirobi” which means “cool waters.” Kenya Airways is the national airline and travels throughout Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. Nairobi’s main airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). It is southeast of the city centre. Nairobi is known as the safari capital of Africa, unlike other cities, Nairobi is surrounded by plains, cliffs and forest that make up the city’s Nairobi National Park. The city is filled with many things to do during the day and the night. Tourists can have their pick from numerous safaris (wildlife, cultural, sport, adventure, scenic and specialist), ecotourism tours, restaurants, culture, shopping and entertainment. They can also engage in numerous sports from golf, rugby, athletics, polo, horse-racing, cricket and football (soccer).

Tourist attraction sites in Nairobi include:

• Nairobi National Park.
• David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT).
• Giraffe Centre.
• Railways Museum.
• Kenyatta International Conference Center (K.I.C.C).
• US Embassy Memorial Site.
• Nairobi National Museum.
• Nairobi Gallery.
• Karen Blixen Museum.
• Bomas of Kenya.
• Uhuru Gardens.
• Carnivore Restaurant.

MOMBASA.

483Kms from Nairobi is Mombasa, located on the Eastern coastline of Kenya bordering the Indian Ocean. It is a popular destination for its beaches. Mombasa offers diverse marine life, world-class hotels and a friendly atmosphere. There is a tropical climate all year. Historical ruins like Forte Jesus de Mombaça (Fort Jesus), an historic Portugese fort, and the Old Town are attractions influenced by Mombasa’s trade culture, with many examples of Portuguese and Islamic architecture.

A new railway line is up and running- The Madaraka Express. Train service is mainly provided between Nairobi and Mombasa. The advantage of traveling by railway is the ability to see wildlife up close.

Attraction sites in the Mombasa Region include:

Mombasa and surrounding areas:

• Old Town.
• Colobus Trust nature walks.
• Mtwapa Creek.
• Nyali Theatre.
• Haller Park.
• Avicennia Island.
• Go-Kart.
• Likoni Ferry.
• Shimba Hills National Park.

Beaches of the North Coast:

• English point.
• Nyali Beaches.
• Bamburi Beach.
• Shanzu Beach.

Beaches of the South Coast:

• Tiwi Beach.
• Diani Beach.

Other areas in Coastal Kenya are: Voi, Kaloleni, Lamu, Malindi, Watamu and Kilifi.

CENTRAL KENYA REGION.

It lies next to Nairobi. The region is famous for farms, ranches, game parks and wildlife conservancies. It’s also the base for people seeking to climb Mount Kenya. Aberdare National Park is in central Kenya. It is located about 100 km north from Nairobi. The park contains a wide range of landscapes – from the mountain peaks, to their deep, v-shaped valleys intersected by streams, rivers, and waterfalls. Moorland, bamboo forests and rainforests are found at lower altitudes.

MAASAI MARA.

Maasai Mara is named in honor of the Maasai people (the ancestral inhabitantsof the area) and their description of the area when looked at from afar: “Mara,” a Maasai language for “spotted,” an apt description for the circles of trees, scrub, savanna, and cloud shadows that mark the area. The Maasai Mara is regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas. The annual wildebeest’s migration alone involves over 1.5 million animals arriving in July and departing in November. It is one of the main reasons why many visitors flock in Kenya. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people.

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK.

About 170Kms from Nairobi and located in the Rift Valley region of Kenya is Lake Nakuru National Park. It was first gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and upgraded to National Park status in 1968. The Park has Kenya’s largest population of rhinos. The surface of the Lake Nakuru occupies about a third of the park. It supports a dense bloom of the blue-green Cyanophyte Spirulina platensis from which it derives its colour and is a food source for flamingos.During peak season over millions of flamingos and Pelicans congregate on the lake.

LAKE NAIVASHA – HELL’S GATE.

In the Rift Valley region is Hell’s Gate National Park. It is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 km from Nairobi. It is characterized by diverse topography and geological scenery. It is an important home of the lammergeyer (The Bearded Vulture). Hell’s Gate has two gates that are used by visitors – the main Elsa Gate and the Olkaria Gate. The latter also serves the Olkaria Geothermal Spa that is located inside the National Park.

SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK.

Samburu National Reserve is one of the lesser-known national parks, but is nevertheless teeming with life. Situated alongside the Ewaso Nyiro River, there is plenty to attract wildlife from the surrounding savannah plains.

The reserve is rich in wildlife with an abundance of rare northern specialist species such as the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa Oryx (also referred to as Samburu Special Five).The reserve is also home to elephants and large predators such as the lion, leopard and cheetah. Kamunyak the miracle lioness that adopted the baby Oryx was as a resident in the reserve. Wild dog and Bird sightings are also common attractions to this unique protected area.

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK.

Amboseli lies immediately north-west of Mount Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. The Park covers 392 square km, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 square km Amboseli ecosystem. Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. Amboseli is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty – and the landscape is dominated by the towering Mount Kilimanjaro.