Wonders of Kenya

About Kenya

Kenya is like a miniature Africa. This is what many experts and visitors of this country believe due mainly for its rich deserts, mountains, reefs, beaches, tribal culture and a great wildlife. These and about a million more are the reasons why many foreigners keep visiting Kenya.Kenya’s wildlife safaris are definitely one of the best reasons tourists come to this country despite the dangers and criminal activities that are quite common in the area. Aside from the breathtaking wildlife, Kenya is also rich with stunning landscapes that start with the rainforests of Kakamega to the beaches of the Indian Ocean. You can have a view of all of these from the Mt. Kenya National Park. Other places you should never miss are the Rift Valley, the Jade Sea shores, the Masai Mara grasslands and the Hell’s Gate National Park to just name a few.The Tsavo National Park is not only one of the best in Kenya but also in the whole of Africa if you want to see wildlife such as leopards, lions, elephants, wildebeest, etc. This country is also top five in the world’s list of bird-watching destinations. As for extreme activities, you can ride the hot balloon in Masai Mara, trek Mt. Kenya’s glacial ridges, and snorkel at Marine National Park.Nairobi is the country’s worst part in terms of criminal activity and is preferred to be left out by tourists during visiting Kenya. Nevertheless, the city has a very appealing nightlife as well as cafes that are reminiscent of an urban lifestyle.Weather in Kenya has four distinct zones. The humidity, temperature and the rainfall are widely varied. Tourist season in the area is January and February which is when the temperature is driest and the hottest. This is the time that wildlife is easier to spot. If you will come around Christmas time, the fees are a lot higher. It is basically up to you when you want to visit this beautiful nation. No matter what your choice is, you will surely never forget it.

Serengeti

The Serengeti migration is a remarkable and a very impressive story. This migration takes place within the Kenya and Tanzania and is considered one of the greatest migration of wildlife on the planet earth. The Serengeti is one of the tenth natural travel wonders of the world. The Serengeti ecosystem is spread across 60,000 square km. When the season changes, thousands of wild life such as wildebeest and zebra migrate to green pasture lands for food and living. While doing so, some are able to make it and some just die during their migration, thus continuing the circle of life. When the wildlife is making an effort to migrate, predators keep a close watch on these migrants so that weak preys can be killed at the right time. The migration happens twice a year. Serengeti has lots and lots of national parks and animal reserves. Statistics show that the Serengeti has more than two million herbivores and thousands of carnivorous animals. To name a few, a lot of blue wild beasts, gazelles, zebras and buffaloes can be found in the region.During the month of October, almost two million herbivores travel from the north of the hills to the southern plains. And back in April, they return to the north via the west, crossing the Mara River. This cycle is usually referred as the circular migration. The Serengeti is located in the eastern part of Africa. This place is a treat for the tourists who love to be in the wild, with the wildlife. One can spend time in luxurious lodges, tented camps and have fun with the efficiently guided wildlife nature walks and drives in 4 by 4 vehicles.

Amboseli

In southern Kenya, near the Tanzanian border lies a visitor destination that never ceases to amaze. It’s called the Amboseli National Park, a 39,206-hectare piece of rich savannah grassland where flora and fauna abound. The park is set against Africa’s highest peak and is considered to be the world’s tallest free standing mountain – the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro.This expanse of land is home to over 400 species of birds, not to mention the wildlife which includes giraffes, impalas, cheetah, lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, baboons among other creatures. It’s no wonder that Amboseli National Park attracts a large number of big game hunters every year. In fact, it is one of the three most visited game areas in Kenya (next to Nakuru National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve). Because of its diverse animal population, the park has been named UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.Those who have visited will notice the Maasai people – proud warriors who are known to have fought wild animals single-handedly – call it their home. Over the years, they have learned to live in perfect harmony with nature and the wild animals. Its closeness to the Tanzanian border as well as Kenya’s capital Nairobi makes Amboseli National Park a weekend getaway of choice for most visitors and game enthusiasts alike.While comprised mostly of grassland, the park also has a dried up lake bed that is occasionally subjected to flooding while the swamps and springs take their waters from Kilimanjaro’s melting snow. But despite its majestic scenery, the awesome display of wildlife is still the main attraction in the park. It has become a haven for photographers and documentaries as they join safari to get closer to nature and its wildlife. Ask any hunter and he would probably tell you that the best place to start your hunting expedition is within the swampland. Just go to the Observation Hill look out for the best game.

Nairobi National Park

At a glance, you wouldn’t think that there is a national park a stone’s throw away from bustling Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Nairobi is perhaps the only major city in the world that has a natural game protection park in its outskirts. Little do visitors know that the Nairobi National Park is the country’s oldest national park.Established by the end of 1946, the 117 square kilometer savanna is a sanctuary for the Black Rhinos, a specie unique to Kenya. These huge creatures can be seen in the park all year round while most animals migrate (depending on the time of the year). A mere seven-kilometer ride from the country’s capital is all that’s needed to reach the park. Guests can take a day tour to explore the vastness of this protected sanctuary as there are no accommodations within the park. However, those who would like to visit the area can choose some of the good hotels or inns in the nearby city of Nairobi.If you happen to visit the national park between July and August, you will have a good chance of seeing herds of zebra, eland and wildebeest that feast on the area’s abundant grass. Among the animals that are regularly seen roaming on the great savanna include lions and buffalos as well as leopards and hippos. Because of the good network of roads, a saloon can be used to explore the park. But if you want to experience the wild up-close, a 4×4 vehicle is just right.Visitors can trek the Nature Trail or step in to the Education Center right after the main gate to know more about the animals that call this place their home. And right after that, they can stay outdoors and relax in six picnic sites within the park. Nearby is the historic Ivory Burning Site, a monument to the government’s fight against poaching of elephant tusks and rhino horns.

Mount Kenya National Park

It’s not everyday that you get to see breathtaking scenery. But the Kikuyu tribesmen are blessed to see it every day of their lives. To them, Mount Kenya is the home of Ngai, the Supreme Being. But to the ordinary traveler, the mountain fortress is a sight to behold.Mt. Kenya National Park was established around the area in 1949. It started out as a forest reserve and later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, tourists from all over the world have all embarked on a journey to the national park which engulfs Kenya’s second highest mountain.The Kenyan government had reasons why they created a national park around the mountain. First, they wanted to preserve the biodiversity within the park. Endangered species like Sunni Buck, albino zebra and the Mole Shrew are usually seen within the forest expanse. Second, they want the water catchment for the nearby areas. This fresh water comes from the mountain slopes and nurtures the soil, making it suitable for agriculture. Third, they want to protect the natural scenery within Mount Kenya. Fourth, and perhaps the most important reason, they want to promote tourism. In recent years, tourism played a major role in the economy of Kenya.With a peak of 5,199 meters above sea level, it’s no surprise that the mountain is home to unique animals like Colobus, Sykes Monkeys, Cape Buffalos and a rare type of forest antelope called bongos. Hikers can opt for the challenging ascent or the easy route to reach the mountain top. And once they have settled in, they can choose one of seven climber huts or three self help banda site within the national park. Some may opt for the lodges just outside the area.From the ground, the mountain seemed mystical, thanks partly to the high altitude moss that covers the trees from 2,500 meters up. It’s no wonder the people living here consider this mountain as holy.

Nakuru Lake

You’ve probably witnessed a scene in a wildlife documentary of Lake Nakuru, where the flamingoes flourish.Lying south of Central Kenya, Nakuru is a shallow alkaline lake (or salt lake). A National Park was established in 1961 to protect it. Today, it has been one of the most visited destinations in Kenya. Actually, Nakuru means “dust” or, in some translations of the Maasai language, “dusty place”. The lake is perhaps named as such due to its vast savannah whose soil loosens especially during the dry season.The lake forms part of the Rift Valley soda lakes, a group of lakes that runs through the African Continent’s eastern side. These are some of the world’s deepest and largest lakes and are very well known for the evolution of more than 800 species of cichlid fish. Nakuru Lake is rich with algae, the primary reason why large numbers of flamingoes flock to the lakeshore. In fact, the shallow lake’s surface can hardly be seen due to the thousands, if not millions, of flamingoes whose fuchsia pink and white colors seemed like a mirage from afar.Visitors who love the wildlife would also find this lake intriguing as it not only attracts flamingoes and other birds like pelicans and cormorants but also warthogs (made famous by the Pumba character in Disney’s “The Lion King”), rhinos and baboons. A bunch of Zebras are also seen from time to time.So if you are planning to embark on a wildlife journey, you may do so as there are day tours from the capital that takes visitors and wildlife enthusiasts at Nakuru Lake as well as nearby spots like Masai Mara or Lake Baringo.

Meru National Park

As the rain falls on dense swamps and tall grass, the wild animals frolic and play. Reticulated giraffe, cheetah, zebra, elephant hippopotamus and lion – they are all here. Close to 300 species of birds look for trees for shelter as they await the rainbow after the downpour. This is the Meru National Park, a one of a kind forest reserve East of Meru.Those who have read Joy Adamson’s “Born Free” (which was later made into a film) would find the name of the park familiar. It’s because here is where Joy and husband George Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness before releasing her into the Kenyan wildlife sanctuary. The lion that was born in the wild but raised by conservationists did survive in the great outdoors and even had cubs of her own. Today, visitors can even see the gravesite of Elsa, where parts of Joy’s ashes were scattered.From the Mulika Lodge Airport, guests are minutes away from the national park. Among the tourist attractions in the park are the Adamson’s Falls, the Tana River, George and Joy Adamson’s Residence (which is open for public viewing), and the majestic view of Mount. Kenya.Unlike other game parks, hunters find this place a very difficult terrain to embark on a safari because the abundant rainfall in the area resulted in the proliferation of tall grass and lush swamps (which hides game animals from the hunters’ view). This is probably one of the reasons why the Meru National Park is overlooked by most of the tourists who go to Kenya in the past.Poor security and poaching in the area had a grave impact on Meru National Park. The Kenya Wildlife Service, through the help of International Fund for Animal Welfare or IFAW has fully restored the park and is now one of the most promising destinations in the African continent. The restoration project has provided wildlife conservationist’s basic infrastructure to better serve the tourists as well as equipment for security measures.

Lamu Island

Who says there is no paradise in the African Continent? You are probably missing out on Lamu Island, a part of the Lamu Archipelago of Kenya.Lamu Island is composed of one town and three villages. A ferry ride from Mokowe will take you to this island. But once you get there, don’t fret over your mode of transportation in and around the island – here they use donkeys as cars and other motorized vehicles do not exist on the island. Now that makes for a thrilling ride! Well you can always walk or use a bicycle. It’s not that this place is being left out on the latest trends when it comes to automobiles; it’s just that the roads are so narrow that cars won’t fit in.Lamu Island is part of the ancient Arab trade route. This is why Arabic influences can be seen throughout the island. It is believed that the Lamu port – established by the Arab traders – has existed for at least one thousand years. On some unconfirmed accounts, the legendary Chinese fleet of Zheng He sunk near the island, where survivors are believed to have settled in the island. Lamu Town is Kenya’s oldest existing town and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being one of the original Swahili settlements, this town has painstakingly preserved the Swahili architecture. The people here are mainly Muslim but the general population is still considered ethnically diverse.Shela, on the other hand, is totally the opposite of Lamu town. While the latter has always been known as a commercial town and a busy port, the former is known as the island’s center for tourism. Its pristine white sand beaches replete with traditional Arab dhows are simply breathtaking. Guest houses near the beach offer visitors a cozy place to stay.

Tsavo East

Airstrips in the park allow guests to come in via light charter planes. But for those who will visit the park through land transportation, they can access the park through three main gates: the Bachuma gate from Mombasa, Sala Gate from Malindi and the Manyani gate from Voi. Actually, the park’s name was derived from the Tsavo River which converges with Athi River to form the Galana. The two rivers separate Tsavo East from Tsavo West.The eastern part of the Tsavo National Park, slightly bigger than its western counterpart, is consisted mainly of grasslands which are generally flat and dry. Conservationists consider this area as one of the world’s strongholds when it comes to biodiversity, mainly due to the wildlife that proliferates here. Occasionally, you will see elephants and other wild animals walking along the roads. A mix of migratory and native birds can be seen especially in late October until early January. These include goshawks, palm nut vultures, African skimmers and white headed buffalo weavers.Camping activities are regularly held inside the park. Among Tsavo East National Park’s attractions is the Yatta Plateau, billed as the world’s longest lava flow. It actually runs along the western portions of the park, slightly above the Athi River. With a 290-kilometer length, the plateau was formed from the lava that came from Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain.The Mundanda Rock is yet another scenic spot inside the park. Here is where wild animals usually go to before embarking on a quest for water especially during the dry season. The Lugard Falls, on the other hand, is a long series of strong rapids on the river Galana, where crocodiles hunt for food.

Tsavo West

There is a place in Kenya where nature and wildlife can be explored like you’ve never explored one before. It’s in the Tsavo West National Park, the land with magnificent scenery and varied wildlife.Despite being smaller than that of Tsavo East, Tsavo West is frequented by more visitors each year. It is perhaps because of its breathtaking views that have become a haven for wild animals. This 9,000 kilometer game park is also famous for the Mzima Springs, what with its unique underwater hippo observatory. And there are instances where it is better to explore the park on foot, like going to the Chaimu volcanic crater and Shaitana lava flows.A rhino sanctuary and an elephant habitat, Tsavo West National Park is operated by the Kenya Wildlife Service, which employs more than 300 personnel to maintain the park as well as serve the tourists. Despite having a lot of personnel, Kenya Wildlife Service allows the vast ecosystem to take its natural course and is only there to protect them from outside threats.Lions, said to be descendants of the man-eating lions that attacked British engineers who built the railway, are often seen in the park. But the most common creatures here are elephants, rhino, cheetah, leopard, buffalo, giraffe and zebras.Because of its mountainous terrain, some believe that it has the potential to be a rock climbing site. The Mountain Club of Kenya (MCK) was the first to explore the cliffs inside the park in 1978. Several ascent routes were mapped out. Mountain climbing enthusiasts who wish to conquer the mountains should initially contact MCK.The not-so-tough adventure seeker can just sit back and relax in the park’s array of accommodations which include the Finch Hattons Camp, one of Kenya’s luxury tented camps. This camp is built near hippo pools so sight seeing at the comfort of the camp is a common activity for guests.

Thika

If you happen to visit the African continent and wish to have the ultimate getaway, then head on to Thika in central Province, Kenya.Its relative proximity with Nairobi makes it a strategic location for trading. This is why it has been known as a market town – despite being elevated by 1531 meters. While it attracts quite a number of tourists each year, the town’s railway station still has limited passenger service – so planning your trip ahead is important. Or better yet. Look for other means of transportation. You can even hire a transport service from Nairobi or Garissa.But it’s not the market that attracts visitors to this idyllic town. It’s the numerous tourist destinations within it. The district known as the prime pineapple-growing region of Kenya is also home to Thika and Chania Falls. On the outskirts of the town lies Fourteen Falls, a popular picnic site. There is also a national park in the south eastern part called Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park. For those who have a knack for anything flora would be thrilled to see a flame tree within the town. It is said that the tree turns reddish orange every June, depending on the rainfall. Others can go to the Mugumo Gardens, the site where legendary seer has prophesized the end of the British rule in Kenya.This area, which was originally the dwelling place of the Akamba tribe, has gone a long way. The influx of British and Asian settlers has paved the way for this relatively small town to have thriving businesses even in the early times. A bustling nightlife Kenyan style awaits weary travelers while ultra modern recreation centers cater to guests within the day.There are a lot of things to do when in Thika. It’s just a matter of fixing your schedule to go to the different destinations within the town that interests you.

Treetops Hotel

It is said that the best places to stay are the ones with history embossed on its walls. And if it happens to be in the African savanna, then the stay is made much more exciting.Such is the hype that surrounds the famous Treetops Hotel, a tree lodge in Aberdare National Park whose foundation is basically made on stilts (because the location where the structure was built is actually facing a waterhole and a salt lick). And while its rustic design has attracted visitors from different nations, it is the story of a little princess that mesmerized the whole world. Princess Elizabeth, who was staying here in February 1952, learned of her father’s death (King George VI), and ascended to the throne while inside the lodge. This is the first time that a British monarch succeeded the crown outside England since the 1801 Act of Union. So in commemoration of this historic event, a lodge suite was named after Queen Elizabeth.At more than 6,000 feet above sea level, the lodge becomes chilly especially at night. So those who are planning to stay here overnight should bring warm clothes. A rooftop platform and four viewing decks make it easy for guests to have sightings of buffalos, rhinos and elephants while taking sips of their drinks. Serious photographers, on the other hand, can take advantage of the two photographic hides located at the ground level.Guests can choose between 50 cozy rooms (including two suites). Even if you are inside your room, you will not miss out on anything as there is an optional buzzer in the space-efficient rooms which alerts you when there is something going on – be it a once-in-a-lifetime sighting or simply an up-close encounter of some wild animals. On a clear-skied morning, you will see the majestic Mouth Kenya from the lodge.