kenya
FACTS ABOUT KENYA.
Location of Kenya is in east Africa, which straddles the equator between Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean.
Kenya has a total population of more than 50 million people, with a total of 45 tribes, each having her own language.
Swahili is the national language with both Swahili and English being the official languages.
The population by religion is: 82% Christian, 8% Muslim, and 10% other religions.
Nairobi is the capital city with a total population of 5 million people.
Mombasa the coastal city is the second biggest city in Kenya with a total population of 2
million people. Mombasa strategically positioned
on the Kenyan coast line of the Indian Ocean,
is a major tourist destination, due to its beautiful white and sandy beaches
compounded with finest hotels.
Kisumu a
town located on the shores of Lake Victoria is the third largest city in Kenya with a
total population of close to a million people.
KENYA’S GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Kenya covers an area of 582,646
kilometres with 80% of its land being either arid or semi arid.
GEOGRAPHY
Kenya harbours a rich diversity of
habitats ranging from grassy plains, rocky deserts, fresh and saline lakes,
forested mountains, beaches with coral reefs.
Kenya has a beautiful green plateau with
the snow capped Mt.
Kenya. The Great Rift
Valley also forms part of Kenya’s
terrain.
THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY
The rift valley runs from Jordan in
the Middle East to Mozambique
in southern Africa, for a distance of 9,600
kilometres.
The rift valley runs through Kenya
from Ethiopia in the north
through Lake Turkana in Kenya,
towards the south western part of Kenya
into Tanzania. You canview the rift valley from different points in the north western parts of Kenya.
LAKES IN KENYA
Numerous lakes are located in the floor of the rift valley. Some are fresh water lakes whilst others are alkaline. The following are the lakes in Kenya:
LAKE TURKANA (6405
kilometres square)
This is the largest lake in Kenya. It receives 80% of its waters from river omo which flows from Ethiopia. It has the lowest elevation of 375m above sea level.
LAKE VICTORIA (Kenyan
part is 3755 kilometres squared)
This great
lake is shared between Kenya,
Uganda and Tanzania. Kenya gets 80% of its fish from Lake Victoria
mainly the Nile perch, Tilapia.
Lake Victoria is the second biggest fresh water lake in the world covering a total of
68000 kilometres squared.
Intresting
activities within the lake include fishing and surfing. The lake can be
accessed from Nairobi
by road, rail and air.
LAKE NAIVASHA is 210
kilometres squared
This lake
is situated about 2 hours drive from Nairobi.
This fresh water lake harbours an amazing variety of both aquatic and
terrestrial bird life. These include; eagles, cormorants, pelicans, herons,
ibis, marabou, geese, vultures and many more.
Over 400
bird species have been spotted here in a single visit. The lake is also home to
over 1000 hippopotamuses.
Other
wildlife species dot the shores of the lake. These include: Buffalo, Zebras, Giraffes, Gazelles, Wildebeests,
Monkeys and Baboons amongst others.
Situated
less than 80 kilometres from Nairobi, this lake
can be visited directly as a destination or as a stop over while en route to Lake Nakuru
or Maasai Mara.
This is the
only place with wildlife where visitors can alight from their vehicles and have
an excursion on foot, while taking photographs with the animals at close range.
Other activities that one can undertake while on tour in Lake Naivasha
include boat rides and fishing.
The boat
rides give the visitors the opportunity to explore the lake and have a chance
to view the numerous bird species on the lake. The boat rides in a speed boat
last for about one hour.
On the
shores of lake Naivasha are situated various hotels and
lodges. These include;
v
Naivasha
Sopa lodge
v
Naivasha
Simba lodge
v
Naivasha
country lodge
LAKE BARINGO (129
kilometres squared)
A fresh water
lake situated a little further north. There is a multitude of hippopotamuses
and crocodiles with a spectacular bird species.
There are
bird watching and boat trips around the lake.
LAKE MAGADI (104 kilometres squared)
This lake
is located 100 kilometres on the north western floor of the Kenyan rift valley.
It is the most alkaline of the Kenyan lakes.
LAKE NAKURU (52
kilometres squared)
This
shallow and alkaline lake is situated 156 kilometres from Nairobi. This lake is home to over two
million lesser flamingos. Lake
Nakuru is also home to
other bird species like the pelicans, marabou and many more.
Hippos are
also present in this lake. More on Lake
Nakuru is covered on the next chapter
on national parks of Kenya.
Other lakes
of Kenya include: Lake Jipe, Lake Bogoria
and Lake Elementaita.
MOUNTAINS
Kenya has several mountains and ranges. These
include:
MOUNT KENYA
This is the
highest mountain in Kenya,
the second highest in Africa. Mount Kenya’s highest peak rises to the height of 5199
metres above sea level.
Its peak is
the only point in the world where snow is found on the equator. More on mount
Kenya is covered on the next chapter on mount Kenya national park.
The other
mountains located on the Kenyan territory are Mt.
Elgon 4321M, Nyadarua ranges 3999M, Mau escarpment 3098M.
OCEANS
Kenya has coast line, only with the Indian ocean. Kenya has a total coast line of 480
kilometres which runs from kiunga in the north coast to kisite in the south
coast.
Mombasa is the major town on the Kenyan coastline which is situated about 500
kilometres from Nairobi.
Kenya’s coastline has beautiful sandy
beaches and a beautiful vast coral reef.
More on the
Kenyan coast is contained in the chapter on Mombasa.
CLIMATE
Kenya has two rainy seasons. The long
rains that run between march and may and the short rains in November and
December.
Nairobi receives an average of 925
millimetres of rain annually. The average high temperatures are 25 degrees
Celsius with the average low of 21 degrees Celsius. Kenya receives no snow. The coolest
month is July while the hottest is January.
KENYA’S NATIONAL PARKS AND NATIONAL RESERVES
In Kenya
there are more than 20 national parks, four marine parks, twenty national
reserves and five marine reserves.
The
national parks are directly administered by the Kenya wildlife service while the
national reserves are run by the county councils of the territory where they
are located.
The parks
in Kenya
are classified according to the following routes;
The
Nairobi and
rift valley route
The
central and northern route
The
southern and coastal route
The
north coast route
The
south coast route
THE NAIROBI
AND RIFT VALLEY SAFARI ROUTE
Nairobi national park (117 kilometres squared)
This park
is situated 20 kilometres south of the city centre. It was declared a national
park in 1946, the first in east Africa.
The park
has a forest on the west and grassy plains with artificial dams.
Four of the
big five can be found here though there are no Elephants here. Wildebeest,
Hartebeest, Zebras, Hyenas, Warthogs, Jackals, Monkeys and baboons are found
here.
The park also has plenty of bird species that
can be easily viewed. There is an animal orphanage located near the gate to the
entrance to the park.
The animal
orphanage was built in 1963 to care for the young animals that have lost their
mothers.
This Park
also cares for animals that have been wounded and left by their herds in its
animal clinic
After
treatment, the mature orphans or healed animals are often released into the
wild.
The olive baboon of Nairobi national park
This baboon
is numerous at the Nairobi
national park. This baboon is also called the common baboon.
This is the
biggest baboon. Males weigh between 21-26 kilograms while females way 12-14
kilograms.
Baboons
live in large groups that contain a number of adult males. Males are up to two
times the size of females.
Olive
baboons live in savannas and can be spotted with ease at the Nairobi national park the gate and the
various picnic sites around the park.
Olive
baboons feed on grass and leaves from various trees. They also feed on tree
trunks especially from the yellow fever tree trunks.
These
baboons get a young one rarely two after a gestation of about 6 months. Grass
is the main food in open areas and fruits in forests.
These
baboons live for an average of between 15 and 20 years old.
Other
baboon species that can be seen at ease at the amboseli and tsavo national
parks are the yellow baboons.
Due to the
proximity of this park to the city centre, visitors can do a day trip excursion
and back to the hotel.
Accommodation in Nairobi
Nairobi hosts a range of hotels from the 5
stars to 3 stars. Some hotels are located in the city centre while others are
located on the outskirts of the city.
Some of the hotels in Nairobi include;
The tribe hotel
This hotel
is located at the village market, 30 kilometres North West of Nairobi’s city centre.
This hotel
is situated adjacent to the magnificent village market shopping and recreation
center in gigiri.
Hotel contacts:
Epic tribe
hotel Nairobi Kenya,
p.o box
300-00621,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Website: www.tribe-hotel.com
Email: reservations@tribehotel-kenya.com
The Nairobi
sarova stanley
hotel
Located in
the city center, this hotel offers a wide range of hospitality products
including, a swimming pool, bars and restaurants.
Hotel contacts:
The Nairobi
Sarova hotel,
p.o box,30680
Nairobi Kenya.
Website; www.sarovahotels.com
Email;thestanley@sarovahotels.com
Ole sereni hotel
This hotel
is located mid way between Jomo Kenyatta international Airport and the city
center.
Ole sereni
is built adjacent to Nairobi
national park, offering its visitors a fine hospitality experience compounded
with the beauty of mother nature.
Hotel contacts:
Ole sereni
hotel Nairobi,
p.o
box,18187-00500,
Nairobi, Kenya.
www.ole-serenihotel.com info@ole-serenihotel.com
Jacaranda hotel
This hotel
is located less than three kilometres from the Nairobi city centre. the hotel has a
gymnasium and SPA, which are compounded with a luxurious swimming and beautiful
gardens.
The hotel
boasts of 125 well furnished all en suite rooms suitable for all forms of
travellers.
The hotel
has two other hotels under its portfolio in Mombasa
(the jacaranda Indian Ocean beach resort and Lake Elementaita
lodge)
Hotel contacts:
The
jacaranda hotel –Nairobi,
p.o box 14287-00800
Nairobi, Kenya.
www.jacarandahotels.com
Email:jacarandahotel@africaonline.com
Sankara hotel
A hotel
located next to the jacaranda hotel. This five star hotel offers modern dinning
at its best its best with the freshest flavours served in surroundings of
distinctive contemporary design.
Hotel contacts
email;
connect@nairobi.sankara.com
The Norfolk hotel
This five star hotel is located at the city centre
just opposite the Kenya
national theatre, 15 kilometres from the international airport.
This hotel
has a great architectural design. It has 167 rooms, master suites and deluxe
rooms.
The hotel
has a beauty salon, a souvenir shop, three restaurants and a bar. The hotel has
a swimming pool and a massage centre.
The rooms
have a mini bar, television, radio, air conditioner and wi-fi internet.
Hotel contacts:
Email: Kenya.reservations@fairmont.com
Hotel intercontinental
This hotel
is located at the city centre, with a total of 440 rooms, 3 restaurants, a bar,
a casino and conference facilities.
There are
air-conditions, televisions telephones and mini bars in the rooms.
Hotel
contacts:
Nairobi Serena hotel
The hotel
has a total of 183 rooms with all the facilities for a comfortable stay.
Hotel
contacts:
Serena
hotel Nairobi,
p.o box,
46302-00100,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Website: www.serenahotels.com
Email:Nairobi@serena.co.ke
EXCURSIONS IN NAIROBI
Nairobi has numerous places where a visitor
can embark on a day’s excursion. These include:
v
The
Nairobi
national park
v
The
Kenya
national museum
v
Nairobi city centre
v
The
bomas of Kenya
v
The
giraffe centre
Arriving in
Nairobi
There are
more than 20 airlines that fly into Nairobi
from various international destinations. These include:
v
Kenya airways
v
Egypt air
v
South Africa airline
v
Virgin
Atlantic
v
Ethiopian
airline
v
Qatar airline
v
Turkish
airline
v
Emirates
airline
There are
organised taxis that can ferry a visitor from the airport (jambo taxis) while
some hotels organise transfers for their clients from the airport to the hotel
in Nairobi.
Lake Nakuru national park
(188 kilometres squared)
This lake
lies immediately south of Nakuru town. This area was declared a national park
in 1967. This lake is world famous for the huge numbers of flamingos in its
waters as declared once by a birder going by the name Roger Tory Peterson as the most spectacular bird spectacle in the
world
The lake is
shallow and alkaline, factors that provide the perfect conditions for the
growth of the blue green algae on which flamingos feed on.
This lake
is home to more than 2 million flamingos though this number fluctuates to not
less than 300,000 flamingos at one given time.
The
flamingo numbers fluctuate from time to time because flamingos migrate to
various lakes within the rift valley in search of food and perfect grounds for
reproduction.
There is
lots of fish including tilapia graham in the lake. The waters of lake Nakuru
also attract a number of cormorants, spoonbills and pelicans.
Lake Nakuru is also a rhino sanctuary that is
inhabited by more than 100 black and white rhinos, thousands of buffalos,
Cheetahs, Leopards, Lions, Olive baboons among others. Due to its relative
small size and ecological considerations, there are no Elephants in Lake Nakuru
national park.
It is
possible to drive around Lake
Nakuru national park on a
game drive and alight at specific bird watching spots on the lake’s shore for
spectacular bird watching sessions.
Remember to
visit the baboon cliff which gives a visitor to have a panoramic view of the
entire park and the lake.
There are
two main entrances to Lake
Nakuru: the Lanet gate
and the main gate located on the road that leads from Nakuru town.
While to
clear with the park authorise remember to close up any access to the vehicle to
prevent the vervet monkeys that abound at the gate from taking away any
property from the vehicle
Remember
that the highlight of your safari on lake
Nakuru national park are
the flamingos and the rhinos.
Rothschild’s
giraffes also abound at the lake, a species which is quite rare.
The greater and lesser flamingos at Lake Nakuru
national park
There are
two species of flamingos in this lake. These are the greater flamingo and the lesser
flamingo
Lesser
flamingos are the most numerous sometimes running into millions while the
greater flamingos run into thousands.
The greater
flamingo is much larger in body size than the lesser flamingo with a big bent
pink bill which has a black tip.
An adult of
a greater flamingo appears largely pale pink or white at a distance. Lesser
flamingo is smaller than greater flamingo with a blackish-red bill appearing
all dark at a distance.
Lesser
flamingos have red legs with the flight feathers black well hidden at rest.
Lesser flamingos feed on brine, shrimps, insects and algae.
Flamingos
occur in large flocks and fly with necks fully extended and their long legs trailing.
Flamingos
build mud nests in inaccessible points. Flamingos live up to fifty years of
age.
The white and black rhinos at Lake Nakuru
There are
more than 100 white and black rhinos in this magnificent park. Due to its small
and relatively plain land, this is the easiest park where a visitor can spot a
rhino in the wild.
Black rhino
This dark grey
animal has a hooked upper lip with both sexes having horns. Males weigh between
900-1300 kilograms while females weigh between 100-1100 kilograms.
The
difference between the black rhino and white rhino is not the skin as
misconceived by many, but the main difference is the shape of the upper lip.
The black
rhino has a triangular upper lip while the white rhino has a wide square mouth.
The black
rhino is mainly a browser that feeds on various shrubs and bushes, while the
white rhino is mainly a grazer.
The black
rhino runs with its tail erect at speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour.
Black
rhinos have a gestation period of up to 15 months after which one calf is born.
It is possible to tell apart a mother rhino running with calf because the black
rhino runs with its calf following behind. This is because the black rhino
lives in a territory with many bushes and shrubs and so the mother has to run
while at the front to clear the obstacles for the calf.
White
rhinos run with their calves at the front because they live in grassy plains
with less obstacles if any that would obstruct the calf.
White rhino
it has a
long head, wide square mouth and a hump. The skin colour is grey with both
sexes having horns. Males weigh up to 2,00 kilograms while females weigh up to
1800 kilograms.
White
rhinos live in savannas with water holes and mud wallows.
The white
rhino is nearly a pure grazer that has a gestation period of up to 16 months
where a calf is born. Rhinos can be spotted at ease around Lake Nakuru
national park.
Accommodation while on safari at Lake Nakuru
There are
only two lodges inside Lake
Nakuru national park.
These are
v
The
lake Nakuru lodge
v
Lion
hill lodge
The lake
Nakuru lodge
This hotel
offers a comfortable accommodation in the wild. It has a comfortably big
restaurant, a bar, a business censer and a swimming pool. Lake Nakuru
lodge also has evening acrobatic and dance shows.
Lion hill lodge
It is located
at site that offers a fantastic view towards the lake. The hotel has more than
65 rooms that have all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, a
restaurant, a bar and a souvenir shop. There is a swimming pool for all those
in love with swimming.
During
tourist high seasons especially in July and august, there is a shortage of
accommodation in the lodges located inside the lake Nakuru
park. In that case, visitors to this park are left with the option of either
seeking accommodation in Nairobi or Naivasha
then carry picnic lunches for a day trip to Lake Nakuru
Park then go back to the
hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Maasai Mara national reserve
The most
visited park in Kenya
due to its abundant wildlife especially the big five and great wildebeest
migration that has its peak in July through august.
The Maasai
national reserve lies 275 kilometres west of Nairobi at an altitude of 1700 metres above
sea level. It was confirmed as a national reserve in 1974. Maasai Mara has a
rich habitat for many carnivores and herbivores.
Apart from
the unusual huge prides of lions, the most spectacular of the Mara is great
annual wildebeest migration.
The great wildebeest migration
From mid
June to early October, herds of wildebeest numbering close to two million
travel from Serengeti national park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara
reserve. The animals migrate into the Mara in search of fresh pastures.
The
highlight of the great migration is when the wildebeest cross the crocodile
infested Mara River
into Kenya.
Hundreds of
wildebeest break there legs in a stampede to jump into the Mara River
and cross the river a factor that leads the death of hundreds of wildebeest.
Crocodiles also kill as many wildebeest as they wish for food.
During the
peak of the migration, one can spot hundreds of carcasses of wildebeest that
have died from drowning. Thousands of vultures can be viewed on the banks of
the Mara River scavenging on the floating
carcasses. Between November and January, the wildebeest migrate back into the Serengeti.
Why not
construct a bridge across the Mara where the wildebeest can pass while on
migration to avert the deaths?
As the
saying goes, the law of the jungle is survival for the fittest. Also, nature
has a way of regulating the population of a species and the deaths that occur
during the migration is one of nature’s ways of regulating the population of
the wildebeests. Also the migrating wildebeest provide sumptuous meals for the
hundreds of crocodiles that live in this great river. So building a bridge
would an anti conservation move.
The Mara River
hosts also resident populations of hippopotamuses that can be spotted with ease
at specific observation points.
The Mara
national reserve hosts many herbivores like antelopes, buffalos, giraffes and
black rhinos.
Predators
are also plentiful notably cheetahs, leopards and large prides of lions. Maasai
Mara national reserve can be accessed by road, air from Nairobi
and Mombasa and other towns of Kenya.
Lions and cheetahs of Maasai Mara
The Maasai
Mara is probably the best place in the wild to view the lions and cheetahs
The plain
land and short grass make it easy for visitors to this park to spot these great
cats.
The Mara is
a must go for any visitor who really wants to enjoy the maximum of what the
Kenyan wild has to offer.
Lions of Mara
This is the
most abundant carnivore within the mare ecosystem. There more than 1000 lions
in the Mara reserve living in prides, a number that surges close to 3000 lions
during the annual wildebeest migration into this park. This is because the
lions follow the migrating grazers from the Serengeti into the Mara.
The lion is
the most social cat, which lives in a pride consisting up to 30 lions. As the
most social cat, the pride consists of a male lion, its young ones and one or
more female lions.
A pride
lives in its own territory that it protects from other lions in the area.
Lionesses
live in the pride for life. 1-6 cubs are born after a gestation of 3 and/2
months. After birth, lion male cubs develop mane beginning in the third year.
Adult lions weigh between 122-240 kilograms.
Lions live
in grasslands and savannas close to their source of food. Lions eat everything
from buffalos to hares, but they do tend to hunt the prey they grew up eating
and customs differ among prides. For example if a lion grew up feeding on
Thomson gazelle, it tends to hunt Thomson gazelles for food.
Lions hunt
in a group everyday during the day or at night. Usually it’s the female lions
that hunt and while on the hunt, every female on the hunting expeditions know
its role to ensure success.
Lions live
for a maximum of between 16 to 20 years old. On cool days, lions in the Mara
are easily spotted sleeping on the grass may be hunting or watching for
intruders into the pride’s territory. On hot days or afternoons, lions like
sleeping under bushes or thickets which act as a shade from the hot sun.
The cheetahs of Mara
This is the
easiest park where one can spot this great cat. Cheetahs are the fastest
animals on land. They run up to speeds of 120 kilometres per hour sustained for
a maximum of 300 metres.
Cheetahs
are born after a gestation period of between 90-95 days when 1-6 cubs are born.
Cheetahs weigh between 30-70 kilograms. Cheetahs love to feed on impalas and
other smaller mammals.
Cheetahs
prefer to live in open grassland where they can view their pray without much
difficulty and hunt them being obstructed by bush or thicket. Cheetahs hunt by
day having a 40% success rate, a factor that shows that indicates that the
cheetah is a skilful hunter.
Maasai Mara
can be visited any time of the year but the most dramatic time of the year is
between July and November during the great wildebeest migration.
Accommodation while on safari in the Maasai Mara
There are
excellent accommodation facilities within the Mara ranging from 4 star lodges
to tented camps with all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay.
There are
also public campsites for having their accommodation arrangements like tents.
This lodges
and camps include:
v
The
Mara Serena lodge
v
The
Mara sarova lodge
v
The
Keekorok lodge
v
The
Mara ashnil camp
v
The
Mara samba lodge
v
The
Mara fig tree lodge
v
The
Mara sopa lodge
v
Mara
rianta exploreans camp
And others
The Mara Serena lodge
This four
star lodge offers world class accommodation in world. Reputed for its exception
customer service, fresh cuisines, this hotel offers accommodation packages
second to none.
Located
around 65 kilometres from the sekenani gate inside the mara reserve, the lodge
has the architecture of the Maasai manyattas with the rooms providing a classic
view of the Mara plain.
The hotel
has over 75 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a souvenir shop, a swimming pool, and
evening shows with singers and acrobats who offer entertainment sessions for
guests.
Mara simba lodge
This lodge
is located inside the Mara reserve on the river bank of Talek River.
There is a beautiful view of the river from the rooms where crocodiles and
hippopotamuses abound.
Hot air balloon excursion in the Mara
There are
aerial safaris on hot air balloon that can be booked from the various hotel
receptions in the Mara. The flight takes off everyday at around 6 in the
morning. The flight lasts for about one hour. The hot air balloon traverses the
Mara plains where the tourists have a panoramic view of the Mara from above.
The tourists can spot herds of buffalos, lion prides and other animals from
above.
THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN SAFARI ROUTE
Aberdare national park (970 kilometres squared)
Located 180
kilometres north of Nairobi,
Aberdare national park soars to an elevation of 4000 metre above sea level. It
has a heavy montane forest and moor land. There is abundant wildlife in this
park though it’s difficult to spot in this bushy terrain.
Elephants,
buffalos, rhinos, black and white Columbus
monkeys, spotted hyena, are abundant here.
Leopards
are also easily spotted.
Accommodation in Aberdare national park
There are two major lodges located within Aberdare national park namely;
The ark Arbedares
v
The
treetops lodge
The treetops lodge
Located
near the centre of the park, this lodge has been designed specifically to
enable its clients view wild animals after dark.
The lodge
has various arrangements for accommodation.
The Aberdare country club/ the ark
The ark is
located at the heart of the Aberdare. The lodge has been constructed in a shape
resembling the Noah’s ark in the bible there by getting that name.
The lodge
has 59 rooms. It also has a flood lit water hole which has salt licks that
attract animals to come for a drink and lick the salt, so that the tourists can
view them easily from the balcony.
Children
below the age of 7 years are not allowed into the ark lodge.
Mount Kenya national park
(715 kilometres squared)
Mount Kenya
is the second highest mountain in Kenya
after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Batian is the highest peak at 5199 metres above sea level.
The park
protects and preserves large sections of mountain forests and bamboo thickets
and their varied wildlife numbers, the alpine moor lands, glaciers and tarns.
Ascending
the mountain, one crosses different zones of vegetation.
The dense
montane forest has the Columbus
monkeys, blue monkeys and many more.
Hiking Mount Kenya
and the climbing routes
Potential
climbers should be informed of the inherent dangers of mountain sicknesses, the
cold and snow blindness, sharp rocks and crevasses.
Above all
beware of the possibility of pulmonary oedema, a dangerous lung congestion
which affects climbers at 3950 meters and above.
Visitors
intending to climb or stay on the mountain for a long time must be accompanied
by guides and porters.
The naro moru route
This is the
quickest route. The motor track continues for 10 kilometres to a height of 3050
metres above sea level. Here there is a rangers post, a self service lodge for
30 people, a porter’s dormitory and a parking area.
Timau route
Here, the
motor track on the northern slopes of the mountain enables the climber to drive
up to a height of 4160 meters.
Sirimon route
Through
this route, climbers pass through juniper and podo forest before reaching the
bamboo zone.
Elephants,
buffalos, bushbucks and Leopards can be seen along the route.#
Motorists
can drive up to 3930 meters where there is a campsite near a stream.
Chogoria route
Located on
the eastern slopes of the mountain, this route is situated at 245 kilometres
from Nairobi
along the Nairobi Meru highway.
This route
ascends to:
Lower montane forest
This is
situated between 2100-2400 meters above sea level. The main tree species
include camphor, cedar and podo.
Bamboo zone
This zone
is located between 2400-2800 meters. Grass bamboo grows as a forest attaining
heights of 12-15 meters. There is plenty of flowering plants here.
Hagenia/hypericum zone
This zone
is spotted between 2850-3000 metres above sea level. This is a region of high
rock peaks tarns and ragged rocky slopes.
Nival zone
This zone
is located 4350 metres above sea level. This is a zone of rock and ice.
Peaks
lenana (4970), nelion and batian (5199) are the main peaks on Mount
Kenya.
The best
time to climb Mount Kenya is between January
and February and between June and October.
Remember
that mountain climbing is a serious issue and that adequate preparations should
be undertaken.
Accommodation around Mount
Kenya national park
There are
many tourist resorts that have come up targeting tourists on this route but Mount Kenya safari club is the most visited hotel on this
route
Mount Kenya safari club
Located 220
kilometres from Nairobi, this hotel is only 3
hours drive from Nairobi. This hotel has many standard rooms,
twelve cottages, eight garden suites, 1 king suite and a presidential suite.
The hotel
has a restaurant, a bar, an art gallery, massage centre and a beauty salon.
The hotel
is situated just below Mount Kenya, a fact
that assures guests to this hotel a panoramic view of the mountain and its
surroundings.
Beautiful
exotic birds can be sighted around the hotel premises. This is the hotel to visit
for all the people with an inherent passion for sports for there is a swimming
pool, a tennis court, a golf course and horse riding facilities.
You can
also organise climbing mount Kenya from this hotel. All the rooms in this hotel
offer a panoramic view towards mount Kenya. The marabou stork regularly visit
the precincts of this hotel
The marabou stork bird
The marabou
is a big bird with some a naked red head. Its legs are grey in colour but they
do appear white to the excrement. Marabou birds apply excrement on their legs
as method for insulation from losing its body heat to the surrounding.
Marabou
inhabits the savannas and the lake shorelines and big towns where they scavenge
the dumping sites for food.
The marabou
stork has a balloon like structure hanging on its neck, which is a air sac
where oxygen is stored to enable it to fly to high heights. This bird spreads
its wings second only to the albatross. An adult marabou stork weighs up to 9
and half kilograms.
Meru national park (870
kilometres squared)
Meru
national park is located 370 kilometres north east of Nairobi. This park is situated on a semi-arid
zone. Kenya
mightiest river tana borders this park. This park has many swamps which become
the attraction points for animals during the dry season
The Tana River that borders the park enables the visitor to
see hippopotamuses, crocodiles and a variety of other animals along the river
banks. This is the best parks to see the different bird species.
Watch Hippopotamuses
and crocodiles of the tana in the Meru national park.
Hippopotamus
This is the
heaviest land mammal after the elephant. Hippopotamuses have a naked and
sensitive skin that loses water rapidly, therefore the hippos are forced to
spend a better part of the day totally submerged in the water to minimise
moisture loss to the environment.
Hippopotamuses
feed mainly on grass, plucking it by their wide muscular lips at night.
Hippopotamuses spend the day digesting and socializing in the water. Adult hippopotamuses
weigh between 1500-2500 kilograms. These amazing animals have the ability of
spending up to five minutes submerged in water. Hippos have an eight month
gestation period, after which 1 calf is born. The young hippos are suckled
under water. Hippos may live for up to 50 years.
Hippopotamuses
are very aggressive animals that do kill more than 2500 people in Africa and therefore should be approached with care.
A measure
of there aggressiveness is that even crocodiles are afraid of hippos, in fact a
hippo can cut a crocodile into two in just a single bite!
Crocodiles
The Nile
crocodile is the most common crocodile species in the Tana
River. Nile crocodile is the largest living crocodile which weighs
up to 1000 kilograms in weight. Males are larger than females.
Crocodiles
are very attentive parents. The female digs a nest hole on a sand bank within
which she lays 16-80 hard shelled oval eggs. The potential mother may even fast
for close to 60 days guarding the eggs. If the mother senses any danger, she
puts all the eggs in her mouth then after security assurance, she spits them
back into the nest. The eggs are then incubated in the sun.
The eggs
hatch after about 85 days. The sex of the hatchlings depends on the incubation
temperatures. If the eggs were incubated between 26-30 degrees Celsius, the
result is female crocodiles. If the eggs are incubated at a much higher
temperature like between 31-34 degrees Celsius, the result is male crocodiles.
The parents
protect the nest during development and then assist the hatchlings from the
nest and then carry them into the water.
Hatchlings
and sub adults live in marshes and back waters where they ambush mammals and
birds.
The
crocodile approaches its prey under water or on the surface, camouflaged as
partially submerged log. Nile crocodiles are
surprisingly fast runners on land. Always be ware of their whereabouts whenever
walking near sizeble water bodies. Crocodiles are simply dangerous….very
dangerous!
Samburu, buffalo springs and shaba national
reserves
These three
reserves are situated about 325 kilometres from Nairobi. The reserves host some very rare
species of animals which cannot be seen anywhere else in Kenya. The
reserves are located on the Somali-Maasai arid zone whose characteristic
climate is hot and dry during the day and cool at night.
There is a
maximum annual mean temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 22
degrees Celsius. The samburu and buffalo springs atre traversed by the uaso
nyiro river and several springs that attract thousands of wildlife especially
during the dry season. The rare animals that can spotted in this reserves
include the gravy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, guenther’s dik
dik and the gerenuk.
Other
animals present include the lesser kudus, elephants, grant gazelles, lions,
cheetahs, leopards and more than 350 bird species.
Leopards of samburu national reserve
This is the
easiest park where a visitor can spot a leopard. This large spotted cat with
short powerful limbs lives in every type of habitat except in the interior of
large deserts.
The leopard
has a gestation period of 100 days where 1-4 cubs are born.
This member
of the big five, eats whatever form of animal protein is available, from
termites to gazelles. It hides its meat on the trees to prevent lions and hyenas
from taking its food. This animal leads very solitary life.
Leopards
weigh between 30-60 kilograms while males weigh between 35-80 kilograms.
Leopards
may live up to 20 years depending on the prevailing conditions in the immediate
surrounding.
Large chunks
of meat hung on a tree serve as an indication of the presence of a leopard in
the vicinity.
Accommodation while on safari in samburu
reserve.
Hotels and
lodges in this reserve include:
v
Samburu
ashnil lodge
v
Samburu
wildlife lodge
v
Samburu
samba lodge
v
Samburu
serena lodge
v
Samburu
elephant bedroom
THE SOUTHERN AND COASTAL SAFARI ROUTE
Amboseli
national park (392 kilometres
squared)
This park
is located 250 kilometres from Nairobi, at the
foot of the highest mountain in Africa; mount
Kilimanjaro.
This is the
best park to spot large herds of elephants wallowing in mud or swimming in
swamps. The snow capped peaks of mount Kilimanjaro are well visible on good
weather especially early morning and in the evening from this park.
Amboseli
has two swamps that receive their water from the melting snow on mount
Kilimanjaro. This water then travels underground from Kilimanjaro to the swamps
in amboseli. The two swamps sustain wildlife and vegetation in amboseli.
Mount
Kilimanjaro is climbed from Tanzania
but it is better observed from the kenyan side. There is a look out point on
the observation hill that offers a panoramic view of the park and beyond.
Elephants of Amboseli
This member
of the big five, is the largest land mammal. Males weigh between 4000 and 5000
kilograms. Females weigh up to 3000 kilograms.
Mating
periods for elephants reach their peaks during the rainy season, where a single
calf is born after a gestation of 22 months, the longest in mammals.
Female elephants
live in social groups of between 9-11 females and their calves a group that is
led by the oldest cow. Elephants loose their teeth six times in its life time.
Males leave
the group when they are about twelve years old and spend the rest of their lives
alternately associating with other males and wandering alone. Elephants can eat
vegetation weighing up to 300 kilograms in 24 hours.
Elephants
are known to live up to 60 years of age
Other animal
that may be viewed at the amboseli national park includes giraffes, lions,
gazelles, snakes, leopards, cheetahs and many more.
Accommodation in and around amboseli
There are
several hotels and lodges that are located in and around amboseli.
There are
two main lodges that are located inside the amboseli national park;
Amboseli serena lodge
This lodge
has 96 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a souvenir shop. It also has a swimming
pool, and the rooms have all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay.
Oltukai lodge
Other
lodges that are located just outside the park along the fence to the park
include:
v
Kilima
lodge
v
Sentrim
game camp
v
Sopa
lodge
Tsavo national park
The tsavo
national park is divided into tsavo east and west by the highway and the
railway line that both lead from Nairobi to Mombasa.
The two
parks are situated on the same ecological zone.
Tsavo west national park
The western
region of tsavo west is made up of recent (about 400 years old) volcanic lava
flows.
The lava mantles
are called “shetani” the Swahili word for devil. The lava crumbs absorb rain water
than flows underground for 40 kilograms and emerges as the mzima springs. These
water springs create a home for thousands of aquatic animals, especially the
hippopotamuses and fish.
The
hippopotamuses are observed from the safety of an underground glass observation
point which was specifically constructed to let the visitor see how these
animals behave below the water surface.
In a good
day with clear weather, mount Kilimanjaro is visited from this park.
Giraffes,
elephants, leopards, kudus, buffalos, and lions are plenty here.
Tsavo east national park
This open
wildeness has the same flora and fauna as tsavo west. There are thousands of
elephants in tsavo east national park.
All the
bird species found in dry savanna bush and woodland are found in tsavo. The
giant baobab trees which may live up to 1000 years are scattered widely.
Accommodation in tsavo west
Kilaguni
serena lodge is one of the finest lodges to spend your night while on safari in
tsavo west.
The lodge
has over 150 rooms that have all the neccessay amenities for your comfotablse
stay.
Accommodation in tsavo east
Sentrim
tented camp is located a few kilometres from the voi gate into tsavo east
national park. Is camp provides ideal camping facilities one can dream for in
the wild.
THE NORTH
COAST SAFARI ROUTE
Apart from
the white sand beautiful beaches of the Kenyan coast, the coast also has
several parks and marine reserves which a visitor can pay a visit while on
relaxation at the coastal beaches.
Mombasa marine national park (10
kilometres squared)
This park
was established in 1986. it is located 13 kilometres from Mombasa town.
It was
created to protect the corals and coral fishes.
Araboko-sokoke forest national park and reserve
Located
south of watamu, six square kilometres of this forest has been declared a
national park.
This is a
remnat of the indigenous coastal forest. This is the only place in the country
where the rare aders duiker and the golden romped elephant shrew live.
Watamu Marine
Park
This park
is located about 24 kilometres south of malindi. The dry seasons ( January to
march and June to October) are the best times to visit this marine park.
Visitors
are not allowed to fish or collect corals or shells in the marine parks.
Accommodation in the north coast
North coast
is part that is located after crossing the Nyali
Bridge after leaving the Mombasa city centre.
There are
numerous four and five star hotels located in this area. These include:
v
The white sands five star hotel
This hotel
is located less than 15 kilometres from Mombasa
city centre. The hotel has three buildings that have been constructed using the
Arabic architecture. The hotel is surrounded by a tropical garden. The hotel
has direct access to the shores of the Indian ocean
The hotel
has 343 rooms in total, which have all the necessary facilities for a
comfortable stay. These facilities include:
4
restaurants, 4 bars, a night club, a shop, a beauty salon, a conference hall, a
library and a massage centre.
In
addition, the hotel has five swimming pools, a fitness centre and table tennis
grounds. All the rooms have air conditioners, direct telephone, a safe,
mosquito and a balcony. In the executive rooms there is a mini bar.
v
Mombasa Serena hotel
This five
star hotel is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
It is constructed using the African traditional style, with a total of 166
rooms. The hotel has 2 restaurants, 3 bars and a forex bureau. The hotel has an
open swimming pool with a baby pool on the side, beach volleyball and tennis
courts.
Other hotel
and beach resorts in the north coast include;
v
The
Neptune palm beach
resort
All rooms
have a television, air conditioner, a mini bar. All rooms have balconies with a
perfect view towards the ocean.
THE SOUTH
COAST SAFARI ROUTE
Kisite mpunguti marine national park (28
kilometres squared)
This park
is located about 120 kilometres from Mombasa.
It offers the best snorkelling and diving sites.
There are
boat trips from shimoni shore line the deep sea fishing area. As the visitors
sail to the marine park, they may see dolphins swimming alongside. Wasani Island
has a unique landscape and old Arab villages.
Shimba hills national reserve (192
kilometres squared)
This superb
is located 40 kilometres south of Mombasa.
This marine park consists of rolling hills of grasslands with the sea view.
This
reserve was established in 1968 to protect the sable antelope.
The reserve
has a panoramic view of the ocean to the south and the Usambara
Mountains over in Tanzania.
Accommodation in the south coast
The south
coast of Kenya is the part
of Mombasa that
someone accesses after ferry. This includes likoni, kwale and ukunda. This is
the centre of the Swahili culture. Mombasa
is the epicentre of the Kenyan tourism industry due its beautiful and vast sun
baked white beaches.
Hotels and
resorts here are situated at Diani beach stretching for close to 20 kilometres.
The hotels and beach resorts along the south coast beach line include;
v
Southern palms hotel
This four
star hotel is located along the diani beach stretch. The buildings are constructed
using the Swahili architecture. It has one of the biggest swimming pools in Kenya.
The hotel
has 302 rooms with three restaurants, a beauty salon and a children’s club.
There is a
table tennis facility, and a fitness centre. One can organize deep sea fishing
and diving through the hotel reception.
Other beach
hotels in the south coast include;
v
The
diani reef resort
v
The
Neptune paradise village resort
How do I do a safari around Kenya?
There so
many factors one should consider before deciding where and when to visit Kenya. As
depicted in this book, Kenya
has a wide range of tour packages on offer that one can choose from when choosing
where to visit and where to sleep.
Most
tourists fly into Kenya
through the Jomo Kenyatta international airport in Nairobi. Most tourists prefer to do their
safari starting from nairobe hten to other destinations of interest
Most
tourists prefer doing a week’s safari traversing the various national parks and
then they do finalize by relaxation at the beaches of the Indian
ocean.
