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Africa 09Pg92
21/7/08
16:15
Page 93
What to See and Do
Nairobi This is the starting point for many Kenya adventures and it is also Kenya's capital. In and around Nairobi's centre, you will find several very good hotels and a great selection of things to do and see. The Nairobi National Park lies a few kilometres from the city and is just the thing to get you in the mood for the thrills of Amboseli or the Mara, or head out to Karen, the area named after Karen Blixen who wrote the novel Out of Africa'. Here, visit her former home which is now a museum and is set in beautiful grounds, and don't forget to pay a visit to the Giraffe Centre where you can even hand feed these majestic creatures from a special platform. Kenya's Coast Mombasa has a long and fascinating history, dating back to AD200. The old harbour dates back to the 12th Century when spice traders arrived from Arabia on traditional dhow boats and the old town is a maze of narrow cobbled streets. Mombasa, with its beautiful coastline, is Kenya's most popular destination and along its beaches are hotels to suit every style and budget. An hour to the south lies Diani Beach, famed for its long stretch of brilliant white sand and peaceful setting. The hotels and beach to the north are much closer to Mombasa. Kenya's Wildlife Kenya has many fantastic wildlife experiences to offer, from the vast wilderness of the Masai Mara to the flamingo-filled lakes of the Great Rift Valley. We have selected a range of tours that combine some of Kenya's more famous parks. These tours will allow you to experience a range of different wildlife in varying habitats. The Masai Mara is famed for the Big 5' and prolific herds of antelope; Amboseli for its picture postcard scenes with the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro; Tsavo for its elephants and the Great Rift Valley simply for its uniqueness. There is a tour or safari experience suitable for everyone, but please enquire if you have specific requirements.
National Parks & Game Reserves
Masai Mara The Masai Mara National Reserve is probably the most famous and most visited reserve in Kenya. It offers breathtaking views (seen in the film Out of Africa', much of which was filmed here), an extraordinary density of animals including the Big 5' and many varieties of plains game. An impressive feature is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains of the Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers, to reach the Mara's lush grassland from late June. Their dramatic river crossings are a reality for visitors in July and August. Mount Kenya National Park This park was created around Africa's second highest mountain. Straddling the equator and covering an area of more than 715km, the mountain's snow-capped peaks can often be seen on clear days. Samburu The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic northern species, including the Reticulated giraffe. The forests along the river banks are home to many birds and leopards. The sight of one of these beautiful and elusive creatures is always a rare treat. Lions are also frequently spotted on the riverbanks, and cheetah can be found on the open plains.
Amboseli National Park This is one of the most popular parks in Kenya, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Elephants abound in the forest and swamps, cheetah and lion may be seen on the salt flats, while giraffe, zebra and wildebeest are often spotted on the open plains. Tsavo East & West The twin National Parks of Tsavo East and West together form one of Africa's largest wilderness reserves. Tsavo as a whole consists of 10 million acres of pure wilderness, incorporating savannah, ranges and hills, acacia and montane forest, and an extensive river system. This single National Park is larger than the island of Jamaica. Both Tsavo East and West are ideal for those who enjoy solitude and a chance to explore wilderness without encountering crowds of people. Lake Nakuru National Park Designated a bird sanctuary in 1961 this park has over 450 different bird species. It is the migratory flocks of thousands of flamingo that are the main attraction here. Black and white rhino, the rare Rothschild's giraffe and the occasional leopard may also be seen. Great Rift Valley Kenya crosses the centre of the Great Rift Valley, the vast prehistoric fissure that stretches from Jordan to Mozambique. From the north to the south of Kenya, the valley is lined with a series of freshwater and soda-based volcanic lakes including Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru.
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