parks

Natural Track Safaris

Adventures in the wilderness

Kenya & Tanzania

Central Kenya and The Rift Valley Parks

Nairobi National Park

Nicknamed as the 'city in the sun', Nairobi is only city in the world which neighbors a

natural game protection area, with more than 100 species of mammals. It was opened in

December 1946 and covers an area of 117 Sq.Kms. It is only 7 Kilometers from the city

centre, at altitude of 5,000 Ft. The Park borders South Kapiti Plains and Kitengela plains

famous as the traditional migration route. The Park accommodates a wide range of

wild game. It is a seasonal park but most of the game like Kenya's indigenous Black

Rhino, live in the protection of the Park year round. Herds of plains zebra, wildebeest

and eland enter the park during the great migration in July and August to enjoy the rich

grazing until the next rains come.

The park is a great starting point for birding safaris with more than 400 species

recorded and its proximity to the city makes it ideal for short birding or family

excursions.

It was Kenya's first National Park and it was here that the historical burning of ivory

by President Moi in 1989 took place. 10 tons of ivory worth Kshs. 60.million was torched

to mark the end of tolerance of destruction of the Kenya heritage through poaching.

This was a historical turning point for Kenya in the fight to eliminate mass-slaughter

of elephants and rhinos.

It is in this park that nature surprises continues to show ;a cheetah successfully giving births

to seven cubs and taking care of then successfully. In June-July the big herds of wildlife

start pouring in but the black rhino spends the year within the protection of the Park.

Though their is no accommodation in the Park, Nairobi has great hotels and a few hours

in the park is not to be missed.

Hells Gate National Park

90 Kilometers from Nairobi , Hell's Gate is an ideal family getaway for a day trip from

Nairobi or stopover en-route to Lake Nakuru or the Masai Mara, located just beyond

Lake Naivasha. It was opened in 1984 and is famous for its natural hot geysers, walking

walking trips, camping, cycling and rock-climbing . You can arrange for Horse-riding

here and the views are great. For the birders, it is famous for Veraaux's eagle ,vultures

augur buzzard breeding grounds. Over 100 bird species have been recorded in

this 68 Sq. Kms park.

Other intesting features to enjoy include the Fischer's Tower, formerly a volcano's plug,

the Central Tower and Njorowa Gorges. Olkaria and Hobley are extinct volcanoes that

are worth visiting. Natural steam vents rise from fissures in the volcanic rock. Obsidian,

a striking black glassy rock formed from cooled molten lava is a feature of this landscape.

Among the wildlife are buffalos, Masai Giraffe, elands, Coke's Hartebeest, lions, leopards

and cheetah. A haven for ornithologists and rock climbers, the cliffs of Hell's Gate are

breeding grounds for vultures, Verreaux's Eagles, augur buzzard and thousands of

swifts; 103 species of bird have been recorded in the park.

Accommodation is available in campsites and also there are fabulous hotels and home

stays around Lake Naivasha for all budgets.

Mt Longonot

Mount Longonot is a young and dominating sight that rises 2,776 meters above sea level

in the the Great Rift Valley. 90 Kilometers from Nairobi, it was formed during the massive

eruptions that formed the Great Rift Valley. Weathering has shaped to a beautiful V-shaped

valleys and ridges with impenetrable forest around the area of the crater giving it a

lush-green look. The park was opened in January 1983 and surrounds the volcano.

Like Hell's Gate, it offers a wide range of attractions for visitors keen on activity

holidays, including hiking, rock climbing, biking. Birdlife is abundant and

Kenyan Wildlife Service rangers are available as guides.

Accommodation is available only in the Hells Gate campsites or the fabulous hotels

and home-stays around Lake Naivasha.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake is almost

13kms across, but its waters are shallow with an average depth of five metres. Lake area

varies greatly according to rainfall, with an average range between 114 and 991 sq kms.

At the beginning of the 20th Century, Naivasha completely dried up and effectively

disappeared. The resulting open land was farmed, until heavy rains a few years later

caused the lake to return to existence, swallowing up the newly established estates.

Afternoon winds and storms can cause the Lake to become suddenly rough and produce

high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai christened the lake Nai'posha meaning

''rough water'', which the British later misspelt as Naivasha..

The lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water

supply have made this one of Kenya's prime agricultural regions.

Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea,

known as the yellow fever tree. These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is

known as a world class birding destination.

The waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores. Giraffes wander

among the acacias, Buffalos wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the

treetops while the Lakes large hippo populations sleep the day out in the shallows.

The region surrounding the Lake is well worth exploring. There are two more smaller

lakes nearby, Oloidien, and Sonachi, a bright green crater lake.

Boat trips on the lake are widely available, and is a great way to spend an afternoon

or morning.

Sunsets are always stunning, with the haunting call of a Fish Eagle high over the Lake

bringing the day to a perfect end.

Lake Nakuru

The world famous Lake Nakuru was created in June 1968 to protect the stunning flocks

of lesser flaming. It covers and area of 188 Sq. Kms and the flamingoes literally turns the

shores into a magnificent pink colour. The bird-life of Lake Nakuru is astounding, giving i

t the title 'Ornithological Paradise'. It is famous in the ornithological arena for scientists

and nature-film photography. A wide range of wood-vegetation, bush and grassland exists

around the Lake with a numerous ecological diversity among them rocky escarpments and

rocky ridges.

It is 157 Kilometers from Nairobi through beautiful Rift Valley sceneries and is at an

altitude of 4,000 -5,767 Ft. On the shores you can view Bohors Reedbuck, waterbucks,

Zebra among other plains game. Only two black rhinos remained as a result of poaching.

Lickily, efforts by K.W.S has now successfully re-established by creation of rhino

sanctuary within the park from Laikipia. It is now home to both black and white rhinos.

Other wildlife in Lake Nakuru park includes hippos and clawless otters, buffalos, leopards,

lions, Rothschild's giraffe, Black and White Colobus monkey. In the bushlands of the

vicinity within the park you can view elands, steinbok, impalas, Chandler's reedbuck and

dik dik, whilst rock hyrax and klipspringer occupy the cliffs and escarpment.

Accommodations include two lodges, K.W.S. Guest House, five campsites, self help banda a

nd two picnic sites, Makalia Falls & Njoro River Mouth.

Lake Bogoria & Lake Kamnarok National Reserve

At an altitude of 3.200Ft. and covering 107 Sq.Kms is 260 Kms from Nairobi is Lake

Bogoria. A spectacular sight with blue skies above it for canopy. The alkaline waters

support the rose-pink flamingoes by growing blue-green algae, food for them. Though

the flamingoes are seasonal the beauty and magnificence of the pink-populations covering

the lake makes it one of the famous birding and family vacation destinations.

The surrounding bushed grasslands are home to a number of species. The reserve's herd

of the rare Greater Kudu makes it unique and other game to view includes: buffalo, zebra, i

mpala, dik dik and many small mammals. The south shore has acacia-ficus woodland and to

the north is a papyrus swamp.

Lake Bogoria was opened in 1970 and has one lodge, three public campsites, one professional

campsite and one picnic site at the geysers.

Within the same vicinity is Kamnarok National Reserve opened in June 1983. It has a diverse

landscape with a 4,000 ft deep valley with semi-tropical vegetation on its slopes contrasting

with the dry thorn bush at the base. The main game to see are bush pigs, waterbuck, buffalo,

elephant, Rothschild's giraffe, dik dik and warthog. Birds are also abundant, mainly water

birds. There is no accommodation within the reserve.

Masai Mara National Reserve

This is one of the most famous Parks in the world and the most visited park in Kenya.

Standing at an altitude of 5,000 Ft , 275 Kms from Nairobi down the Great Rift Valley with

magnificent views in the distance is Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Reserve itself offers

the famous 'Out of Africa' breathtaking views and covers an area of 1,510 Sq. Km.

Famous also for the Out of Africa film which was mostly filmed here, this Reserve holds

an extraordinary density of animals including "the Big Five" (lions, leopard, elephant,

buffalo, rhinoceros). You will be amazed by the populations and species of plains game.

Also an extension of Serengeti, it is home to the 'National Geographic' nature movies

recorded each year as the impressive feature of annual migration of wildebeests, zebras

and gazelles from the plains of Serengeti. They cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to

reach the Mara's grasslands from late June, tracked by predators among them lions,

leopard,s cheetahs, and hyenas, numerous circling vultures as their journey unfolds.

Their dramatic river crossings are a reality for tourists visiting in early July-August.

Though the migration is world famous, Masai Mara has excellent game viewing all year

round and is abundant. Game includes elephant, black rhino, buffalo, plains zebra,

hartebeest and big cats. The rivers are home to hippos and crocodiles. Its share of the

'Ornithological paradese' stands at an astounding 452 species including a couple of vulture

species.

Established in 1974, the Reserve has Accommodations ranging from safari lodges ,luxury

tented camps. and budget camping site. Other activities include game walks ,night games,

Hot-air balloon flights (recommended especially during the migrations). Some Safari

operators do set up private camps for small groups seeking exclusive and traditional safaris

out of the Reserve.

The Aberdare National Park

The Aberdare National Park is part of the Aberdare Mountain Range, 180 Kms from Nairobi,

a fascinating region of Kenya. According to traditional Kikuyu folklore they are one of t

he homes of Ngai (God). The Park covers an area of 767 Sq.Kms and was opened in 1950.

Mountain ranges and peaks soar to around 14,000 ft. giving way to deep V-shaped valleys

with streams and rivers cascading over spectacular waterfalls - this area is a must for

landscape lovers. From its vital catchment area the Aberdare Rainforest feeds the entire

local and Nairobi water supply. Above the forest is a belt of bamboo, a favourite haunt

of the Bongo, a rare and elusive forest antelope. At 10,000 ft. the bamboo gives way to

moorland, home to the eland, spotted and melanistic serval cats. Other features are the

giant varieties of lobelia, groundsel and heather. Ideal for walking, picnics, camping

and trout fishing in the rivers.

Animals abound in the forest: elephants, buffalos, giant forest hogs and Kenya's indigenous

endangered Black Rhino. The entire forest has been fenced to protect settlement farmers

from animal raids and to create a rhino and forest sanctuary. The Rhino Ark Trust organized

fundraising events to raise the money to build this fence.

Game-viewing is very rewarding: lion, leopard, baboon, Black and White Colobus and

Sykes monkeys are abundant. Rare sightings have also been made of the Golden Cat.

Bird watching and forest walks are very rewarding with over 250 species recorded,

including Jackson's Francolin, sparrow hawk, African goshawk, eagles, sunbirds ,

plovers. among others.

There is a variety of accommodation. Treetops tree-house lodge and the Ark, a lodge

built in the shape of Noah's Ark provide night game-viewing in the Salient area of

the Park with excellent sightings of elephants, buffalos, lions and rhinos, drawn to

the waterholes and saltlicks each evening.

Overall within the Aberdare National Park, there are two lodges, three self-help

banda sites, eight special campsites (requiring advance booking) and one public

campsite (moorland). There are five picnic sites.

Mount Kenya

At 5,199 m. high and covering 715 Sq.Kms, Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest

mountain. It offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty.

According to the Kikuyu tribe legends, it is the home of the Supreme Being, Ngai,

a name also used by the Maasai and Kamba tribes. In traditional prayers and sacrifices,

Ngai (Kikuyu for god) is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga, creator of all.

The origin of the parks name comes from Kere Nyaga, the Kikuyu name for

Mount Kenya, meaning Mountain of Brightness - Ngai's official home.

175 Kms. from Nairobi, the park was opened in 1949 and most of the mountain's

fascination is the variation in flora and fauna as the altitude changes. The lower

slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true montane forest begins at 2,000 m.

and is mainly cedar and podo. At 2,500 m. begins a dense belt of of bamboo forest

which merges into the upper forest of smaller trees, interspersed with glades. In

this area the trees are festooned with high altitude moss.

These forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least

11 unique species. Wildlife includes the Black and White Colobus and Sykes monkeys,

bushbuck, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboons, waterbucks, black rhinos,

black fronted duiker, leopard, giant forest hogs, genet cat, bush pigs and hyenas.

More elusive is the bongo, a rare type of forest antelope.

A number of other rare or endangered species can be found here, these includes the

Sunni Buck, Mt Kenya Mole Shrew, skinks (lizard), and a variety of owls. Occasional

sightings have been recorded of albino zebra.

The high altitude heath at the top (3,000 - 3,500 m.) is generally open, dotted with

shrubs: African Sage, protea and helicrysum. The peak (above 3,500 m.) is moorland,

with little game other than high altitude zebra and eland common in the northern moorland.

There is only one lodge inside the Park, seven climbers huts and three self-help banda

sites. Just outside the Park there are three lodges and another self-help banda site.

Sweetwaters Game Reserve

Sweetwaters Game Reserve is 24,000-acre private ranch with magnificent views across

the plains to the snow capped peaks of Mount Kenya. This game sanctuary is the closest

reserve to Nairobi (2.5 hours drive) home to all the big five game, and has the highest

ratio of game-to-area of any park or reserve in Kenya. Its popular waterhole is floodlit

by night, providing excellent and secluded rarely seen game viewing.

Game drives at Sweetwaters are indeed a pleasure. Game viewing may also take the form

of game walks accompanied by a Resident Naturalist, and game rides on horseback.

Camel riding, night game drives and "bush" lunches or dinners are a delight. The

Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Information Centre, Morani ,the tame black rhino and the

Visitor's Information Centre are most informative and entertaining and should all be

visited while in the Game Reserve.

Located on the reserve is one of several Jane Goodall Institute Sanctuaries maintained

in East Africa. Kept here are a group of chimpanzees originally housed at the JGI

sanctuary in Bujumbura, Burundi. When the Burundi government became unstable in 1994,

the chimpanzees were relocated here.

Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a 200-acre sanctuary set up at Sweetwaters

Game Reserve, a 15-minute drive from Sweetwaters Tented Camp. A visit to this

Sanctuary and the 30-minute boat ride (subject to fine weather) on the river among

the chimps is a must. The aim of the project, initiated by Lonrho East Africa, Kenya

Wildlife Services and the Jane Goodall Institute, was to set up a colony where chimps

could be introduced, rehabilitated and taught to fend for themselves in an area similar

to their natural living conditions.

Priority is given to orphaned and abused chimps. The Sanctuary currently has 26 chimps,

including two babies born in the Sanctuary. There is also a new Visitor's Information

Centre at Morani's Boma, which is a must for all visiting clients staying both at

Sweetwaters Tented Camp and Ol Pejeta House.

Attractions includes Morani, a tame black rhino(a rare phenomenon) born in 1974.

He was brought to the ranch after his mother was killed by poachers, and ever

since is resident in his own sub-sanctuary 8 km away from Sweetwaters Tented Camp.

A visit to Morani is an especially wonderful treat for children. At the entrance to

Morani's Boma is the new Visitor's Centre which is aimed at teaching guests about

the Game Reserve.Other activities are walking safaris, camel rides or join the

experienced rangers on rhino patrols in addition to the 2-3 hours game drive.
Wild dogs (LYCAON PICTUS) return to Sweetwaters after an absence of 30 years.

A pack of between 12-14 wild dog has recently been sighted on a number of occasions

within the Sweetwaters Game Reserve in Laikipia. This pack currently appears to be

moving between the neighbouring Ol Pejeta Ranch and the Sweetwaters game reserve,

having originated from nothern Laikipia. This particular group is well known to the

Laikipia Predator Project which is based on Mpala ranch to the north.

Wild dogs are one of the rarest carnivores in Africa, having disappeared from large

parts of their former ranges. Indeed, this species was all but eliminated from

Laikipia 30 years ago, persecuted by pastoralists and farmers alike. Their return

demonstrates how Laikipia has begun to emerge as one of Kenya's foremost conservation

areas. Laikipia now boasts a thriving wildlife tourism industry and a density of

wildlife second only to the Mara area of southern

Oldonyo Sabuk National Park & Mwea National Reserve

is a fascinating day trip out of Nairobi, only 65 kms away. The mountain rises to 8,000 ft,

covering 20sq. kms. Particularly attractive for hikers or families wanting

some freedom and exercise out of their vehicle. Visitors are recommended to approach

via the spectacular Fourteen Falls on the Chania River. The Park's attraction is its beauty

and views of Mounts Kenya and Kilimanjaro. There is game including baboon, colobus,

bushbuck, impala, duiker and abundant birdlife for ornithologists.

The name is Maasai, meaning 'Mountain of Buffalo'. Today some 250 buffaloes roam the

slopes. Kikuyu traditionalists call it Kea-Njahe, known as the 'Mountain of the Big Rain',

one of Ngai's lesser homes.

The solitary mountain rears up to 2,145m from an otherwise flat area. The steep ascent

requires a 4WD vehicle. Near the summit lies the grave of Sir William Northrup McMillan

(1872-1925) and his wife Lady Lucie. He was a huge Scot, raised in St Louis, Missouri, USA.

He arrived in Kenya in 1901 for the big game shooting, playing host to Roosevelt during

his famous 1911 safari at their ranch Juja Farm (now a popular location for film crews).

He and his wife were great philanthropists, creating the MacMillan Library in central Nairobi.

Mwea National Reserve also in the same area is (altitude 3,000-5,000 sq. ft - opened

January 1976, covering an area of 68 sq. kms), 180 kms from Nairobi. Its main feature

is the meeting of the Tana and Thiba Rivers within the Reserve and the Kaburu and

Masinga hydro-electric dams.

Elephants are plentiful in the Reserve. Other prevalent games are buffalos, impalas,

hippos, baboons, vervet and Sykes monkeys, warthogs, bushbuck, waterbuck, hartebeests,

lesser kudu and jackals. Crocodiles are also found in the dams and two rivers.

No accommodations in these parks but Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park has one campsite.

Mwea National Reserve has two picnic sites: Gichuki Island and Hippo Point.

Western Kenya

Mount Elgon, Kerio Valley & Saiwa Swamp National Park

450 Kms from Nairobi to the western is Mount Elgon, on the Kenya/Uganda border,

a volcanic mountain, formed when the earth's crust erupted creating the Great Rift Valley.

The National Park covers an area of 169 Sq.Kms and is one of Kenya's most beautiful, still

wild and intact, with vast areas of untouched forest. game viewing is excellent and the

Park is home to an estimated 400 elephants, buffalos, leopards, the protected colobus

and blue monkeys, giant forest hog, waterbuck among other antelope species. Over 240

species of birds have been recorded. Huge Elgon teak and cedar trees, some over 80 ft tall,

dominate the forest scenery.

This park was opened in 1968 one of its major attraction is a series of four caves: Kitum,

Makingeni, Chepnyalil and Ngwarisha, which provides niece trekking. Kitum is the largest,

extending horizontally for 200 m. into the heart of the mountain. In Maasai, its name means

Place of the Ceremonies. The park is served also by an airstrip at its headquarters and rises

8,000 -13,000 Ft above sea level.

The caves are favorite gathering places for elephants. Every night, long convoys venture

deep into the caves to feed off the salt rich deposits. This nightly phenomenon has earned

them the title "underground elephants".

Mount Elgon also offers excellent climbing and walking opportunities. No special equipment

for hiking is required and the Park management provides guides. The highest peak on the

Kenya side is Koitobos (4,200 m.). It is reached across beautiful moorlands and the hot

springs can be visited on the way.

The Park is criss-crossed by four rivers, leading to Lake Turkana: the Nzoia, Suam, Kerio

and Turkwell. Sport fishing is available in the Suam River. There are no lodges inside the

Park, but there are three campsites and one picnic site. Three short nature trails lead to

Kitum Cave, Makingeni Cave and the Elephant Bluff.

Other places to visit include Kerio Valley National Reserve and Saiwa Swamp National Park.

Kerio Valley is a 4,000 ft deep valley with semi-tropical vegetation on the slopes leading

down to dry thorn bush at the base, with impressive views. The Kerio Valley was made a

national reserve in 1983 for its bio-diverse importance, covering an area of 66 sq. kms.

Saiwa Swamp National Park is one of Kenya's smallest parks, only 2 sq. kms. Opened in

1974 to protect the semi-aquatic Sitatunga Antelope which has wide-spread hooves to

allow it to walk at the surface of the swamp. It is also home of the endangered

De Brazza Monkey and a variety of otters, giant forest squirrels, Black and

White Colobus monkeys, bushbucks and grey duiker.

Accommodation is available in Sirikawa tented camp outside the park. There is one

camping ground and one serviced campsite within the park. It has three nature trails,

bridges for walking over the swamp and three Sitatunga viewing platforms.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is the world's second largest freshwater lake covering an area of 67,850 sq km.

This vast expanse, about the size of the Republic of Ireland, forms the headwaters of the

River Nile. Its Kenya focus, Kisumu is 350 km from Nairobi by road. Three nations share

the waters of the lake - Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Kenya's share is the smallest (3785 sq km)

but there is a busy network of waterways between the trading towns and villages which lie

along the shores of the lake. Passenger boats and small cargo vessels ply daily from Kisumu

as far as the Tanzanian border and north to Port Victoria near Uganda.

Kisumu, the largest town in western Kenya and the nation's third largest (population

approximately 250,000), is the home of several small industries notably fish processing

and cotton goods manufacture. The town came into existence with the completion, in 1901,

of the first section of the Uganda Railway five years after plate laying began 1000 km away

in Mombasa. It was briefly called Port Florence. Only forty years earlier, the English explorer

Speke, having traveled along the western shore of the lake reached a place he named Ripon

Falls. It was these cataracts, at what is now Jinja in Uganda, which he proclaimed the source

of the Nile.

Fishing for tilapia and nile perch provides a living for many of the Luo people who live along

the lakeside. The fish are sold at local markets or to the processors for sale in Nairobi and

for export. Most of the fishing is from small picturesque dugout canoes, equipped with

lateen sails. The lake once had abundant hippo and crocodile but now these are much

reduced. Sheltering behind Homa mountain, are the small towns of Homa Bay and Kendu

Bay where a small inland crater lake, Sindi, offers a sight of flamingo foraging through

a surface of emerald algae. There is a also a famous heronry very near to Kisumu where

as many as a thousand large water birds nest and breed between March and July.

Also near to Homa Bay are two famous fishing islands, Rusinga and Mfangano. Rusinga

is locally acclaimed as the burial place of Tom Mboya, a great son of Kenya who was

assassinated in Nairobi in 1969. On each of the islands, and also on nearby Takawiri

island, there are fishing camps providing boats for hire and some simple accommodation

in sublime settings. Much of the business of these camps comes from the Masai Mara l

odges where, every morning, planes pick up fishermen for the less than half hour's

flight to the lake.

Kakamega Forest National Reserve

Kakamega Forest National Reserve was opened in 1985 and is 418 Kms from Nairobi

covering an area of 240 Sq. Kms. It is the only tropical rainforest in Kenya, left over

from past millennia when dense rain forest stretched from West Africa, across Central

Africa and into the highland areas on the west and eastern walls of the Great Rift Valley.

Rising 4,000 to 7,000 Ft above sea level, the forest has been a protected area of Kenya

since its vital role in the eco-system was first recognized in 1933.

The sheer size and grandeur of these rainforest trees, some over a hundred years old,

is impressive. The trees create a complete environment for the birds, insects, butterflies

and wildlife, so plentiful in the area. It is a home-coming for birdwatchers and trekking

in the forest gives the feel of the real African wild.

The forest includes some of Africa's greatest hard and soft woods: Elgon teak, red and

white stink woods and several varieties of Croton and Aniageria Altisima. Splendid

orchids sit amongst the branches of the larger trees. Walking beneath the lush forest

canopy the deep shade is pierced by flashes of color, exotic birdcalls, the scents of

wood, flower and moss. The best time to visit is during the rainy season, April to July,

when the flowers are at their most beautiful.

There are 7 kilometers of trails with a team of ranger guides to escort visitors through

the forest. The walk to Buyango Hill, the highest point in the forest, is a must for visitors.

The indigenous trees lining the trails are identified on signs with their local and Latin names.

The Reserve is twice the size of Nairobi National Park with 380 species of plants spread

in swamps, riverine and hardwood forest areas, glades and the shallow forest around

the edge of the reserve. 350 species of bird have been recorded including rare snake-eating

birds. Butterflies and snakes normally only found in West Africa can also be spotted,

although visitors need have no concern about meeting them round every corner. Forest

mammals among them the bush pigs, grey duikers, civet, Sunni, clawless otters and some

fascinating nocturnal game: Ground Pangolin, porcupines and the occasional leopard.

Kakamega forest offers excellent primate viewing with Black and White Colobus being

plentiful and the De Brazza Monkeys (known as 'Karasinga' in Swahili, thanks to its

distinctive white beard) can be found in the adjacent Kisere forest area. Many rare

species of primate are common here such as the Blue Monkey, frequently seen near the

Ishiuki Falls, the Olive Baboon and the Red Tailed Monkey.

Accommodation is available within the Reserve: one guest house (total 8 beds), self-help

bandas with 10 beds and two campsites. Other nearby hotel accommodation is available

as well as the Rondo Retreat, recently opened to visitors, located inside the Reserve.

Easily included on the same western circuit is Ruma National Park. Created as a reserve

in 1966 to protect the only remaining habitat of Roan Antelope, the Park is in the Lambwe

Valley in South Nyanza, 140 kilometers from Kisumu town. The 120 sq. kilometers Park

is a mix of rolling savannah, woodlands, rivers and hills. Its main attractions are game

viewing, birdwatching, hiking and walking, and fishing in the rivers.

You can watch Bohor's Reedbucks, Rothschild's Giraffe, Jackson's Hartebeest, Roan

Antelopes, buffalos, leopard, serval cats and hyenas.Birding is exelent with many

species recorded. There is no accommodations in the park apart from two camping sites.

Two other parks on this circuit are Ndere Island National Park and

Kisumu Impala Wildlife Sanctuary.

Ndere Island Park is only 4.2 square kilometers, an island just off the northern shores of

Lake Victoria, opened in November 1986. Ndere means 'Meeting Place' in the language of

the local Luo tribe. According to Luo folklore, Kit Mikayi, mother of the tribe, rested up

near Ndere after her long journey south down the Nile Valley. She found the lush shoreline

so pleasing that she and her people stayed.

It is home to a variety of birds including fish eagles and a dense population of swifts.

Hippos and crocodiles, including the lesser known Spotted Crocodiles, are at home here.

50 impalas have been introduced to the woodland which fringes the shores. Attractions

include hiking, walking, traditional fishing, boat safaris and picnics. No accommodation

is available.

Kisumu Impala Wildlife Sanctuary was opened in October 1992, to protect a herd of

impalas and provides safe grazing grounds for hippos from the lake. It is used as a holding

point and sanctuary for 'problem' animals, such as leopard, hyena and baboon. It is close

to Kisumu town and occupies less than one square kilometer.

Northern Kenya

Lake Baringo

Lake Baringo is at the threshold of Northern Kenya, and its freshwaters are an oasis in

the arid plains. It is the traditional home of the Njemps tribe, a unique people who are the

only pastoral,

cattle herding tribe who also fish. Among other pastoral tribes such as the Maasai, eating

fish is a taboo.

The 129 sq km lake is well stocked with fish, and attracts many Pelicans, Cormorants and

Fish Eagles. The Lake is also well populated with Crocodile.

The lake itself is truly beautiful, surrounded by volcanic ranges that stretch as far as

the eye can see.

At the lakes heart is Ol Kokwe Island, a stark rocky island that is home to Njemps villages

and a well appointed camp. This is an excellent base for exploring the lake, with boat trips

ideal for bird and hippo spotting.

Baringo is an ideal stopover on a safari to Northern Kenya and is one of the famous birding

destinations in Kenya.

Meru National Park, Kora, Rahole & Mwingi

Meru National Park is wild and beautiful covering 870 Sq. Kms, 348 Kms from Nairobi.

It stands on the equator and watered by 13 rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams,

it is an especially beautiful area of Kenya. It has diverse scenery from woodlands at 3,000

feet on the slopes of Nyambeni Mountain Range, northeast of Mount Kenya, to wide open

plains with wandering riverbanks dotted with doom palms.

Opened in 1968 the park accommodates lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards and some of

the rarer antelopes like Lesser Kudus, duikers and Dik Diks, one of Africa's smallest antelopes.

Large prides of lions can be seen and some of Kenya's largest herds of buffalo. The rivers

abound with hippos and crocodiles, fishing for barbus and catfish is permitted at camp sites

and along the Tana River. In the mid 1980's, the Park suffered from poaching, however

Kenya Wildlife Service armed wildlife security patrols have driven out the poachers.

The elephant populations has stabilized with breeding herds settling down.

The park is 1.000 -3,400 Ft. above sea level and over 300 species of birds have been

recorded including, the Peter's Finfoot which inhabits the Murera and Ura Rivers, the Pel's

Fishing Owl, kingfishers, rollers, bee-eaters, starlings and numerous weavers.

It is this Park that is the famous setting for Joy Adamson's "Born Free" book, the story

of the Adamson's life and research amongst lions and cheetah. "Elsa" the lioness was the

most well-known and her grave is marked here. One lodge and two tented camps are planned

inside the Park. There are eight special campsites which must be pre-booked, one public

campsite, Kenya Wildlife Service self-help banda and Leopard Rock bandas (total 120 beds).

On the border of Meru National Park is Bisinadi National Reserve. Known as 'Kinna',

the border between Meru and Bisanadi Parks is the traditional division between the

Meru and Boran tribes. The Reserve was opened in September 1979 and occupies an a

rea of 606 square kilometers. A true wilderness area without any accommodation it is

only accessible by 4WD vehicles. There is an airstrip at Korbessa.

Another area made famous by the Adamsons is Kora National Park. Opened in October

1989, 280 kilometers northeast of Nairobi, it is an easy outing from Meru National Park.

Covering an area of 1,787 square kilometers, bounded by the Tana River, George Adamson's

camp was here until he died. A feature is the sudden appearance of lush green "oases",

created by the lines of doum palms which shelter the banks of the Tana River. Striking are

the Inselbergs -- isolated rocky outcrops covered in vegetation which create random islands

above the plains. Kora is home to diverse wildlife with more than 20 species of fish being

recorded, 500 species of insect, 33 molluscs and 40 reptiles. Species on display includes

elephants, Lesser Kudus, wild dogs, striped and spotted hyenas, leopards and cheetahs.

Other regional Parks include Rahole National Reserve, offering a wide variety of plains

game, hippos, crocodiles and excellent bird viewing. Also Mwingi National Reserve, f

ormerly North Kitui has hippos, crocodiles, buffalos and warthogs among other species.

Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves

All three reserves offer unique vistas of rounded and rugged hills and undulating plains.

The mix of wood and grassland with riverine forest and swamp is home to a wide variety

of animal and birdlife. Buffalo Springs records over 365 species of bird. Game viewing and

visibility is excellent. Reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, elephant, oryx, Somali ostrich,

hippo, crocodile, gerenuk, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. Shaba National Reserve

is home to Joy Adamson's Monument. It is notable for its hot springs. Samburu and Buffalo

Springs, in particular, are popular tourist routes. Samburu covers an area of 104 Sq. Kms and

is 343 Kms from Nairobi at an altitude of 2,500 Ft. Buffalo Springs covers 131 Sq.Kms and

both were opened in 1985. Both lies in the same ecosystem. There are three lodges in Samburu,

one lodge in Shaba and one tented lodge. There are a number of special campsites in each park,

favored by the mobile tented safari operators, which have to be pre-booked. Shaba also

has an airstrip.

Maralal and Laikipia Game Sanctuaries are also located in this vicinity and is easily

accessible on prior arrangement. Laikipia Plateau Reserve was opened in October 1991.

It is north-east of Laikipia district and borders Isiolo district. To the west is the Mkogodo

Forest Reserve, a belt of riverine forest along the Ngare Ndare River. It is the homeland

of a unique small tribe known as the Laikipia Maasai.

The landscape is rich and varied, game includes elephant, eland, buffalo, zebra, bushbuck,

duiker, bush pigs, Gerenuks, Plains games and the big cats include cheetahs, leopards and

lions. A great haven for bird watching and walking adventures including camel safaris.

Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana is 6,750 Sq.Kms situated in the Great Rift Valley in the northwestern part

of Kenya. Volcanic activity was frequent during the creation of the Rift Valley and lavas

from the Quaternary and Tertiary ages cover much of the floor of the valley in Kenya.

It is one of the most rich regions in terms of history as it has become famous great sources

of evidence of modern man's earliest existence. 650 Km from Nairobi, its home of the

Jade sea 300 km long and 60 km at its widest part was named lake Rudolf by the first

European explorers. Many inquiring adventurous have heard of its fearsome terrain and

attracted by it or curiosity. Count Teleki and Lieut. Von Hohnel reached its shores in 1888,

and was renamed Lake Turkana in 1975.

The eastern shore is reached from Maralal along a road requiring time, patience and skill

to negotiate. In places not much more than a track and in places a lava field this road is

strictly for the adventurous and for four wheel drive vehicles. 225 km after leaving

Maralal you reach Loiyangalani, the only settlement of any size along the eastern shore.

A welcome sight is Oasis Lodge, a simple place but seemingly the height of luxury in its

austere surroundings. The first sight of the vast expanse of the Jade Sea is certainly awesome.

A lake in a desert is itself amazing but this one with its dramatic scenery even more so.

Less than 30 km east of Loiyangalani Mount Kulal towers almost precipitously to 2164m

from the lake level of 370 m. Kulal is one of three International Biosphere Reserves in

Kenya. The location is always windy but from time to time sudden gales whip down from

Kulal to the lake turning its placid waters into a tempest in minutes

South Turkana & Nasalot Reserves

Marsabit National Park

This is one of Kenya's most quiet and remote national parks. It is also one the most parks

of Kenya that requires lots of patience to find wildlife in the bushy centre of the park.

Despite being arid, few wildlife to be expected in this dry region among them

elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetah, buffalos, wart hogs, Grevy's Zebra (found only

in the northern Kenya), reticulated giraffes, hyenas and antelope species. The heart of the

park is extensive forest and as such it supports these wildlife. The thick forest does not

make for great game viewing so it requires lots of your time which will ultimately be rewarded.

Birding is also great with some rare birds on record. Lake Paradise is an enchanting spot

and a good place to camp, although there are no facilities here. This is also where most

of the reserve's water birds hang out. It is highly recommended to fly into Marsabit because

the road from Isiolo is very rough and with banditry cases reported.

Nearby is Losai National Reserve, opened as a single reserve in January, 1976.

It covers 1,806 sq. kms. of wild, semi - desert landscape characterized by rocky hills,

plains and rivers. The scenic beauty is breathtaking; game to view include elephant, Greater

and Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk and Grants Gazelle. It is accessed via the Isiolo/Marsabit road

which passes through the reserve.

South Turkana is at an altitude of 2,000 -6780 Ft ,an area less known and less visited yet

rich with wildlife. It has a number of permanent rivers with woodland fringes and salty

springs. Wildlife is plentiful and on the list includes elephants, giraffes, buffalos, elands,

Oryxes, impalas, bushbucks, greater Kudu, grants and Thompson’s gazelle, lions, leopard,

cheetahs, spotted hyenas and jackals. There are crocodiles in the rivers and abundant

birdlife much of which gathers on the banks of the Kerio River. There are no lodges or roads

yet within the Reserve.

Nasalot National Reserve is quite small opened also in 1979, covering an area of 92 sq. kms.

It is mainly plains broken up by the impressive Sekess Hills, a continuation of the Cherangani

ridges. To the north it is bordered by a section of the Turkwel River and the Wei Wei River

bounds it to the east. It has an important eco-system with river valleys and floodplains,

which support evergreen forests dominated by fig and acacia trees and many types of

papyrus and sedges.

It also has some wildlife among them elephants, hippos, giraffe, impalas, grants and

Thompson’s Gazelle, plains zebra, eland, Lesser Kudus, bushbucks, duikers and dik-dik

and their predators- lion, leopard, spotted hyena and jackal. There are Olive Baboons and

Vervet monkeys and crocodiles are found in the rivers. Over 150 species of birdlife have

been recorded.

These reserves lie on either side of the main highway about halfway between Kitale and

Lodwar. Neither is well endowed with game but Nasalot is dominated by a rugged mountain

of the same name which overlooks the Turkwell Gorge, the site of Kenya's latest

hydroelectric power scheme. There is a murram airstrip but there is no accommodation

in either reserve.

Sibiloi National Park,Malkamari

Sibiloi National park is one of Kenya's greatest treasures and for the world at large,

as "The Cradle of Mankind" It is here that proof to man's origins were found.

It was established by the Kenya National Museums to protect the unique prehistoric

and archaeological sites. In this remote area near Kenya's border with Ethiopia, some

of the earliest hominid traces were found. Koobi Fora finds are considered some of

the most important palaeontological discoveries of the 20th Century.

In the 1960s and 1970s more than 160 fossil remains of early man including Homo

Habilis and Homo Erectus were discovered, putting man's origins back three million years.

More than 4,000 fossil specimens of mammal and stone age artefacts have been discovered here.

The locations of the most important finds can be visited. Four particular treasures are the

shell of a giant tortoise dating back three million years, a set of jaws over 5ft. long from

a crocodile believed to have been over 45ft. in length and the extinct Behemoth, forbearer

of the elephant with massive tusks, both dating back 1.5 million years and the hominid (early man).

The Crater lakes in the Central Island National Park offers an excellent opportunity for

viewing and photography. The Central Island is an important breeding ground for crocodiles.

There is prolific shoreline game including hippos, plains and Grevy's zebra, topi, oryx,

reticulated giraffe, greater kudu and Grants gazelle.

South Island National Park is easier to reach and offers exciting views of giant crocodiles

and age-old traditional lifestyles. There is an airstrip, but boat trips are available from the

western shore. There are three campsites in the Alia Bay region.

Malkamari National Park is located on the north eastern border with Ethiopia. The park

opened in October 1989 and covers and area of 876sq. kms.

Southern kenya

Tsavo-East & South Kitui

Tsavo-East covers an area of about 40% of all Kenyas' parks and is 333 Kms from Nairobi.

It is a famous destination for tourists especially because of its closeness to the coastal regions.

The park lies at an altitude of 500-4,000 Ft and as one of Kenya's oldest (1948) and

largest National Parks, it has been accredited as one of the worlds leading bio-diversity

areas. it has great views with bushy grasslands and open plains alternating with savannah

and semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands. Green swathes cross the Park where the river

banks give rise to lush vegetation. North of Galana is a true wilderness. A number of leading

tour guides offer private safaris throughout this area. I has 16 airstrips and covers an area

of 11,747 Sq.Kms.

Those interested in nature photography will find a haven in Tsavo East with its fabulous

light and unbelievable views, in particular the Mudanda Rock and in Yatta Plateau, the world's

largest lava flow. Luggard's Falls on the Galana River are remarkable for the shaped

water-worn rocks. Game on display among the plains games are elephants, rhinos, lions,

leopards, crocodiles, waterbuck, kudus, gerenuks, zebra and Aruba Hunter's Hartebeest.

Large herds of 'Red elephants' are found here where like to wallow in the muddy pools or

blowing the red earth on themselves giving them a glowing reddish look.

It is also famous as a stop-over for migrating birds like the Kestrels and buzzards. About

500 bird species are recorded including the migratory species on their long flights south.

Accommodation is ample and for all budgets and advance bookings recommended.

To the north is South Kitui National Reserve an area of 1833 sq. Kms, opened in September

1979. It is famous as home to various primates.

Tsavo West

In 1900 the notorious "Man Eaters of Tsavo", man eating lions preyed on the laborers building

the great Uganda Railway. The carriage from which they pulled a traveler is on display in

Nairobi Railway Museum. 240 Kms from Nairobi and at an altitude of 500-6,000 Ft, Tsavo West

is an important historic Monument as a major battleground in World War I where British and

German troops battled for supremacy.

Covering an area of 9,065 Sq, Kms, the Park is easy to reach, located off the main

Nairobi-Mombasa road. It has tremendous views with diverse habitats ranging from mountains,

river forest, lakes and wooded grassland. It is full of plains game while leopards, cheetahs,

buffalos, rhinos, elephants, giraffe, zebra and lions patrol their territories. The rivers

have lots crocodiles and other small mammals like mongoose, hyrax, dikdik and the nocturnal

porcupines abundant. Like Tsavo East it was opened in 1948.

Bordering with the Southern Serengeti plains in Tanzania, it is an excellent park for visitors

who enjoy walking, offering a number of nature trails and the opportunity to explore the

Chaimu volcanic crater.

Mzima Springs is a star attraction, a pool of natural spring water with underwater viewing

hides for observing hippos.

Accommodations are available in lodges and camps and advance booking is highly recommended.

Chyulu Hills National Park is an extension of Tsavo West National Park. It was opened in

January 1983 to protect its unique habitat and role as a vital water catchment area. The

Chyulus are a volcanic mountain ranges with a mix of volcanic cones and barren lava flows,

of which the most interesting is Shetani, meaning "Devil" in Swahili. Buffalos, zebras,

giraffes, Oryx, lions, leopards and many species of birds and plants are at home here.

You can take part here in activities like horse riding, hiking, camping, archeological or

geological safaris with caves to explore. There are fantastic views across Amboseli and

Tsavo Plains.

Amboseli

135 Kms from Nairobi is Amboseli National Reserve covering 392 Sq.Kms. Amboseli

means "a place of water" in masai. This is in reference to the underground streams from

Kilimanjaro's snow belt. The springs converge into two clear water streams in the park.

Amboseli sometimes looks dry but to the surprise of many, the park has alot of water supply

filtered through thousands of feet of volcanic rock.

Amboseli lies at an altitude of 3,900-4,500 Ft and the dust is volcanic ash which spread

from Kilimanjaro a millennia ago. During the dry seasons, a curious feature is the shimmering

dry lake bed where false mirages of populated horizons, punctuated by real herds of zebras

and wildebeests hover in front of visitors. The principal attraction in Amboseli is its vast herds

of elephants within the park. Amboseli is also famous for long-tusked elephant bulls and

Plentiful plains game that includes zebras, wildebeests, giraffe, impalas and leopard.

Smaller cats can be spotted also. Birdwatchers can see pelicans, bee-eaters, kingfishers,

African fish eagles, martial eagles and pygmy falcons.

Opened in 1948, it an important land in the masai culture who still hold on to their traditions

thousands of years old. The ranch areas outside the park offer a wealth of game viewing

and walking safaris. The Kenya Wildlife Community Service works closely with the local

elders to develop eco-tourism attractions which benefit the indigenous communities and

protect this fragile eco-system.

Accommodation is available in and outside of the park.

Malindi Marine National Reserve

The Malindi Marine National Reserve is 118 Kms from Mombasa and comprises of Watamu

and Malindi Marine National Parks. The area also includes several coral and these are the

Whale island at the entrance to Mida Creek in the Watamu Marine National Park. The reserve

is 213 Sq. Kms and forms a variety of marine and tidal habitats in Kenya's North Coast.

It runs 5 kms into the sea and stretches 30 km along the coast from Malindi town to beyond

the entrance to Mida creek. Variety of habitats here includes the inter-tidal rock, sand

and mud, fringing reefs and coral gardens, beds of sea grass; coral cliffs, platforms and

islets; sandy beaches and mangrove forests. Mida creek is a large, almost land locked

expanse of saline water, mangrove forest and inter-tidal mud protected in the Watamu

Marine Reserve. Its extensive forests are gazetted as forest reserves and the extreme

western tip of Mida Creek is part of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve famous for various

varieties of vegetations, birds and butterflies among other creature.

Activities in these parks includes snorkeling diving and fishing the many types of fish that

thrives in these habitats.

This part of the coast is also accessible through Malindi airport.

With more organisms per square meter than any other types of ecosystems, coral reefs are

among the richest, diverse and biologically productive ecosystems in the world. A total of

more than 140 species of hard and soft corals have been recorded on the Kenya coast.

These corals live in symbiosis with chlorophyll generating animals, which gives corals their

spectacular colors.

Watamu Marine National Park

Watamu National Park is part of a complex of marine and tidal habitats on Kenyas North

coast stretching from Malindi town to beyond the entrance to Mida creek. It is enclosed

by the Malindi Marine National Reserve which also encloses Malindi Marine National Park.

Habitats includes intertidal rock, sand and mud, fringing reefs and coral gardens,

beds of sea grass, coral cliffs, platforms and islets, sandy beaches and Mida Creek

mangrove forest. The park was designated as a Biosphere reserve in 1979.

Mida creek is a large, almost land locked expanse of saline water, mangrove and intertidal

muds. Its extensive forests are gazetted as forest reserves and the extreme western tip of

Mida Creek is part of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve. It accessible from Mombasa or

Malindi by road and also through Mombasa and Malindi airports. Lots of fish, turtles and

crubs are easily found here. Mangrove forests with a high density of diverse species thrives

successfully on this coast.

Mombasa Marine National Park & Reserve

Both of them cover an area of 210 Sq. Kms. The park is 10 Sq. Kms and the reserve is

200 Sq. Kms. Among the marine parks and reserves, Mombasa Marine reserve and park

are more famous and more frequented. This part of the coast is also more developed with

tourist facilities. Boats for hire are also available through some travel agents at the coast.

Water sports along the beach are numerous offered by water sports companies who also

arrange diving and hire of diving gear.

Mombasa itself is a mix of traditional and modern culture. The 17th Century Fort Jesus,

which was used as a Fort by the Portuguese against Sultan invasion after which the

Portuguese were eventually evicted after a two year siege, is within the Island ,

a few minutes drive from the marine park. Mombasa Old Town is highly dominated by

swahili culture especially architecture.

Mombasa has very beautiful white beaches and coral gardens. The mangrove forests

and to the richness of this old coast.

Kiunga Marine National Reserve

Kiunga Marine National Reserve incorporates a chain of about 50 calcareous offshore

islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago. The reserve runs for some 60 km parallel

to the coastline off the northern most coast of Kenya and adjacent to Dodori and Boni

National Reserves which share same neighborhoods on the mainland. The climate is hot

and humid and the reserve can be reached by boat from Lamu or by road from Lamu.

It is also accessible by plane through Dodori National Reserve.

The Park is composed of old, eroded coral, the islands mainly lie inland around 2 km

offshore and inshore of the fringing reef. They vary in size from a few hundred sq m

to 100ha or more. Their walls rise sheer from the surrounding seabed and are usually

deeply undercut on the landward side. The larger islands and the more sheltered inner

islands are covered with low, tangled thorny vegetation including grass, aloes and creepers.

The small outer islands provides nest sites for migratory seabirds. The reserve conserves

valuable coral reefs, sea grass meadows, coral reefs and extensive mangrove forests,

with their attendant biodiversity and is also a refuge for sea turtles and dugongs.

Here you can enjoy snorkeling, water skiing, wind surfing or sunbathing. Diving is great

and can be arranged on request. It is also a home to sea turtles, leatherback, reef fish

among lots of other water species. The coast is also rich with vegetation which among them

is the famous mangroves.

Kisite Marine Park & Mpunguti Marine Reserve

40 Kms from Mombasa is Kisite and Mpunguti Marine Parks, located on the south coast

off Shimoni and south of Wasini Island in Kwale District on the south Kenyan coast near

the Tanzanian border. Kisite park covers 11 Sq.Kms while Mpunguti reserve covers 28 Sq.Kms.

The complex covers a marine area with four small islands surrounded by coral-reef. Kisite

island is a small waterless coral island, 8 km offshore in the Marine Park. Coral platforms

around the raised central portion are exposed at low tide. The three other coral islets in the

park (Mpunguti ya Juu(upper Mpunguti) Mpunguti ya Chini (lower mpunguti) and Liwe la Jahazi)

lie closer to the larger Wasini Island, are scrub covered and support no significant wildlife or

birds. The surrounding waters have well developed coral gardens and a large variety of fish.

In contrast, Mpunguti islands have thick equatorial forest while Kisite is flat and with no trees.

It accessible by road from Mombasa through Diani and Kwale. Snorkeling , Diving, bird watching

are some of the activities that you can pariticipate in.

Shimba Hills National Reserve

The Shimba Hills were gazetted as a National Forest in 1903, grassland areas were incorporated

in 1924 and several subsequent extensions took place to bring the Reserve to its present size.

In 1968 most of the Reserve was double gazetted as the Shimba Hills National Reserve.

33 Kms south to Mombasa, two smaller areas to the west adjoining the reserve and almost

entirely forested remain as Forest Reserves, Mkongani North and Mkongani West Forest

Reserve. A fenced elephant corridor connects the Shimba Hills with Mwaluganje Forest Reserve

to the North. The climate here is cooler than in the coast with sea breezes and cloudy mornings.

Shimba Hills has great landscape with hills and valleys extending beyond the reserves

boundaries. The reserve, a part of the coastal rainforest is famous as the home of Sable

antelopes , the Sheldrick Falls and bird watching. Reptiles among them pythons are cobras.

Wildlife includes Roan antelope, sable, buffalos ,abundant primates to name just but a few.

The Shimba hills reserve is one of the largest coastal rain forest in East AFrica after

Arabuko Sokoke The hills are a dissected plateau that ascends steeply from the coastal

plains, 30 km south west of Mombasa and just south of Kwale town. The surrounding

escarpment rises from around 120m to 300m across the bulk of the plateau and as high as

450m at Marare and Pengo hills. The underlying rocks are the Triassic Shimba Grits and

in the north central part near Kwale town Pliecone Magarini sands. Rivers flowing from the

hills supply fresh water to Mombasa and the Diani/Ukunda area.

Two Kayas (forests of spiritual and ceremonial significance) are situated within the

National Reserve.

Accommodation is available in lodge or campsite but needs advance-booking.

Taita Hills,

Scenically stunning, the craggy volcanic Taita Hills, to the west of the Mombasa-Nairobi

highway, are classed as a game reserve, despite the main road which runs from Voi to Taveta.

There is plenty of game to be seen in this area and even travellers on the main road can be

treated to great games-potting.

Taita Hills Game Sanctuary lies between Tsavo East and Tsavo West parks in the south of

Kenya.The Sanctuary, established in 1972, is privately owned and managed by Hilton

International (Kenya) Ltd., and covers a protected area of 28,000 acres (approximately

110 sq. kms or 44 sq. miles).

The dramatic hills rise from the plains and climb to over 2,000m (6,500 ft), making it

extremely scenic and well watered compared to neighboring Tsavo. The park offers a

safe-haven to a wide variety of animals and birds in a compact area of natural beauty.

More than 50 species of mammals are found here on the flatlands at the base of the hills

including Elephants, Lions, Lesser Kudu, Oryx, Buffalos, Leopard, Lions , Cheetah and many

other species.
The most unusual accommodation around here is Salt Lick Lodge, whose rooms are like

African thatched Rondavels on stilted platforms. From this amazing vantage point you look

down upon the animals who constantly come to the waterhole and salt lick. If you get tired

of that you can go underground through a tunnel to a bunker beside the waterhole where

Elephants come within centimeters of you. It is a fascinating place to stay and definitely

worth a visit.

It may seem unlikely, but during the 1914-18 war the nearby Kaisugu Hills were the battle

ground between German forces of von Lettow-Vorbeck and the British Army under South

African General Smuts.

The park consists mainly of plains and woodlands, with typical riverbank vegetation along

the water course. Flanked by the eye-catching and craggy Taita Hills, the park is home to

over 300 species of birds recorded within its boundaries.

Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve

The Arabuko Sokoke Forest is considered to be one of the most important sites for nature

conservation in East Africa. It is the last large remnant of lowland coastal tropical forests

with 11 threatened woody plants. The reserve is comprised of several distinct forest types.

The reserve covers 6 Sq. Kms . It lies a few kilometers inland, between the towns of Kilifi

and Malindi, 110 km north of Mombasa. It was proclaimed a Crown Forest and gazetted in

1943 and part of the forest was gazetted as a strict nature reserve in the late 1960s. It is

the largest existing fragment of the tropical forests that covered much of the East African

coast and is an important habitat for endemic/endangered birds, insects, butterflies and

mammal species. It is also an important monument as remnants of the coastal tropical forests.

There are easy trails in the forests which are also great for birders.

A couple of reptile species (in addition to other species living here e.g. butterflies, Beetles)

are found here among them Boomslang, Green Mamba, Rock Python, Forest Cobra, Sand Lizard

and Day Geullo. It is a great reserve for birdwatchin and among the bird species includes

Sokoke Pipit, Amani Sunbird,Fischers Turaco, Clarkes weaver, Golden Wooodpecker and

many others.

Your can get there by road, which is 75 Kms from mombasa town or by plane through Malindi

or Mombasa airports.

There are lots of accommodation facilities along this coast to suit all budget levels and advance

booking is always recommended.

Tana River National Primate Reserve

This is the famous home of the Mangabey and the Tana River Red Colobus monkey. Tana River

National Primate Reserve was gazetted in 1976 to protect the Lower Tana riverine forests

and the above two endangered primate species. The reserve consists mainly of patches of

riperian forests extending for 16 km along the meandering course of the lower tana river,

350 km east of Nairobi and 240km north of Mombasa. At the time of establishment, the

reserve occupied approximately 171 Km of forest, dry woodland and savanna habitat on the

East and West of the Lower Tana River. 16 patches of forests ranging from 10 to 625 ha. in

size fall within the reserve. It is usually hot with temperatures ranging from 20-40 degrees

Centigrade and is accessible through Malindi/Garissa road or through an airstrip on the

south of the Livestock Holding Ground. There are a lot of other tracks that link to the

settlements.

Though the main attractions here are the endemic Red colobus and mangabey, there are

other attractions e.g., Nile crocodile, Python, Monitor Lizard, butterflies, baboons, cheetah

and lots of antelope species. More than 300 species of trees have been recorded in this

reserve, a complex mix of pan-African rain forest species, East Coast forest species plus

10 rare woody plants of which 5 are endemic. A walk in the neighborhoods of the forest

can be arranged which can be a lot of fun.

Arawale National Reserve

Arawale national reserve is located in the North-Eastern Province, in Garissa district, 5 km

from the left bank of the Tana river. The Reserve is located 250 km north of Mombasa and

130 km north of Malindi

Arawale was gazetted in 1973 covering an extension of 533 Sq.kms and with the primary

purpose of protecting a rare antelope species, which is found only in this region, the Hirola

or Hunter's hartebeest. The landscape in this area is mostly a dry thorn-bush savannah.

Hunter's hartebeest or Hirola (Damaliscus Hunter) is a slender antelope with lyre-shaped

horns which is the main asset ot the reserve. It is a rare and shy antelope which is seriously

endangered. Its territory extends to the Somali border, but the population is very scarce and

sightings are infrequent. The reserve also hosts some elephants, giraffe, Grevy's zebras,

lesser kudus, buffalos, hippos and crocodiles.

There is no accommodation available at the reserve and the nearest hotels are in Garissa,

northward, and Garsen, southward, but both towns are quite far away from Arawale, so

camping is the recommended option.

The Rift Valley

The Rift Valley is one feature worth mentioning and deserves a lot of credit as a home to the

rift valley lakes, great sceneries and its influence on the geography of East Africa. A lot of

geographical features are attributed to it. Volcanoes topped with tropical ice, shimmering soda

lakes, rainforests and acacia spotted savannahs, diverse cultures both old and new, deserts,

tropical beaches and the greatest concentrations of wildlife on Earth; Wherever you travel in

East Africa the Rift Valley is not far away.

Its influence has shaped one of the world's most diverse and spectacular regions. The Rift

Valley is a 6,000-mile crack (fissure) in the earth's crust, stretching from Lebanon to

Mozambique. One of its most dramatic sections slices through East Africa, dividing Kenya

into two parts.

Geologists know that the Rift Valley was formed by violent subterranean forces that tore

apart the earth's crust. These forces caused huge chunks of the crust to sink between parallel

fault lines and force up molten rock in volcanic eruptions. Evidence that this process, called

rifting is still in progress comes from the many active and semi-active volcanoes, located

along the Rift. Evidence of volcanic activity along the rift is provided by the presence of

numerous boiling hot springs in Hell's Gate, Lake Bogoria among other places.

Nairobi

Nairobi is a completely modern, colonial creation and almost everything here has been built in

the last 100 years. Until the advent of locomotive transport in the late 19th century, Nairobi

was just a boggy waterhole for the Maasai people and of little interest to the European

colonialists. When the Maasai were devastated by civil wars and a litany of diseases, including

rinderpest, cholera and smallpox, the laibon - chief or spiritual leader - of the Maasai was

forced to negotiate a treaty with the British allowing them to march the Mombasa-Uganda

railway line right through the heart of the Maasai grazing lands. As the rails of the East Africa

railway fell into place across the nation, a depot was established on the edge of a small stream

known to the Maasai as uaso nairobi (cold water). Curiously, the Maasai's end-of-the-world

myth spoke of an 'iron snake' that would one day crawl across their land.

Nairobi quickly became a tent city and a supply depot, and soon enough developed into the

administrative nerve-centre of the Uganda Railway. The place became a convenient and

relatively cool place for the Indian railway laborers and their British overlords to pause

midway before tackling the arduous climb into the highlands.

With the completion of the railway, the headquarters of the colonial administration was moved

from Mombasa to the cooler, small settlement of Nairobi. Now, as the capital of the British

Protectorate, the future of the city on the swamp was assured. Once the railway was up and

running, wealth began to flow into the city. Immediately, the colonialists began to show an i

nterest in touring the country, and a stay in the relatively cool capital became a standard part

of the trip to Kenya. The colonial government built some grand hotels to accommodate the

first tourists to Kenya - big game hunters, lured by the attraction of shooting the country's

almost naively tame wildlife. There was even a special chair on the front of the train to enable

visiting dignitaries to bag lions and elephants on the trip from Mombasa to the capital.

White settlers soon began to move into the fertile highlands north and then south of Nairobi.

This led to friction with the local Maasai and, later, the Kikuyu. Mixed agricultural farms were

set up, with coffee plantations established at about the same time by new arrivals that included

Karen Blixen and her husband, Brer. The number of white settlers rose to 9000 by 1920; by the

1950s it was 80,000. Alienated from their land, many Kikuyu people migrated to Nairobi during

the same period, became part of the colonial economy, and formed associations whose principal

aim was the return of land to the Kikuyu. One such person was Johnstone Kamau, who later

changed his name to Jomo Kenyatta.

Until after WWII, Kenya's white rulers were in no mood to accommodate the demands of the

Africans. However, African troops returning from the war were equally in no mood to accept

the status quo and the bloody Mau Mau Rebellion, which mainly involved the Kikuyu, raged

until 1956. Soon afterwards, Kenyatta was jailed and later placed under house arrest until 1961,

although there was no evidence to link him with the rebellion. Pressure continued to build on

the British and, on 12 December 1963 Kenya gained independence, with Kenyatta as its first

president. Throughout the 20th century, Nairobi continued to grow. Almost all of the colonial-era

buildings were replaced by bland modern office buildings during the burst of new construction

that followed Uhuru (independence) in 1963. Nairobi is now the largest city between Cairo and

Johannesburg. This growth has put pressure on the city's infrastructure.

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is also the capital of East Africa in many ways. It is the financial

and business center, as well as a transportation and communications crossroad. With well over

one million inhabitants and growing rapidly, Nairobi has benefited greatly from Kenya's overall

stability on a continent known mainly for its lack of stability. As the largest city between Cairo

and Johannesburg and the UN's fourth "World Center", Nairobi is an often frantic mix of

businessmen, diplomats, tourists, and locals.

In 1998 the US embassy on Moi Ave was blown up by militants linked to Osama Bin Laden,

killing more than 200 Kenyans.

Today it's a bustling city in the grip of a seemingly endless crime wave, and heavy-handed

policing and political disputes often result in violent demonstrations, particularly when the

government embarks on one of its slum-clearing sprees. Religious violence is also on the increase.

Nairobi is best characterized by the variety of locally-given descriptive names, representative

of the city’s contrasting images - of wealthy spacious suburbs, charming flower-lined streets

and a refreshing climate, alongside crime, corruption, filth and poverty. Names like ‘Green City

in the Sun’, ‘City of Flowers’ and the Masai name ‘Place of Cool Waters’ attempt to overshadow

the all too real version of ‘Nairobbery’ that stands as a well-found warning to newly arrived

tourists.

It is a place of enormous energy, a tireless and thriving bustle of people, and a city of

differences. Assorted races, tribes and origins are all a part of its make-up. Rural immigrants

and refugees are drawn by the hope of wealth and opportunity, international businessmen are

attracted by profitable business prospects, and tourists are promised the makings of the

perfect safari. The city centre buzzes with the energy, aspirations and opportunism of

moneychangers, safari touts, would-be thieves, food vendors and trinket sellers, prostitutes,

shoppers, security guards, and sharp-eyed shoe shiners assessing the footwear of the hurried

throngs. Among them are the disillusioned faces of the unemployed, the beggars and the destitute.

Kenyatta Avenue is the city’s favorite tourist image, a broad avenue fringed by trees and

flowers that was originally designed to allow a twelve-oxen team to make a full turn. There

are several museums and places of interest in the centre, including the National Museum and

Snake Park. There are numerous markets selling traditional crafts, especially the appealing

Masai market. Just outside of the centre is the Nairobi National Park, and the nearby Bomas

of Kenya host performances of traditional dancing and singing. The Langata Giraffe Centre

offers visitors the chance to hand-feed the Rothschild giraffes who inhabit the area.

Is is also the safari capital of Africa and a good base for travel in Kenya. From here excursions

and safaris can be arranged to any of the national parks or reserves in the country.

Presidential elections in December 2002 were expected by some to be the spark to ignite the

Nairobi tinderbox. Mwai Kibaki became the country's third president when

President Moi - contrary to all expectations - relinquished power without a struggle after

losing the poll.

Natural Track Safaris P.O. Box 474-00200. Tel + 254 721 611013/ 720 967209 Nairobi, Kenya