SAFARI

Safaris and Trips

In Kenya, there are more than 50 national parks and reserves, which differ from each other be it scenically or wild game. The large numbers of animal and plant species have made Kenya's national parks famous all over the world. Although these parks are all different, they have something common, they are unique in the world and have something special about them. Different kinds of livelihood are represented here be it in the desert, the mountains, woods or the water protectorates at the Indian ocean.

On does not lack comfort while on safari as most of the lodges and camps are luxury resorts and very well equipped.

National parks of Kenya

Tourism facilities are exceptionally good and there are numerous organized safaris but one can hire a vehicle and all corresponding equipment for a safari.

Balloon-flights offer the possibility to watch wild animals from the bird's-eye view and are becoming popular.

Aberdare National Park

This national park is a thickly wooded mountain range which lies near Mount Kenya and rises 4000 m in height. Elephants, rhinoceri, rare bush antelopes such as Bongo and Dik-Dik antelopes, leopards, lions and different ape species live here. Most visitors prefer watching game from the two height-extended lodges ("Treetops and The Ark" which overlook well lit paths at night). The higher, luxuriant foggy slopes give home to different mountain vegetation and numerous waterfalls, the greatest one being 300 m high "guru waterfall".

Amboseli National Park

This national park is about 400 sq km and is considered rather small for the usual size of nationalparks in Kenya. It lies at the Tanzanian border and is about 220 km from Nairobi. It consists of savanna landscape and marshed area and is primarily noted due to to its elephant population. In addition, it is also home to 400 different bird, amphibians and reptile species. Crowned by the snow-tops of the Kilimanjaro, it radiates one of the most impressive scenery in the wild.

Masai-Mara National Park

This national reserve is located 390 km away from Nairobi in the outermost southwest of the country. Once a year, gigantic herds of gnus, zebras, gazelles, buffaloes and antelopes cross the flat, and stretched-out land, from the north to the neighboring Serengeti in the state of Tanzania. The animals are often followed by their predators, the lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Tired and weary. the heards huddle in long rows, where they wait for the crossing of the Mara river.

Samburu National Park

This park which is similar to a desert is located between Nairobi and the Turkana lake. The rare Oryx antelopes, net-patterned giraffes, gerenknus, and Grevys zebras are found here. In these wildernis, ostrriches and elephants are seen everywhere and visitors sitting at the bar can watch leopards that are lured by baits at Samburu Lodge and the River Lodge.

Lake Turkana

Several nature protectorates lie at the Turkana lake north of Kenya. This lake extends through several hundreds of kilometers unhabitated land and rare fish and aquatic plants can only be found here. Some visitors come here primarily because of fishing and there are lodges set up exclusively for fishing lovers on the east shore. Despite of the inhospitable climate, one finds many known species of animals in Kenya here. Two great volcanic islands lie in the lake. The southern crater filled with water is home for some unusually huge sized crocodiles. The slopes of the mountains covered just below the park limit, are thickly by podacarpus and lichen and overgrown olive trees that change into a bamboo zone with increasing height of up to 15m high.

This area is used by some big farm-producers for cattle breeding although there are a number of wild
animals. In 1991, Laikipia, an area of 165 km was cut out of the National reserve. Some cattle farms such as Colcheccio, Solio (which very successfully breed Pomeranian and broad mouth rhinoceri), El Karama and Segera, are now open for visitors and offer alternative safaris with rides, walks and fishing.

Tsavo-Nationalparks

The Tsavo national park consists of an east and western part. The two parks are approximately 21,000 sq km and area therefore the biggest park in Kenya. The bigger portion of the park is made up of open savanna and bush country and is populated by elephants, buffalos, lions, antelopes, gazelles, giraffes and zebras. One can see crocodiles and hippos at Mzima Springs in the west of the park.
After a 2 hour journey (from Mombasa) in a minibus you already reach Tsavo east.
It is 210 km from Mombasa or 290 km from Nairobi. It is therefore an ideal destination for both parties. Landing strips for small airplanes are in Kilepuni and the Taita Hills. The greatest animal protectorate of the world is also suitable for 1 or 2 day safaris from Mombasa.

Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya, with 5199 m is the highest mountain in the country. Although it lies on the equator, it is eternally covered by snow and ice. The national park encloses the mountain an height of 3200 m as well as two pre-mountains at the routes Naro Moru and Sirimon. The first european to climb it was Sir Halford Mackinder. For the Kikuyus is the mountain sacred and they call it "Kirinyaga". Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano and has three peaks: Batian (the highest one), Nelion and Lenana. Only the hard core has remained on these three peaks, with the rest being eroded over the time. Being identified as a recreation place, the park contains many wildgame and is botanical interest. Elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros can be frequently seen. If one climbs slowly, there are wild animals that can be seen at the alpine zone, directly under the main peak. The bird world is variable. A walk through the woods, you are likely certainly to see the striking red colour of the decidiors Turako flying out, or hear the red-headed parrot swarms calling.

Although it has a rough reputation, do not be frightened by the fast wing stroke of the silver cheeked horn bird.

Lake Nakuru

This park is 200 sq km and the lake is the biggest attraction in the park. This exeptionally beautiful salt lake lies in one of the valleybeds in the great Rift Valley. Hundreds of thousands flamingos colour the water into a soft pink.
About half of the world´s stock is found on this lake.

Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and the largest town in East Africa with a population of approx. 2 m. people and increasing everyday. Upon arrival one will be astonished because, the core of Nairobis is rather like an european city. The Massai named this place in 1898 "Enkare Nairobe" meaning "a place of cold waters", during the construction time of the railroad, because of the water access for the workers and thus, the head office was erected here. Indeed, some 100 years ago, Nairobi was actually only a camp for rallroad workers and it becoming a capital was, only later. The green town is also known as >> city in the sun <<. The modern Kenyatta conference center and the attractive urban features have made Nairobi an important international trade and meeting town.

Nairobi seems very neat, nevertheless crime is very high and just like any other big city, one should avoid some areas especially at night. Some tour-guides also recommend that visitors should not enter the Uhuru park unacompanied. Shopping is wide-ranged from the shopping centers in American style to wooded African markets huts. The offer for restaurants and night clubs is also great. The sight seeing out of Nairobi, Bomas of Kenya cultural center which is situated outside the town center, will entertain you with tradition dance performances, the Kenya National museum with an ethnology department and the Snake park opposite the museum which one gets to learn almost all east African snakes.

Mombasa

Mombasa, the second biggest town in Kenya and lies about 500 km from Nairobi. Mombasa is an important port being an advantage as the only way into the inland region through the railroad. Beutiful beaches extend from south and to the north of the town. The Old Town, the almost completely Islamic old district with narrow lanes and streets, full of interesting vendors doing needlework. The fort Jesus was build in 1593 by the Portuguese and was conquered 33 months later by the Omani arabs and is today a museum. At Biasharastreet one can buy Khi Koi and Khanga cloths. The tourist information office is located in the Moi Avenue. The 19 th century old town of Mombasa is lined by houses in Arabic style, narrow lanes and one can admire the traditional houses-doors carved and inserted in brass. There still is the old port next to mosques, coffee and spice dealers (purchase tip!).

The so called "Dhaus" anchor on this 200 year old sea port serving as the harbour between Arab and Indian traders. These vessels usually sail in with the northmonsoon wind early December, bringing with them the traditional freight of dates, dried fish and carpets.
The ships then loaded with "Boroti" (mangrove tribes), ghee and limes, disappear from the port picture with the southmonsoon wind in May.

Mount Kilimanjaro

The Kilimanjaro lies in the neighboring country Tanzania, but is by the Kenyan tourism industry as a favourite safari destination. This giant is and remains the most imposing mountain in Africa.

Nationalpark Shimba Hills

The Shimba Hills are located a couple of kilometers from Diani Beach and steeply rise to 457 m above the sea level. These ever green hills are overgrown with grass and woods mainly and open marvellous view of the surroundings.

The Shimba Hills's National park was established in 1968
to protect one of the last propagation capable herds of
the saber antelope which was endangered due to the first growing population in Kenya.

The horse antelope which originally from an area near
Thika, are at home here as well as elephants, buffaloes, zebras, water bocks and leopards.

The bird world is
diverse, including Palm vultures, band snake eagles, grasshopper buzzard, trumpet and silver cheeked horn
bird, scarlet pint and Turako fisherman bird.

Visit the Massai