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Maasai Mara Animal Migration

Wildlife attracts tourists to Kenya

K enya has long been recognised as Big Game country, with huge numbers of animals in over 40 National Parks and Reserves and the country has a long and illustrious history of protecting its varied wildlife. All this has helped provide the visitor to Kenya an wide range of experiences in all sorts of terrain. A wildlife safari in Kenya is indeed a magical experience into the 'Kingdom of God'. In fact,
lion_africaKenya has been a focus of attention for its varied wildlife for many years. The country has had its fair share of international publicity too. Adventurous hunters like Teddy Roosevelt and Earnest Hemingway have contributed significantly in promoting Kenya as a popular wildlife destination in Africa.

Popular movies like 'Out of Africa' and 'The Lion King' have also contributed in promoting Kenya's status as the wildlife destination in East Africa. In fact, Kenya has a reputation for being more popular than it should be- numerous minibuses plying in its wildlife parks and the large number of safari lodges dotting safari_africaits countryside are an indication of the commercialisation of Kenya's popular wildlife tourism sector. However, Kenya has been coping extremely well with the hordes of package tourists coming in. To counter this trend many new 'Boutique' lodges have also cropped up, which host only a limited number of guests in an exclusive and remote setting.

All this means that Kenya can cater to every market segment and once you expereince a Kenyan Safari you will know why so many safari-addicts return to Kenya repeatedly. To add to the charm of wildlife, the Kenyan coast is also considered one of the best in Africa with soft, white sands and warm blue waters. Most of Kenya's wildlife parks are also easily reachable from the coast including, Tsavo, Taita Hills and Shimba Hills.

So if you're planning a wildlife safari, Kenya is undoubtedly one of the best countries to offer you a truly 'wild' expereince. Although South Africa has a good tourism infrastructure as compared to Kenya, the experience of a Kenyan wildlife safari somehow appeared more 'real' for me. Right from the local people you meet in the countryside to the local guide acompanying you... a Kenyan safari is somehow offers a much authentic 'flavour' than what one can experience in more developed countries like South Africa. I was also happy to know that my tourism dollars were contributing towards the welfare and development of a developing country in much need of foreign exchange revenues to bolster its economy.

All in all, a Kenya safari can be summed up in two words....'highly recommended

Kenya Popular Safari Destinations

Aberdare National Park

The Aberdares are part of Kenya's central highlands, running roughly north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls with a range of almost 13,000 ft. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that give way to gentler valleys separated by steep hills and rocky outcrops. The park is an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern drainage basins. The climate is wet and moist. The park is surrounded by a predominantly indigenous forest, whose management is under an MoU between KWS and the Forest Department.

Animal life is most abundant in the forest zone. Large mammals are represented by elephants, buffalo, bongo and black rhino among others. Carnivores include lion and leopard, whereas primates are represented by baboon, black and white colobus and sykes monkeys. The park is rich in bird life with over 250 species recorded. The Jackson's Francolin is endemic. 

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is located on the border with Tanzania, Kajiado District, South Kenya; Covers 392km2

Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. The Park covers 392 km2, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 Km2 Amboseli ecosystem. Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by 6 communally owned group ranches.

The National Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Within this basin is a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, that floods during years of heavy rainfall. Amboseli is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The climate is mainly hot and dry. Amboseli is in the rain shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The maximum average temperature of the warmest month is 33°C during the day, while that of the coldest is 27-28°C.

Accessibility

By road, the main road into the Park is from Nairobi via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi - Arusha Road, via Meshanani Gate. The road is tarmac upto Namanga but is badly corrugated and potholed in places from Namanga to Meshanani Gate (75km).

The other road is via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi - Mombasa Road. The road is tarmac up to Emali and murram from Emali to Remito Gate (64 km). Access from Mombasa is mainly through Tsavo West via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.


The park has a single airstrip for light aircraft at Empusel gate. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo lodge and Namanga town.

Major Attractions
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Mt. Meru
Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,
Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle

Lodges:
Oltukai Lodge; Amboseli Serena Lodge; Kimana Lodge; Tortilis Tented Lodge.

Campsites:
Nairushari Special; Olgulului Public Campsite; Abercrombie & Kent Tented Camp; Ker & Downy Tented Camp; Chyulu Tented Camp; Kimbla Campsite; Cottar's Tented Camp; Leopard Tented Camp; Tortilis Tented Camp. 

Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Buffalo Springs Reserve covers 194 km2 on the southern bank of the Uaso Nyiro river. The reserve has unique landscapes of rounded and rugged hills and undulating plains.

Hot and Dry, the vegetation is mainly wooded and bushy grassland, riverine forest and swamps. With over 50 species of large mammals, the parks’ bird life is diverse with Buffalo Springs having a record of 365 species. Central Island

The park is within Lake Turkana. Central Island is only 5 km2 Central Island has three scenic crater lakes i.e. Crocodile, Flamingo and Tilapia. The climate is hot and dry. Turtles are found in the lake waters. The island is an important breeding ground for crocodiles and water birds. Chale Island

This small island, south of Galu Beach, is beautiful with a lovely natural sandy bay, dramatic rock formations and a great variety of indigenous trees.


Chyulu Hills

The Chyulu Hills are a beautiful rolling ridge of volcanic hills in the south of Kenya. On the eastern side of the range is the black Shaitani Lava flow, a ridge of lava rock formed whenthe Chyulus were formed. This lava flow is near the Chyulu gate of Tsavo West National Park. The hills consist of beautiful valleys and peaks with views in all directions, Mount Kilimanjaro can be visible. Rain on the hills gives rise to underground rivers. Wildlife encompasses giraffe, elephant, loin, monkeys, buffalo and crocodile in the springs at the bottom of the hills.

Climate is hot and dry.

Hell's Gate National Park

Hell's Gate National Park is particularly impressive with soaring red cliffs, isolated volcanic plugs, spreading grasslands dotted with game and a deep gorge where visitors can walk. Fischer's Tower is a challenging rock climb. This park is excellent for succulents, birds of prey and other bird species.There is a geothermal project at the far end of the parkHell's Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 km2 is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 km from Nairobi. The park is situated 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway. The park is characterised by diverse topography and geological scenery. It is an important home of the lammergeyer The climate is warm and dry and the vegetation is Mainly grasslands and shrublands with the latter being dominated by Leleshwa and several species of acacia. The gorge and cliffs and breeding sites for several species of raptors and swifts. 103 species of birds have been recorded in the park.

Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Lake Bogoria lies just south of Lake Baringo but contrasts sharply with Baringo's green and lush surroundings. This soda lake, with its shores of hot springs, boiling geysers and steam jets, stark evidence of the volcanic origins of the Rift Valley, lies hidden behind ridge after ridge of barren stony scrubland. Although primarily scenic, Bogoria is by no means devoid of wildlife. Birds are plentiful and, at times, when the waters of Lake Nakuru are low, thousands of flamingo make this their home. On the north-eastern shore the elusive Greater Kudu can be found. Lake Bogoria National Reserve is owned and managed by Baringo County Council with assistance from KWS. The reserve covers 114 km2 and is famous for spectacular hotsprings and geysers. To the east of the reserve is the scenic Siracho escarpment that descends steeply to the lake shore.

Hot and dry, most of the reserve is occupied by the lake and the remaining areas are covered by bushed grasslands except the lake's south shore which has an acacia-ficus woodland. The northern shore has a papyrus swamp.

The reserve is unique because of its herd of the rare Greater Kudu. There are also buffalos, zebras, impalas, dik diks and many small mammals. Bogoria is also an area of significant ornithological interest with 135 species of birds recorded. Like in Nakuru, the alkaline lake waters allow growth of blue-green algae that periodically attracts thousands of flamingoes.

Lake Naivasha

The highest and purest of the Great Rift Valley lakes, Lake Naivasha lies approximately 80 kms west of Nairobi on the floor of the Rift. The Lake shores are lined with fertile and flourishing horticultural farms and thousands of yellow barked acacias. Naivasha is home to more than 340 species of birds, has a resident population of hippo and small herds of plains game are found all around the shores. Bird and game viewing is by boat or on foot. The lakeshore was, for many years, the home of the late authoress Joy Adamson and it was here that she first raised Elsa, the lioness. Mount Longonot, an extinct volcano, lies just east of the Lake and Hell's Gate National Park south east, with its challenging rock climbs, where game abounds and birdlife includes the rarest of Kenya's vulture population, the Lammergeyer, which nests on the cliffs.

Lake Nakuru

The park is located in Central Kenya, 140km north-west of Nairobi, in Nakuru District of the Rift Valley Province. It covers an area of 188 km2. Lake Nakuru is a very shallow strongly alkaline lake 62 km2 in extent. It is set in a picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland next to Nakuru town. The landscape includes areas of marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of acacia woodland and rocky hillsides covered with a Euphorbia forest on the eastern perimeter. Lake Nakuru was first gazetted as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and upgraded to National Park status in 1968. A northern extension was added to the park in 1974 and the lake was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990. The foundation of the parks food chains is the cyanophyte spirulina platensis which can support huge numbers of lesser flamingo.Climate ranges from Cold, Hot and Humid, Hot and Dry. Annual rainfall is 965mm AccessibilityThe park has a tarmac road connection with Nairobi, a distance of 156 km north west of Nairobi on the main A104 road. The most commonly used route into the park is via the main gate, 4 km from Nakuru Town Centre. It is also possible to enter the park from the main Nairobi Nakuru road at Lanet Gate. The Nderit Gate is used by people accessing the park from Masai Mara or Elementaita. The Naishi airstrip services the park for tourists.Major Attractions
Flamingo (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species in total.
Mammals: 56 different species including white rhinos.
View-points: Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa
Hills: Enasoit, Honeymoon, Lion hill ridge etc.
Waterfalls: Makalia
Unique vegetation: About 550 different plant species including the unique and biggest euphorbia forest in Africa, Picturesque landscape and yellow acacia woodlands.

Bandas:
Naishi bandas Lodges:
Lake Nakuru lodge & Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.Special Campsites:
Naishi, Chui, Rhino, Soysambu, Nyati, Nyuki and reedbuck.Public Campsites:
Makalia and Bacpakers.

Activities

Game viewing, bird watching

Common Vegetation

The vegetation is mainly wooded and bushy grassland with a wide ecological diversity and characteristic habitats that range from the lake waters to the escarpment and ridges.The normally water-covered surface of the lake occupies about a third of the park. The lake water supports a dense bloom of the blue-green Cyanophyte Spirulina platensis from which it derives its colour and which is the major food source for the flamingo.The lake is fringed by alkaline swamps with areas of sedge, Cyprus laevigatus and typha marsh along the river inflows and springs. The surrounding areas support a dry transitional savanna with lake margin grasslands of Sporobolus spicatus salt grass moving into grasslands of Hyparrhenia hirta and rhodes grass Chloris gayana in the lower areas.

More elevated areas have dry forest with Acacia xanthophloea, olive Olea hochstetteri and Croton dichogamus; Euphorbia candelabrum forest; and bushland dominated by the composites, Mulelechwa Tarchonanthus camphoratus and Psiadia arabica.

Maasai Mara

The Masai Mara is considered by many to be one of Kenya's finest National Reserves. The rolling grasslands offer ideal game viewing and photographic opportunities and the grassy plains are broken by rocky outcrops which are favourite midday resting places for lion, for which the Mara is famous. Some of the other animals which can be seen in and around this 700 square mile conservation area include elephant, black rhino, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. Hippo and crocodile abound in the muddy brown waters of the rivers which traverse this Reserve. One of the Mara's main attractions each year is the astonishing spectacle of the annual migration of up to two million wildebeest, thousands of zebra and an escort of carnivores from the Serengeti plains, following the rains and succulent new grass. A costly trek as many of the lame, laggard and sick will fall prey to the ravening pack of predators and many more will die in the swirling flood waters trying to cross the Mara River. Once the rains have ended and the grass begins to wither the wildebeest turn south and head back to the Serengeti and beyond. The reserve with an area of 1510 km2 forms the northern part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and is famous for vast assemblages and migration of plains game and their associated predators. The parks southern boundary is contiguous with Tanzania's Serengeti National park.

With the hot and dry climate, the landscape is characterized by scenic rolling grassland plains, rounded hills and grooves of woodlands. Green riverine forests and bush thickets are found along the Mara river.

Elephant, black rhino, buffalo, plains zebra, hartebeest, wildebeest and other herbivores and all the big cats are also found in Mara. The rivers are home of crocodiles and hippos.

Meru National Park

Meru National Park is located East-north-east of Mount Kenya in Meru District of Eastern Province, covering 870km2.Meru is a savanna National Park, 35km east of Maua town in the north eastern lowlands below the Nyambeni hills. Meru is part of a complex of protected areas along the Tana river that includes the adjacent Bisanadi and Mwingi National Reserves (to the east and south respectively), Kora national park and Rahole national reserve. The wetter North Western sector is hilly, with rich volcanic soils. The land flattens towards the East, where grey alluvial volcanic soils appear. The area is crossed by numerous permanent streams, draining from the Nyambenes and flowing in parallel between tounges of lava, south eastwards towards the Tana River. As well as the many streams that cross it, the park is bounded by three large rivers: the Tana to the South, the Ura to the South West and the Rojeweru to the East. There are several prominent inselbergs of basement rock, notably Mughwango and Leopard rock.
Rainfall is 635-762mm in the west and 305-356mm in the east. AccessibilityAccess from Nairobi (348 kms) is via Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or via Embu all weather roads. Access into the park from Maua to Murders Gate (35 km) and 348 km from Nairobi. The other access is via Embu to Ura Gate (120 km), 290 km from Nairobi- inaccessible at the momentMain airstrip at Kina, Mulika next to Meru Mulika Lodge and Elsa's Kopje airstrip MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Former home of Joy and George Adamson and Elsa the lioness
Views of Mt Kenya,
Rivers and riverine habitats,
Tana river and
Adamson's Falls.

FACILITIESSpecial Campsites
Kampi Baridi, Kitanga, Makutano, Rojoweru, Mugunga, Ken Mare, Bwatherongi and Kanjoo.ACTIVITIESGame viewing.COMMON VEGETATIONMost of the park is covered by bush, thornbush and wooded grassland of varying densities with Combretum prevailing in the north and Commiphora in the south. In the extreme north there is a small remnant outliner of rain forest, the Ngaia forest.The vegetation on the ridges is Combretum wooded grassland, dominated by Combretum apiculatum. This grades into acacia wooded grassland to the east with Acacia tortilis and Acacia senegal on the rocky ridges, in riverine thickets and dotted over open country. To the west the Combretum merges into Terminalia wooded grasslands.On the plains Sehima nervosa, Chloris gayana, Chloris roxburghiana, and other species of Pennisetum are the dominant grasses.Dense riverine forests of doum and raffia palms Hyphaene and Raphia spp. grow along the watercourses and in the swamps near the rivers. Along the Tana river is found the Tana river poplar, Populus ilicifolia. Other riverine trees include Phoenix reclinata, Ficus sycomorus, Newtonia hildebrandtii, Acacia elatior and Acacia robusta. The red-flowered Parasitic Loranthus grows on the branches of Acacia reficiens trees along the rivers.

There are numerous riverine swamps with sedges Cyprus sp. and grasses Echinochloa haplacelada and Pennisetum mezianum.

Mount Kenya National Park

Mt. Kenya lies about 140 km North, North-East of Nairobi with its Northern flanks across the Equator. The mountain has two main peaks - Batian (5200m) and Nelion (5188m). The mountains slopes are cloaked in forest, bamboo, scrub and moorland giving way on the high central peaks to rock, ice and snow. Mt. Kenya is an important water catchment area, supplying the Tana and Northern Ewaso Ngiro systems. The park, which was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997 and is also a Biosphere Reserve, covers 715 km2, and includes the Peaks consisting of all the ground above 3200m with two small salients extending lower down to 2450m along the Sirimon and Naro Moru tracks. Surrounding the park is Mount Kenya National Reserve with an area of approximately 2095 km2.Climate, flora and fauna on Mt. Kenya varies with altitude.Accessibility175 kms from Nairobi, the park can be reached on Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru. The park is also reachable via Chogoria on the Embu - Meru road, about 150km north of Nairobi.The closest commercial airstrip to the park is at Nanyuki.Major AttractionsPristine wilderness, lakes, tarns, glaciers and peaks of great beauty, geological variety, forest, mineral springs, rare and endangered species of animals, High altitude adapted plains game, Unique montane and alpine vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.Facilities
Huts:
Liki North Hut; Minto's Hut; Austrian Hut; Mackinders Hut (managed by Naro Moru Lodge); Judmare Hut; Shiptons Hut (managed by Mountain Rock Hotel).Bandas:
Sirimon Bandas, Batian Guest House.Lodges:
Mountain Lodge (Serena Hotels); Rutundu Fishes Lodge (book through Lets Go Travel)ACTIVITIESMountain climbing, game viewing.COMMON VEGETATION:
This varies with altitude and rainfall, and there is a rich alpine and sub-alpine flora.Between 1200m and 1850m, the vegetation is mainly dry upland forest comprising of Croton associations. Juniperus procera and Podocarpus spp. are predominant in the drier parts of the lower zone (below 2,500m), with rainfall between 875 and 1400mm (Naro Moru and Sirimon tracks on the western slopes). In wetter areas (over 2200mm/year) in the south-west and north-east, Cassipourea malosana predominates.Higher altitudes (2,500-3,000m with rainfall over 2000mm/year) are dominated by a dense belt of bamboo Arundinaria alpina on south-eastern slopes, and a mosaic of bamboo and Podocarpus milanjianus with bamboo at intermediate elevations (2,600-2,800m), and Podocarpus at higher and lower elevations (2,800-3,000m) and (2,500-2,600m).Towards the west and north of the mountain, bamboo becomes progressively smaller and less dominant. There are also areas in zones of maximum rainfall 2,000-3,500m with up to 2,400mm/year, where Hagenia abyssinica with Hagenia revolutum predominate.Above 3,000m, cold (low temperatures) become a more important factor, tree stature declines, and Podocarpus is replaced by Hypericum spp. A more open canopy here results in a more developed understorey. Many of the trees are festooned with mosses. Grassy glades are common especially on ridges. High altitude heath between 3,000m and 3,500m is characterised by shrubs with small leaves like African sage, Protea and Helicrysum.The lower alpine or moorland zone (3,400-3,800m) is characterized by high rainfall, a thick humus layer, low topographic diversity, and low species richness. Tussock grasses Festuca pilgeri, and sedges Carex spp. predominate. Between the tussocks there are Alchemilla cyclophylla, Alchemilla johnstonii, and Geranium vagans. Above the 3500m contour is the Afro-alpine zone, a moorland characterised by tussock grasses, senecios and lobelias.The upper alpinezone (3,800-4,500m) is more topographically diverse, and contains a more varied flora. Many of the species here are bizarre, especially the giant rosette plants Lobelia telekii and Lobelia keniensis, Senecio keniodendron and Carduus spp.. Senecio brassica is found in both the lower and upper alpine zone.There are a variety of grasses on well-drained ground and along the streams and river banks such as megaphytic Senecio battescombei and Helichrysum kilimanjari.

Continuous vegetation stops at about 4,500m although isolated vascular plants have been found at over 5,000m. There are 13 species endemic to Mount Kenya listed in Hedberg, (1951).

Nairobi National Park

Located only about 7 km from the city centre, the park is easily accessible on tarmac roads, mainly through Langata Road.The 117 km2 Nairobi National Park is unique by being the only protected area in the world with a variety of animals and birds close to a capital city. As expected, the park is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi. The park also serves many residents and citizens living in the city and has a diversity of environments with characteristic fauna and flora. Open grass plains with scattered acacia bush are predominant. The western side has a highland dry forest and a permanent river with a riverine forest in the south. In addition, there are stretches of broken bush country and deep, rocky valleys and gorges with scrub and long grass. Man-made dams have also added a further habitat, favourable to certain species of birds and other aquatic biota(life forms). The dams also attract water dependent herbivores during the dry season.The park has a rich/diverse birdlife with 400 species recorded. However all species are not always present and some are seasonal. Northern migrants pass through the park primarily during late March through April. Nairobi National Park is one of the most successful of Kenya's rhino sanctuaries that is already generating a stock for reintroduction in the species former range and other upcoming sanctuaries. Due to this success, it is one of the few parks where a visitor can be certain of seeing a black rhino in its natural habitat. To the south of the park is the Athi-Kapiti Plains and Kitengela Migration and dispersal area. These are vital areas for herbivores dispersal during the rains and concentrate in the park in the dry season.MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Annual wildebeest and zebra migration in July/August
Black rhinoceros
Diverse birdlife
Large predators- lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah.
Aggregations of large herbivores- eland, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest
Ivory Burning Site Monument
Walking trails at hippo pools
Nairobi Safari Walk & the Orphanage.
Spacious accomodating picnic sites

FACILITIES There are no accommodation facilities in the park. But a wide range of well developed accommodation facilities are available in the city. Further, there is also the Masai Safari Lodge near the park. Picnic Sites:
Impala Observation Tower;
Ivory Burning Site;
King Fisher Gorge;
Leopard Cliffs;
Mokoiyet;
Hippo Pool;

Other attractions
Lone Tree
Directors tree planting site

Nature Trails: The park has one nature trail at the Hippo PoolCOMMON VEGETATIONThe vegetation is primarily dry savanna, open grass plains with scattered acacia bushes. The park also has a permanent river with a riverine forest. The western upland areas has an upland dry forest with stands of Olea africana and Croton dichogamus/Brachylaena hutchinsii and calodendrum. The lower slopes are a grassland composed of such species as: Themeda, Cyprus, Digitaria, and Cynodon with scattered yellow-barked acacia, Acacia xanthophloea. In addition there are stretches of broken bush country and deep rocky valleys and gorges with scrub and long grass.There is gallery forest in the valleys, predominantly Acacia spp., and Euphobia candelabrum. Other tree species include Apodytes dimidiata, Canthium schimperanum, Elaeodendron buchananii, Newtonia sp., Ficus eriocarpa, Aspilia mossambicensis, and Rhus natalensis.

Several plants growing on the rocky hillsides are unique to the Nairobi area including Euphobia brevitorta, Drimia calcarata, Murdannia clarkeana and the crassula sp

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is situated in the hot and arid fringes of Kenya's vast Northern Frontier District. The area is home to the Samburu tribe, pastoral relatives of the Masai. The landscape is rugged and dramatic - against a backdrop of volcanic mountains, gaunt hills and withered scrub tree punctuate the sparse and dry terrain with clusters of the incredibly hardy desert rose providing the occasional flash of vivid colour. The Ewaso Nyiro river, lifeline of the area, runs along the southern boundary dividing Samburu from Buffalo Springs Reserve. Crocodile and hippo share the river with the many small herds of elephant which bathe and frolic in the muddy brown waters during the heat of the day before returning later to browse on the lush vegetation of the riverine forest. Buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and plains game may also be seen but a special feature of this Reserve are the various species of game unique to these northern parks - Beisa oryx, the long necked gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and the blue shanked Somali ostrich.Samburu Reserve covers an area of 104 km2 on the northern bank of Uaso Nyiro river. The reserve has a unique landscapes of rounded and rugged hills and undulating plains.

Hot and Dry, mainly wooded and bushy grassland, riverine forest and swamps.

Over 50 species of large mammals including reticulated giraffe, grevys zebra, elephant oryx, somali ostrich, hippo, crocodiles, gemuk, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. Large flocks of helmeted and vulturine guinea fowls are a common attraction. 


Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is a large national park in Serengeti area, Tanzania. It is most famous for its annual migration of over one and a half million white bearded (or brindled) wildbeest and 250,000 zebra. Serengeti National Park is widely regarded as the best wildlife reserve in Africa due to its density of predators and prey.

Wildlife

As well as the migration of ungulates, the park is well known for its healthy stock of other resident wildlife, particularly the "Big Five", named for the five most prized trophies taken by hunters:

Lion: the Serengeti is believed to hold the largest population of lions in Africa due in part to the abundance of prey species. Currently there are more than 3000 lion living in this ecosystem.

African Leopard: these reclusive predators are commonly seen in the Seronera region but are present through out the national park with the currently population at around 1000.

African Elephant: the herds are recovering from population lows in the 1980s caused by poaching, and are largely located in the northern regions of the park

Black Rhinoceros: mainly found around the kopjes in the centre of the park, very few individuals remain due to rampant poaching. Individuals from the Maasai Mara Reserve cross the park border and enter serengeti from the northern section at times.

African Buffalo: still abundant and present in healthy numbers, but numbers have been somewhat reduced due to disease

The park also supports many further species, including cheetah, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, topi, eland, waterbuck, hyena, baboon, impala, African wild dog and giraffe. The park also boasts about 500 bird species, including ostrich, secretary bird, kori bustard, crowned crane, marabou stork, martial eagle, love birds and many species of vultures.

Shaba National Reserve

Shaba National Reserve is situated in the hot and arid fringes of Kenya's vast Northern Frontier District and lies to the east of Buffalo Springs Reserve, just across the Great North Road. The Reserve takes it's name from a cone of volcanic rock and evidence of the intensity of it's volcanic upheaval is demonstrated by the formidable lava flow which the traveller has to cross to reach this remote wilderness. Shaba's northern border is marked by the flow of the Ewaso Nyiro River on it's way to the Lorian Swamp, it's banks fringed by riverine forest and clusters of doum palms. Many small hills and rocky kopjes punctuate the rugged and dry terrain south of the river. Shaba is home to the many different species of game found in Samburu and Buffalo Springs Reserves with small herds of elephant and other plain game moving freely throughout these three reserves and the surrounding wilderness.Shaba Reserve is 130 km2 on the southern back of the Uaso Nyiro river to the East of Buffalo Springs Reserve. The reserve has a unique landscapes of rounded and rugged hills and undulating plains.

Mainly wooded and bushy grassland, riverine forest and swamps, with over 50 species of large mammals including reticulated giraffe, grevys zebra, elephant oryx, somali ostrich, hippo, crocodiles, gemuk, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena.

Large flocks of helmeted and vulturine guinea fowls are a common attraction.

Tsavo East National Park

It is the largest Park in Kenya with an area of 21,812 Km2
Tsavo National Park was divided into East and West for administrative purposes. The two Parks are divided by Nairobi–Mombasa railway /road.

Scenic features
Tsavo East is a very popular Park as is indicated by the high number of tourists. Some of the attractive scenic features include:
large herds of elephants and other wildlife.
it is easily accessible by road, air (light aircraft) and railway.
the Park is a “catchments” for coast resorts’ visitors.
popular legend of Tsavo “The Man-eaters of Tsavo”.
Yatta plateau – It is about 290Km long and is one of the worlds longest lava flows.
Lugards Falls on the Galana river – This is not a true falls but a series of rapids. Visitors can walk down to the river to view the rapids.
Mudanda rock – This is a long rock outcrop that is about 1.6Km long. There is a dam at the base. Animals can be seen drinking. Visitors can walk along the rock and enjoy a cool breeze as well as view wildlife at the base.
Aruba Dam - was built in 1952 across the Voi river. The dam attracts many animals and water birds can be seen at this dam.
Tsavo/Athi rivers confluence – when the two rivers join they form the Galana river.
Elephants, Rhinos, Hirola (Hunters Hartebeest).

Accessibility
From Nairobi via Voi through the Voi gate or Manyani gate.
Similarly, from Mombasa via Bachuma gate.
From Malindi, via Sala gate. This road was recently graded and is attracting many visitors from North Coast.There are six airstrips in the southern part of the park and thirteen in the Northern part.

There are no scheduled flights to the Park but chartered light planes can be used.

Tsavo West National Park

Located in South Eastern Kenya, inland from Mombasa, and the altitude ranges between 200 - 1000m. The park is a vast expanse of savanna stretching from Mtito Andei, along the Mombasa-Nairobi road and south to the Tanzanian border. The North Eastern boundary along the Highway adjoins Tsavo East National Park, but Tsavo West has a more varied topography and a more diverse array of habitats than its neighbour.Tsavo West National Park covers 7065 km2, approximately 30% of Kenya's area under parks, and contains a diversity of habitats, wildlife and a mountainous scenic landscape. The park's habitats include open plains alternating with Savannah bush and semi desert scrub, acacia woodlands; rocky ridges and outcrops and more extensive ranges and isolated hills; belts of riverine vegetation; palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills, mountain forest.There are numerous rocky outcrops and ridges and part of the park, towards the Chyulu Hills, is of recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones including the Shetani lava flow, an example of a recent volacano.In the far south western corner on the Kenya Tanzania border is Lake Jipe, part of which is in the park. This very attractive lake is fed by runoff from Mt. Kilimanjaro and the North Pare mountains.At Mzima Springs, in the North of the park, water that has filtered underground from the Chyulu Hills gushes from below a lava ridge into a series of clear pools.Temperature ranges from 20 - 30º C and rainfall from 200mm - 700mm. Two ran seasons: Long rains - March/April & Short rains - Nov/December.AccessibilityThe main access routes are through Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi (240 km) and Mombasa. Visitors from Mombasa also use Tsavo Gate near Manyani. The park can also be reached via Taveta-Voi road through Maktau, Ziwani and Jipe gates. Airstrips:
Kamboyo, Kilaguni, Tsavo Gate, Jipe, Kasigau, Finch Hottons, Ziwani and Maktau airstrips are in good condition.Major AttractionsRecent volcanoes, lava flows and caves with potential for geological and cave exploration, and hiking. Mzima Springs & underwater hippo watching, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Jipe, Mt. Kilimanjaro, elephant, rhino, diverse bird and plant species. Lodges:
Ngulia Lodge; Kilaguni Serena Lodge; Severin Safari Camp/Lodge; Finch Hattons.Campsites:
Lake Jipe (public); Kamboya (public); Royal Little (special); Simba (special); Kenge (special); Kudu (special).

Bandas:
Lake Jipe; Kitani; Ngulia.Picnic Sites:
Poachers look out; Chaimu Crater; Shetani Lava Flow; Roaring Rocks; Mzima Springs; Visitor Information Centre Picnic Site.COMMON VEGETATIONMost of the northern sector is Acacia commiphora bushland with scattered trees such as baobabs - Adansonia digitata and Delonix elata. In the Ngulia area, a range of craggy hills reaches around 1800m and is heavily wooded. The southern sector consists of open grassy plains. The permanent tsavo river runs through the northern part of the park with a fringe of riverine Acacia elatior and Hyphaene compressa woodland. Lake Jipe is bordered by extensive beds to Typha and has large permanent swamps at its eastern and western ends. Mzima springs, is fringed by Raphia farinifera and Phoenix reclinata palms.
Visitor Activities
Boat excursion at lake Jipe; Bird watching at lake Jipe; Annual bird ringing at Ngulia lodge; Hill and rock climbing at Chaimu and Ngulia Hills.

Karen Blixen Museum

Karen Blixen Museum was once the centre piece of a farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills owned by Danish Author Karen and her Swedish Husband, Baron Bror von Blixen Fincke. Located 10km from the city centre, the Museum belongs to a different time period in the history of Kenya. The farm house gained international fame with the release of the movie ‘Out of Africa’ an Oscar winning film based on Karen’s an autobiography by the same title.

The Museum is open to the Public every day (9.30 am to 6pm) including weekends and public holidays. Visitors are encouraged to be at the Museum by 5.30. Guided tours are offered continuously. A museum shop offers handicrafts, posters and postcards, the Movie ‘Out of Africa’, books and other Kenyan souvenirs. The grounds may be rented for wedding receptions, corporate functions and other events.


Baroness Karen Blixen
The Museum was built in 1912 by Swedish Engineer Ake Sjogren. Karen and her husband bought the Museum house in 1917 and it become the farm house for their 4500 acre farm, of which 600 acres was used for coffee farming. Their marriage failed after eight years and in 1921 the Baron moved on and left the running of the farm to Karen. Karen lived at the house until her return to Denmark in 1931. The house farm was bought by Remy Marin, who broke the land into 20 acre parcels for development. Subsequent development created the present suburb of Karen. Records indicate that a Lt. Col.G. Lloyd, an officer of the British Army bought the house in 1935 and lived there until his death in 1954, when it passed to his daughters, Mrs. G. Robersts and Lavender Llyod. A transfer of title to Mrs. J.P Robson and Mrs L.B. Hyde is in City Hall records in 1956. The house was sporadically occupied until purchased in 1964 by the Danish government and given to the Kenyan government as an independence gift.
The government set up a college of nutrition and the Museum was initially used as the principal’s house. In 1985 the shooting of a movie based on Karen’s autobiography began and the National Museums of Kenya expressed acquired the house for the purpose of establishing a Museum. The Museum was opened in 1986.

Distant View of Karen Blixen
Karen also known by her pen name Isak Dinesen was born at Rungstedlund in Denmark on 17th of April 1885 as the second child of Wilhelm and Ingeborg Dinesen’s five children. She came to Africa in 1914 to marry her half cousin and carry out dairy farming in the then British Colony of Kenya. Her husband had however changed his mind and wanted to farm coffee. Her uncle Aage Westenholz financed the farm and members of both families were share holders. The coffee farm did not do well, suffering various tragedies including factory fire and continuous bad harvest. After her divorce, Karen was left to run the financially troubled farm on her own, a daunting task for a woman of that generation. She fell in love with an English man, Denis Finch Hatton, and his death in Tsavo in 1930 coupled with the failed farming left Karen little choice but to return to Denmark. She turned to writing as a career following her departure from Africa and published to increasing acclaim such works as Seven Gothic Tales(1934) Out of Africa(1937) and Babette Feat (1950). She died on her family estate, Rungsted, in 1962 at the age of 77.


Karen Blixen Museum
The Karen Blixen house meets three of thecustomary criteria for historical significance. First, it isassociated with the broad historical pattern of European settlement andcultivation of East Africa. Second, it is associated with the life of aperson significant to our past as the home of Baroness Karen Blixenfrom 1917 -1931. As such, it served as the setting and basis of herwell known book Out of Africa, written under the pseudonym Isak Dinesenand as a gathering place for other well known personalities of theperiod. Third, the building embodies the distinctive characteristicsof its type, period and method of construction. The house'sarchitecture is typical of late 19th century bungalow architecture,including the spacious rooms, horizontal layout verandas, tile roof andstone construction typical of scores of residences built throughoutEuropean suburbs of Nairobi in early decades.


Thechronology of the house begins with its construction in 1912 by thewealthy Swedish civil engineer, later honorary Swedish consul to Kenya, Ake Sjogren. It served as the main residence on his Swedo-Africancoffee company , an estate of over 6,000 acres. The house was soonvisited while on safari by the Danish count Mojen Frijs, who upon hisreturn to Denmark persuaded his cousin to seek their fortune in Kenya.Baron Blixen acquired part of the estate in 1913 and the remainder in1916. Karen Blixen called the house "Bogani" or "Mbogani" meaning ahouse in the woods, and occupied it until 1931.

By1985, with renewed interest in Karen Blixen occasioned by the filmproduction of Out of Africa, an agreement was reach with the collagefor the house to become part of the National Museums of Kenya. Manypieces of furniture that Karen Blixen sold to Lady McMillan on herdeparture were acquired back and constitute part of the exhibition inthe Museum. The Museum house remains a serene environment that seems tobelong to the past, surrounded by a tranquil garden and indigenousforest, with a splendid view of Karen’s beloved Ngong Hills. Shehonours the hills with the phrase ‘I had a farm in Africa at the footof the Ngong Hills

Bomas Of Kenya

Located just outside Nairobi, Bomas of Kenya is a cultural complex with a recreated traditional village belonging to the several Kenyan tribes. The complex also contains the biggest theatre in Africa with 3,500 seats.

Each day a dance team performs traditional dances and songs from the country's 16 ethnic groups.

Bomas of Kenya has numerous homesteads (bomas) that reflect the culture of the various tribes and this has created a living museum. Each bomas has been built to the original traditional architecture of an African home, similar to that of their ancestors.
Hobbies & Activities category: Observe ethnic peoples, folk customs; Village reconstruction, open-air museum; Theatrical hall or company

Giraffe Centre
The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Kenya (A.F.E.W Kenya Ltd) also known as the Giraffe Centre is a non profit making organisation, which was founded by the late Betty and Jock Lesilie Melville in 1979. The late Betty, Jock's American born wife, had earlier discovered the sad plight of the Rothschild giraffe and there were only 120 left on an 18,000 acre ranch in Western Kenya that was scheduled for sub-division and settlement. The first effort to save this sub-species was to bring two young giraffes to their property in Langata and later Betty founded AFEW USA.

Funds were raised to move five groups to different safe areas in Kenya namely; Lake Nakuru National Park, Mwea National Game Reserve, Ruma National Park and Nasalot Game Reserve. Funds raised via AFEW USA. also built the Giraffe Centre and have bouhgt 60 acres, and is in the process of buying 40 more acres for the Sanctuary.
  
 
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