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1. MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

GEOGRAPHY

Kenya Tourist Attraction Information ,The Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) covers some 1,510 km2 (583 sq mi)[ in south-western Kenya. It is the northern-most section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which covers some 25,000 km2 (9,700 sq mi) in Tanzania and Kenya. It is bounded by the Serengeti Park to the south, the Siria escarpment to the west, and Masai pastoral ranches to the north, east and west. The Sand, Talek River and Mara River are the major rivers draining the reserve. Shrubs and trees fringe most drainage lines and cover hill slopes and hilltops, Read this Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland with seasonal river lets. In the south-east region are clumps of the distinctive acacia tree. Wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good, while tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border is 224 kilometres (139.2 mi) from Nairobi, and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited by tourists.

Wildlife

The Mara is also home to the richest concentration of wildlife, including the "Big

Five" (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo), zebras, antelope, gnus, Oribis, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, hartebeests, hippos, crocodiles and others. The park has the largest concentration of African lions, including the black- maned lion.

Birdlife is as plentiful as wildlife at the Masai Mara, which boasts over 400 different birds species.Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Administration

Maasai Mara National Reserve does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS); instead, it is managed by the local county council of Narok district.

Weather and climate

The vast Masai Mara reserve is located at an altitude of between 4,875 and 7,052 feet above sea level, giving it a damp climate and more moderate temperature than most of Kenya. Daytime temperatures run at 85°F (30°C) ) maximum and night temperatures can drop to around 60°F (15°C). Most rain falls between March and Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

May and during the short rainy season in November and December. The park may be difficult to navigate at these times.

Between July and October the weather is dry, the vegetation is lush and the daytime temperatures are pleasant, making it the best time to see the park's wildlife. The Masai Mara experiences the highest tourist numbers during this period. Hot temperatures peak between December and January while June and July are the coolest months at the park

How to get to Masai Mara National Reserve

By Road: From Nairobi, it takes about five hours to get to Masai Mara. The roads are all weather; however, only 4WD game viewing trucks are allowed during the rainy season. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

By Air: You can book one of the scheduled daily flights that depart from Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. Travel time is about 45 minutes and flights land at one of the airstrips (Keekorok, Olkiombo, Olseki, Serena, Ngerende, Siana, Kichwa, Mara North, Angama,Olare Motorogi and Musiara) that serve the park. Flights are also available from Mombasa to Masai Mara.

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What to see and what to do in Masai Mara

Game viewing

The Masai Mara Game Reserve is one of the best places in Africa for wildlife viewing. Game drives are a great way to experience the park and they take place all year round. If the big cats are what you're looking for on your Kenyan safari, you are guaranteed to spot them at the Mara.

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All of the "Big Five" animals (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo) can be spotted here. However, the population of black rhinos is severely threatened with only 37 black rhinos left as of 2000.

Herds of plains zebras are found throughout the park, as well as Masai giraffes, common giraffes, jackals, white-bearded gnus, Oribis, warthogs, Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, hartebeests, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, rare Topi antelope and beautiful rone antelope, as well as hippos and crocodiles in the Mara River.

Wildebeest Migration

Over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and several species of antelope Wildebeest crossing the Mara – a big attraction in Kenya make an annual circular tour between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya in search of greener pastures. The trek happens with a fair share of animal drama as the migrating herds attract the attention of hungry predators – the hyenas and lions that prey on the lame and sick animals along the way.

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The animals trek for four months (July-October) towards the Mara. The months of July and August are the best times to see what is truly the world's most spectacular wildebeest migration and the dramatic sights that occur during the mass crossing of the swollen Mara River.

Hot Air Balloon rides

For the adventurous tourist who wants a sky-high view of wildlife from the air hot air balloon rides and safaris are the best ways to travel over the massive Masai Mara park. Hot air balloon rides last approximately an hour and a half and often take place at dawn.

You will get a great view of the animals while you glide above them. Breakfast is prepared on the balloon burner upon landing.

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Bird Watching

For bird lovers, the Mara birds come in every color and size. More than 400 bird species have already been recorded, including birds of prey.

You can enjoy a colorful view of birds such as vultures, ostriches, long-crested eagles, pygmy falcons, secretary birds, marabous, red-winged Schalow's turacos, white-tipped crests, ross turacos, orange buffs, Pel's fishing owls, wary guinea fowl, Jackson's bustards, black-bellied hartlaubs bustards and many others.

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Maasai Cultural Tours

You could step back in time and visit a Maasai village where you get a chance to interact with the Maasai people in their traditional setting and experience their culture. Often the Maasai morans (young Maasai warriors) will perform their traditional dance. You also get an opportunity to purchase traditional Maasai souvenirs, art and collectibles.

Other Activities

Visitors to the Masai Mara National Reserve can also enjoy horseback safaris and bush dinners booked through the reserve lodges and camps. Guided walking tours and safaris conducted by a Masai warrior outside the reserve are also available.

You can pitch a tent and sleep in the wild at campsites located outside the reserve. Accommodation

Depending on your safari budget there is a wide variety of accommodation to choose from, although most of the lodges and tented camps throughout the park cater to the average to high-end visitor. Popular lodges include Keekorok Lodge, Kichwa Tembo Camp, Governors Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Sarova Mara,

Mara River Camp, Little Governors Camp, Mara Safari Club, Siana Springs Camp, Mpata Safari Club, and Mara Intrepids Club among others. The eco-lodges in the reserve, Base Camp Masai Mara and Ilkeliani Luxury Tented Camp, are beautiful places to stay at the Mara. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

For budget travelers, there are low-cost accommodations available in the form of camping at the Mara Springs Camp, Riverside Camp, Simba Camp, Olpert Elongo Camp and Oloolaimutiek Campsite, which are located all around the park. Safari operators may also set up private camps for groups of clients seeking exclusive, traditional safaris outside the reserve. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Best time to visit Maasai Mara – rates and fees

The months of December – March and July – October have very pleasant weather and are by far the best months to visit the Masai Mara National Reserve. April May and June are also good months but might be rainy or cool. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Park Schedule & Rates

The park is open all year round. As for the park entrance fee for residents and non- residents, the county manages and updates the rates regularly depending on the season. You can view the latest rates and fees charged to Kenya citizens and non- citizens, as well as the rates for vehicles entering the park. The Masai Mara Game Reserve is managed by the county council of Narok.

Camps are available inside the park and camping fees starts at $20 per day for non- residents and non-citizens.

TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK

Geography: Tsavo West is a beautiful, rugged wilderness from the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rock that is the Mzima Springs to the Shetani lava flows,. The savannah ecosystem comprises of open grasslands, scrublands, and Acacia woodlands, belts of riverine vegetation and rocky ridges including the Poacher's Lookout where visitors can see the teeming herds in the plains below. It encompasses mountains and hills for climbing, savanna bush and semi-arid desert scrub, acacia woodland, palm thickets, rivers and the tranquil Lake Jipe. Tsavo West National Park covers 7065km² but the terrain is much more varied than that of Tsavo East. It ranges from 200-1000m in altitude. The northern sector is bush land with scattered native baobab trees. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

The railway runs along the border separating Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park. In 1898, as many as 135 railway workers were attacked and killed by man- eating lions. The pair of male, maneless lions that, unusually, hunted humans rather than livestock, evaded traps and capture for many months. The man-eaters were eventually shot by Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson, but the legend lives on. From Lake Jipe, on the Tanzanian border, to the mountain forests of the Chyulu Hills, the wide range of landscape offers protection to many endangered African wildlife including the black rhinoceros, Cosen's gerbil, Hunter's hartebeest, several species of shrew and rat, Grevy's zebra and wild dogs.

Animals: A wildlife safari is the best way to see Kenya's wildlife close-up in its natural environment. Tsavo West is home to the largest population of red-skinned elephants. Tsavo West National Park also has a variety of wildlife, such as eastern black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, leopard and lion. There are also other smaller animals that can be spotted in the park, such as the bush baby, hartebeest, lesser kudu and Masai giraffe. The park is also home to diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Attractions

The spectacle Mzima Springs is the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rocks, forming the most welcoming and lovely scene in Africa

Ancient lands of Lions, in 1898 the Uganda railway construction was abruptly halted by the two of the most voracious and insatiable man-eating lions appeared upon the scene, and for over nine month waged intermittent

warfare against the railway and all those connected with it in the vicinity of Tsavo.

A vibrant volcanic arena; molten lava that form Shetani lava spewed from the earth just about 200 years ago and its fiery fury was thought by locals to be work of the Devil.

Poacher's Lookout and roaring rocks; the Park abound the panoramic vintage point from which to view the movement of the herds.

Glorious game drives; Tsavo west offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world

Ngulia Sanctuary; this is where the growing population of highly endangered black rhino are inching from chasm of extinction forced upon them by rampant poaching in the 1960s.

Lake Jipe, lies astride Kenya and Tanzania boarder and is teeming with aquatic life, Bird watching I also major activity around the lake.  First World War Site-East African Campaign, Perhaps the most bizarre campaign of the world war was fought in the “Bundu” (Bush) – the barely explored wilderness of thorny scrub and dense forest of Tsavo west. This last ‘gentleman war’ was waged under the code of honor-sometimes; or under guerilla tactics adopted from African tribal fighters. The Guided tours of the Crater, Kichwa Tembo and Mzima fort will enable you trail the real footsteps of the world war veterans.

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How to get there

Distance: 240 km from Nairobi, 250km from Mombasa (Mtito Andei Gate).  By air: There are 3 airstrips in the park

Gates: Tsavo, Lake Jipe, Mtito Andei (Kamboyo HQ), Chyulu, Maktau and Ziwani.

Roads: The main access routes are through Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

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. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Climate and weather in Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park is just a few degrees south of the equator. The temperature remains the same throughout the year at 27-31°C (81-88°F) during the day and 22-24°C (72-75°F) during the night. Humidity is high from December through April.

The rainfall defines the seasons. The long rainy season, or monsoon season, is from March to May. The shorter rains come in October through December. It is a long, hot day on a safari to Tsavo West, so wear cool, comfortable clothing, and a sunhat. Remember to bring your camera and binoculars, sunglasses and water to drink. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK

Geography: Tsavo East National Park is one of the oldest and largest African safari parks in Kenya. It was established in 1948 and covers 11,747 km², although not the entire park is open to the public.

Tsavo East National Park is located 333km south-east of Nairobi, and 173km north-west of Mombasa. Tsavo East National Park is a natural area of flat, dry plains, with thorny bushes and swampy marshland near the river. It is teeming with diverse Kenyan animals including large families of giraffes, gazelles, hartebeests and zebras, as well as the "Big Five" must-see animals – buffalo, African elephants, lions, rhinos and leopards. The park can be accessed by three main gates, from Voi through the Manyani gate, from Mombasa through the Bachuma gate or from

Malindi through the Sala gate. There are also several airstrips in the park that allow chartered light planes. Inside the park, the Athi and Tsavo rivers converge to form the Galana River. Most of the park consists of semi-arid grasslands and savanna. It is considered one of the world's biodiversity strongholds, and its popularity is mostly due to the vast amounts of diverse wildlife that can be seen.

The sight of dust-red elephant wallowing, rolling and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images in Africa. This, along with the 300 kilometers long Yatta Plateau, the longest lava flow in the world, make for an adventure unlike any other in the Tsavo East. The park forms the largest protected area in Kenya. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Access: By Road: Use your own vehicle, take public transportation, or book an open-topped minibus tour with a tour guide. Enter from Nairobi (333km) via Voi Gate or Manyani Gate; enter from Mombasa (173km) via Bachuma Gate; enter from Malindi or the north coast via Sala Gate.

By Air: Chartered light aircrafts may land at any of the six airstrips in the south part of the park, or any of the 13 airstrips in the north.

By Railway: The Nairobi-Mombasa railway runs right through the Tsavo East National Park.

Climate and weather: Kenya lies across the equator, and Tsavo East National Park is just a few degrees latitude south. The temperature is fairly constant year round, but the rainfall varies. The tropical temperature ranges from 27-31°C (81- 88°F) in the daytime and 22-24°C (72-75°F) at night.

The long rainy season in Kenya lasts from March to May and the rainfall is heavy, making this a bad time for wildlife safaris. The short rainy season lasts from October to December, but the weather during this period is still good enough to go on safari – just expect some afternoon showers. The humidity is high from December through April. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Attractions: Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary is saving the black rhino from extinction due to hunting by poachers.

Bird watching is best between October and January, with many migratory birds including: African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffalo weavers and palm nut vultures, to name but a few. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the park, including ostriches, kestrels, buzzards, starlings, weaverbirds, kingfishers, hornbills, secretary birds and heron

The Mudanda Rock is a 1.6 km inselberg of stratified rock that acts as a water catchment that supplies a natural dam below. It offers an excellent vantage point for the hundreds of elephants and other wildlife that come to drink during the dry season.

The Yatta Plateau, the world's longest lava flow, runs along the western boundary

of the park above the Athi River. Its 290 km length was formed by lava from Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain.

Lugard Falls, named after Frederick Lugard, is a series of white water rapids on the Galana River.

Aruba Dam was built in 1952 across the Voi River. The reservoir created by the dam attracts many animals and water birds.

Animals: Tsavo East National Park is one of the world's largest game reserves, providing undeveloped wilderness homes to vast numbers of animals. Famous are the Tsavo lions, a population whose adult males often lack manes entirely. A comprehensive list of the animal types found in Tsavo East Park includes the aardwolf, yellow baboon, bat, Cape buffalo, bushbaby, bushbuck, caracal, African wildcat, Tanzanian cheetah, African civet, dik-dik, African hunting dog, African dormouse, blue duiker, bush duiker, red duiker, eland, elephant, bat-eared fox, greater galago, gazelle, large-spotted genet, small-spotted genet, gerenuk, giraffe, African hare, springhare, Coke's hartebeest, hunter hartebeest, East African hedgehog, spotted hyena, striped hyena, rock hyrax, tree hyrax, impala, black- backed jackal, side-striped jackal, klipspringer, lesser kudu, leopard, lion, banded mongoose, dwarf mongoose, Egyptian mongoose, marsh mongoose, slender mongoose, white-tailed mongoose, black faced vervet monkey, Sykes' monkey, fringe-eared oryx, clawless otter, ground pangolin, crested porcupine, cane rat, giant rat, naked mole rat, ratel, bohor reedbuck, black rhinoceros, serval, spectacled elephant shrew, bush squirrel, East African red squirrel, striped ground squirrel, unstriped ground squirrel, suni, warthog, waterbuck, common zebra and Grevy's zebra. Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Birds

The park is also home to a great variety of birds Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the area, including ostriches, kestrels, buzzards, starlings, weaver birds, kingfishers, hornbills, secretary birds and herons.

SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE

Geography: Samburu National Reserve is situated within the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. Measuring approximately 104sq. kilometers (approx. 65sq. miles) in size, this unfenced savannah grassland is roughly 350km (217 miles) from Nairobi. It is relatively small in size compared to other Kenyan parks, such as Tsavo or

Masai Mara.Samburu national reserve derives its name from the Samburu people of Kenya who have lived in the area for many years.

The Uaso Nyiro River cuts through this reserve, drawing a big population of Kenya animals to the park. The river bustles with activity from its huge population of Nile crocodile. The reserve's topography is mainly open savannah (grassland) with clusters of acacia trees, forest, thorn trees and grassland vegetation. Samburu National Reserve was one of the two areas in which conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness. Their story was made famous by the bestselling book and award-winning movie "Born Free". Animals: There is a wide variety of animal and bird life seen at Samburu National Reserve. Several large game species common to Kenya's northern plains can be found in abundance here, including the following dry-country fauna: gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx and reticulated giraffe. All three big cats known as the East African lion, Tanzanian cheetah and leopard can also be found here, as well as the elephant, Cape buffalo and Hippopotamus. Other mammals frequently seen in the park include olive baboon, warthogs, Grant's gazelle, Kirk's dik-dik, impala, and waterbuck. The rhinoceros population is no longer present in the park due to heavy poaching.

There are over 350 species of bird. These include grey-headed kingfisher, sunbirds, bee-eaters, Marabou stork, tawny eagle, Verreaux's eagle, bateleur, vulturine guineafowl, yellow-necked spurfowl, lilac-breasted roller, secretary bird, superb starling, northern red-billed hornbill, yellow-billed hornbill, bateleurs, guinea fowl, Somali ostriches and various vultures including the palm-nut vulture.

The Ewaso Ng'iro river contains large numbers of crocodile basks.

Weather and climate: The climate in Samburu is hot and dry during the day, and cool during nights and evenings.

Average maximum temperatures are around 30°C (85°F) with minimum temperatures of approximately 20°C. Most rain falls between March and May, with short rains falling from November to December, recording a total maximum

rainfall of 350mm. July through October and January through March are mainly hot and dry.

Access: By Road: Use your own vehicle, take public transportation, or book an open-topped minibus or safari van tour with a tour guide. The park is located about 345km (approx. 214 miles) from Nairobi, or about a five-hour drive. The roads and tracks to the park are all weather. The reserve is accessible by road via Isiolo and Archer's Post.

By Air: The game reserve is accessible by air and there are daily flights from Nairobi to Samburu that you can book online. Travel time is about 45 minutes and the flights land at the park's airstrip. Private charter flights are also allowed to use the airstrip.

Attractions: Game Viewing: In the southern part of the park, you are guaranteed to see most of the Kenyan animals found in Samburu, namely: cheetahs, lions, leopards, impalas, buffalo, hippos, and dik-diks, as well as the native gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and Beisa Oryx. You are guaranteed to see most animals during the dry season as they converge at the Usaso Nyiro River, their main source of water during the long dry weather. Elephants are also spotted during this time, and you can watch the Nile crocodiles swim in the river. Bird Viewing: Samburu National Reserve is a paradise for bird lovers, with over

350 species of birds already recorded. You can enjoy a colorful assortment of birds

such as vultures, kingfishers, marabous, bateleurs, guinea fowl, Somali ostriches and many more.

Samburu Cultural Tours: Visit the local Samburu villages where you get a chance to interact with the colorful Samburu people in their traditional setting and experience their culture. This is a good opportunity to purchase traditional Samburu souvenirs, art and collectibles.

Communities: Samburu people of Kenya are the ancestral inhabitants they have lived in the area for many years.

NORTH COAST

The coastline North of Mombasa is a world of enthralling history and natural beauty.

The coast is lined with pristine palm fringed beaches, and the calm inviting waters of the Indian Ocean. The beaches are broken by the wide mouth of Kilifi Creek, whose azure waters are a popular port of call on the international yachting circuit. The beaches of Nyali, Vipingo, Kikambala and Shanzu are home to a wide range of World Class resorts with fine cuisine and services.

The peaceful beach havens of Mtwapa and Takaungu offer an ideal escape from the outside world, with endless deserted beaches.

The offshore reefs are alive with coral, myriad fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs, and Kenya’s best wreck diving on the MV Dania.

Getting There

The gateway to the North Coast is Mombasa, although some visitors fly directly to Malindi. See the Mombasa section for details of how to get to Mombasa. The Coastal highway runs north of Mombasa all the way to Kenya’s northern frontier. Driving your own car or hired car as far as Malindi is very easy. There are regular buses and matatus along the North coast. Many hotels and resorts in this area have Mombasa shuttles or can arrange vehicle transfers. Private taxis from Mombasa will also take you to the North Coast beaches for an agreed fare. Malindi airport has daily scheduled flights to Mombasa, Nairobi and Lamu. The airport also serves Private Charters.

Getting Around

Regular buses and Matatus service the North Coast Highway. Services are less regular north of Malindi. Taxis can be found in any town, or at most hotels or resorts.

Kenyan coast feels like a different world from the savannahs of safari country. Low-lying and sandy, indented by mangrove-lined creeks, and shaded by coconut palms, the coast blends the bright light and colours of the tropics with the sparkling azure-blue of the Indian Ocean, where you squint through the afternoon sunlight to watch traditional lateen-rigged dhows sailing out beyond the coral reef.

While being on safari can often feel like participating in an enjoyable group challenge, with its daily rhythm of game drives, bush meals and campfire anecdotes, a beach holiday releases you much more into the gentle embrace of local life. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll basically be left to your own devices – though there are plenty of activities to fill your days if you have the energy. From diving and snorkelling to city tours, shopping trips and cultural and historical excursions, these can all be organised from your hotel.

If you want to explore underwater, we’ll help you choose the right spots at the right time of year. If you want honeymoon privacy, stylish luxury, affordable comforts or a lively resort base, we’ve got the ideal hotels. And if you do want activities – whether it’s a visit to the old city of Mombasa or an extra helping of safari with a trip inland to the alluring Shimba Hills or Tsavo East National Park – we can safely say we’ve been there and done it, and we’re ready to give you the best advice available.

Most travellers use their beach stay simply to chill after several days on safari. But you can also do a further safari from the Kenya coast, or even use the coast as a base for your whole holiday, taking safari trips inland.

Kenya’s coastal climate

If Kenya’s upcountry safari regions can sometimes feel surprisingly mild and even chilly on an early or late game drive, the coast will give you a big helping of serious equatorial climate. It’s rarely less than warm, even at night, while the middle hours of the day at certain times of year can be as hot as a furnace, and humid to boot. Fortunately there’s usually a gentle zephyr of a breeze, blowing onshore from the Indian Ocean, and sometimes a full-on, flapping wind, making for excellent wind- and kite-surfing conditions.

The Kenya coast’s geography and wildlife

The landscape of the shoreline and immediate coastal hinterland of Kenya is dominated by the fringing coral reef that parallels the coast for most of its length. Millions of years old, the living reef at the edge of the lagoon is just the youngest element of this landscape: most of the countryside inland from the beach sits on coral rock – the remains of ancient coral reef that was once submerged by the ocean – and it’s like a honeycomb, notoriously full of caves and holes, some leading straight down from ground level. Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant, the popular restaurant at Diani Beach, is built in a huge underground cave, and there are similar caves inland from Watamu and at Shimoni, where they were used to

hold slaves captive. As well as the sandy beach and coconut palms, the coast features lots of meandering creeks and several areas of tidal mud flats (notably at Mida Creek near Watamu) where low forests of salt-tolerant mangrove trees cover large areas and create a distinctive ecological zone.

If you’re looking for tropical forests, you’ll find most of Kenya’s lowland forests are concentrated just inland from the coast. As well as the kaya sacred forests, such as Kaya Kinondo along Diani Beach (now open to the public – see below), if you have the time you could explore the Ramisi River Forest in the far south, near Funzi Keys, the forests of the Shimba Hills area, the Sabaki River forest north of Malindi and the coast’s largest forest, now protected as the 420km² Arabuko- Sokoke National Park, south of Malindi. The forest, which sheltered the mysterious town of Gedi for centuries, includes feathery miombo (Brachystegia) woodland (home to a diverse range of birds), glossy and dense Cynometra forest, and mixed lowland rainforest rich in plants and insects and a variety of small mammals.

While Kenya's coastal wildlife is mostly not the big-game variety (Shimba Hills National Park is an exception and is home to elephants, buffalos, giraffe, several species of antelopes and leopards), smaller mammals are widespread, with monkeys particularly common. You’ll see troops of baboons at the roadside and vervet and Sykes’ monkeys, making a nuisance of themselves in hotel gardens. In the forests at Diani Beach several troops of spectacular colobus monkeys are a big attraction; you’ll see the colo-bridges constructed by local conservationists, strung between trees from one side of the road to the other, allowing the monkeys to cross safely. If you’re visiting the atmospheric ruins of Gedi, near Watamu, look out for the rare golden-rumped elephant shrew, an extraordinary mash-up of a creature, with a sensitive proboscis and stilt-like legs, that you may see foraging through the undergrowth accompanied by a bird called the red-capped robin chat, which alerts it to danger and picks up insects in its trail.

History and culture of the Kenya coast

Kenya’s first contacts with the wider world were along its coastline. The monsoon winds dictated the Indian Ocean’s annual trading calendar: merchant ships arrived from the Persian Gulf and the Arabian peninsula, but had to wait for the annual change in the wind to return home. So they anchored here, in Kenya’s creeks and ports, for months at a time. Such a long stay in Kenya might turn anyone’s head and, every season, some visitors chose to settle on the coast.

Over the course of the first millennium AD, Swahili society was born – still today

a vibrant and complex cultural mix of African roots and imported styles; a classic Bantu language with hundreds of Arabic loan words; and a highly nuanced class structure in which claims of overseas ancestry are as critical to high-status families as they are to the ‘Norman’ aristocracy in Britain or to American descendants of theMayflowerpilgrims.

You can see the historical vestiges of Swahili culture in the fascinating ruins of Gedi, hacked out of the jungle near Watamu, and in numerous smaller ruined mosques and other sites scattered along the coast, especially in the Lamu archipelago. Swahili culture is also apparent in the black buibui gowns worn by many women (a style that arrived from Arabia in the 1930s), in the type of fishing and trading vessels used here, in food and drink and a hundred other cultural facets from music to architecture. The Kenya coast is almost entirely Muslim, but the religion has always been tolerantly interpreted here and you are unlikely to meet any attitudes more disturbing than occasional indifference to visitors. Just as around the rest of the country, the majority of people are effusively welcoming and helpful.

As well as the Swahili culture of the coastal towns and villages, there’s another coastal culture – the culture of the nine local tribes (the Mijikenda) who didn’t intermarry with foreign visitors, but stayed a little inland, based in the forest around their sacred groves, or kaya. At Diani Beach you can visit the first fully accessible kaya, Kaya Kinondo, with a knowledgeable local guide, and explore the forest world of the first coastal inhabitants, with its fascinating fauna and flora.

Where to stay on the Kenya coast

Absorbing as coastal culture can be, most visitors are here for the beaches, many of which can match tropical seashores almost anywhere in the world, with powdery fine sand, and sea that is safe and blissfully warm and can be crystal clear in the right season (see the Kenya climate page). Kenya’s coast is protected for nearly its entire length by a major barrier reef, which has created a broad, sheltered lagoon for most of its length, where the reef is anything from 50m to 1km from the shore. Although many people refer to ‘Mombasa’ as if it were synonymous with the Kenyan coast, the country’s Indian Ocean coastline divides into a number of quite distinct regions. Mombasa island is the hub, with Watamu, Malindi and Lamu to the north, and Tiwi, Diani, Msambweni and Funzi island to the south. The UK Foreign & Commonwelth Office travel advice unit no longer warns against visiting Lamu and Manda islands, although they still advise against all but

essential travel to the coastal mainland north of the Sabaki/Galana River and within 60km of the border with Somalia. Please see here for further details.

MOMBASA

The island city of Mombasa, surrounded by creeks and East Africa’s biggest port, is shabby and dilapidated, but not lacking in atmosphere. It’s fun to visit 16th- century Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese, and shop in the alleys of the old city – though don’t expect a Middle-Eastern-style warren of souks. The suburban district north of Mombasa has most of the Mombasa hotels used by charter package tours and overall feels a bit over-developed and hustly, though Nyali has some quieter corners.

Watamu Beach

After Mombasa’s suburban sprawl has finally fizzled out, the coast road crosses the blue waters of Kilifi Creek and the next significant resort area is the much quieter resort of Watamu, a low-key peninsula stretched along a beautifully sculpted coastline of old coral islands and headlands with the deep mangrove creek of Mida Creek behind it. Watamu has a small, traditional village, and there’s an excellent beach here and good diving and snorkelling, plus some wonderful excursions for wildlife and culture enthusiasts in the shape of the Arabuko-Sokoke National Park and the ruins of Gedi.

Malindi

The animated town of Malindi, which has some of the nicest hotels on the coast, is a 30-minute drive north of Watamu, partly through the eastern part of the Arabuko- Sokoke forest. Malindi is growing quite fast, but it has retained one of the most appealing town centres in Kenya, where a good-humoured mix of tourists, locals hustling tourists and locals going about their business generally get on very well. The town is located just south of the mouth of the Sabaki River (which rises in the highlands as the Athi and flows through Tsavo East as the Galana) and is set back from the extensive sands of the town beach. Most Malindi beach hotels are located round the rocky headland of Vasco da Gama Point, a short way to the south, where the beach is prettier and the sea clearer.

Lamu

The fabled Lamu archipelago includes the main island of Lamu, and Manda, where the district’s small airport is located, facing Lamu across a wide creek. To the north of Manda, Pate is a larger island, with several small towns, and interesting Swahili ruins, but no visitor facilities. Much further north lies the remote sliver of Kiwaiyu island. Between the islands, swamps of mangrove forest and shallow seas make navigation tricky. Just off the mainland, and somewhat disconnected from

the rest of Kenya (there’s still no tarmac road to this northern part of the coast), the islands are a blissfully tranquil retreat from the exertions of safari life. Although small, Lamu town, with its origins in the fourteenth century is, alongside Zanzibar, a major stronghold of Swahili culture. The town still preserves its ancient layout, characteristically tall and narrow Swahili architecture and winding alleys. Apart from the odd motorcycle, there are virtually no vehicles on the islands – people get around on foot, by donkey or by lateen-rigged dhow. Culturally, Lamu displays a distinctive blend of African and Arab influences, its traditions are strong and the daily cycles of prayer calls and tides still dominate life.

If the sense of being slightly adrift is deliciously relaxing (many visitors spend hours in a hammock with a book), there’s plenty to do if you’re feeling energetic, including all the water sports, snorkelling and diving, historical and cultural visits and even a new wildlife reserve on the mainland.

Tiwi Beach

With no tarmac beach road and only one resort-style hotel, most of Tiwi Beach, 20km south of Mombasa, remains reminiscent of Kenya’s coast 40 years ago. It’s popular with people who specifically don’t want lots of facilities and activities and there are relatively few places to stay – most of them simple beach bungalows. One of the benefits is far fewer ‘beach boys’ (the generally innocuous, if often irritating hustlers who try to make a living from tourists), and there are some excellent snorkelling and diving spots.

Diani Beach, Galu Beach and Kinondo Beach

Diani Beach is perhaps the best beach in Kenya – wide, silvery, palm shaded and reef fringed, with some sandbars in the lagoon that are exposed at low tide for excursions from the hotels in dugouts or glass-bottomed boats. There’s a good balance of places to stay, places to eat, sea- and land-based activities, and various spots to drink and party a little. A busy, 12km tarmac beach road runs along the coast behind the beachfront properties, eventually reverting to gravel just north of Pinewood Beach Resort, where Diani Beach actually becomes Galu Beach, and finally turning into a narrow track through the bush when it reaches Kinondo Beach. Competition for beachfront space among dozens of properties (though they are not by any means crowded in international terms) means there’s a real mix of resort-style hotels, mid-sized hotels and guesthouses, and we’ve selected a variety of the best and best-value options. Whatever style of beach stay you’re looking for, we’re likely to have something that’s ideal for you.

Back on the main coastal highway, and heading south, the further you go towards the Tanzanian border, the more rurally relaxed the coast becomes. Msambweni and

Funzi, well off the main road, are real backwaters where beach boys and discos are unknown. Msambweni

Although quite isolated and remote, the fishing village of Msambweni has a fascinating history: it’s the site of an old leprosy hospital that’s still renowned for its medical care in this rural area (though leprosy has been eradicated), while some of the caves in the low cliffs behind the beach were once used to hold slaves. The whole area is thick with coconut palms and very traditional, while the largely deserted beach itself, a short, steep climb down the cliffs via steps or paths, is punctuated by crags of old coral rock poking through the pristine sands.

Funzi Island

Getting to the mangrove-fringed island of Funzi from the mainland – by speedboat through the creeks – is an adventure, and staying in the bewitching environment of sand and tropical vegetation at Funzi Island Lodge is a real escapist dream. You can fish, sail, take a canoe out for a private paddle through the mangroves or go on a boat trip up the Ramisi River, looking for crocodiles and water birds.

MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK

Mount Kenya National Park consists mainly of the three peaks of Mount Kenya. This gives it a different landscape than the other national parks, but the African animals are still evident, including African elephants, monkeys and a host of birds. Mount Kenya National Park was created in 1949 to protect Mount Kenya and its environment from destruction and development. The Mount Kenya Forest Reserve encircles the national park and the two areas, combined, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Kenya National Park covers 715km² (276 square miles) and the forest reserve at the base covers a further 705km² (272 square miles). Climbing to 5,199 meters, Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking. It is pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game and unique montane and alpine vegetation. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping and caving with the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks providing the perfect backdrop.

Mount Kenya stands a magnificent 5199m (17,057 feet) above sea level, dominating the view for miles around. It is the second highest mountain in Africa, next to Mount Kilimanjaro, and was formed hundreds of years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions. Gradually, the cratered rim has eroded, forming several peaks. The park was created to encourage tourism, to preserve the area's natural, outstanding beauty, and to conserve the animal habitat and protect it as a water catchment area. Mount Kenya National Park is located between Kenya's other safari parks – Aberdare, Samburu and Meru National Park.

Of Mount Kenya's three main peaks, only Point Lenana can be climbed by amateurs on a mountain climbing safari. The other two peaks require full mountaineering skills and technical equipment.

The mountain supports rainforest, with thick clumps of bamboo growing above the forest. Higher up the slopes, it becomes moorland with heather and lobelia. A tarmac road runs around the base of Mount Kenya and there are several towns situated along the road, including Naro Moru, Nanyuki and Meru. Animals: African animals, including elephants, buffalo, Colobus and other monkeys, Cape buffalo, antelope giant forest hogs, tree hyrax, white tailed mongoose, suni, black fronted duiker, mole rat, bushbucks, water buck and Elands ,inhabit the lower forests. They are contained within the national park by electrified fences. The birdlife is also very prolific; Over 130 bird species have been recorded. Including, huge eagles and colorful sunbirds. A spotter's guide may be useful for identifying the animals and birds. Animals rarely seen include leopard, bongo.

Climate and weather: The climate varies with the altitude and temperatures at Mount Kenya National Park are cooler than throughout most of the country. The climate is subtropical or temperate. There is still a rainy season from March to May and from October to December when it is drizzly and cloudy. Rainfall is moderate on the lower slopes and heavier higher up. The sunniest months are from December through March.Above 8000 feet, temperatures can fall low enough for frost and snow to occur. The peak of Mount Kenya is always covered in snow.

How to get there :By road: Mount Kenya National Park is 175km from Nairobi, accessible through Nanyuki-Isiolo road. There is also another entrance 150km north of Nairobi through Embu-Meru road. The park is also reachable via Chogoria on the Embu – Meru road, about 150km north of Nairobi. Airstrips: The closest commercial airstrip to the park is at Nanyuki

Mountain climbing routes without an official gate include:Kamweti,

Marania,Burguret and Themwe

Attractions: Pristine 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.

View the African animals, endangered species and unique mountain vegetation. Mountain climbing – climb Point Lenana, if you are reasonably fit, and enjoy the views.

Bird watching is very rewarding as there are many prolific species including the multi-colored sunbirds and huge eagles.

Best time to visit: December to March are the sunniest months and perhaps the best time to visit. There are some cloudy periods and rain from March to May, and drizzle from October to early December which may restrict clear views. Mount Kenya National Park is open all year round.

Communities: Kikuyu and Meru communities are the ancestral inhabitants of the area around the park.

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Geography: Lake Nakuru National Park was established in 1961. It now covers an area of 180km² (69.5 square miles) and is situated in the Great Rift Valley – 156km northwest of Nairobi in the Nakuru district of the Rift Valley Province. The park is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. Lake Nakuru is a large, shallow lake surrounded by marshes, woodland and grassland. There are some rocky outcrops

and the largest euphorbia forest in Africa on the eastern side. The lake is fed by three main rivers; the Njoro, the Makalia and the Enderit rivers, as well as several springs. The park has very good roads and some excellent viewpoints overlooking the lake from Baboon Cliff and Lion Hill.

The lake supports the blue-green Cyanophyte Spirulina Platensis, which is the main food source for the brilliant pink flamingoes that can be found wading on the lake's edge. At times, there can be up to two million greater and lesser flamingoes and tens of thousands of other birds. Food conditions change periodically, and the number of birds fluctuates at times so, if possible, you should check with the national park. It is also a good idea to carry a spotter's guide to identify the many animals and Kenya birds you will see here.

Scenic Lake Nakuru is Kenya’s most popular national park. It offers good wildlife viewing with four of the Big Five present. The small park doesn’t support elephants, but rhinos are particularly easy to see. Lake Nakuru NP’s main feature is a large, shallow lake, which was famous for large flocks of flamingos. However, since 2012, conditions have become unfavorable for the flamingos and most have moved to other Rift Valley lakes. The lake still supports great birdlife, including big flocks of pelicans.

Climate and weather: The relatively high altitude of the park makes the climate slightly colder than might be expected this close to the equator. Temperatures are quite mild though, and consistent year-round. Daytime temperatures are pleasant in the mid to upper twenties, although it is much cooler at nights. Warm clothing for early morning game drives is a necessity. The wettest months are April and May. The rest of the year is relatively dry with some rain throughout.

Communities

Animals : the park is commonly known as the bird watchers paradise due to the large number of lesser and greater flamingos. National Park also offers sanctuary to huge numbers of native African animals including waterbucks, warthogs, impalas, buffalo, Rothschild giraffes, elands, endangered black rhinos, white

rhinos and, occasionally, leopards. A large herd of hippos have a territory in the northern part of the lake, making for interesting game viewing.

Access Roads:The 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. Airstrips: The Naishi airstrip services the park for tourism and KWS activities. Park Roads: The park has an adequate and well serviced motor able roads that make most parts of the park accessible.

Park Gates:The park has three gates, Main Gate and Lanet Gate that link the park with the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and the less used Nderit Gate.

Activities: Bird watching: Enjoy the fabulous water birds and other bird species. The best place to view the birds is from Baboon Cliff, where you get an excellent view over the lake, and the wonderful spectacle of pink flamingoes along its edge. However, the number of birds in the park fluctuates as food conditions change, so check the bird population with the national park before making the journey. Game viewing: See the endangered white rhinos and other animals including waterbucks, warthogs, hippos, impalas, buffalo, Rothschild giraffes and more.

Drive through the unique vegetation and the biggest euphorbia forest in Africa.

Viewpoints include Lion Hill, Baboon Cliff and Out of Africa.

Visit the beautiful waterfall at Makalia.

DIANI

Geography Diani Beach is a popular tourist destination located in the southwestern part of Kenya. Diani Beach is located 30 kilometers south of Mombassa. More than 25 kilometers of beach can be enjoyed here. The city is very popular among kite surfers. Many large and luxurious hotels can be found here that

attract many beach tourists every year. Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest is situated in the interior; it is the habitat of many small indigenous animals. Nowadays the forest is a preservation area. Deep sea diving and snorkeling are popular activities in Diani Beach.

The beach is about 10 kilometres (6 mi) long, from the Kongo river to the north and Galu beach to the south (the southern point of reference is an old Baobab tree). It is adjacent to the town of Ukunda, the population of which nears 100,000 inhabitants. The water remains shallow near shore, with some underwater sandbars near the surface which allow wading with a clear view of the sandy bottom. Inland from the beach, there is extensive vegetation including numerous palm trees which cover the coastal areas, unlike the dry acacia trees of the mountainous Kenyan Highlands. The Mwachema River flows into the sea at Diani Beach.

The general area is known for its coral reefs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and for the closely located Shimba Hills National Reserve, a wildlife reserve which looks out over the Indian Ocean. Diani Beach has restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and several shopping centres.

Climate Diani Beach has a tropical monsoon climate with one distinct and one less distinct rainy period. Most precipitation falls during spring, the second rainy period is during fall, and precipitation figures are lower during this period. In between these two periods there still is a chance of reasonable amounts of precipitation. Temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius all year round. However, an ever blowing sea breeze offers some cooling.

Activities

Water sports, including water-skiing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, are extremely popular, with many international competitions held throughout the year

Camel riding on the beach  Henna tattoos and look beautiful.

Ride on a marine safari dhow or a glass bottom boat tour of Wasini Island and Kisite Marine Park.

Snorkelling and dolphin spotting at Wasini Island

Colobus Conservation & Guided Primate Eco-Tours. To go the Colobus trust where you can talk a nature walk and learn about conservation.

Kayak in the mangrove

Deep sea fishing at Pemba channel

Day trip to the Shimba Hills National Game Park

Dhow Sailing

Local fish trip in traditional sailing boats (Ngalawa)

Biking on Diani beach

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Geography Amboseli National Park is in southern Kenya on the border with the neighboring country of Tanzania 260km (160 miles) from Nairobi city. It’s known for its large elephant herds and views of immense Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania. The Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya's most popular parks. The name "Amboseli" comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust", and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands. Its magnificent situation at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, combined with its excellent opportunities to view Kenya's animals, make it one of the most-visited safari parks in Kenya

Weather and climate The climate in the Amboseli region is hot and dry. The national park is in the rain shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, as it lies on the northwest side. Average temperatures vary only slightly throughout the year. The minimum average daily temperature is 27°C and the maximum is 33°C. Drought is typical in this area, and evaporation is high. A total annual rainfall of just 300mm is expected during April and May, and again during November and December.

Access The road from Nairobi to Namanga (240km/149 miles) is tarmac, but becomes rough with potholes from Namanga to the Meshanani Gate. Access from Mombasa is generally best through Tsavo West National Park via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate. Amboseli National Park has gates at Kelunyiet, Iremito, Ilmeshanan, Kitrua and Airstrips.

By Air: A chartered light aircraft may land at the airstrip at Empusel Gate. Other airstrips exist at Namanga and Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge. You can also book a scheduled flight departing from Nairobi to Amboseli  Animals Amboseli National Park is known for its large herd of over 900 free-ranging elephants. This is the best national park to visit to see these wonderful and huge creatures., Cape buffaloes, impala, East African lions,

cheetahs, spotted hyenas, Masai giraffes, plains zebras, and blue wildebeest are also found in the park.

Activities View or even climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

Visit Observation Hill, which overlooks the park, swamps and, of course, the herds of free-roaming elephants.

Meet the Maasai people and learn about the Maasai culture and their indigenous lifestyle.

Bird watching is best between October and January if you want to see Kenya's migratory birds, including African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffalo weavers and palm nut vultures, to name a few.  Communities The Maasai community lives around the park with their authentic culture.

ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK

Created in 1950, Aberdare National Park was a far-sighted decision to protect the Aberdare Mountains and surrounding wildlife. It is situated 100km (62 miles) north of Nairobi, at the very center of Kenya.

Aberdare National Park covers just 766km², which is small compared to other national parks, and has more difficult terrain due to its location in Kenya's central highlands, to the west of Mount Kenya. The volcanic range of the Aberdare Mountains varies from the high moorland at 3000 meters (9842 feet), to the peaks of Kinangop (3906m/12814 feet) and Ol Donyo Lesatima (3999m/13123 feet). The rich, red volcanic soil provides excellent growing conditions for the indigenous forest, and lies in stark contrast to both the forest and the mountain's rugged and beautiful peaks.

One of the main features of Aberdare National Park is that it is home to the second largest population of black rhinos, which are an endangered species. Other animals that may be observed in the park include African lions, leopards,

baboons, and black and white Colobus monkeys and Sykes monkeys. There are also over 250 species of birds, including hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.

There are 60km (37 miles) of primary roads and 396km (246 miles) of secondary roads, but they all become virtually impassable during the rainy season, which lasts from March to May, and to a lesser degree, from October to December. There is still some rainfall and mist year-round due to the high altitude of Aberdare.

Climate and weather

Although Aberdare is close to the equator, the altitude governs the climate. It is cooler than the lower plains and coastal areas, and very misty and rainy year- round.

The wettest months are during the main rainy season, which lasts from March through May, and the shorter rainy season from October to December. At these times, roads become impassable. Over 1000mm of rain falls annually on the northwestern slopes, and 3000mm on the southeastern side of Aberdare National Park.

How to get there

By Road: Aberdare is 160km (99 miles) from Nairobi. There is a tarmac road from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the eastern side of Aberdare. However, the best access route is from the towns of Nyahururu and Naivasha. Gates are situated at Ruhuruina, Kiandongoro, Ark, Wandare and Treetops, if approaching from Nyeri. From Nyahururu, use the Rhino Gate, Shamata Gate and from Naivasha, use the Mutubio Gate.

By Air: There are two good airstrips for chartered aircrafts at Nyeri and Mweiga, next to the Aberdare National Park headquarters.

Attractions

Aberdare National Park offers many activities and tourist attractions, as well as wildlife safaris. See African elephants, lions, rhinos, black leopards and bongo antelope as well as many other animals native to Kenya.

Bird watching is good here, with over 250 species of birds recorded in Aberdare National Park.

Trout fishing in the ice-cold Guru Karuru and Chania Rivers is another popular activity.

You can also take time to admire Lesatima and Kinangop peaks or walk through the moorland and visit the magnificent waterfalls.

Do a nocturnal animal viewing from The Ark or Treetops lodges. In fact, it was while vacationing at the Treetops lodge that Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain learned her father had died, thus making her Queen.

Climb the Twin Hills, Elephant Hills and Table Mountains.

Kenya Tourist Attraction Information

Accommodation

Treetops lodge is actually a tree-house lodge, accessed via a gangway rising to treetop level.

The Ark lodge is designed in the shape of Noah's ark and is generally considered to have better views. It offers standard safari lodge accommodation. Both lodges are above ground level overlooking floodlit watering holes and salt licks. There is a bell in each room that is rung if any unusual animal arrives at the watering hole. Nocturnal animal viewing is taken very seriously! Booking in advance to stay in any of these lodges is essential.

The Outspan Golf and Country Club the nearest hotel to Karura Falls in Aberdare National Park, offers a spectacular view of Mount Kenya.

Campsites/Bandas

Sapper Hut has two beds and an external bathroom.

Tusk Camp Banda has two Bandas to sleep eight guests.

The Fishing Lodge has three bedrooms and two bathrooms to sleep seven guests.