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52 National parks and game reserves. Some famous ones include: Amboseli with its Mt. Kilimanjaro backdrop; Tsavo East and West, which has the largest land area; Masia Mara which has the highest concentration of wildlife per square mile; Lake Bogoria for its hot springs and geysers; and Kakamega Forest, perhaps the last remaining equatorial rainforests in Tropical Africa. The list is endless.  480
kms of white sandy beaches stretching from Shimoni to Lamu, protected by
a natural coral reef offering some unique and exquisite marine life. Mt. Kenya: A challenge to mountain climbers and a beautiful place to visit. 8 lakes in the bed of the Great Rift Valley: Lake Turkana, the famous 'jade sea'; Lake Nakuru, home to over a million flamingos; Lake Naivasha, home to hippos, a plethora of birdlife, and Kenya's wine country; Lake Magadi, the soda lake… Over 44 ethnic tribes from the smallest 70-strong El-Molo tribe to the millions of Kikuyu – all rich in tradition and culture. The most hospitable and ever smiling Kenyans.
 A
sea of flaming pink as far as the eye can see. These are the millions of
flamingos seekingtheir food in the salty deep-green waters of Lake Nakuru.
The protected area is primarily for birds, of which 400 to 500 species can
be found here including cormorants and pelicans. However, visitors to Lake
Nakuru may also catch a glimpse of Thomson gazelles, Grant gazelles, impalas,
waterbucks,giraffes,buffaloes, and leopards. This park has become Kenya's
premier Rhino sanctuary and is now home to both Black and White Rhinos,
totaling to over 80 in number. Back to Top  Masai Mara National Reserve offers an absolutely unique variety of animals.
The reason is that this hilly region is both humid and fertile, and is crossed
by the rivers Mara and Telek, full of crocodiles and hippos, and which carry
water the whole year round. The banks of the rivers are covered in thick
forest, which gradually makes way for bush and grassland. The abundance
of water and excellent availability of food are the reasons why the Masai
Mara, which in fact is a continuance of the Tanzanian Serengeti National
Park, has the greatest population of wild animals in the whole of Africa.
There is a particularly dramatic "spectacle" from July to November, the
annual migration of huge herds of Gnus and Zebras. Predators such as Hyenas,
Jackals, Leopards and Lions of course, closely follow these herds. There
is no place where more of these latter may be soon than in Masai Mara. Gigantic
herds of over 200 buffaloes can also be observed. Plenty of food is available
for elephants, giraffes, and the many species of antelopes and gazelles
all of which can be observed in their natural habitat.Back to Top  The
foothills of the Aberdare National Park are covered with huge trees, which,
the higher yougo, gradually give way to Bamboo forests. From about 3,000
meters upwards the landscape consists primarily of alpine moorland. Still
higher is an area of grassland with, from time to time, giant lobelias presenting
an attractive contrast. The rich vegetation of this park is blessed with
crystal clear streams, waterfalls and lakes teeming with fish. This means
an ideal habitat for a wide variety of mammals and birds, although the wild
life here is still very shy, and the lodges often have to put out salt licks
to attract the animals. With a bit of luck it is possible to see the "BIG
FIVE" whereas it may be somewhat more difficult to sight the local black
varieties of Leopards and Servals.Back to Top  The combination of scenery, people and animals is what makes the Amboseli National Park so fascinating. Beautifully situated at the foot of the towering Kilimanjaro, it the home of the brightly painted Maasai Tribe. Here you can see lions, cheetahs, hyenas as well as Gnus, kaffir buffaloes, Burchellis zebras and herds of elephants. All these animals come to drink at water holes consisting of small lakes or muddy ponds kept filled up by water from the melting snows of Kilimanjaro. The northern Lake Amboseli contains water only after rain Back to Top  Both
National Parks are managed separately, but together they form the largest
reserve in East Africa. The Northern part of Tsavo East may not, however,
be visited by tourists.
Nevertheless, the Tsavo National park, founded in 1947, is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Kenya. In spite of its arid countryside and savannah vegetation, about 60 species of mammals and 400 different species of birds are to be found here. The Tsavo is particularly famous because of the " red elephants" which owe their color to the dust prevalent in this area. As well as lions and cheetahs, there are many antelopes (Oryx, kudus,
and Grant's gazelles and giraffe gazelles), Burchell's zebras, Maasai
giraffe, baboons and vervet monkeys. Of the birds, the most impressive
is the Maasai ostrich. Where there is water, such as Mzima springs, crocodiles
and hippos can be seen. Meru National park became famous because it was here that Joy Adamson set her Lioness Elsafree, and because in this park the last white Rhinos in Kenya lived until 1988. The park has now fully re-opened to visitors since early 2000 and offers unique and luxury accommodation. This area is a transition point from Central Kenyan to Northern Kenyan fauna, and you can see here Burchell's zebras, Grevy zebras, Masai and Reticulated giraffes, Grant gazelles and gerenuks. The park is criss-crossed by numerous streams and by the Tana River, the longest in Kenya, all of which attract an interesting variety of animals. There are crocodiles, hippos and waterfowl as well as herons. Back to Top  Samburu-Buffalo
Springs and Shaba National Reserve include in their boundaries all the flora
and fauna to be found in the north of Kenya. The dry grasslands interspersed
with acacias are interrupted from time to time by rich green vegetation,
whenever enough water is present, e.g. the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River
(with its huge Nile crocodiles) or in marsh regions. This countryside, dotted
with vulcanic peaks, offers a sanctuary to a wide variety of animals. These
are baboon, reticulated giraffes, elephants, waterbucks, gernuks and grevy
zebras. Lions and cheetahs are not quite so common, but plenty of leopards
can be sighted. there are no longer any rhinos. Back to Top The Kakamega Forest Reserve covers an area of about 240 km2 and was established to protect the only mid altitude tropical rainforest in Kenya, a remnant and eastern limit of rainforests of Zaire and West Africa. Its West African affinities are unique in Kenya and the forest contains many species found nowhere else in the country. Wildlife that can be found here are Aardvark; Baboon, Olive; Bushbuck; Civet, African; Civet, African Palm; Colobus, Black and White; Duiker, Blue; Duiker, Common; Duiker, Red; Genet, Large-spotted; Hare, African; Hedgehog, East African; Hippopotamus; Hyaena e.t.c. Together with the fauna and flora, the park is endowed with variety and breathtaking scenery of cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, mesas, calderas, hot springs, and the mountain peaks. The most popular areas are the four explorable, vast caves where frequent night visitors such as elephants and buffaloes come to lick the natural salt found on the cave walls. Kitum cave, with overhanging crystalline walls, enters 200 m into the side of Mt. Elgon. The breathtaking natural beauty of the park can be best appreciated from the Endebess Bluff where one gets a panoramic view of the areas' escarpments, gorges, mesas, and rivers. The highest peak of Mt. Elgon on the Kenya side, Koitoboss, measures 13,852 ft (4,155 m), and is easily reached by hikers in about two hours from the road's end. Back to Top This massive (67,493 sq kms) lake, commonly known as Nyanza, is twice the size of Wales, and forms a natural boundary between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Kisumu is the 3 rd largest metropolis in Kenya and a bustling city with prime activities being farming and fisheries. The romantic coastal area of Kenya has a history stretching back over 1,000 years.From here the Swahili language spread across the continent of Africa.The 480 kilometer coastline stretches from Lamu up in the North to Shimoni in the south and adjacent to the Pemba channel defining the border between Kenya and Tanzania. A spectacular coral reef, uninterrupted , runs along the palm-fringed coastline.The waters below teem with marine life while up abouve a huge diversity of birdlife occupies the mangrove forests or overhanging cliffs. Further north of Mombasa, lie several Creeks where resorts have developed over the years offering the discerning travel a more laid-back environment. Kilifi Creek, an idllyic little own is the closest to Mombasa.Gedi Ruins, a lost city, seemingly abandoned overnight lies at the entrance of yet another beautiful private beach, Watamu.Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, the last of the great indigenous coastal forests and one of the most important nature conservation sites in East Africa is accessible from Watamu. Another 25 kms north takes us to Malindi - Vasco da Gama first landed in this fishing village in 1498.Although now an important tourist area, Malindi stil retains the atmosphere of a Swahili fishing village.Near ro Malindi, on the road north is a spectacular gorge of eroded rock known as "Hells Kitchen". Divers and snorkellers will enjoy the Watamu and Malindi Marine National parks and reserves as well as the Kiunga Marine National reserve.Big-game fishing is a popular sport at Watamu with season being October to April. Lamu archipelago, to the north of Mombasa, consists of the three islands of Lamu, Manda and Pate, together with some smaller islands such as Ndau and Kiwayuu.On Lamu Island the most important settlements are the town of Lamu and the village of Shella; on Pate island the largest settlement are Pate, Siyu and Faza. As for Manda Island by the beginning of the 19 th century it was uninhibited.Lamu Island is the most important in the archipelago; it has an excellent natural harbour and is fringed along the West, North and Northeast by mangrove forests.On the south of the island is a sandy beach rising to a height of about twenty meters at the estuary of Lamu bay. Here is the village of Shella. The site is probably over five hundred years old and reached its zenith in the middle of the last century. On the other side of Lamu Island is Lamu sea Front and the small village of Kipungani from which a navigable channel runs parallel to the shore up to the fishing village of Matondoni and continues in a southerly direction towards Lamu town about two miles north of the open sea.  Arusha
is the Tanzanian hub of 'safari activity', covering the Northern Parks:
Lake Manyara, also a great Rift Valley lake known for its tree-climbing
lions; the Serengeti National Park, one of the world's greatest game sanctuaries;
the Ngorogoro crater, perhaps the eighth wonder of the world; and Tarangire
National Park. Mt. Meru and the Momella lakes in the Arusha National Park. Mt. Kilimanjaro, one of the highest mountains in the world. The Selous Game Reserve in the south – a must for the real nature lover. The Rufiji River with its low banks and masses of hippo. Zanzibar, an island where, like Lamu, time has not moved forward. Back to Top The park covers 14,763 sq km of endless rolling plains (see map ), which reach up to the Kenyan border and extends almost to Lake Victoria. The park is teaming with stunning wildlife - it is thought that over 3 million large mammals roam the plains. In May or early June you can witness the annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest in search of water and forage as the seasons change. Wildlife Large herds of antelope of all sorts including: Patterson's eland, Klipspringer, Dikdik, impala, Zebra, gazelles, water, bush and reed buck, topi, kongoni, cotton's oribi, grey bush duiker, roan antelope buffalo, and wildebeest. Plus: lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, bat eared fox, hunting dog and jackal. Smaller mammals: spring hare, porcupine, warthog, hyraxes, baboon, vervet monkey, colobus monkey, patas monkey, and mongooses. Larger mammals: giraffe, rhino, elephant, hippopotamus. Nearly 500 species of bird, including vultures, storks, flamingoes, martial and fish eagles, ostrich. Reptiles: crocodiles, a number of species of snakes and lizards Back to Top The park is located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara (see map ). It is home to the famous volcanic Ngorongoro crater which is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater (610 metres deep and 260 km squared) is a microcosm of East African scenery and game and is usually visited on the way back from the Serengeti to Arusha. Scenic grandeur and stunning views are the hallmark of this wonder of the world. All the lodges are built high on the crater rim and afford amazing views over and into the crater - the perfect setting for a well deserved sundowner. Wildlife Mount Kilimanjaro is located at the north/eastern tip of Tanzania. For the adventurous, a climbof Mount Kilimanjaro is a must taking you through the mists of equatorial jungle to reach the snows and breath-taking views from the summit. When to Climb It can be climbed at any time during the year. However, Christmas and New Year are usually fully booked and April, May and November is the rainy season. Back to Top The park is located 120km from Arusha south east of Manyara. This park has a particularly dense wildlife population between June - October. This national park is home to thousands of elephant, and in the dry season game congregates along the river having migrated from the Masai Mara. This park is symbolised by the Baobab tree, growing in open acacia woodland. Tarangire is an ornithologists paradise rich in birds of prey and an incredible diversity of avifauna. Wildlife Large herds of antelope of all sorts including: eland, lesser kudu, Kongoni, impala, Zebra, gazelles, buffalo, wildebeest, leopard, elephant, rhino and lots of smaller mammals. Back to Top This beautiful park is at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and comprises of forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. Since it is only 130KM from Arusha it may be visited as a day excursion. Wildlife Gazelles; impala; buffalo; wildebeest; the famous tree climbing lion; hyaena; baboon; giraffe; hippopotamus; and a great number of smaller mammals; 350 species of bird, storks and flamingoes. Back to Top One of the most beautiful parks in Tanzania and located 32 KM from Arusha (see map ). Asidefrom the abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora there are three spectacular features; momella lakes, Meru Crater, and the Ngurdoto Crater. Both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru can be seen from the park when the weather is fine. Wildlife Antelope of all sorts; buffalo; leopard; hyaena; baboon; colobus monkey; giraffe; rhino; elephant; hippopotamus. Back to Top The largest game reserve in Africa - 4 times the size of the Serengeti (see map ). It possesses a diverse landscape from hot volcanic springs, sporadic lakes, channels from the Great Rhaha and Rufiji rivers. Walking is permitted (with an armed ranger) which with over 350 species of bird and 2,000 species of plants to see makes this the most heavenly sanctuary to explore. Wildlife Most of the big game: elephant; buffalo; hippos; crocodiles; lion; cheetah; leopard; wild dog and lots of antelope; Greater and Lesser Kudu; roan and sable antelope; and Grants gazelles. Back to Top The Spice island of Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean (see map ). It is famous for once being the commercial centre of East Africa and the last place to abolish the slave trade. Today it combines ancient Islamic ruins, noble Arabic houses with miles of white sandy palm fringed beaches and coves. The ocean offers warm clear blue waters, idyllic islands excellent reefs for snorkelling and diving, fantastic deep sea fishing, water sports and of course delicious fresh fish. And if you thought that wasn't enough, visiting the Spice plantations (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and others) or haggling for carvings in the Central Market is great fun too.  UgandaLake Victoria: the source of the River Nile. Kampala, the city of 7 hills and the Agenda kingdoms. Murchison Falls National Park – yet unspoiled territory. The Ruwenzori mountain range. Beautifully rich in culture and tradition and a perfect inland complement for Kenya & Tanzania. Back to Top |
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