Kenya travel guide and safaris directory

INTRODUCTION TO KENYA

Kenya lies astride the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia in the east, Sudan in the north, Somalia and the Indian Ocean on the southeast, Tanzania in the south west, Uganda and Lake Victoria to the west. Kenya is 3 hours ahead of GMT. The recent population statistics indicate that Kenya has a population of 32 499 100 people.

HISTORICAL BACKROUND
Unlike nearby regions such as Ethiopia and Uganda, Kenya did not experience the emergence of large, centralized states or empires. The earliest settlements in Kenya took over Koobi For a, and others were near Lake Turkana. The earliest Nilotic-speaking people, ancestors of today’s Highlands Nilotic speakers, entered Kenya from the northwest to take up residence in the highlands west of the Eastern Rift Valley. Bantu-speaking peoples entered Kenya from the west and south, eventually settling east of Lake Victoria, where they occupied land on the coast and in the eastern highlands.

Later, ancestors of the Plains Nilotic speakers followed, moving into the Rift Valley and the plains to the east.Later still, ancestors of the River-Lake Nilotic speakers moved into the lower-lying regions around Lake Victoria. Eastern Cushitic speakers ancestral to the Oromo moved into northern Kenya from lands to the northeast and were followed by Cushitic-speaking Somali.

This course of migration occurred through miniature population movements and contacts. It later stretched over a period of centuries.
From this process emerged the various social formations that existed in Kenya at the beginning of colonial rule in the late 19th century AD.

These groupings were half spreads, representing a process of ongoing social change. For example, in the 17th century the ancestors of the Bantu-speaking Kikuyu settled in the forested hills and ridges south and west of Mount Kenya; as they did so, they borrowed customs from some peoples, absorbed other peoples, and competed with various groups for resources. Most of Kenya’s peoples practiced mixed farming, although some like the Nilotic-speaking Masai were nomadic herders a practice that still exists in some of the Kenyans up to now.

African Lion Safari Kenya

CLIMATE OF KENYA
The majority regions of the country have two rainy seasons, whereby the long rains fall between April and June and the short rains between October and December. Average annual rainfall varies from 5 inches a year mostly in arid regions of the northern plains to 70 inches a year near Lake Victoria. Seasonal variations are distinguished by duration of rainfall rather than changes of temperature.

Climatic conditions deviate from the tropical humidity of the coast, through the dry heat of the hinterland and northern plains, to the cool air of the plateau and mountains.

Despite Kenya's equatorial position, Mt. Kenya is perpetually snow-capped. The coastal temperature averages 27°C (80°F), and the temperature diminishes by slightly less than 2°C (3°F) with each 1,000 ft (305 m) increase in altitude.

The capital, Nairobi, at 1,675 m, has a mean annual temperature of 19°C. The arid plains vary from 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F). The coast and highland areas have an average of 40 inches per year.

KENYA FLIGHTS
Airlines going to this Kenya include; British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Klm (Royal Dutch Airlines), Sas Scandinavian Airlines, Sn Brussels Airlines, and Swiss Airlines .

KENYA VISAS & IMMIGRATION;
All incoming visitors to Kenya except for East African Citizens now require a visa, irrespective of nationality. Citizens of these categories and countries listed below need to get a Visa prior to intrusion of the country; Somali, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Mali, Sudan, Nigeria, Yemen, Cameroon, Pakistan, North Korea, StatelessPersons, Armenia, Georgia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Senegal. Nevertheless, Visa prerequisites often change. Visitors to Kenya are hence advised to visit their Countries’ Kenyan embassy for Visa updates before entering the country.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
In case of any problem that needs medical insurance, most of the Kenyan medical providers may not follow your life insurance company instructions. In this case therefore, you will have to pay in full amount for any medical care and file a claim against your insurance company for recompense. This means that you should have enough Kenyan shillings with you or their equivalents say for example legal tender in Kenya. If you need any assistance, contact the country’s embassy or representatives. To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts.

It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.

MONEY
Currency: 1 Kenyan shilling=100 cent All the MAJOR Credit cards are broadly accepted, as are travelers’ cheques which can be changed in any bank. Bear in mind they have varying commission charges.

TOURISM POTENTIAL

1. CONURBATIONS
Kenya’s two largest cities have all played an imperative role in the nation’s exciting history. Together these two cities paint a clear portrait of Kenya. They include;

i. Mombasa; an island city whose superb fortification and dock have been centre stage for hundreds of years of turbulent history.The beginning of the 20th century saw a railroad begin to wind its way from this port town inwards towards central Africa.

ii. Nairobi; The railway line made it first distant station in a swampy highland plain that became the small town of Nairobi, now the nations busy modern capital. The rail link between the two cities forged a link of national unity and become the lifeblood of Kenya. The city remains a vivacious and compelling mix of commerce, cultures and community

2. WILDLIFE SAFARIS IN KENYA
The majority visitors to Kenya don’t want to leave untouched the eminent wildlife. But there are many different ways to acknowledge the Kenyan wilderness. Whether you want to drive by a pride of lions in a four wheel drive, encounter a herd of elephants from the comfortable veranda of a safari lodge, trek through herds of plains game, trail through the game on horseback or search for rare birds in a thick rainforest, all is possible. Masai Mara Safari Kenya

Kenyan wildlife stands for far more than you would ever expect, shielding a broad range of habitats and species. They are multifaceted ecologies that depend on the conservation of diverse natural resources and systems. The Parks, Sanctuaries and Conservation areas co-exist with and depend on the communities that surround them, and work together to protect the future.
The most famous areas with these wildebeests in Kenya include;

i. Maasai Mara; this is the World’s most famous Game Reserve. It is a vast plain land which inhabits world’s greatest wildlife spectacle; you can encounter the annual wildebeest migration.

ii. Tsavo East and West; this is Kenya’s largest National park. It is a marathon wilderness crossed by tracks of a long and exotic history

iii. Laikipia; this is a far-flung wilderness. It is an ideal place to get away from it all for your individual safari adventure…

iv. Samburu, Shaba & Buffalo Springs; in this dry, thorn studded land water means life and the rivers draw an endless array of wildlife…
v. Meru; Meru is Mysterious, pure, and intact; it is a paradise awaiting discovery...

vi. Amboseli; Penetrate the ostentatious kingdom of the Elephant. It is a land a land crowned by the snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro.

3. KENYAN COASTLINE
The Kenyan coast is lined with perfect white sand beaches edging the warm fascinating waters of the Indian Ocean. Here the wilderness convenes to the sea, and the ocean itself holds a world of spectacular coral reefs teeming with life and colour. The coast is a place with a long and exotic history, its calm blue waters the traditional passage of the Arabian Spice Trade.

Besides the span of this coast are Old Towns and the overgrown, Arab and Portuguese forts, deserted ruins of Swahili outposts bear witness to this fascinating history. In the winding medieval streets and bustling markets of Lamu and Mombasa Old Town, life has been persistent dawdling and unbothered for more than 400 years. This blend of natural beauty and living history creates an exotic paradise unlike anywhere else on earth …

Kenya Safaris

i. Lamu; This is a place like no other, a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at it’s own relaxed rhythm, but a place whose history is as mysterious and fascinating as the winding streets of it’s medieval stone town ...

ii. Malindi and Watamu; Malindi and Watamu proffer abundance for the traveler who wants to merge relaxation and exploration...

iii. North Coast Beaches; you will find this in the North of Mombasa; this is a marvelous forsaken sand beach, the blue expanse of Kilifi Creek, and more…

iv. South Coast Beaches; this is located in the South of Mombasa. There are wide expanses of a white sand beach, the small coastal villages of Kwale and magnificent coral reefs …

v. Tana River Delta; This remote coastal wilderness gives you the best of worlds, beautiful deserted beaches and a river delta alive with wildlife …

4. FORESTS

Kenyan forests offer the traveler a wide range of options, from treetop lodges to trekking trails …

i. Mt Kenya Forests; In the dimness of Kenya’s highest peak, the dense highland forests are lively with game …

ii. Arabuko Sokoke; this shoreline forest offers the sightseer the opportunity to meet several unusual species of bird, small mammals, and a magnificent range of butterflies …

iii. Kakamega; this is a thick equatorial tropical rain forest. It is also a birder’s ecstasy with a variety of reptiles and a remarkable range of monkeys …

5. MOUNTAINS
The hills and mountains of Kenya are a globe apart from the lowland valleys and plains. High altitude Kenya offers something for everyone. There are refreshing hill walks through bird rich areas or more active hikes into montane forests.

i. Mt Elgon; Mounting from the Western Forests, this mountain is home to mysterious Kitum Cave, a deep cavern visited by herds of Elephants …… among others.

ii. Mt Kenya; Africa’s second uppermost peak is a regal monolith regarded as the sanctified dominion of Ngai, god of the local Kikuyu people, and home to one of the planet’s rarest sights’, Equatorial Snow …

iii. Mt Longonot; A dormant volcano whose awe-inspiring crater is a secret world of wildlife...

iv. Above all there is mighty Mt Kenya, whose slopes are the perfect trekking destination. The mountain’s alpine peak is a challenging technical summit for the experienced mountaineer...

v. Loroghi Hills; In the Heartland of the Samburu people, these hills are a haven for wildlife and the perfect destination for the adventurous trekker …

vi. Shimba Hills; High and Cool, these hills are the ideal getaway from the coastal heat, and home to a enticing range of wildlife …

vii. Western Highlands; these lush green hills are a bird watchers and hill walkers’ paradise …

viii. Taita and Chyulu Hills; Casing the vast wilderness of Tsavo, these hills have vast wildlife and greater views of Kilimanjaro …

iv. Aberdares; This prominent forests and moorlands of this highland range are home to Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, and much more...

6. THE DESERT
This warm, sparingly populated land is a place of harsh and spectacular beauty. Among the beautiful cliffs, ranges and thorn scrub of the North live some of Kenya’s last nomadic tribes. For these people, the desert wilderness is an integral part of their lives, and they cross these lands with camel trains following traditional routes older than any living memory. For many people, this is the existent Kenya, where the huge bare spaces hold the guarantee of real adventure...
i. Maralal and Beyond; this frontier town is the gateway to the great Northern wilderness...

ii. Marsabit and Beyond; A gorgeous oasis of green set high above the desert floor, Marsabit is surrounded by immaculate wilderness, and countless elephants …

7. LAKES
From the North to the South of Kenya, the valley is lined with a series of freshwater and soda based volcanic lakes. The include;

i. L.Naivasha; A boat trip on the lake will let you bump into local fisherman, countless hippos and over 400 species of birds ...

ii. L.Elmenteita; Track along the flamingo fringed shores of this beautiful lake and discover a fascinating local history ...

iii. L.Nakuru; A livelihood floor covering of pink flamingos wraps the waters of Nakuru, whose shores are a sanctuary for Rhino, lion and Leopard ...

iv. L. Bogoria; This volcanic soda Lake is delimited by boiling geo-thermal pools and steam jets, while its freshwater springs draw flamingos and plains game in great numbers …

v. L. Baringo; Freshwater Lake Baringo, the traditional fishing ground of the Njemps tribe, is alive with hippos, crocodiles and a wealth of birdlife …
vi. L. Turkana; A vast inland sea, whose Jade waters are home to the worlds largest population of crocodiles, and whose remote shores have revealed an invaluable wealth of prehistoric fossils …

vii. L. Magadi; The sun baked salt flats and volcanic springs of Magadi create a unique otherworldly atmosphere...

viii. L. Victoria; this is the source of the Nile, the longest river in Africa. There is abundance of fresh water game and fish like Nile perch , Tilapia name it…
Kenya safari guide and directory

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