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.
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
The foothills of the Aberdare National Park are covered with huge
trees, which, the higher you go, 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
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 AMBOSELI
NATIONAL PARK
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
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TSAVO EAST/WEST NATIONAL PARK
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.
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LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK 
A sea of flaming pink as far as the eye can see. These are the millions
of flamingos seeking their 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.
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 MASAI
MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
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.
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Meru National park became famous because it was here that Joy Adamson
set her Lioness Elsa free, 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.
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 SAMBURU
/ SHABA RESERVESAMBURU / SHABA RESERVE
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
The lake is the heart of the African continent, the source of its
mightiest river, the Nile. In the 19th century the riddle of the
Nile was one of the great enigmas of African exploration. After
many expeditions failed, John Hanning Speke finally reached these
shores in 1858.
The Nile flows northwards, carrying the waters of Nyanza to Egypt
and beyond into the Mediterranean. This mighty body of water is
rich in fish life, with shimmering shoals of colourful cichlids
and large Nile Perch. Nyanza province is the heartland of the Luo,
a tribe known as formidable fisherman.
Kisumu is the 3rd largest metropolis in Kenya and a bustling city
with prime activities being farming and fisheries.
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 KENYA
COAST
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.
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MOMBASA
The coral island of Mombasa which measures just over 14sq km, less
than five square miles – is a busy, frentic place, packed
with a variety of things to see and do.
The dominating feature is the old town and harbour , entrance to
which lies the imposing Fort Jesus built in 1598 by the Portuguese.
Mombasa is a true melting pot of cultures !
On its North and South mainland you will find a selection of hotels
and beach resorts.
Deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, scuba-diving, dolphin-watching ‘dhow
‘ trips and so much more will fill up your holiday whilst
in Mombasa.
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KILIFI, GEDI, WATAMU & MALINDI
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.
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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 19th 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.
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 Tanzania
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.
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
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NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
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
There are 25,000 larger animals within the crater itself, mostly
Zebra and wildebeest. However, this is undoubtedly the best place
to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include
the magnificent black-maned males. There are lots of colourful flamingoes
and a variety of other water birds around the soda lake on the crater
floor. More than a 100 species of bird not found in the Serengeti
have been found in the crater. Other game: leopard, cheetah, hyena,
elephants, warthog, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and lots
of other members of the antelope family and smaller mammals of sorts.
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MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Mount Kilimanjaro is located at the north/eastern tip of Tanzania.
For the adventurous, a climb of 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.
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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.
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LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
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.
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One of the most beautiful parks in Tanzania and located 32 KM from
Arusha (see map). Aside from 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.
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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
Selous is famous for its elephant, hippopotamus and rhino (although
now few remain). The park has a broad range of game: buffalo - the
largest population in Africa; Nyasaland gnu; brindled gnu; hartebeest;
Greater Kudu; sable antelope; eland; reedbuck; bushbuck; waterbuck;
warthog; zebras; giraffe; and wildebeest. Also: lion, leopard, the
spotted hyeana and hunting dog are in abundance; cheetah are rare;
there are over 350 species of bird and reptiles such as crocodiles
and various snakes and lizards.
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This is one of Tanzania's least accessible parks (see map), and
as result it is totally untouched and remains one of the most exciting
game reserves (almost as large as the Serengeti). It is a birdwatcher's
paradise as there are 350 species of bird that are not found in
northern Tanzania and as the river runs through spectacular gorges
and majestic trees it is specially appealing to photographers. The
best months to go to see game are from July to November.
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.
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Uganda