Sights and Sounds of Exotic Kenya...

Kenya is much more than a real-life jungle book of exotic animals and a string of amazing safari hotspots that most visitors flock to. The course of history has given rise to a diverse population of tribal groups and swathes of agricultural land have remained untouched from the infringement of the modern world, culminating in a culturally rich and splendidly scenic country that’s often hailed as the best of East Africa.

The majestic Great Rift Valley runs the length of the country dividing east and west and carries a multitude of contrasting scenes from hot springs arising against the backdrop of steep cliffs to soda lakes graced with flocks of flamingos. Wild and wonderful nature parks and reserves adorn the surrounding area, while various tribal groups including the Turkana, Samburu and Elmolo inhabit the land. Sibiloi National Park, on the north eastern shore, is a treasure trove of fossils and pre-historic finds. The barren setting is also home to abundant bird species, including flamingos and storks - paradise for bird safari lovers. Further south, Central Island National Park provides a refuge for breeding crocodiles and is located in the middle of the lake in the shadow of an extinct volcano. Loiyangalani is the main jumping of point for explorations in and around the lake and is equipped with an air strip, post office and safari campsites.

The valley’s central region is located around Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake, around one hour drive from Nairobi and is a popular retreat for city dwellers and african tourists. The south shore boasts a host of day-trip delights and most visitors make their base at one of the lakeside hotels or guest houses. Elsamere is the former residence of conservationist Joy Adamson, made famous by the Born Free film, and today comprises a small museum, conservation centre and guest house. Further west lies a crater lake that is worth visiting, while the eastern side of the lake is home to the Crescent Island Sanctuary which teems with bird species, as well as small herds of zebra, giraffe and antelope. There’s freedom to roam to your hearts content at nearby Hell’s Gate National Park, which is one of the few places in the country where it’s possible to venture unguided among the game herds on private safari. Walk, cycle, skip or run, whichever mode you choose, there’s a high chance of spotting wildlife such as buffalos, zebras and baboons. Campsites are accessible within the safari park.

The remote southern sections of the Rift Valley are not as frequented by tourists but are no less astounding. Lake Magadi is the southernmost of the valley’s lakes and is a soda-encrusted stretch that supports a number of bird species, most notably varietites of flamingos. The Olorgasailie Prehistoric Site lies north of the lake, less than an hour from Nairobi, and is where excavations uncovered ancient tools and animal bones. Guided tours and a museum provide a wealth of information.

Western Kenya for the most part is off the main tourist safari trails but radiates an appealing charm, one that is characterised by equatorial rainforest, tea plantations. Its major draw is Lake Victoria; the largest on the continent, which also borders Uganda and Tanzania. The lake’s islands make for an interesting jaunt although getting to them isn’t plain sailing due to boat services dictated by totally unpredictable water levels. Mfangano Island is particularly worth the effort for its ancient rock paintings and rich culture; it is serviced by large wooden motorised boats .

Mombasa, the country’s second largest city, is the coastal hub but has much more going for it than a springboard to the rest of the coast. The city is actually an island connected to the mainland by bridges and is the biggest port on the continent’s east coast. The Old Town provides an interesting mix of architectural styles dating back to from as early as the first half of the 19th century and includes a whole lot of Indian and British influences. Overlooking the city’s historical heart is the Portuguese-built 16th century fort, Fort Jesus, which now stands as a monument to the past and houses a museum. The Tsavo National Park is only an hour away and is populated by lions, lepards, rhinos, monkeys, buffalo, giraffe, antelopes and large herds of elephants.

Malindi, north of Mombasa, was once a centre of power for Swahilis and a Portuguese stronghold and has since evolved into a world class luxury beach resort town. The tourist tackiness, however, is redeemed by its protected coral reef-waters that mark it out as top snorkelling and scuba diving location, the water-lovers paradise.

For a taste of paradise, the Lamu archipelago off the north coast is a true contender. It has an army of winning attributes from tranquil white-sand beaches to the absence of motorised vehicles.

Nairobi is something of a safari-central destination thanks to its relative proximity to some of the best-known parks and reserves. Masai Mara National Reserve (also known as the Mara), the country’s ( and according to some world's) most popular park, is world-renowned for its sheer scale of wildlife and is also a haven for Masai communities. The best time to visit is from late June to September when the Great Wildebeest Migration roams en masse from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Kenya’s vast lush grasslands. The park can be reached in around seven hours by road from Nairobi. To catch sight of herds of elephants, Amboseli National Park is the place to go and is just a four or so hour drive from the capital. Situated in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, the park is an awesome panorama of peacefully grazing animals such as zebras and giraffes on wide open plains. Mount Kenya National Park, meanwhile, is located a two-hour drive away and boasts Africa’s second highest mountain.

Kenya is a developing East African country well known worldwide for its wildlife and national parks. The capital city is Nairobi. The second largest city is Mombasa, located on an island the southeast coast.

A passport and visa are required to enter Kenya. Visas should be obtained in advance, although airport visas are available as well. Travelers who opt to obtain an airport visa should expect great delays upon arrival. There is a fee for the visa, whether obtained in advance or at the airport. Evidence of yellow fever immunization may be requested in some cases. Travelers to Kenya and neighboring African countries should ensure that the validity of their passports is at least six months beyond the end of their intended safari stay, and that their passport contains sufficient blank pages for visas and all immigration stamps.

Kenya is renowned for its spectacular game viewing; many operators offer varied ways of experiencing a Kenya Safari in a variety of game parks like Masai Mara.

When you walk out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at Nairobi to begin your Kenya Safari, you have plenty of tour operators options, although most people only know about Masai Mara.

Kenya Safari Hints and Tips

When planning, take your time. Distances are long and far in Kenya. Don’t allocate only one or two days and rush around at top speed looking for the “Big Five”. You’ll may up disappointed because you me not see many animals - just iamge those happen to be days of solid rain!

In the south, the Masai Mara is famous for the sheer numbers and diversity of its game, Amboseli for its enchanting location on the Tanzania border at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro and its elephant population. In the centre, Lake Nakuru is host to millions of pink flamingos. The densely forested park of Mount Kenya - straddling the equator but provides the special excitement of tree top views at the animals' waterholes; Samburu is a semi-deserts and is a home of variety of game.

Kenya's Weather and Average Temperatures What's the weather like in Kenya?

It's generally sunny, somewhat dry and not too hot for most of the year in Kenya despite being situated on the equator. The main rainy seasons are from March to May and November to December but the amount of rainfall varies a lot year to year. Central Kenya is situated on a plateau and the altitude keeps the heat index at a quite a comfortable level. The coastal areas are obviously hotter, but the ocean breeze also makes that region (Mombasa, Lamu and Malindi) fairly comfortable for most of the year. Mount Kenya is high enough to have permanent snow and it will often even freeze at night. Western Kenya is generally hot and humid while Northern Kenya is generally hot and dry. Mombasa's temperatures remain steadily hot for most of the year, but on the beach the humidity is kept at bay by the friendly ocean breeze. The wettest months are April to May and there's also another short rainy season from October to November. As you can see from the table below, minimum average temperatures remain quite high throughout the year and nights can be uncomfortably humid at some occasions.

A luxury family in Kenya offers some of the most excellent safari experiences in Africa and can easily be combined with a relaxing beach vacation on the Indian Ocean either in Mombasa or Lamu. Kenya's most popular wildlife parks like the Masai Mara are smaller than those in Tanzania and offer a higher density of animals so are definitely a better choice for those who had come to see the wildlife.

Language There are 42 different tribes in Kenya and each tribe has their own dialect. Kenyans speak Kiswahili, the national language, and majority of them understand English quite well. All tribes understand each other in Swahili and they have no difficulties in communication even in neighboring Tanzania.

A little bit of Kenyan history...

An true archaeologist’s dream, Kenya is home to numerous fossil finds indicating that human life existed over 2 million years ago, while excavations across East Africa show primates date back 20 million years. More recent history, relatively speaking, shows that the people from Ethiopia were among the earliest migrants and settled around 2000 BC. Various tribes from across the continent flocked to what is now known as Kenya, including the Bantu-speaking people, while Arabs and Persians. By the 16th century, the Portuguese had colonized the country and taken control of trade routes.

By the mid-19th century, the Germans and the British had turned their interests to Kenya and in 1920 it officially became a British colony. The spread of white settlement led to tribes like the Maasai losing land and escalating tensions which culminated in the Mau Mau rebellion in 1953; the Mau Mau’s aim was to drive the white settlers out of Kenya, but they were defeated by the colonists. Jomo Kenyatta, a key figure in Kenya’s quest for liberation, became the country’s first president after Kenya gained independence in 1963. In more recent years, the current government has been faced with many corruption allegations, and together with one of the country’s worst droughts and the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the country’s journey to a socially and economically reformed future has so far been definitely challenged.