| Kenya is the land that has given birth to the | | | | Mara:National Reserve The world's most famous |
| most popular African activity for tourists, | | | | Game Reserve due to the annual wildebeest, |
| namely the safari, and its easy to see why. | | | | zebra and gazelle migration over this vast |
| Blessed with tremendous topographical | | | | plain offering breathtaking views; home to a |
| diversity stretching over four climatic zones | | | | profusion of wildlife and birds; activities |
| and featuring coral reefs, desert landscapes, | | | | include excellent game viewing year round, |
| volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, Kenya | | | | balloon rides and bird watching.Tsavo East |
| has it all in one.Inhabiting these diverse | | | | and West:The twin national parks of Tsavo, |
| landscapes and wilderness areas are Kenya's | | | | totalling 10 million acres of wilderness, |
| world-famous wildlife, which can be viewed | | | | form Kenya's largest National Park, which |
| from horseback, 4x4 vehicle, verandah or on | | | | make it ideal for those who enjoy solitude; |
| foot. There are over 1000 species of birds | | | | of the two Tsavo West is visited more; apart |
| and huge colonies of colourful butterflies. | | | | from the wildlife and birds, visit Lugard |
| Also attractive is the rich history, which | | | | Falls, the volcanic Mzima springs and a |
| dates back to the Stone Age, and the various | | | | unique underwater observatory.Mombasa:One of |
| cultures expressed through the sought-after | | | | the world's most exotic tropical ports with a |
| arts and crafts.So, if you are lazing on the | | | | turbulent history. Visit the magnificent Fort |
| white sand beaches of exotic Mombasa or | | | | Jesus and harbour, see the Arab architecture |
| gazing at the world's greatest wildlife | | | | in Old Town and smell the scent of spices. |
| spectacle, the annual wildebeest migration, | | | | Many fine temples and mosques can be explored |
| you are sure to enjoy a world-class | | | | such as the Shiva Temple, the Baluchi mosque |
| experience.CAPITAL:NairobiCLIMATE:Four | | | | and the Dawoodi Bohra Mosque. Also don't miss |
| climatic zones exist: tropical, equatorial, | | | | the Mombasa Marine National Park, the Moi |
| semi-desert and desert. Only two seasons are | | | | Avenue gateway arch, dhow cruises and the |
| identified, namely dry and rainy. Due to | | | | beaches.Amboseli National Park:One of the |
| altitude and topographical differences of the | | | | most popular national parks in Kenya with a |
| various regions, these seasons and | | | | wide range of accommodation; the landscape is |
| temperatures are not uniform and vary | | | | dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro and the park |
| greatly. However, in general the climate is | | | | is famous for its big game and scenic beauty; |
| warm and humid at the coast, cool and humid | | | | bird life is abundant.Lake Nakuru National |
| in the central highlands, and hot and dry in | | | | Park:Famous for its flamingoes and so popular |
| the north and east.CURRENCY:The official | | | | with bird watchers and other nature lovers. |
| currency is the Kenya Shilling. Traveller's | | | | Make full use of the view point and visit the |
| cheques are widely accepted and many hotels, | | | | Euphobia forest.Mount Kenya National Park:The |
| travel agencies, safari companies and | | | | country is named after Mount Kenya, the |
| restaurants accept credit cards. Foreign | | | | second highest mountain in Africa. For |
| currency such as US dollars, British pounds | | | | mountain climbers and hikers, it offers easy |
| and Deutschmarks can be exchanged at banks, | | | | and challenging ascents with superb scenic |
| bureaux de change and authorized hotels. | | | | beauty. The local tribes believe it is the |
| There are no restrictions on the amount of | | | | home of Ngai (God). A number of unique, rare |
| foreign currency that can be brought into | | | | and endangered species can be found here and |
| Kenya, but taking out more than 500,000 Kenya | | | | there is abundant bird life.Lamu:A peaceful |
| Shillings requires written authorization from | | | | tropical island with a fascinating history, |
| the Central Bank. Before departure, | | | | which can be explored in the winding streets |
| travellers are advised to convert any excess | | | | of its medieval stone town, a World Heritage |
| Kenya Shillings into foreign currency at a | | | | Site partly due to it being the oldest and |
| bank or bureau de change. Departure taxes can | | | | best-preserved Swahili settlement in East |
| be paid in local or foreign | | | | Africa.Lake Turkana National Parks:The three |
| currency.ELECTRICITY:220/240 volts, 50Hz. | | | | national parks serve as a stopover for |
| Plugs are 3-pin square.HEALTH:A yellow fever | | | | migrant waterfowl and are major breeding |
| vaccination is recommended if the traveller | | | | grounds for the Nile crocodile, hippopotamus |
| comes from an infected country or area. | | | | and a variety of venomous snakes. Turkana is |
| Visitors are also advised to take pre-arrival | | | | outstanding for the study of plant and animal |
| precautions against typhoid, hepatis A, | | | | communities and the Koobi Fora fossil |
| polio, malaria and meningitis depending on | | | | deposits have contributed more to the |
| the area visited and time of year. Other | | | | understanding of paleo-environments than any |
| health concerns include cholera, rabies, the | | | | other site in Africa, it is also the most |
| Nairobi beetle (don't touch, threaten or | | | | saline of Africa's large lakes and a World |
| kill), dysentery and | | | | Heritage Site.Aberdare National Park:A must |
| diarrhoea.LANGUAGE:English is the official | | | | for landscape lovers, where one can view |
| language, but Kiswahili is the national | | | | spectacular mountains, waterfalls, |
| language.PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:New Year's Day (1 | | | | rainforest, trout streams, moorlands, |
| Jan); Good Friday (09 Apr); Easter Monday (12 | | | | thickets of giant heath, caves, abundant |
| Apr); Labour Day (1 May); Madaraka Day (01 | | | | bird life, duikers, the black rhino and the |
| Jun); Moi Day (10 Oct); Kenyatta's Day (20 | | | | elusive, rare Bongo - a forest antelope. This |
| Oct); End of Ramadan (14 Nov); Independance | | | | area is ideal for walks, picnics, trout |
| Day (12 Dec); Christmas Day (25 Dec); Boxing | | | | fishing, camping and night game viewing.Mount |
| Day (26 Dec)SHOPPING:Traditional artefacts, | | | | Elgon National Park:One of Kenya's most |
| beaded jewellery and decorative items, animal | | | | beautiful and pristine areas where you can |
| wood and soapstone carvings, furniture, | | | | find giant trees, about 400 animals, over 240 |
| coffee, precious stones, furniture, Khanga | | | | bird species and 'cave elephants' that |
| and Kikoy cloths, musicical instruments, | | | | venture deep into the four caves at night to |
| modern art, basket work e.g. Kiondoo/Chondo | | | | feed on the salt rich deposits. Mount Elgon |
| sisal baskets, Maasai Shukka blankets, | | | | is also a famous botanical locality with a |
| 'Thousand Miler' sandals, 'elephant hair' | | | | great wealth of Afro alpine flowers. Hot |
| bracelets.SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:Culture here is | | | | springs occur and sport fishing is popular on |
| a mix of the modern and the traditional, with | | | | the Suam river.Gerald Crawford was born in |
| European habits prevailing throughout the | | | | South Africa, studied electronics, |
| country. Kenyans are a very friendly nation | | | | telecommunication, eco-travel and african |
| and you can dress informally for most | | | | travel concepts. He taught responsible |
| occasions.TIME DIFFERENCE:GMT +3TIPPING:Not | | | | tourism in South Africa. If you have any |
| mandatory. Guides, drivers, waiters and hotel | | | | questions or comments please e-mail me on. |
| staff can be tipped at your discretion.TOP | | | | E-mail Address: |
| TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:Maasai | | | | southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co. |