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