the best kenyan regions

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Page 1 www.adventurepanorama.com... Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar The Kenyan coast comprises with five regions mainly the city of Mombasa, north coast, south coast, Malinda and Lamu each with unique features and tourism attractions. The region has a rich history dating back over one thousand years, epitomized by the Vasco d agama pillar and Fort Jesus. The coast also has diverse culture that has been influenced by a mixture of Swahili culture, Portuguese culture, and European culture from Italy, Germany, France and England. Has a very rich diversity attractions ranging from the friendly people, white sandy beaches, coral barrier reefs teeming with under water marine wonders, bird-life, national parks with variety of animals,

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Page 1: The best kenyan regions

Page 1

www.adventurepanorama.com...

Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar

The Kenyan coast comprises with five regions mainly the city of

Mombasa, north coast, south coast, Malinda and Lamu each with

unique features and tourism attractions. The region has a rich history

dating back over one thousand years, epitomized by the Vasco d agama

pillar and Fort Jesus. The coast also has diverse culture that has been

influenced by a mixture of Swahili culture, Portuguese culture, and

European culture from Italy, Germany, France and England.

Has a very rich diversity attractions ranging from the friendly people,

white sandy beaches, coral barrier reefs teeming with under water

marine wonders, bird-life, national parks with variety of animals,

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fantastic coastal food and drinks, and water sports, crickets, hockey as

well as golf are available in various clubs ,including Nyali Mombasa and

leisure golf club

A number of hotels can make arrangement for a horse ride in the beach.

The ideal time is afternoon when it`s cool. Treks and runs can also be

organized at the Arabuko sokoke forest. The deserted Watamu beach is

also ideal for long distance walk. Cycling is the most common means of

transport in Malinda and Watamu, and is ideal for exploring those

lovely towns.

There are frequent flights to Moi international airport in

Mombasa, and also flight to Malindi and Lamu. Mombasa is

connected to Nairobi by a major highways as well as good roads

to Malindi, Lamu and Tanzania. Regular day and overnight

passengers’ buses serve the town. In addition, there is overnight

passenger train service between Mombasa and Nairobi. Locally

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there is reliable public transport system, including matatus

(mini buses) and taxis

The Kenyan coast, particularly the beaches, has several good

hotels that suits a wide variety of tastes, ranging from private

villas to 5 stars hotels, the sunrise resort, Mnarani clubs e.t.c

Within Mombasa Island is a number of interesting tourist

attractions. The Turks on Moi Avenue commemorate the visit of

Queen Elizabeth II to the town in 1952 and make a lovely

backdrop for photographs. Close by is the Mombasa old town

with interesting architecture art and curios

Fort Jesus is the island premier lure built by Portuguese in 1593

and overlooking Indian Ocean. it was designed by Italian

architect named Jao Batisto Cairato, and has been variously

occupied by the Portuguese and Omani Arabs before the

Kenyan government first used it as prison soon after

independence. In 1962 the government opened Fort Jesus as a

museum after declaring it historical monument.

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The makupa market off Mwembe tayari is Mombasa’s largest

market, a colorful place featuring a wide range of produce

The Mombasa marine Reserves are very popular for snorkeling

and diving and viewing the beautiful coral gardens and fish. A

short distance from Mombasa is the beautiful Funzi Island, ideal

for seeing dolphins, birdlife and crocodiles. Among other

attractive places include Mamba village ,Bamburi nature

trail,Mwana mosque, Shimoni caves,gede museum, Jumba la

mtwapa(mansion of the slave),kipepeo butterfly farm,lamu

museum,Amboseli ,Tsavo east and Tsavo west e.t.c

Amboseli national park is Kenya`s most popular and most

sought after photographer`s paradise. There is literally nowhere

else on earth offering such a variety of wildlife attraction

against the background of Kilimanjaro. The major attraction is

the vast herd of Elephants. It has variety of bird life both

domestic and migratory.

Tsavo west national park is renowned as land of lava, spring,

and man-eating lions which preyed on linesmen building the

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Kenya-Uganda railway at turn of century. It was location of the

1996 shooting of the movie The Ghost and the Darkness

starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer from the non-fiction

book The man-eaters of Tsavo by Lieutenant Colonel John Henry

Patterson.

It’s the home for the African elephants. It used to be a classic

hunting ground for the renowned big game hunters such as the

famous Denys Finch Hatton. Spanning the vast plains of Tsavo

and lying within view of Mt, Kilimanjaro, are the Taita and

chyulu hills, a paradise of the elephant heard, plains game,

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cheetah, and remote Masai villages.

Western Kenya borders Rift valley and Nyanza with Kakamega

being the provincial headquarters. The region is home to the

Abaluyia community. The major activity in the area is

agriculture, with the main cash crops being sugarcane and

maize.

The western region is easily accessible by road from all parts of

Kenya. There is airstrip located 4km from kakamega town. You

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can also fly to kisumu or Eldoret airport and drive to any town in

the region

In - Park Accommodation

There is no lodge in the park at the moment.

KWS Self – Catering Accommodation:

o Udo Bandas can accommodate up to 14 pax

o Isukuti Guest House. Camping Facilities

o Various Campsites located in the Park

The legendary weeping stone of maragoli located just outside

kakamega town is connected with many legends and myths.

This is huge rock from which a constant stream of water

cascades, hence its name.

Kakamega Forest is a tropical rain forest situated in

the Western Province, of Kenya, North West of the

capital Nairobi, and near to the border with Uganda. It

is Kenya's only tropical rainforest and is said to be Kenya's last

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remnant of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that once

spanned the continent..

The forest including reserves encloses about 238 square

kilometers, a little less than half of which currently remains as

indigenous forest. The forest is elevated at predominantly

between 1500 m and 1600 m above sea level. In the north of

the Forest is the 4,468 hectares (45 km2; 17 sq mi) Kakamega

National Reserve, given national forest reserve status in

1985. Just to the north is the Kisere Forest Reserve. Throughout

the forest are a series of grassy glades, ranging in size from

about 1 to 50 ha, with a few larger clearings. The origins of the

glades are uncertain. Some are certainly recent clearings, but

others predate recent records. These may have originated from

past human activity such as cattle grazing or may be the result

of herbivore and movements by large mammals such as buffalo

and elephants (both now extirpated from the region). The

glades vary a great deal in structure, some being open grass

and others having a considerable number of trees or shrubs. A

number of streams and small creeks run through the reserve.

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The larger creeks are usually bordered by a few to tens of

meters of forest on either side which divide the glades, while

the smallest creeks flow through open grasslands, often forming

small marshy patches.

The Kakamega Forest is very wet, with an average of 200 mm –

700 mm of rain per year. Rainfall is heaviest in April and May

("long rains"), with a slightly drier June and a second peak

roughly in August to September ("short rains"). January and

February are the driest months. Temperature is fairly constant

throughout the year, ranging between 20c - 30c.

Flora found in the park include some of Africa's greatest hard

and soft woods: Elgon teak, red and white stinkwood and

several varieties of Croton and Aniageria Altisima. There are

380 recorded species of plants. This includes 60 species of ferns,

150 species of trees and shrubs, and 170 species of flowering

plants including 60 species of orchids with 9 species found only

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in this forest.

The Forest is famous for its birds, 367 bird species have been

recorded in the forest such as the West African Great Blue

Turaco and Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill. At least 9 birds

are not found anywhere else.

Wildlife that can be seen in the park include Bush

Pig, Duikers, Bushbuck, African Clawless Otter, Mongoose, Giant

African Water Shrew, Squirrels, Tree

Pangolin, Porcupine, Bats and a variety of primates. There are

occasionally leopards, but the last official sighting was in 1991.

Insects are abundant and some are quite spectacular, such

as Goliath beetles, pink and green Flower Mantis, and

numerous colorful butterflies (489 species). Particularly well

represented groups are ants

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(Formicidae), Lepidopterans, Orthopterans,

and beetles.Gastropods, millipedes and spiders are also

common.

The Flora and Fauna of Kakamega Forest have not been

extensively studied.

The local inhabitants rely on the forest to supply most of their

needs. The region is said to be one of the most densely

populated rural areas in the world, and pressure on the Forest

resources is considerable. The German funded project BIOTA

east has been working in the forest since 2001, whereby firstly

forest inventories for all sorts of life forms were performed and

the aim is to find strategies for a sustainable use of the forest

until 2010

The Southern part of Kakamega forest, Isecheno Forest station

run by the Kenya Forest Service is most accessible to Tourism.

There is the well known Mama Mtere tree; a historic tree and

the most photographed tree in Kakamega forest, there are

also strangler fig trees.

There are hiking trails in the forest that allow for Forest

Walking, Camping, Hiking, Primate Watching, Bird and Butterfly

Watching, Game watching and village walks. The guides can

arrange the tour to visit weeping stone (Crying stone) at Ilesi,

one of Kakamega tourists attraction or Kisere forest to see the

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De-brazes monkey in the North of Kakamega forest. Also Bird

watching, morning 6:30am- 8:30am is fantastic walk or Evening

4:30pm- 6:30pm. The guides will take care of your interest in

Kakamega rainforest even educational groups, Family groups or

individual visiting the forest to enjoy the Biodiversity of the

rainforest. Visitors who like to see Bull fighting, Guides will also

arrange in Shibuye or Khayega as per the community

arrangements of the bull fighting team. Evening, the

community can entertain the tourists, plying the traditional

dance (Isukuti Dance) as per Luyhia culture and Tel you stories

(Story Telling) about the forest, animals, initially life how people

use to stay with Nature and the history.

Mt, Elgon national park is the second highest mountain in

Kenya which is also situated in this region. Entry in this park is

by any of 4 gates namely,chorlim, kassawai, kiptogot and

kimothon

Festivals and events like the circumcision ceremonies in luhya

communities take place in the month of August and December

singing and dance. There is also annual bull fighting festival in

which trained bulls are encouraged to engage in very combats,

cheered on by enthusiastic crowds.

Bird watching: Over 300 bird species,

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Butterfly watching: over 400 species of butterflies

Massive Trees, Scenic Spots and Waterfalls: Over 350

species of trees, the forest holds mostly indigenous

vegetation.

Snakes: 27 species of snakes, ,

Primates Watching: Home to Debrazza monkey and other

primates.

Wildlife: Bush Pig, Duikers, Bushbuck, Clawless Otter,

Mongoose, Giant Water Shrew, Squirrels, Tree Pangolin,

Porcupine, Bats and Primates.

Birds: 330 species of which some are found nowhere else in

the country. The common one being the Blue turaco.

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Nyanza is the home to Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest

freshwater lake, located in the south-western of Kenya

bordering Uganda, The provincial capital of Nyanza is Kisumu

city, which are the 3rd largest towns in Kenya. Kisumu was

originally known as port Florence which begins when the

railway from Mombasa reached there in 1901.

The inhabitants of Nyanza are the Luos, Kuria, Gusii and Suba,

these communities have interesting cultures and traditions with

main activity to be fishing and agriculture.

You can get to Nyanza by road and air transport from Nairobi,

Mombasa and other major towns in Kenya. The common dish is

the Ugali and fish and even nyama choma in Kisumu.

Lake Victoria is about the size of Ireland covering an expansive

67850 sq Km and forming a natural boundary of 3 east Africa

countries Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Kenya `s share is the

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smallest at about 3785sq km. Lake Victoria is the source of river

Nile and boast sandy beaches and many small islands.

Hippo point just outside kisumu is an exceptional vantage point

for viewing hippo known for beautiful sunset, near Kisumu you

are likely to see plenty of water birds that nest and breed

between march and July.

Kibuye market is one of the busiest and largest markets in

Kenya, here you can see, breathe and experience the day to day

life of the people of Nyanza.

Ndere island national park is just a short distance from Kit

mikayi. The park is northern shore of lake Victoria and is the

home of lesser sported crocodile, monitor lizard, birds and

water antelope.

A visit to Kit mikayi the famous rock will give you the insight to

the Luo community and the legendary behind it. The rock is

treated sacred place where most denominations go for fasting

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and prayers, for example the Legion Maria, Nomiya and Roho

among others.

Rusinga island host the mausoleum of Tom mboya, Kenyan

leader who was assassinated in Nairobi in 1969.There is also a

plan to develop a Mary Leakey archeological site. The island has

also club built on the beach for several activity like fishing,

sightseeing and water skiing. Mfangano and Takawiri Island

have also fishing sites, monitor lizards, wild goats and sheep

Ruma national park, formally known as Lambwe valley national

reserve, established in 1966.you`ll have chance to see roan

antelope and Jackson hartebeest, larger and redder species

which is found in most parks in Kenya.

Thimlich ohinga is a Luo phrase which means ``the dense forest

is frightening me `` the site is located in Migori district next to

Macalder mines. The most attractive here is the dry stones

enclosure that has no mortar, which was built 500 years ago for

security purposes.

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Jaramogi museum is located at kang`o ka jaramogi in Bondo,

the home of late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga the first vice

president of Kenya. The mausoleum was build above Odinga`s

grave. On display are Odinga`s briefcase, ceremonial hats and

clothes he wore at various stages of his political life.

Kisii town is home to the kisii soapstone. Visit Tabaka where

most of the Kenyan soapstone is extracted and later sit and

enjoy some fresh pineapples and bananas.

Odino falls offers a view of the speeding water that has formed

gullies in the area. One can sample Ondago swamps for birdlife.

There is also Lake Simbi, the salty lake that hosts the

Flamingoes when they migrate from Lake Nakuru.

The grate rift valley is the home of the lions and the cradle of

mankind and home of Masai people, the nine kalenjine tribes

and the Turkana, the oldest tribal society in the world. The

geological phenomenon that is the rift valley, so named by the

Scottish explorer John Walter Gregory, occurred as a result of a

weakened earth crust tore away creating a jagged rift

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thousands of kilometers long. It offers picturesque views of

gorges, lakes and volcanic mountains.

Masai Mara national park lies in this region; it was the shooting

location of the film out of Africa and remains the location for

the British Broadcasting Corporation’s big cat daily wildlife

series. Although it’s the resting place of the big five, the main

attraction is the wildebeest migration from Serengeti in

Tanzania to Mara which happens between July and September.

Lake Nakuru national park which is the home of millions of

fuchsia pink flamingos, the fish eating pelicans as well as over

450 other species of birds. It’s also a good location for game

viewing of the black rhino, the lions, the waterbuck and

antelope. It’s also the best places to see the leopards as well as

the endangered Rothschild giraffe.

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Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria: Baringo is a fresh water lake

located in the in the semi-desert, a boat trip across the lake

gives you an opportunity to see the birdlife (flamingoes,

resident cormorants, pelicans, black-winged silts including

seasonal ruffs), the crocodile and the hippos. Bogoria gives

the opportunity to marvel at the hot water springs and even

get to boil eggs and maize, the fig tree s around provide shade

away from the scorching sun.

Within mt,longonot national park lies a dormant mt,longonot

rising volcano 2777km above sea level, will have the

opportunity to view mt,longonot volcano and crater, the

Naivasha basin and the splendid view of the rift valley.

You will have the opportunity to see the fossils of the pre-

historic creatures, their tools and hunting weapons in their

undisturbed state in the Olorgesailie prehistoric site. Lake

Naivasha, elementaita, kerio valley, lake turkana, Lake

Magadi and others are the visited site in the area.

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Serengeti national park is the largest and the best known of

Tanzania national parks, covering over 14,500 sq kms. This

world famous wildlife sanctuary has the greatest and most

spectacular concentration of game found anywhere in the

world. Serengeti is vast open plains with rocks giving

character to the landscape. In addition to its vast herds of

wildebeest and other plains game, it`s also known for its lion

population, it’s not unusual to see 40 or more lions in a day

and the leopards can be found during the day resting on trees.

During June and July, the spectacular annual migration of the

migration takes place, with the animals moving from their

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usual haunt on the central plains on a westward trek into

Masai Mara in Kenya. Serengeti has wealth of birds life with

colorful rollers, bee eaters and sunbirds in plenty, whilst birds

of prey, game birds and waterfowl are well represented.

Ngorongoro crater is one of the most spectacular game haunts

in Africa and one of the biggest craters in the world. The

approach road skirts the rim of the crater affording many of

breathtaking scenic views over the crater floor thousands of

feet below. The big five are found here, Thomson`s gazelle,

spotted hyena, hunting dog and occasional leopard.

Numerous species of birds including verraux`s eagle and

Egyptian vulture.

Lake Manyara national park is 107 Km southwest of Arusha

and is noted for its wealthy wildlife. The lake is visited by

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thousands of lesser flamingoes with a sprinkling of larger

species. Over 30 species of preying birds have been recorded

at the park, including palm-nut vultures and Ayres and

crowned hawk eagles.

There are

Elephants and leopards occur in most places in the park. The

park most attractive features are the tree-climbing lions of

Lake Manyara, which can be spotted on the trees resting to

avoid the dense undergrowth and a search for cool shade.

Tarangire national park is one of the best parks for its good

atmosphere of remoteness and good number of monkeys,

hornbills, pelicans, herons among others. With regard to the

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abundance of animals, big herds move down from

Ngorongoro, Manyara and surrounding game reserves to

fetch water and food as Tarangire is always full of vegetation.

Mt, Kilimanjaro climbing, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest

mountain in Africa and one of the largest extinct volcanoes

(58,96m).Climbing this wonderful mountain can be in different

routes; Marangu routes, Machame routes and Umbwe route

Marangu route-From Arusha drive to Moshi then on the

marangu park gate, the set of point for your three hours

hike to Mandara hut in which you cover 9 kms. Here we

are at 2,774m above sea level on your first overnight on

Kilimanjaro. From Mandara begin your trek to Horombo

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hut at an average hiking time of 8hours, enroute. In

clear weather Mawenzi and Kibo peak can be seen.

Dinner

and overnight at the hut, 3,761m. After breakfast, hike

13km to Kibo hut, 4,732m above sea level in an average

hiking time of 6 hours. You will now encounter

spectacular mountain vegetation like Lobelia, giant

cactus and groundsel. Wake up early for a pre-down

attempt of the summit. It takes 5 hours to Gilman’s

point 5,681 m above sea level. From Gilman it takes 1

hour to summit Uhuru peak, the highest point in Africa

at 5,896 m above sea level.

Machame route-An early start for Kilimanjaro national

park once you reach the park gate proceeds directly to

Machame hut campsite in average hiking time of 6

hours for meals and overnight in tents. The altitude here

is 3,100m.In the morning hike to Shira hut. The trek

takes 4 hours via the rain forest past the valley and a

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steep rocky ridge ending westward at a river gorge.

Overnight at shira hut campsite, 3,658m above sea

level. From shira hike to Barranco hut in average hiking

time of 6 hours. we by-pass the lava tower and pass the

second junction which brings us to the arrow glacier,

attitude 4,876m.Descend to Barranco hut for the

overnight on Kilimanjaro,3,860m above sea level. After

breakfast leave Barranco for Barafu, continue to the

Karanga valley and the junction, which connect with the

Mweka trail. hike to Barafu hut where you set up a

camp, you would have walked for about 8 hours, Dinner

and overnight at the hut campsite, altitude 4,600m with

the possibility of seeing both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.

Rise early and head for Stella point altitude 5,745m on

your way to the summit Uhuru peak that is 5,896m

above sea level, this part of hike takes about 6 hours.

You then descend to Mweka hut 3,100m above sea level

for overnight, this part of descend takes about 15 hours.

Umbwe route-Transfer to Marangu gate and then to

Umbwe village to start the climbing. Climb for 4 hours

through the forest to camp at the caves 2,800 m above

the sea level. After breakfast continue to ascend a long

sharp ridge, giving a distinct high mountain feeling.

Then onto the Moorland camp and arrive in the mid

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afternoon and stay at the Barranco hut 3,900 m.4 hours

walk past enormous breach wall to camp at the foot of

the arrow glacier, leisurely afternoon and the evening

,acclimatizing at around 4,900 m and watching the

beautiful sight of

sunset behind mt,Meru. Climbing the same steep walls

and scrambling up the screen and across the frozen lava

on the tottering wall, camp on the stunning crater rim of

Kilimanjaro. Trek up the highest point in Africa, the

Uhuru peak(5,896m).Descend via Gilman’s point and

onto kibo hut for dinner and overnight(3,761m)

Olduvai Gorge is a pre-historic site where the remains of

the early Mans ancestor Zinjanthropus are found and the

Masai home on the way. It was discovered by Leakey the

fossil fragments of the skull. The gorge itself isn’t a great

interest unless you are archeologically inclined. There is a

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small museum in the site which is only 10 to 15 minutes

drive from the main road between Serengeti and

Ngorongoro crater.