This place is famous for its wildlife reserves and the thousands of animal species.  The capital of this city is Nairobi.

This country is named after a scared mountain that is found in this very region.

The English meaning for the name of this country is gods resting place.  Because of the volcanic eruption that took place in prehistoric times here, this resulted win Kenyans association with divinity and creation. . The very indigenous inhabitants of the agricultural land and these people strongly believe in the traditions regarding the mountains surrounding Kenya.

Set around the million acres of open plains here in the land of Masai, the very dramatic Chyulu range of volcanic mountains.  This entire place is owned privately and the property over here offers exclusive access to   some of the few rare remaining wild jungle areas in Kenya.

Richard Bonham; who not only owns the place, but is also a frequent visitor here.  This guy was born in Kenya and  has chose an excellent site  for his stunningly designed home  which has  view if rolling grasslands  and also snow capped peaks  of the Kilimanjaro mountain. This mountain stands tall across the Tanzanian border. This lodge is perched high upon a ridge and this place has about four double thatched cottages that stand on stilts. These places offer a lot of privacy and these have large verandas that make for an amazing view of Mount Kilimanjaro. The furniture here is quite good and the beds here are amazing. These are said to have the effect of giving you an experience of a good afternoon siesta.  . This entire scenario was how it used to be in Africa during the early twentieth century.  . There are large uninhabited terrains and panoramas. The young herders of Masai come here with their cattle and relax and feel quite homely around the wild animals.

A lot of times, Bonham himself occasionally pops up and meets his guests and sometimes even goes out with them.  The travels on horseback, sometimes even on foot, but most of the time he goes out in his open top land rover safari.  Bonham brings out his true style and adventure experiencing and uses it in the every encounter with him wild.

The private wildlife reserves those are located in Isiolo Kenya.

At the foothills of the central highlands   in Kenya, there are beautiful and breathtaking views that are available at each of the many ridges present here. Guests can indulge in beautiful sceneries; take part in some wild games on the many private properties here. There are many herds of elephants and giraffes, zebras and antelope.  The Borana lodge has a major wilderness trail. There are two ranches which lie on the neighboring side. This place has more than one hundred thousand acres of cattle ranches that lie to the north of Kenya.  This place has many game drives and has many native trackers and tour guide and operators. There are other vehicles here too and not many have heard of the luxury sites as compared to the crowded national park regions of the east side of Africa.

These offer horseback expeditions and they also take you for hand on experience on the horsebacks of young horse is taught you’re the terrain and the best ways to riding the horse.  The expedition includes close encounters with the wildlife in this region.  During the night there are night games and these are constructed under the beautiful night sky.  The owners of this facility who are the Craig family, and conservation minded and they own the entire six hundred thousand wildlife trail of the Lewa down area.

This place has now transformed into a long white farm which has some adjacent land which is owned by the local government.  This place is the Ngare Sergio rhino sanctuary.  It has been set up for the conservation of endangered species. This place has about thirty six black rhinos and about thirty white rhinos. There are guards with weapons and warlike talkies to protect these wild animals from poachers.

The lion is an animal that is on the top of nature’s food pyramid. It preys upon other carnivores and herbivores, but is rarely preyed on by anyone else (well, except humans). This is a well established fact over the years, and there had never been any reason to believe otherwise.

Well, now there is.

Who is Kamunyak?

Kamunyak, as she was nicknamed, is a lioness in the Samburu Game Reserve of Central Kenya, East Africa; who adopted a young Oryx calf and shocked the world. The name Kamunyak means ‘The Blessed One’. She was nicknamed by the locals after her first miraculous adoption.

The Inside Story

The Oryx is a type of antelope that is generally preyed upon by lions. Hence, the news of her adoption was treated with a lot of skepticism across the world. Experts on wildlife behavior were also baffled by her affection towards the calf.

Pictures of Kamunyak taking a stroll with her newly adopted Oryx calf-cub started making rounds of the World Wide Web.

Funnily, however, there were instances when she would let the biological mother to nurse the calf, and would then chase her away once she was done.

However, her joys were short-lived, when a hungry male lion made a meal out of the young calf. This happened when she had left the cub unprotected, while she slept out of exhaustion.

What happened next?

Kamunyak adopted her first Oryx calf in the month of January in 2002. Following the death of the first calf, she went on to adopt five more calves. Her adoption history is as follows.

Adoption I

Dec – Jan 2002

Lasted 16 days

Calf got eaten up by a male lion

Adoption II

Feb 2002

Lasted 2 – 3 days

Calf was rescued by the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS)

Adoption III

Apr 2002

Lasted 2 days

Calf was rescued by its biological mother; and this incident left the lioness injured.

Adoption IV

May 2002

Lasted a mere 24 hours

Calf was abandoned by Kamunyak; and was rescued by its biological mother at a later stage.

Adoption V

Sep 2002

Lasted 2 days

Calf starved to death, and when dead was eaten up the lioness (lionesses east their young ones when they die)

Adoption VI

Jan 2003

Lasted 24 hours

Calf escaped and returned to its mother; there were reports of a battle between Kamunyak and the mother Oryx.

Nature v/s Nurture

Kamunyak’s story has brought to the forefront a debate that has gone on for ages – the one of Nature v/s Nurture. The heart of the lioness was softened, as many say, by the fact that she was unable to conceive children of her own, but her maternal instinct remained within her strongly.

Wildlife expert Kapeen was quoted saying “Animals have a tendency to care for the young”.

This story definitely sent shock wavers around the world; and though there may not be any viable information available on Kamunyak and her whereabouts today, the story will continue to be spoken about due to its uniqueness.

A number of major herbivores as well as predators across Kenya have turn out to be in danger of extinction over the precedent only some decades, as of the uninterrupted devastation of the natural habitat as well as heartless poaching for skins, ivory, horn as well as bush meat.

The black rhino is in all probability the most in danger of extinction bulky mammal across Kenya. It is regularly poached for the horn as well as, faced by means of unrelenting poaching as a result of seriously equipped gangs during the early 1980s; the population of wild rhino plummeted as of 20,000 in the year 1969 to merely 539 in the present day. Rhino Ark elevates funds to fashion rhino sanctuaries as well as donations are for all time appreciated.

Whilst the elephant is by no means to be precise in danger of extinction, it is even today time and again the intention of poachers. In addition, huge numbers of elephants are murdered each year, in particular within the areas in the region of Tsavo East National Park. The current numbers of elephants are estimated to be around 35,000.

Romantics will come across no ending of nice-looking flowers to encourage poetry for that somebody special as well as the flora in the country is remarkably various as of the extensive assortment of physiographic areas. The cosmic plains in the southern region are characterized by means of characteristic plane-topped acacia trees, sprinkled by means of the in the same way recognizable baobab trees as well as savage shrilling thorn bushes.

For the majority of people Kenya denotes animals. The full-size Fives (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard as well as rhino) in addition to a mammoth variety of numerous other less-renowned however uniformly remarkable animals are easily seen in as a minimum two of the most important parks.

The limitless rough country as well as big diversion of the region has an extensively attracted escapade seekers all across the globe. No other country in Africa can show off such a barely credible series of countryside, only one of its kind geographical species and features.

Kenya proffers the tourist an opening to know-how of the natural world unaffected by means of the course of moment. The wilderness of Kenya is an abode to an eternal arrangement of ecosystems, as well as the staging land meant for natural cycles of existence, death along with regeneration as elderly as the earth itself.

A safari al through the wilds across Kenya is an expedition into the nature at the purest. All over the place you give the impression of being there is a large amount of life…

The thrill:

Rivers in Kenya are mostly untouched by human influence and that gives one more thrill while exploring them on kayaks or rafts.

Top features:

• Kayaking on  major rivers like Thiba and Nyamindi
• Superior guide by team of whitewater experts
• Dropping down below 8-metres deep cascade (optional)
• Viewing wild game like lions, elephants, giraffes and others in Nairobi National Park
• Sleeping under the stars

Kayaking/rafting tour itinerary (nine days):

• Day 1:
  Arrival in Nairobi and checking into hotel in the bustling district of the Westlands. Exploring the city.
• Day 2:
  Running the Class II/III rapids of Upper Tana River. Riding waves and a 3-metre waterfall (optional) and viewing the spectacle of Kenyan scenery.
• Day 3:
  Beginning the day at Upper Tana and lunching in Sagana township. Post-lunch boating at Lower Tana.
• Day 4:
  Most advanced moves in the whitewater of Lower Tana. Making more advanced moves.
• Day 5:
  Beginning the day with Middle Maragua Class III/IV rapids, including trip to an incredible 30 metre deep waterfall. The experts can try the Lower Maragua (Class IV/V). Intermediates can choose from Irati, Mathioya or North Mathioya rivers.
• Day 6:
  Exploring the wilderness of Mathioya River. Rafting North Mathioya at around 2,000 meters above the sea level or Tana at 1,500 meters above sea level is quite an experience. Spending the night under star-lit Kenyan sky.
• Day 7:
  Rafting on Thiba and the Nyamindi and lower Ragati rivers.
• Day 8:
  Exploring wildlife through Nairobi National Park and return to Nairobi where one can visit the famous carnivore restaurant.

• Day 9:
  Checking out local markets before taking off.

Best season for kayaking/rafting:

April-June and October-December although some rivers remain open throughout the year.

Kenya Rivers:

• Tana River:
  High quality waterwater, rich avifauna and scenic beauty and also closeness with Nairobi make Tana a popular site for white water and flip boat trips.

• Mathoya River:
  This river is more suitable. for the advanced rafters and kayakers. The 30 km long river has 500 metres of descent
• Athi River:
  Located about 230 km from Nairobi, a minimum of three days is required to explore this river. Expedition can start near the town of Thika and conclude near Malindi on Indian Ocean.
• Ewaso-Ng’iro River:
  A classic site for white water rafting/kayaking and wildlife viewing. Water level reliability is, however, poor.
• Other Rivers like Nzoia and Yala have reasonable water but the adjoining area is heavily populated.

• Chania and Thiba still to be explored.

Lake Turkana is an enormous inland sea, in addition is known to be the deserted largest lake in the world (with a total area around 6,405 sq km). This particular body of saline water is more than 250 km long, which is a little longer when compared with the complete coast of Kenya.

Lake Turkana is far and wide well-known as the Jade Sea, as of the outstanding, almost luminous, color of the waters of the lake. Subsequent to a long journey all the way through the scorching deserts in addition to lava flows from Northern Kenya, the spectacle of this enormous body of dazzling turquoise water approaches as an absurd, ghostly vision.

Lake Turkana is a starting place of life for a number of the majority remote tribes in Kenya. The Turkana Lake, with inherited ties to th regions of Uganda, survive a semi-nomadic subsistence in the region of the Lake. The smallest tribe of the country, the El Molo, survives a hunter-gatherer continuation on the seashores, in the various villages of characteristic curved reed huts.

Lake Turkana history has been for all times regarded as one of the few longest living histories all across the earth, in addition to current fossil proof uncovered at Koobi Fora has shown a way to the Lake moreover is now mentioned as referred ‘The Cradle of Mankind’.

This particular site is located at the core of the Sibiloi National Park, which is regarded as a place of barren prettiness as well as antediluvian scared forests.

Lake Turkana is itself is a wonderful natural treasure, with the single largest crocodile population in the world. In Lake Turkana these huge reptiles grow up to record size, in the company of a number of the biggest specimens that are sited on far-off inhospitable Central Island.

Lake Turkana is known to be the most remote destination in Kenya, however one that reimburses the fearless traveler with well-off rewards…

Getting around Lake Turkana

There are exceptionally few definite roads in the region of the Lake Turkana. The shore of the lake can be easily explored simply by walking, however profusion of water as well as a superior sense of course are mutually essential. Boats are on hand for rent in villages by the side of the shore, furthermore this is the most excellent way to travel around the lake. Getting a local tour guide for far tourists is suitable.

Avian spectacle of Nakuru Lake:

The lake is particularly attractive to the tourists for the innumerable fuchsia pink flamingos (sometimes numbering even two million!) that congregate here to feed on the algae, like Cyanobacteria, the popular food of the birds that is found at the lake aplenty. The sight of the birds sitting on the lake water leading to a pink cover or that when they fly together to form a pink cloud is simply amazing.The algae thrive here much owing to the warm alkaline water (Lake Nakuru is a Rift Valley soda lake) and what is more interesting is that the flamingos also help the algae’s existence by feeding them their droppings. Thus, it is a mutual give and take process at Nakuru Lake that make it a top tourist spot in the final count. According to eco-experts, the birds consume a minimum of 2,50,000 kilograms of algae per hectare per year. In recent years, the congregating flamingo population is found to be declining and one of the major reasons attributed to this development is the presence of large number of tourists which is scaring off the birds. Increasing water pollution is another reason. The reduction in the number of flamingoes has put the local tourism industry under a big threat.

Flamingo types:

The flamingos that descend at Nakuru are classified into two types: the Lesser Flamingo featuring deep red carmine bill and pink plumage which are more in number and the Greater Flamingo, the latter featuring a bill with black tip.

Timing:

There is nothing known to be a good or bad time for spotting the flamingos at Nakuru Lake. The birds visit the lake throughout the year, the frequency depending largely on the availability of the algae. If the availability of algae is inadequate, then the birds will fly off to some other destination like Lake Elmenteita, Simbi Nyaima and Bogoria. Thus, it is always a matter of luck awaiting those tourists who make prior booking for witnessing the Lake Nakuru turning pink.

Geography:

Lake Nakuru is located to the south of Nakuru, the capital of Rift Valley Province in central Kenya.

Nakuru National Park:

Lake Nakuru National Park was set up in 1961 encompassing the Nakuru Lake and its surrounding mountainous area. Now, its borders have been extended to include the adjoining savannah land.

Flora:

Yellow-barked acacia trees mainly throng the banks of the lake.

Fauna:

Various other birds apart from the flamingos, like the grebes, cormorants, avocets, ducks are found in the Nakuru Lake area. Besides, there are white and black rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, baboons and other large animals. Lions and leopards and pythons also inhabit the deep woods.

Reaching Nakuru Lake:

• By air:
  Nakuru Lake can be reached from Nairobi, which is well-connected with various places worldwide. One can also fly into Nakuru park from Nairobi owing to the presence of the Naishi airstrip but this option can be availed only during the dry season.
• By rail:
  Railway service links Nakuru with Nairobi.
• By road:
  Nakuru town is connected with Nairobi by A104, which is a starting route for many safari trips. Nakuru is also accessible from Nyeri via Nyahururu, bordering the Aberdare Range (170 km), from Kisumu at the Lake Victoria shore (116 km) or from Naivasha on the main Nairobi road (65 km). The main gate of the park is 4 km south of downtown Nakuru.

Accommodation:

• Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

• Hotel Waterbuck Nakuru

The place came into limelight when Richard Leakey found fossils of 3 million years ago while he was evacuating Koobi Fora in 1968, some 80 years ago an Austrian explorer claimed to have found human skulls and bones at this site.

The Omo River flowing across Ethiopia is responsible for feeding the Lake Turkana. The water is lost mainly due evaporation. Both on and off shore wind are really strong due to lake’s characteristic feature of getting warm and cool slower than land.

There are numerous living beings surviving in the region which would you surprise as you would have thought there would not be much to see in this hot and arid region.

You would be delighted to see thousands of Niles crocodiles and the crocodiles hatch from April to May. Camels, zebra, snakes, hippos, fishes and giraffes are some creatures found here. You would also be able see some of the rare species of birds here like the Little Stint, the Wood Sandpiper. If you are a keen bird watcher then visit this place anytime between October and April, it’s the best time to view migratory bird.

You must learn some important words in local language like thank you and sorry to further involve yourself in the journey, quite true that everyone loves to talk in their mother tongue.

African Safari is always in demand and extremely adventurous and to make your experience more enriching you must include in your trip the visit to Turkana. The visit would prove to be worthy once you reach the place no doubt you would required to keep your nerves cool and heart strong as the journey is immensely tough and exhausting. You would realize that how even animals have learned to deal with the adversity of the nature and tribes live in such compromising physical conditions and meager facilities.

You can take a charted plane and fly to Turkana but it would steal the great adventurous moments which you can get by following the roadways no doubt the journey would be really long then.

Where it is located

It is located at 14 miles south of Malindi, the park starts from the mouth of the Mida Creek in the southern end and stretches to Turtle Bay’s north.

Features of the Watamu National Park

1. The park has astonishing amount of coral reefs forming great biological and physical atmosphere in the region. There are around 150 species of soft and hard corals, brain corals, fan corals and sponge you name it and you would find that category of coral. These corals provide the necessary amount of nutrients to the large number of fish present there. The park has more than 500 species of reef fish and the Reserve has more than 1000 species. You can easily think of the diversity that you would enjoy in this park and the biodiversity that you would find in this small park is not found in any other small park of the world.

1. Huge diversity of species of Rhizophora mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Sonneratia aba and Avicennia marina are found here with the mangrove forests.
2. Watamu is an extremely important turtle breeding area as well; there is an active turtle watch group to take special care of the turtles. Hawksbill and Green turtles are major specie found here but other species such as Loggerheads, Olive Ridleys, and Leatherback Turtles are also seen at times.

1. Watamu National Park has an unique fish named cleaner wrasse who survives by picking other fishes scales.
2. On this planet whale sharks are known to be the largest living fish specie and sharks that generally live in the warm water are found in large numbers in the Watamu.

1. One of the world’s best diving area with whale sharks, manta rays, octopus and barracuda around, you just need to do it once and then you would realize how amazing the experience is.

Activities you can enjoy here

You must enjoy diving, Wind Surfing, water skiing, snorkeling and sunbathing here. Apart from the mesmerizing shark watching and other marine life, you are provided with some adventure sports as well. Best place to unwind you, beaches, sports and extremely beautiful biodiversity to watch, all together it makes a perfect destination.

When you should visit this place

You can explore the marine beauty all year round but it is advisable to go in the dry months around September and March.

How you reach this place

You can land at Mombasa or Malini Airports, these are nearest airports. You can reach the park by hiring a car and use tarmac road from Mombasa or Malindi.

Known for its rich wildlife, Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular reserves in Kenya and among all, here you could be able to take a look at game population. Extended upto 1530km² in south-western Kenya, it has derived its name from the indigenous people called Masai and the nearby Mara River. The place, during the months of July to October witnesses an intense migration of many animals from the Serengeti. The place is located in the Rift Valley, and its surrounding areas are totally forested. The rolling grass land is chief attraction of the reserve and the magnificent beauty of Mara River is ultimate.

Came into existence in the year 1961, the site is fairly accomplishing its duty of defending the wildlife from cruelty of hunters. The place is looked after by local Mara Conservancy and Narok County Council. The animals are also allowed to roam outside the park and the vicinity is called ‘dispersal areas’ and many local inhabitants are also residing in that area. Here, you will witness a miraculous view of animals and humans living together with utmost harmony.

Rocking Masai Mara Wildlife and birdlife

If you are really interested in exploring the maximum amount of wildlife of the reserve than be there during the months of July to October as many animals migrate to the park from the Serengeti. The most seen animals are lions, cheetah, foxes, hyenas, leopards, and Black rhino. The migrated animals include zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle and they go back to their original destination during October and November.

You could also feel the presence of more than 400 bird species and those are marabou storks, hornbills, vultures,  Eagles, vultures, and ostriches, among others.

Enjoyable Activities

Hot Air Ballooning

It is one of the must-experiencing activities in the reserve. The activity will be provided by almost all the lodging areas. The flight will let you to take a look at entire surroundings including views of animals, landscapes and the magnificent view of sun rising.

Voyage by walking

If you want to turn the exploration much exciting activity than walking around the Masai Mara national reserve is the best idea.

Explore through the surroundings

If you really want to enlighten yourself about the Masai culture than simply move towards the local village and try to mingle with the locals.

Viewing Game and wildlife

The reserve is not bounded with walls, so you can easily take a look at the games and other wildlife from any corner of the spot.

Weather matters

The dry season is observed during months of July to October whereas; rainy season can be witnessed during the months of April, May and November. The vicinity is coolest in the months being June and July and the hottest months being December and January.

Reaching there

By Air

The service is provided by Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Rail routes

This facility is available from Nairobi’s Naivasha Station

Car

By car, you can reach there within six hours time as the distance between Nairobi and the reserve is near by 165 miles.

Bus

Many tour operators provide the services to the reserve, hence you can opt for this mode of transportation also.

Entry Amount

To get inside the Masai Mara national reserve, an adult non-Kenyan has to pay US$60 and for children it is $30. As far as lodging is concerned, you will find many camps and lodges in and around the reserve.

To create a national park on and around Mount Kenya, the Government of Kenya had four distinct reasons. To boost up the local and national economies there is a need of tourism, to preserve the biodiversity within the park, to protect it as a great scenic beauty and to safeguard the water catchments for the neighboring area.

The local inhabitants respected the mountain for generations and the mountain is the official home of ‘Ngai’, the Kikuyu tribe’s Supreme Being. Johann Ludwig Krapf was the first to sight the snowy peak in 1849. The meaning of Mount Kenya or “Kere Nyaga” is the Mountain of Brightness as the Kikuyu call it, rising above the sea level to 5,199m and in the entire continent of Africa it is the second highest mountain peak.

The Mount Kenya national park covers an area of around 715 square kilometers which is 276 sq miles and the forest reserve covers an area of 705 square kilometers that is 272 sq miles. The forest reserve and the national park collectively make an area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers 1,420 square kilometers which is about 548 sq miles.

This park offers a beauty of its own with pleasant mountain scenery that attracts more tourists to come and share the glory of the heavenly world especially the mountain climbers who leads to the top of the mountain through difficult routes. The Volcanic deposit in the nearby area’s soil and the vast quantity of fresh water coming down the slopes makes the agriculture area more favorable.

Lovely lakes, tarns, glaciers, peaks and natural mineral springs make the area more stunning. In the lower slopes dry upland forests are found and from the 2,000m upwards montane forest starts. This forest usually includes cedar and podo. Visitors can watch a mixture of plants of nearly 11 species.

Wildlife live in the park are extensive and some are unique on their own like Colobus Monkeys, Cape Buffalo, elephants, black rhinos, leopards etc. Bongo antelopes and giant forest hogs are out of few that attracts more tourists on the park including many species of birds like Kingfisher, Olive pigeons and red-fronted parrots.

One could reach easily to this famous and excellent spot by flying to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport. Apart from this you can also travel by train and reach to Thika Station that will lead you to this national park. Well, you can also take bus services to Nanyuki from Nairobi. If you are willing to travel through car, take an A2 that will take you from Nairobi traveling across Murunga and later going through Mount Kenya and making way to Nayunki.

After reaching there you can stay at the lodges present in the park or at various types of huts like seven climbers’ huts. Outside the park, there are self-help banda sites where you can easily stay. Well, most of the visitors stay in hotels or resorts. For luxury, the Mount Kenya Safari Club is the best place to stay.

Temperatures, rainfall and humidity vary widely in Kenya due to its diverse geography. Hence, the best time to visit the national park is from July to February.

Mount Kenya is the place where tourists can find almost everything to enjoy their time with snow-covered mountaintops as well as large cliffs and glaciers. Along with that there are thick forests and pouring waterfalls to boost the energy of the people. So, try out and see the change in your life as if you are in heaven.