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.

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.

Joseph Thompson was the first European to break through Maasai region in the year 1883. After entering the Maasai region he got surprised to discover the wonderful wildlife with bone dry areas and the refuge of swamps which are still must watch in the Amboseli National Park. The park earned $3.5m in the year 2005 as a protection from UNESCO to save the ecosystem of the park. It was set aside as ‘Southern Reserve’ for Maasai in 1906 and Gazetted as National Park in 1974. On September 29, 2005 the park was given to Kenya Wildlife Service, Olkejuado Country Council and Maasai tribe by the president Mwai Kibaki.

You will find a wide range of elephants in this National park of Kenya. You should not forget to photograph the splendid Mt Kilimanjarao the utmost single mountain in the world with large herds of elephants roving in the swamps. The lake of Amboseli is salted and dries most of time covering large area of dusty desert. This is one the best treasures of nature which covers the ground water coming from the highest mountain; it gives an amazing experience of paradise of freshness. You will enjoy a blissful moments by watching the herds of elephants which are viewed in early morning and afternoon. It will be an adventurous time spending in the park with a wide range of animals.

Elephants, Zebra, Gnu, Hippopotamus, and Buffalos, Spotted hyena, Waterbucks, Maasai Giraffes, lions and Cheetah can be seen in the park. You can watch many mammals around the swamps during the day and they move towards the hilly countryside by the night. There are different 420 species of birds in the park. The south east part of the park is woodland with a high rise of vegetation. The big swamps and marshes, which are rich with Cyprus papyrus, provide water and food to wildlife in dry seasons. Elephant grass, high tuff of whitish-yellow grass as high as elephants is the main vegetation of the park. You will not find any tress in the park because of salinity of water and soil. While on the other hand most trees get destroyed by the elephants. There are palm tress and acacia tress at some places in the park. Southern and south western parts are the greenest parts of the park. One of the oldest national park of Kenya opened in April 1948 and gazette national park in the year 1974. Take an adventurous Safari to visit the park. There are many different safaris available for the tourists which are of 3 days to 8 days for different destinations near the park.

July to December is the best time to visit the park when there is no rain or moderate rain. Avoid visiting the part from January to June when rainfall goes to 100mm to 200mm.

Sites near the Park

• Mt.Kilimanjaro & Mt Meru
• Maasai Cultural Conversation Project
• Large herds of elephants and black rhinoceros and birds of 428 species
• Swamps, springs surrounded all around the park
• Amboseli Lake

Hotels and Accommodation

There are many lodges near the park where you can have a pleasant stay. However there are two places for campsite, both are located in the southern part of the park. You can easily get accommodation in the lodges near the park with low prices from January to June and high prices from July to December.

How to Reach

You can go by Mombasa road from Nairobi driving towards Athi River towards south to Namanga town that is border of Tanzania. Another option is from Nairobi take Mombasa road upto Emali, then direction towards Kimana gate which is the east part of the park.

Entry to Park

• For Adult residents 500 Kshs
• Children residents 200 Kshs
• Adult non resident 30 US
• Children non resident 10 US

Fees for Vehicles per day

• Less than 6 seat 200 Kshs
• 6 to 12 seats 500 Kshs