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.

The Fish river is the longest river in Namibia which ends at Ai-Ais the hot springs.

The whole gorge is 160km in length and is 127km wide. The picturesque inner canyon is marvelous 550m profound.

The composition of this grandeur started about 1.8 millions years ago with sandstone, shale and laves deposits. Over the past 50 million years the canyon has developed to be the most imposing and striking gorge in the world. It brings the excitement and thrill to the adventurous hikers making them feel home away from home. A place so gorgeous a must visit for every hiker. Its surrounded by boulders and impassive cliffs.

Reaching to The fish river Canyon:

• Via Air: Windhoek International Airport.
• Via CarB4 Southwest for around 44km(27 miles), then left onto the C12(from Keetmanshop). After 77km(48 miles) a right turn is signposted for The canyon.
• Please check the visa requirements well before and plan the visit accordingly.
• The Hiking trail begins near Hobas on D601 and ends at Ai-Ais Hot Springs at C10.
• Avoid negative surprises and trust an Africa travel specialist who will always give you the best deal. A cheap deal in Africa is not always a good deal.

The Canyon is privately own as well.
The Fish River Canyon is a typical Semi-desert Climate.

• Summer: Very hot during months of October-March temperatures rise to 48degree Celsius during day.
• Winters: very short but temperatures can go to 0 degree but in day time it is 20 to 28 degree Celsius. May –July.
• Rain: is very unpredictable and varies between 50-100mm per year.

Its therefore recommended to visit it during winter season as the Heat stokes is common in summers. Hiking is allowed between April 15 and September 15.

The Vegetation is as per the semi-desert habitat. The trees can survive droughts upto 5 years. The flowering is in winter. Its national Tress is Quiver tree.  Namibia’s national tree, the Aloe dichotoma or Quiver Tree is mostly found in the south Wild horses, Leopard,Kudu, Steebork, Klipspringer, Mountain Zebra are the natural world of the canyons. To add to the family are birds including Pelicans, Black Eagles, Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, Lovebirds, Wild Ostrich and various species of waterfowl and wading birds, such as Herons. It is a place to visit and not live.

As the name says here we find abundance of fishes sush as as Barbled catfish and Yellow fish.

Beware of snakes(Cape Cobra, Black Spitting Cobra, Puff adder and Horned adder) and rodents.

Accomodation

Lodges of the Fish River Canyon:

• Canon Lodge: Natural Rock Chalets
• Canon Roadhouse : En-suite rooms, campsites, restaurant, pool; fuel-station
• Canon Village: Cape Dutch Cottages
• Canon Mountain Camp:Rustic self-catering camp, en-suite bathrooms; kitchen

The Fish River Hiking trails

• Starts At hobas get along to 85 kilometers ie 53 miles to end.
• Takes 3 to 5 days to complete.
• Decent starts at Hikers View ( about 3km north of the main viewpoint.
• Route follows river bed.
• Terrain consist of rocks,boulders,sand and river crossing.
• There are number of shortcuts also available.
• Steep path
• Once you reach on the top you feel the pharaoh of desert.
• The trail ends at Ai ais. meaning Burning Water in the local Nama language), a hot water spring which wells from the earth and is believed to cure rheumatism.

To make your experience memorable take care of following things:

• Drink lots of fluids. Carry water with you for trail.
• Refill water from larger pools only.
• Carry your sleeping bag as you have to sleep outside while on the trail.
• The emergency services are available though it is still rudimentary.
• Beware of snakes and rodents.

The Fish River Canyon is the gorgeous and magnificent. It’s the test that every hiker need to pass to qualify himself as hiker.

Contact Addresses
Namibia Wildlife Resorts Ltd, Private Bag 13378, Windhoek, Namibia
Tel: (061) 256 446

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