 WHAT TO SEE |
| NAIROBI |
The capital of Kenya, Nairobi is a very young city and the center of business in the country. It was established almost a century ago a middle way town between Mombasa and Kampala as the Ugandan Railway was built. It's population is around 3 million at present with a downtown section that has become a cosmopolitan scene of broad tree-lined streets, high-rise offices, hotels and apartments.
 National Museum |
Has an outstanding display of early man and its evolution, ethnic regalia, Kenya fauna and a vivid display of the struggle for independence. Joy Adamson's watercolors of the main ethnic groups are an astounding display of the country's rich tribal heritage. It is worth seeing, but do not stay in Nairobi simply to pay it a visit.
| NAIROBI ENVIRONS |
Karen Blixen Museum
This is where Karen Blixen lived. It is a quaint little house bringing together great nostalgia and historical facts under one roof.
Giraffe Center
Fun and entertaining, this center was established by Daisy Rothchild as conservation for Giraffes. It is a small compound where one can feed "wild" giraffes and get a real close look at these tall, slim, and elegant animals.
Bomas of Kenya
Here Kenya's folkloric art and dance is on display daily. It's a definite tourist attraction where one can get but a vague idea of the different tribal cultures that exist in the country.
Nairobi National Park
Of the most popular species only the elephant is an absentee. If one has the time and is staying in Nairobi for a few days, it is well worth a look since it is only ½ hour drive from the city center. If one visits the Mara however, take the day off to go golfing instead of sitting in another mini-van for a couple of hours.
Kitengela Glass Studios
In the middle of the bush, a few kilometers from the city, rises the dome where stained glass is blown in the traditional way. The place is a mixture of Gaudi's wild architecture and of an enchanted house. The sun through the colored glass creates a dreamy atmosphere. It is worth a visit.
Olorgesailie prehistoric site
An area that has been well excavated by the Leakeys, the journey alone is spectacular and dramatic.
Fourteen Falls
A broad cascade of white water plunges 30m over a precipice with many lips. It has recently been declared a National Park.
| CENTRAL KENYA |
| Mount Kenya |
It is the country's highest mountain, sitting astride the equator and reaching a height of 5199m. All of the mountain above the 3200m contour, forms a national park, with abundant wildlife and beautiful views.
| Aberdares |
A mountain range, part of which is protected as the Aberdare National Park, running from north of Nairobi for more than 160km. A lot of wildlife can be seen within the salient, a dense forest through rich farmland.
| Samburu National Reserve |
Lies in the hot and arid fringes of the vast northern region of Kenya within the lands of the colorful Samburu people, harboring a number of wildlife species rarely found elsewhere.
| Meru National Park |
Widely known as the place Elsa, the lioness, was returned to the wild (in Joy Adamson's book Born Free), this park presents the widest variety of landscapes and habitats. It is said to be the most wonderful wilderness experience one could ever have.
| The Rift Valley Lakes |
There are a total of 8 lakes in this district, the most relevant of them are:
Lake Nakuru is one of the smallest lakes but it has an important flamingo population and it is a rhino sanctuary for white rhinoceros.
Lake Naivasha is often called a birdwatchers fantasy because of its incredible variety of bird species among which the beautiful fishing eagle stands out.
Lake Bogoria. Most flamingos have migrated from Lake Naivasha to this lake since the contents of salinity are higher. It is said to house more than one million of these spectacular birds.
| WESTERN KENYA |
| Lake Victoria |
The worlds second largest freshwater lake, covering an area of 67, 850 sq km, and shared between three nations Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania. Today it is threatened by the ever thriving water-hyacinths which menace to cover the whole surface of the lake suffocating its water life.
| Kisumu |
Kisumu is he third largest city in Kenya and bordering lake Victoria, it came into existence in 1901 after the first section of the Ugandan railroad was built. It is a peaceful and tranquil city. | | Kakamega Forest |
Nearby Kisumu lays the Kakamega forest, a rare rainforest where the strangling fig-tree and the colobus monkey can be easily spotted.
| Masai Mara |
Is the finest wildlife sanctuary and most widely known because of the migration of the Wildebeest that takes place each year between July and October, from the vast plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara.
| Mount Elgon |
Coming from remains of an immense volcano, this great mountain is a feast for any visitor.
| NORTHERN KENYA |
| Lake Turkana |
Famous for being a major source of evidence of modern man's earliest existence, it lies in desert or semi-desert area of Kenya
| Marsabit National Park |
Its mountain is a natural phenomenon, born out of a volcanic fire and shaped by mist and created its own ambient climate.
| SOUTH AND EAST KENYA |
| Tsavo National Park |
Is the world's largest game sanctuary when counting west and east Tsavo together and is considered to be a model national park in both layout and its geophysical, animal and plant diversity.
| Amboseli National Park |
Is at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, the Kilimanjaro, and is one of the worlds most important natural parks. It is the snow's of Kilimanjaro that form a majestic backdrop to one of Kenya's most spectacular displays of wildlife - lion, elephant, leopards, etc., creating Kenya's most sought after photographer's paradise.
| THE KENYA COAST |
| Mombasa |
The Island town of Mombasa , is the main sea gate on the East African Coastline and is Kenya's second major metropolis and Cruise Ship center, as well as the second largest town. Worth seeing in this lively town is Fort Jesus, which is a massive fortification built and completed by the Portuguese, and Biashara Street, which is literally a shoppers paradise in Momabasa where one can purchase locally woven fabrics and carvings
| The South Coast |
Diani Beach is the South Coast haven for tourists, where one can find all of the upgraded resorts and hotels, as well as a lot of outdoor marine sports such as deep sea fishing, golf, diving etc. There are also some nice fish restaurants and fun night life if one is ready to listen to Lingala (African music rooted in central Africa)
| The North Coast |
There are quite a number of nice locations to stay and visit on the North Coast, staring from Nyali Beach to Whitesands. On this side of the Coast there are also sites such as Mamba Village a Crocodile farm, the Kipepeo Aquarium, displaying tropical fish and the Bamburi Cement Trail, which is an example of reclamation of wasteland, that one should not miss. Dining out at the Tamarind Restaurant, will be an experience no one will ever forget and if one is looking out to relax and get away from the tourist attractions one should stay at the Tamarind Village. All out door sports can also be practiced on the North Coast.
| Watamu |
The hotels in Watamu, look over two beautiful inlets, Turtle Bay and Blue Lagoon. Here one can visit a breathtaking bird sanctuary as well as one of the most preserved Marine National Parks in Kenya and in the world.
Today this spot could be renamed little Italy. It is a fun spot with lots of night-life and water sports. The hotels are comfortable and the town is quaint with lots of little handcraft shops.
| Malindi |
Today this spot could be renamed little Italy. It is a fun place with lots of water sports and night-life during the high season. The hotels are comfortable and the town is quaint with lots of little handcraft shops.
| Lamu |
This little island and the Archipelago could probably be named paradise on earth. Underdeveloped, it still conserves its charm and comfort of hundreds of years ago. The waters are crystal clear, there is not one car to be seen as the alleys are way too narrow and it is more comfortable to ride on donkeys or simply walk, and the community is so tiny that everybody seems to be family and you become a part of that family as well. The hotels or houses that one can rent, are renovated with taste and left with that islamic influence that makes one feel that one is in an Arabic palace. It is definitely a must if one wants to relax and feel like nothing else matters on this planet.WILDLIFE Most of those coming to Kenya want to see the extensive plains full of wild and free animals, flora and fauna. If that is the reason one wants to come, it is the right choice. Here one will encounter the Big Five - the leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant, and rhino - and any other animal, bird or plant one can dream of.
| WILDLIFE |
Most of those coming to Kenya want to see the extensive
plains full of wild and free animals, flora and
fauna. If that is the reason one wants to come,
it is the right choice. Here one will encounter
the Big Five - the leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant,
and rhino - and any other animal, bird or plant
one can dream of. |
