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KENYA
NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES
NAIROBI
NATIONAL PARK
Kenya’s oldest National Park (1946) is located just
20 minutes from the city center. While relatively small, at seventy-five
square miles, it is one of the better places to see black rhino.
The park is home to some 80 species of wildlife, with the exception
of elephant, and over 500 species of bird.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL
PARK
Beneath Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,342 ft.),
Africa's highest mountain, is the most visited of Kenya's National
Parks, Amboseli. About a four hour drive from Nairobi or Mombasa
on the Coast, it is in the heart of Masailand where the tribesmen
still graze their cattle alongside the wildlife. The land is characterized
by scrub and fragile saline grasses. The melting snows of Mt. Kilimanjaro
feed rivers and springs that supply water to the park swamps. This
lifeline for the mammals attracts large numbers of Elephant, Cape
Buffalo, Masai Giraffe and herds of Zebra, Antelope and Gazelle.
Lion, Hyena, Leopard and Cheetah are also found here. The bird life
is phenomenal with over 400 indigenous and migratory species.
ABERDARES
AND MT. KENYA
About two hours from Nairobi are the
National Parks of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains. The Aberdares
are a mixture of high peaks, indigenous forest and bamboo thickets.
There are two exciting 'Tree Lodges' on the lower slopes both situated
in glades overlooking water holes.
Floodlighting
illuminates the surrounds of the water holes and Elephant, Rhino,
Cape Buffalo, Bushbuck, Giant Forest Hog, Bush Pig, Waterbuck and
the rare and elusive Bongo Antelope are often seen from the lodge.
SAMBURU,
BUFFALO SPRINGS AND SHABA RESERVES
Approximately 210 miles due north of
Nairobi, past the equator and at the onset of the vast desert scrub
area lie these three reserves. Watered by the permanent River Uaso
Nyiro (pronounced Washeneru) it is an oasis supporting much wildlife.
The Oryx, Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Blue Ostrich and the beautiful Reticulated
Giraffe, are indigenous to this region. The diminutive Dik Dik,
Lesser Kudu and Gerenuk Gazelle are more prominently seen here than
in other parks.
LAKE
NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Just
93 miles northwest of Nairobi is Lake Nakuru, a soda lake famous
for its seasonal gatherings of Lesser and Greater Flamingoes by
the millions. The park life includes Leopard, Hyena, Hippo, Zebra,
Lion, Cape Buffalo, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, various gazelles and the
rare Rothschild's Giraffe. It is also a Rhino sanctuary and one
of the only places in East Africa you can see White Rhinos.
MASAI
MARA GAME RESERVE
An extension of the Serengeti in Tanzania,
the Mara is considered Kenya's leading Game Reserve. Its 700 sq.
miles of undulating hills and rolling grasslands support a wildlife
spectacular all year round. The Mara is host to large prides of
Lion, dominated by black-maned males, Cheetah, Leopard, Elephant
and herds of Cape Buffalo by the hundreds. You can also see a regular
cast of Hyena, Gazelle, Impala, Masai Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest
along with large Crocodile and Hippo in the Mara River. It is also
one of the few places you can still see Black Rhino. Late June to
early October is the yearly migration from the Serengeti. There
is an unbelievable massing of thousands of Wildebeest, Zebra and
Gazelle along with other migrating antelope. You can get a birds-eye
view of it all with an optional hot air balloon ride.
SWEETWATERS
TENTED CAMP
This beautiful tented camp lies
in the heart of a private game reserve, with magnificent views across
the plains to the snow capped peaks of Mount Kenya. The thirty tents
are luxuriously appointed and located in typical grassland savannah,
dotted with acacia trees. The service here is personalized, with
excellent attention to detail. There are also many activities to
enjoy, including day and night game drives, nature walks, horse
riding and visits to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
KAREN
BLIXEN/GIRAFFE MANOR
Upon arrival you feel you are on the set of 'Out of Africa' as you
visit the simple colonial farmhouse full of items that Karen Blixen
chose and touched herself. The Ngong Hills can be seen from the
dining room window.
From here go and visit the Giraffe Center, where the highly endangered
Rothschild Giraffe lives in peace. With an elevated viewing/feeding
platform, this tour is wonderful for children (and the inner child
in the rest of us).
CARNIVORE
RESTAURANT
This unique eatery is located on the
outskirts of Nairobi. The dining area is set in a beautiful garden
patio. Just as it sounds, it is a place to try a wide variety of
meats including several types of game such as zebra, crocodile,
ostrich, etc. One of Africa's greatest eating experiences.
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