The Mount Kenya Safari Club

Those who love ecotourism will think of Kenya as an excellent place to visit, due to the country’s magnificent flora and fauna. Along almost 500km of coasts, Kenya shows huge forests of palms, mangroves, teaks, resins and sandal trees. In the same way there are forests of euphorbia, acacias, and baobabs covering the Lowlands and going inland so far as to the altitude of 900 meters. The African baobab is one of the world’s highest trees and it is nowadays grown in many tropical regions all over the world. The trunk of this huge tree can be 9 meters wide. Its fruit is slightly acid and has a nice tasting pulp which is used to prepare certain kind of soft drinks.

On the other hand, the savannah areas are vast, splashed by small acacia and papyrus forests. These areas are the landscape’s most outstanding characteristic over 900 meters up to 2.745 m over the sea level. More than 30% of the country’s surface is covered by forests. The camphor and the bamboo are the commonest plants in the dense jungle that surrounds the Eastern and South-Eastern hillsides. The Highlands (above 3.550 m) are the home of great tree species like Senecium and Lobelia.

Kenya is also a very famous country due to the variety of its fauna, specially the great animals associated to the African savannah. Kenya’s National Parks and Reserves are the country’s most important tourist attraction. The biggest savannah species are: the elephants, the rhinos, the zebras, the giraffes, the lions and other great felines. Most of these animals are protected in National Parks and Hunting Reserves, but despite the government’s efforts the number of these animals is decreasing due to the illegal and excessive hunting, and the most hunted animals are the elephants and the rhinos. In addition to this you will be able to watch many bird and reptile species such as the python and the cobra.

Please, remember that when you visit a wild area you should always follow the advice of the guides. In case you travel alone it is advisable to take with you a first aid kit, as well as food and water in a good proportion. Anyway, we always recommend the visits to National Reserves and National Parks to be done with the guide and the company of specialists.

Photo taken by Dan Lundberg

The Samburu people

Kenya’s most deserted area and perhaps the country’s most isolated area is located to the northwest. The tribes that inhabit it are those who have firmly resisted modernity, such as the Samburu, the Rendille, the Gabra, the Boran and the Somalis.

The Reserve of Forest Leroghi is located in this area and it has some phantasmagorical aspect since the trees seem to be dead and their naked branches are covered by a parasitic moss. Here you can also explore South Horr, which is a vegetation isolated area in the middle of the arid flatness of The Barta.

Your trip can begin starting from Nyahururu or the Thomson Waterfalls, where you will be able to admire the country’s third highest waterfall with 73 meters high. You can visit Maralal, the administrative head office of the Samburu and the first place where you can see this tribe which is a close relative of the Masai. There you will find many small hotels and the House Keniata, declared National Historic Monument since Jomo Kenyatta was detained here in 1961.

The Turkanda Lake

The Turkanda Lake is also known as the Jade Sea due to the green color of its waters. It is 250 kilometers long and its waters contain enormous freshwater fish such as the Nile perches, which frequently reach more than 90 kilos, as well as tilapias, tiger fish and drum fish. The lake is also the home for a large number of crocodiles and numerous snakes. It offers a very beautiful spectacle since the color of its waters contrasts with the desolate scenery of the surroundings.

The Mount Kulal, which according to the local legends is considered to be magic, can be also an interesting place for those eager to explore this remote region, as well as Nyambuttom placed to the south of the lake; Lonyangalani, with its thermal water oasis; South Island, the lake’s biggest island, and the Bay of Molo, in which the Molo still live and are considered to be the poorest tribe of the country.

Close to the lake you will see the Mathews Mountain Range, partially explored and waiting for those who dare to explore it. On the other hand, Marsabit, with its craters full of vegetation and the Desert of Chalbi with its beautiful white sand dunes are magnificent places where those who love nature will get dazzled with the planet’s most fascinating creations.

Photo taken by Ferdinand Reus

We can observe hippos in Lake Manyara

There are different possibilities to go on a tour in Tanzania, one of the most visited spots is the Lake Manyara, located in a branch of the Great Rift Valley.

The lake received its name because of a common herb that grows on its surroundings, it stands for emanyara the Masai word to describe it. This plant is spread all over the shore region of the lake.

On the first day we depart from Arusha city heading to Lake Manyara. We will have the chance to go on a game drive during the afternoon and observe the endemic fauna. This lake has a great natural richness and many tourists come to visit it every year. This night we will stay at the campsite of this lake.

On the second day we move on to the Ngorongoro crater, an amazing spot to see some astonishing views and an endless volcanic landscape. We will start the day with a game viewing drive around some attractive places and see one of the natural wonders of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater. We are staying at the campsite next to this place.

The next day we continue our visit in this crater and go on a drive for a full day crater tour. The lunch consists on a picnic at the crater. We can have the opportunity to explore the crater and have dinner before going up to the camp again.

We will also go to the Serengeti zone, on the fourth day, with Olduvai Gorge in our itinerary, a place known for its discoveries of fossils of human and animal ancestors. This fossils are as old as over two million years. The next day we also stay at the Serengueti and we will go on full day game drives, having meals and dinner at the campsite. This is the best chance to observe the local fauna in their own habitat.

The final day we get to Arusha once again at the lunch time and prepare to depart back home. This is the time to have a look to the souvenirs we can find in the stores and shops in this city. After this days visiting the most attractive spots in a one-week tour in Tanzania we will love to have some items to remember it and to give to our friends to share the experience.

Photo by emma and steve

Flamingos at Lake Manyara

When visiting Tanzania we will arrive to the International Airport of Kilimanjaro from where we will be taken to our hotel by the tour operator’s guide. One of the resorts we can stay in is the Hatari Lodge, a building desingned by the German film star Hardy Krueger. It is located at the Momella Swamps and near the Buffalo Meadow.

From a suit in this hotel we can see at the distance both the Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Mt. Meru.

The following day we will visit from the Arusha Reserve to the Seronera zone in the central Serengeti. We can also set off on a safari vechicle and we can start seeking the Big Five as soon as possible.

During the fourth day we move on the Serengueti so observe the game and to visit the main spots all the time surrounded by the endemic fauna. We will pass two days in this zone and then in the sixth day we go to the Ngorongoro Crater, where we can see the rare black rhino in their natural habitat.

During the next day we also stay in this zone and we can observe the landscape and the local fauna as well, such as birds and monkeys. It is highly possible to enjoy of the company of a Masaai guide, who can show us the best features of this place and we will also visit Tarangire and Lake Manyara.

During the eight and the ninth days we shall visit the Manyara Ranch, a unique place where a lot of endemic species can be found such as the eland, greater kudu, striped hyena, bull elephant, breeding giraffes, wildebeest, zebra, oryx, lion, cheetah, leopard and the rarely seen bat-eared fox, etc.

We can see the local landscapes and the villages along our path. We will find a lot of places to see as we move along our way and finally we will get to the Arusha city.

Photo by kurutravel

The Great Migration can be seen in various reserves

Kenya has got adequate places for the tourists to see the Great Migration from close. This massive animal migration starts in different dates every year and the Serengueti plains is one of the best places to see its beginning, reaching the Kenyan border and going on ahead.

The Masai Mara can help visitors see this amazing natural event that takes place when the season changes.

During this migration we will see millions of animals moving at the same pace and hundreds of thousands among them are zebras, elands and gazelles. The best dates during the year to see this animal migration are between mid-August and early November. But even if we get to this place out of the peak of the migration we will still see a spectacular scene in various Kenyan spots.

From the lions and leopards to the Maasai cattle, we will observe a unique diversity of wildlife in this country. Arriving to the capital city, Nairobi, we will be taken to the most interesting places during our journey in Kenya, such the Maasai Mara Reserve, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengueti.

From this different spots we will both enjoy the natural environment and be able to see this unique migration from the very first line. We will be taken in game drive tours to seek for the best wildebeest views. In this safari all the transfers required from one spot to the following one are included, we just need to check the itinerary.

There are another possibilities to see the Migration, we can also join a safari that will take us to Mt. Kenya and the Great Rift Valley Lakes. And we will go on game drives around the Maasai Reserve also.

In this safaris we can combine the way we want adventure activities and game viewing as well as bird watching, specially when in the mountain surroundings. In some itineraries we are also able to visit the Mara region, in Tanzanian zone, where we can have unique views of the game.

We will stay in tent camps or in lodges well located and comfortable enough so that we will enjoy our resting time as much as possible. It is recommended to check the accommodation details when we reserve our safari. This Migration is a unique adventure.

Photo by Jocelyne Coupaud

A giraffe feeding in the savannah

In Tanzania we have the chance to visit some of the most attractive and diverse national parks in the continent, we can arrange a one-week tour and have a deep look to the wildebeest and the game.

It is possible to choose from a variety of options for this tour, we will summarize one of the most common itineraries in this country.

Arriving to the Kilimanjaro International Airport we will move to the Ngaresero Lodge, where we can dine and pass the night. The second day we will go on a wildlife safari. The itinerary goes along the Tarangire National Park and we will have lunch there. This reserve is well-known for its elephants and the herds of buffalo. We can also enjoy birdwatching because many species live in this park, up to 450 species have been counted.

During the third day we go on a game drive tour around Tarangire. We can appreciate an amazing wildlife. The first spot is the Lake Manyara where we will head to Tree Lodge for lunch.

In this zone we will have great views next to the water forest, where a lot of animals such as giraffes, elephants, cape buffaloes, etc, live. We visit the Tree Lodge on the fifth day and do a game drive en route to Karatu.

On this tour we also visit the World-Heritage Listed Ngorongoro Crater, a very special spot because of the black rhino. In this place we can also observe lions, cheetah, hippos, plains species, rhinos, elephants and a myriad of birds in their daily life. The crater walls rise over 330 meters to both sides.

We will have the opportunity to go on a game drive tour in the Serengeti Plains where we can see the museum located at Oldupai Gorge, this place is famous because of its anthropological studies. We will sleep at Ndutu Safari Lodge.

On the eighth day we go on a safari tour in the Ndutu area. This zone is visited by many wildlife film makers and photographers for its beautiful views and scenic landscapes. From this day to the tenth we seek for the Great Migration in the Serengueti’s zone, visiting spots like Moru Kopjes.

The Seronera area is a suitable place to observe the great cats specially in the dry season. We can also spend some time looking for souvenirs in the shops of this place. This safari ends in the eleventh day departing from Serengeti, we can take a look to some of the Arusha’s shops also before leaving this country.

Photo by Greenery

There are many beaches to visit in the coast of Kenya

Most of the past centuries Kenya has only been visited by people travelling by sea, this has been the only mean of transport available to get to this country for a long time.

Explorers and traders from Arabia, Portugal, China and India have seek their way in the Indian Ocean. Nowadays the eastern coast of Kenya is very popular for locals and international tourists who come to this region to have a cheerful holiday.

Soft white sand beaches are frequent in this coastline surrounded by the clean blue waters of the Indian Ocean. In this amazing landscape we have the suitable conditions for water activities and sports, such as scuba diving, snorkeling and even we can hire a boat and sail in traditional one, called dhows.

In the Kenyan coast we can enjoy the intensity of sunlight in spot like Lamu, a settlement from the 14th century located in the north, near Malindi, we can head Watumu  and the ancient town Gedi on our way to Mombasa,  in the south.

There are many elegant and well equipped beach resorts and hotels where we can get comfortable acccomodation and enjoy the different services available. We are able to visit the beaches and do surfing, we can have a good time learning from the local culture and even the Swahili cuisine, ethnic décor and scenic locations.

The tropical climate offers a nice atmosphere, apart from the resorts we can also go on a safari tour along the coastline visiting the main attractions, among this possibilities we have the tour operator Kenya Beaches Tour,  that arranges guided tours.

From the rainforests, game reserves to the national parks we can observe the scenic landscapes of this region and others of Kenya from the coast. There are excursion to the Rift Valley and the surrounding mountain peaks. And let’s not forget to take our time to look for some souvenirs in the local market, always packed with lots of people from everywhere.

It is possible to find very complete information about this kind of tour in the Kenyan coast in many topic-related webpages. In this trip we can appreciate the biodiversity of the underwater ecosystem nearby the coast and visit some of the most beautiful beaches in the continent. Kenya has lots of places to visit and its people are cheerful and open minded with tourists.

Photo by mzeecedric

The Lamu Archipielago offers many spots to visit featuring beautiful beaches

The Kenyan coast has a los of spots to visit, being possible to travel byt boat from one place to another. From Mombasa we can get on a spice boat and sign in for a tour around many places, even in Zanzibar. We just have to watch out for pirates, who are not rare in this region.

From this starting pint we can also go to spots in the Lamu Archipielago, a group of small islands in the Indian Ocean close to Kenya. In this we can visit Kiwayu, the centre of Kiunga Matina National Reserve.

The port of Mombasa is relevant for being the point of access for traders and merchants to many places in the Eastern Africa, commerc has always been active in this region. The city of Mombasa is quite multicultural for this reason, many people from everywhere in Asia, Africa and other places come here to do business.

We can find from chinese-styled buildings in this city to also such a landscape as many cities in Tunis. Also, from long straight alleys to cobblestone walkways thick enough for a donkey to pass through, we can enjoy a unique scene in its streets. Fort Jesus is a castle made of coral by colonizing Portuguese that tourists can visit.

Security is not always a matter to care in Mombasa but from certains hours precaution is recommended. From early in the morning we can enjoy eating a breakfast of maharagwe, that consists on beans cooked with coconut, and chapatti bread, a very typical foodstuff on the Kenyan coast. This cuisine offers both local and international ingredients granting a tasty meal.

There are many services available in this city, there are small hotels where we can stay if we are looking for our own way to go touring and also large resorts where we can get everything we want, such as Diani Beach.

Another recommended place to visit  is Colobus Trust, where we can have a great time with overhanging vines and ropes, set as a jungle. The Angolan Black-and-White Colobus monkey is the centre of the decoration in this place and a very popular animal among local people and foreigners.

As we go to the sout we find Kaya Kinondo, the protected kaya, or sacred forest, where the local Digo Mijikenda tribe live. The forest is a centre for their religious and communal ceremonies, this is why it has been kept in such a good condition as a show of respect for this people.

Photo by University of Denver

Image of an outdoor meal in a Kenyan restaurant

Kenyan cuisine has got a large variety of meals to offer. This diversity has to do with the abundance of natural products we can find in this country and with the multicultural heritage of Kenya.

We have to point out English, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines influences in a wide range dishes, making Kenya a nation granting an outstanding cuisine. We can actually speak of a culinary tourism being possible in this country.

Kenyan most popular meals are easy to prepare and are served  in generous portions. Among the national dishes we find those which require inexpensive ingredients and happen to be quick to cook.

Throughout the country we can observe how cuisine is different. This differences have to do with people’s lifestyles that change from one group to another. For instance, the Maasai do not eat any game but only the livestock that they raise by their own means. This is a way to be in contact with nature and show respect to their goods.

The numerous groups of people that live near Lake Victoria mainly prepare fish stews, vegetable dishes as accompaniment and are garnished with rice also. This low fat food is, indeed, very healthy.

Traditional dishes mainly consist in different kind of meats, such as beef, chicken, lamb, pork, can contain seafood and may be garnished with rice, beans, maize and potatoes. On the other hand, herbs and species are not very common in the national cuisine.

We can also taste a wide range of tropical fruits, including bananas, pineapples, papayas and many seasonal citrus fruits, etc. The types of fruits that we can get easily in the markets or at restaurants vary depending on the season of the year.

In the largest cities, such as Mombasa and Nairobi, there are many varied restaurants that offer special meals carefully prepared. We can find from fast food to some of the finest restaurants in Africa, where we will enjoy an unforgettable and tasteful meal.

We can also try some of the buffets of traditional Kenyan dishes, that may also have Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Korean, German and French cuisines offering food anyone would like.

There is no need to spend much money to have a great meal, local restaurants called hotelis offer economic meals. Also, there are restaurants serving excellent vegetarian meals, standing out the Indian and Pakistani cuisine in this kind of meals.

Photo by Gerald Yuvallos

Maasai people building a hut

Kenya is a very attractive destination to go on holidays in the African continent, with many natural reserves worthy to visit and a varied landscape, sometimes grassy and plain, sometimes sloppy, rocky and with steep paths.

Mount Kenya is one of the most visited spots for hikers and climbers, also, the Maasai Mara reserve stands out among the options, so does the Aberdares National Park.

Maasai Mara

This reserve is one of the most well known in this country, its name is also spelled as Masai Mara and the local people calls it simply by The Mara. It is located in the southernmost part of Kenya and is on the northern border of the Tanzanian Serengueti Park, continuing it.

The park is named after the people original from this zone, who belong the tribe Mara, and speak the Masai language. This reserve is such an attraction because it belongs to a bigger ecosystem called the Greater Mara, with a big diversity of species.

The zebra and Thompson’s gazelles are the most common herbivores in this ecosystem, they can be observed in the plains inside this reserve and the neighbouring Serengueti’s. The Big Five can also be seen in this territories, namely the lion, leopard, African elephant, African buffalo and Black Rhinoceros. This species are the most amazing in the African savannah and visitors have a unique experience observing them in their daily life.

Every year there are large amounts of animals moving from one place to another more suitable depending on the season, this migration is known usually as The Migration and takes place once a year.

The Aberdares

This reserve was created to protect the Aberdare Mountains and their surroundings. There are large areas covered under dense vegetation, an important forested ecosystem, and moors, mainly, in this zone. The local fauna is as varied as almost anywhere else in the rest of the country. We can observe lions, rhinos, leopards and the rare bongo antelopes.

One advantage of the Aberdares reserve is that the accommodation can be in lodges, that are located above the ground, next to floodlit waterholes. These lodges are, indeed, a big attraction for visitors.

This park also counts with Treetops Hotel, one of the most famous in Kenya, where even the British queen has once stayed. From this hotel observation can take place without disturbing the animals.

Photo by Wikimedia