Kenya was identified as the home of the safari by legendary personalities such as Ernest Hemingway and Karen Blixen. Some of the most classic movies like Out of Africa, was filmed in Kenya and it perfectly portrayed the natural romance, wildest cultural thrills and excitement of this famous tour destination land.
The tours to Kenya have revealed a spectacular natural beauty and bountiful herds of wildlife, and is renowned for the annual Great Migration of millions of herbivores across the Mara river, shuttling between Masai Mara and Serengeti.
Culture and Identity through English as a Lingua Franca (1).pdf
The best kenyan regions
1. www.adventurepanorama.com...
Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar
The Kenyan coast comprises with five regions mainly the city of
Mombasa, north coast, south coast, Malinda and Lamu each with
unique features and tourism attractions. The region has a rich history
dating back over one thousand years, epitomized by the Vasco d agama
pillar and Fort Jesus. The coast also has diverse culture that has been
influenced by a mixture of Swahili culture, Portuguese culture, and
European culture from Italy, Germany, France and England.
Has a very rich diversity attractions ranging from the friendly people,
white sandy beaches, coral barrier reefs teeming with under water
marine wonders, bird-life, national parks with variety of animals,
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2. fantastic coastal food and drinks, and water sports, crickets, hockey as
well as golf are available in various clubs ,including Nyali Mombasa and
leisure golf club
A number of hotels can make arrangement for a horse ride in the beach.
The ideal time is afternoon when it`s cool. Treks and runs can also be
organized at the Arabuko sokoke forest. The deserted Watamu beach is
also ideal for long distance walk. Cycling is the most common means of
transport in Malinda and Watamu, and is ideal for exploring those
lovely towns.
There are frequent flights to Moi international airport in
Mombasa, and also flight to Malindi and Lamu. Mombasa is
connected to Nairobi by a major highways as well as good roads
to Malindi, Lamu and Tanzania. Regular day and overnight
passengers’ buses serve the town. In addition, there is overnight
passenger train service between Mombasa and Nairobi. Locally
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3. there is reliable public transport system, including matatus
(mini buses) and taxis
The Kenyan coast, particularly the beaches, has several good
hotels that suits a wide variety of tastes, ranging from private
villas to 5 stars hotels, the sunrise resort, Mnarani clubs e.t.c
Within Mombasa Island is a number of interesting tourist
attractions. The Turks on Moi Avenue commemorate the visit of
Queen Elizabeth II to the town in 1952 and make a lovely
backdrop for photographs. Close by is the Mombasa old town
with interesting architecture art and curios
Fort Jesus is the island premier lure built by Portuguese in 1593
and overlooking Indian Ocean. it was designed by Italian
architect named Jao Batisto Cairato, and has been variously
occupied by the Portuguese and Omani Arabs before the
Kenyan government first used it as prison soon after
independence. In 1962 the government opened Fort Jesus as a
museum after declaring it historical monument.
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4. The makupa market off Mwembe tayari is Mombasa’s largest
market, a colorful place featuring a wide range of produce
The Mombasa marine Reserves are very popular for snorkeling
and diving and viewing the beautiful coral gardens and fish. A
short distance from Mombasa is the beautiful Funzi Island, ideal
for seeing dolphins, birdlife and crocodiles. Among other
attractive places include Mamba village ,Bamburi nature
trail,Mwana mosque, Shimoni caves,gede museum, Jumba la
mtwapa(mansion of the slave),kipepeo butterfly farm,lamu
museum,Amboseli ,Tsavo east and Tsavo west e.t.c
Amboseli national park is Kenya`s most popular and most
sought after photographer`s paradise. There is literally nowhere
else on earth offering such a variety of wildlife attraction
against the background of Kilimanjaro. The major attraction is
the vast herd of Elephants. It has variety of bird life both
domestic and migratory.
Tsavo west national park is renowned as land of lava, spring,
and man-eating lions which preyed on linesmen building the
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5. Kenya-Uganda railway at turn of century. It was location of the
1996 shooting of the movie The Ghost and the Darkness
starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer from the non-fiction
book The man-eaters of Tsavo by Lieutenant Colonel John Henry
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Patterson.
It’s the home for the African elephants. It used to be a classic
hunting ground for the renowned big game hunters such as the
famous Denys Finch Hatton. Spanning the vast plains of Tsavo
and lying within view of Mt, Kilimanjaro, are the Taita and
chyulu hills, a paradise of the elephant heard, plains game,
6. cheetah, and remote Masai villages.
Western Kenya borders Rift valley and Nyanza with Kakamega
being the provincial headquarters. The region is home to the
Abaluyia community. The major activity in the area is
agriculture, with the main cash crops being sugarcane and
maize.
The western region is easily accessible by road from all parts of
Kenya. There is airstrip located 4km from kakamega town. You
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7. can also fly to kisumu or Eldoret airport and drive to any town in
the region
In - Park Accommodation
There is no lodge in the park at the moment.
KWS Self – Catering Accommodation:
o Udo Bandas can accommodate up to 14 pax
o Isukuti Guest House. Camping Facilities
o Various Campsites located in the Park
The legendary weeping stone of maragoli located just outside
kakamega town is connected with many legends and myths.
This is huge rock from which a constant stream of water
cascades, hence its name.
Kakamega Forest is a tropical rain forest situated in
the Western Province, of Kenya, North West of the
capital Nairobi, and near to the border with Uganda. It
is Kenya's only tropical rainforest and is said to be Kenya's last
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8. remnant of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that once
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spanned the continent..
The forest including reserves encloses about 238 square
kilometers, a little less than half of which currently remains as
indigenous forest. The forest is elevated at predominantly
between 1500 m and 1600 m above sea level. In the north of
the Forest is the 4,468 hectares (45 km2; 17 sq mi) Kakamega
National Reserve, given national forest reserve status in
1985. Just to the north is the Kisere Forest Reserve. Throughout
the forest are a series of grassy glades, ranging in size from
about 1 to 50 ha, with a few larger clearings. The origins of the
glades are uncertain. Some are certainly recent clearings, but
others predate recent records. These may have originated from
past human activity such as cattle grazing or may be the result
of herbivore and movements by large mammals such as buffalo
and elephants (both now extirpated from the region). The
glades vary a great deal in structure, some being open grass
and others having a considerable number of trees or shrubs. A
number of streams and small creeks run through the reserve.
9. The larger creeks are usually bordered by a few to tens of
meters of forest on either side which divide the glades, while
the smallest creeks flow through open grasslands, often forming
small marshy patches.
The Kakamega Forest is very wet, with an average of 200 mm –
700 mm of rain per year. Rainfall is heaviest in April and May
("long rains"), with a slightly drier June and a second peak
roughly in August to September ("short rains"). January and
February are the driest months. Temperature is fairly constant
throughout the year, ranging between 20c - 30c.
Flora found in the park include some of Africa's greatest hard
and soft woods: Elgon teak, red and white stinkwood and
several varieties of Croton and Aniageria Altisima. There are
380 recorded species of plants. This includes 60 species of ferns,
150 species of trees and shrubs, and 170 species of flowering
plants including 60 species of orchids with 9 species found only
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10. Page 10
in this forest.
The Forest is famous for its birds, 367 bird species have been
recorded in the forest such as the West African Great Blue
Turaco and Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill. At least 9 birds
are not found anywhere else.
Wildlife that can be seen in the park include Bush
Pig, Duikers, Bushbuck, African Clawless Otter, Mongoose, Giant
African Water Shrew, Squirrels, Tree
Pangolin, Porcupine, Bats and a variety of primates. There are
occasionally leopards, but the last official sighting was in 1991.
Insects are abundant and some are quite spectacular, such
as Goliath beetles, pink and green Flower Mantis, and
numerous colorful butterflies (489 species). Particularly well
represented groups are ants
11. (Formicidae), Lepidopterans, Orthopterans,
and beetles.Gastropods, millipedes and spiders are also
common.
The Flora and Fauna of Kakamega Forest have not been
extensively studied.
The local inhabitants rely on the forest to supply most of their
needs. The region is said to be one of the most densely
populated rural areas in the world, and pressure on the Forest
resources is considerable. The German funded project BIOTA
east has been working in the forest since 2001, whereby firstly
forest inventories for all sorts of life forms were performed and
the aim is to find strategies for a sustainable use of the forest
until 2010
The Southern part of Kakamega forest, Isecheno Forest station
run by the Kenya Forest Service is most accessible to Tourism.
There is the well known Mama Mtere tree; a historic tree and
the most photographed tree in Kakamega forest, there are
also strangler fig trees.
There are hiking trails in the forest that allow for Forest
Walking, Camping, Hiking, Primate Watching, Bird and Butterfly
Watching, Game watching and village walks. The guides can
arrange the tour to visit weeping stone (Crying stone) at Ilesi,
one of Kakamega tourists attraction or Kisere forest to see the
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12. De-brazes monkey in the North of Kakamega forest. Also Bird
watching, morning 6:30am- 8:30am is fantastic walk or Evening
4:30pm- 6:30pm. The guides will take care of your interest in
Kakamega rainforest even educational groups, Family groups or
individual visiting the forest to enjoy the Biodiversity of the
rainforest. Visitors who like to see Bull fighting, Guides will also
arrange in Shibuye or Khayega as per the community
arrangements of the bull fighting team. Evening, the
community can entertain the tourists, plying the traditional
dance (Isukuti Dance) as per Luyhia culture and Tel you stories
(Story Telling) about the forest, animals, initially life how people
use to stay with Nature and the history.
Mt, Elgon national park is the second highest mountain in
Kenya which is also situated in this region. Entry in this park is
by any of 4 gates namely,chorlim, kassawai, kiptogot and
kimothon
Festivals and events like the circumcision ceremonies in luhya
communities take place in the month of August and December
singing and dance. There is also annual bull fighting festival in
which trained bulls are encouraged to engage in very combats,
cheered on by enthusiastic crowds.
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Bird watching: Over 300 bird species,
13. Butterfly watching: over 400 species of butterflies
Massive Trees, Scenic Spots and Waterfalls: Over 350
species of trees, the forest holds mostly indigenous
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vegetation.
Snakes: 27 species of snakes, ,
Primates Watching: Home to Debrazza monkey and other
primates.
Wildlife: Bush Pig, Duikers, Bushbuck, Clawless Otter,
Mongoose, Giant Water Shrew, Squirrels, Tree Pangolin,
Porcupine, Bats and Primates.
Birds: 330 species of which some are found nowhere else in
the country. The common one being the Blue turaco.
14. Nyanza is the home to Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest
freshwater lake, located in the south-western of Kenya
bordering Uganda, The provincial capital of Nyanza is Kisumu
city, which are the 3rd largest towns in Kenya. Kisumu was
originally known as port Florence which begins when the
railway from Mombasa reached there in 1901.
The inhabitants of Nyanza are the Luos, Kuria, Gusii and Suba,
these communities have interesting cultures and traditions with
main activity to be fishing and agriculture.
You can get to Nyanza by road and air transport from Nairobi,
Mombasa and other major towns in Kenya. The common dish is
the Ugali and fish and even nyama choma in Kisumu.
Lake Victoria is about the size of Ireland covering an expansive
67850 sq Km and forming a natural boundary of 3 east Africa
countries Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Kenya `s share is the
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15. smallest at about 3785sq km. Lake Victoria is the source of river
Nile and boast sandy beaches and many small islands.
Hippo point just outside kisumu is an exceptional vantage point
for viewing hippo known for beautiful sunset, near Kisumu you
are likely to see plenty of water birds that nest and breed
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between march and July.
Kibuye market is one of the busiest and largest markets in
Kenya, here you can see, breathe and experience the day to day
life of the people of Nyanza.
Ndere island national park is just a short distance from Kit
mikayi. The park is northern shore of lake Victoria and is the
home of lesser sported crocodile, monitor lizard, birds and
water antelope.
A visit to Kit mikayi the famous rock will give you the insight to
the Luo community and the legendary behind it. The rock is
treated sacred place where most denominations go for fasting
16. and prayers, for example the Legion Maria, Nomiya and Roho
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among others.
Rusinga island host the mausoleum of Tom mboya, Kenyan
leader who was assassinated in Nairobi in 1969.There is also a
plan to develop a Mary Leakey archeological site. The island has
also club built on the beach for several activity like fishing,
sightseeing and water skiing. Mfangano and Takawiri Island
have also fishing sites, monitor lizards, wild goats and sheep
Ruma national park, formally known as Lambwe valley national
reserve, established in 1966.you`ll have chance to see roan
antelope and Jackson hartebeest, larger and redder species
which is found in most parks in Kenya.
Thimlich ohinga is a Luo phrase which means ``the dense forest
is frightening me `` the site is located in Migori district next to
Macalder mines. The most attractive here is the dry stones
enclosure that has no mortar, which was built 500 years ago for
security purposes.
17. Jaramogi museum is located at kang`o ka jaramogi in Bondo,
the home of late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga the first vice
president of Kenya. The mausoleum was build above Odinga`s
grave. On display are Odinga`s briefcase, ceremonial hats and
clothes he wore at various stages of his political life.
Kisii town is home to the kisii soapstone. Visit Tabaka where
most of the Kenyan soapstone is extracted and later sit and
enjoy some fresh pineapples and bananas.
Odino falls offers a view of the speeding water that has formed
gullies in the area. One can sample Ondago swamps for birdlife.
There is also Lake Simbi, the salty lake that hosts the
Flamingoes when they migrate from Lake Nakuru.
The grate rift valley is the home of the lions and the cradle of
mankind and home of Masai people, the nine kalenjine tribes
and the Turkana, the oldest tribal society in the world. The
geological phenomenon that is the rift valley, so named by the
Scottish explorer John Walter Gregory, occurred as a result of a
weakened earth crust tore away creating a jagged rift
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18. thousands of kilometers long. It offers picturesque views of
gorges, lakes and volcanic mountains.
Masai Mara national park lies in this region; it was the shooting
location of the film out of Africa and remains the location for
the British Broadcasting Corporation’s big cat daily wildlife
series. Although it’s the resting place of the big five, the main
attraction is the wildebeest migration from Serengeti in
Tanzania to Mara which happens between July and September.
Lake Nakuru national park which is the home of millions of
fuchsia pink flamingos, the fish eating pelicans as well as over
450 other species of birds. It’s also a good location for game
viewing of the black rhino, the lions, the waterbuck and
antelope. It’s also the best places to see the leopards as well as
the endangered Rothschild giraffe.
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19. Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria: Baringo is a fresh water lake
located in the in the semi-desert, a boat trip across the lake
gives you an opportunity to see the birdlife (flamingoes,
resident cormorants, pelicans, black-winged silts including
seasonal ruffs), the crocodile and the hippos. Bogoria gives
the opportunity to marvel at the hot water springs and even
get to boil eggs and maize, the fig tree s around provide shade
away from the scorching sun.
Within mt,longonot national park lies a dormant mt,longonot
rising volcano 2777km above sea level, will have the
opportunity to view mt,longonot volcano and crater, the
Naivasha basin and the splendid view of the rift valley.
You will have the opportunity to see the fossils of the pre-historic
creatures, their tools and hunting weapons in their
undisturbed state in the Olorgesailie prehistoric site. Lake
Naivasha, elementaita, kerio valley, lake turkana, Lake
Magadi and others are the visited site in the area.
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20. Serengeti national park is the largest and the best known of
Tanzania national parks, covering over 14,500 sq kms. This
world famous wildlife sanctuary has the greatest and most
spectacular concentration of game found anywhere in the
world. Serengeti is vast open plains with rocks giving
character to the landscape. In addition to its vast herds of
wildebeest and other plains game, it`s also known for its lion
population, it’s not unusual to see 40 or more lions in a day
and the leopards can be found during the day resting on trees.
During June and July, the spectacular annual migration of the
migration takes place, with the animals moving from their
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21. usual haunt on the central plains on a westward trek into
Masai Mara in Kenya. Serengeti has wealth of birds life with
colorful rollers, bee eaters and sunbirds in plenty, whilst birds
of prey, game birds and waterfowl are well represented.
Ngorongoro crater is one of the most spectacular game haunts
in Africa and one of the biggest craters in the world. The
approach road skirts the rim of the crater affording many of
breathtaking scenic views over the crater floor thousands of
feet below. The big five are found here, Thomson`s gazelle,
spotted hyena, hunting dog and occasional leopard.
Numerous species of birds including verraux`s eagle and
Egyptian vulture.
Lake Manyara national park is 107 Km southwest of Arusha
and is noted for its wealthy wildlife. The lake is visited by
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22. thousands of lesser flamingoes with a sprinkling of larger
species. Over 30 species of preying birds have been recorded
at the park, including palm-nut vultures and Ayres and
crowned hawk eagles.
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There are
Elephants and leopards occur in most places in the park. The
park most attractive features are the tree-climbing lions of
Lake Manyara, which can be spotted on the trees resting to
avoid the dense undergrowth and a search for cool shade.
Tarangire national park is one of the best parks for its good
atmosphere of remoteness and good number of monkeys,
hornbills, pelicans, herons among others. With regard to the
23. abundance of animals, big herds move down from
Ngorongoro, Manyara and surrounding game reserves to
fetch water and food as Tarangire is always full of vegetation.
Mt, Kilimanjaro climbing, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest
mountain in Africa and one of the largest extinct volcanoes
(58,96m).Climbing this wonderful mountain can be in different
routes; Marangu routes, Machame routes and Umbwe route
Marangu route-From Arusha drive to Moshi then on the
marangu park gate, the set of point for your three hours
hike to Mandara hut in which you cover 9 kms. Here we
are at 2,774m above sea level on your first overnight on
Kilimanjaro. From Mandara begin your trek to Horombo
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24. hut at an average hiking time of 8hours, enroute. In
clear weather Mawenzi and Kibo peak can be seen.
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Dinner
and overnight at the hut, 3,761m. After breakfast, hike
13km to Kibo hut, 4,732m above sea level in an average
hiking time of 6 hours. You will now encounter
spectacular mountain vegetation like Lobelia, giant
cactus and groundsel. Wake up early for a pre-down
attempt of the summit. It takes 5 hours to Gilman’s
point 5,681 m above sea level. From Gilman it takes 1
hour to summit Uhuru peak, the highest point in Africa
at 5,896 m above sea level.
Machame route-An early start for Kilimanjaro national
park once you reach the park gate proceeds directly to
Machame hut campsite in average hiking time of 6
hours for meals and overnight in tents. The altitude here
is 3,100m.In the morning hike to Shira hut. The trek
takes 4 hours via the rain forest past the valley and a
25. steep rocky ridge ending westward at a river gorge.
Overnight at shira hut campsite, 3,658m above sea
level. From shira hike to Barranco hut in average hiking
time of 6 hours. we by-pass the lava tower and pass the
second junction which brings us to the arrow glacier,
attitude 4,876m.Descend to Barranco hut for the
overnight on Kilimanjaro,3,860m above sea level. After
breakfast leave Barranco for Barafu, continue to the
Karanga valley and the junction, which connect with the
Mweka trail. hike to Barafu hut where you set up a
camp, you would have walked for about 8 hours, Dinner
and overnight at the hut campsite, altitude 4,600m with
the possibility of seeing both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Rise early and head for Stella point altitude 5,745m on
your way to the summit Uhuru peak that is 5,896m
above sea level, this part of hike takes about 6 hours.
You then descend to Mweka hut 3,100m above sea level
for overnight, this part of descend takes about 15 hours.
Umbwe route-Transfer to Marangu gate and then to
Umbwe village to start the climbing. Climb for 4 hours
through the forest to camp at the caves 2,800 m above
the sea level. After breakfast continue to ascend a long
sharp ridge, giving a distinct high mountain feeling.
Then onto the Moorland camp and arrive in the mid
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26. afternoon and stay at the Barranco hut 3,900 m.4 hours
walk past enormous breach wall to camp at the foot of
the arrow glacier, leisurely afternoon and the evening
,acclimatizing at around 4,900 m and watching the
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beautiful sight of
sunset behind mt,Meru. Climbing the same steep walls
and scrambling up the screen and across the frozen lava
on the tottering wall, camp on the stunning crater rim of
Kilimanjaro. Trek up the highest point in Africa, the
Uhuru peak(5,896m).Descend via Gilman’s point and
onto kibo hut for dinner and overnight(3,761m)
Olduvai Gorge is a pre-historic site where the remains of
the early Mans ancestor Zinjanthropus are found and the
Masai home on the way. It was discovered by Leakey the
fossil fragments of the skull. The gorge itself isn’t a great
interest unless you are archeologically inclined. There is a
27. small museum in the site which is only 10 to 15 minutes
drive from the main road between Serengeti and
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Ngorongoro crater.