Kenya Information
Kenya lies astride the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. It is a medium-sized country by continental standards, covering an area of about 586,600km sq. Inland water bodies cover some 10,700km sq, the bulk of this in Lakes Victoria and Turkana.
The country is bordered by Somalia and the Indian Ocean to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west and Tanzania to the south. The coastline, about 550km long, faces the Indian Ocean.
Kenya has tremendous topographical diversity, including glaciated mountains with snow-capped peaks, the Rift Valley with its scarps and volcanoes, ancient granitic hills, flat desert landscapes and coral reefs and islets.
Kenya is generally a dry country; over75% of its area is classed as arid of semi-arid with only around 20% being viable for agriculture. Inland, rainfall and temperatures are closely related to altitude changes, with variations induced by local topography. Generally the climate is warm and humid at the coast, cool and humid in the central highlands, and hot and dry in the north and east.
Kenya is the home of the safari.
Few places provide the extraordinary opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat. East Africa's reputation as the quintessential safari destination is well deserved. This is a region of dramatic contrasts and extraordinary wildlife on display in uncrowded landscapes of great beauty and variety. It hard to rival the range travel choices Kenya offers from scenic tours to cultural immersion; From lounging on pristine beach to adventure travel.
Indeed the very word safari was invented in Kenya where in Kiswahili it means "journey." The boundless wilderness and big game of this region has long attracted adventure seekers from all over the globe. Few countries even come close to range of landscapes, unique geographical features and species you'll find in Kenya. Ask National Geographic.
This great range of natural habitats means that there is plenty to explore, and plenty of species to encounter. This is a land of endless potential for the wildlife enthusiast. From great migratory herds of the open savannah to an incredible abundance of birdlife, from the depths of a tropical rainforest to the depths of the Indian Ocean teeming with fish, this is a world of natural wonders.
A safari into the wilds of Kenya is a journey into nature at its purest. Everywhere you look there is a profusion of life…
Kenya has 59 national parks and game reserves including the world's greatest wildlife spectacle, the annual wildebeest migration to the Maasai Mara.
In Kenya you'll find 42 timeless cultures, many in villages unchanged by the modern world
In addition Kenya has a 300-mile Indian Ocean coastline of pristine beaches, warm, turquoise waters and protective coral reefs?
All this can be taken in by trekking or on a camelback or horseback, perhaps a hot air balloon, a boat or biking up a mountain.
They are over 38 golf courses, many of championship quality. Don't be surprised if you have to wait for wildlife to cross your next hole in Kenya.
Kenya's most popular tourist destinations :
Tsavo East National Park
National Park - 11,747 sq km - Managed by Kenya Wildlife Service
Tsavo-East is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest National Parks: covering approx. 40 per cent of the total area of all Kenya’s National Parks. Its beautiful landscape and proximity to the coast make it a popular safari destination. It is accredited as one of the world’s leading biodiversity strongholds, bushy grassland and open plains alternate with semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands. Green swathes cross the park where the river banks give raise to lush vegetation. North of Galana is a true wilderness. A number of leading tour guides offer private safaris across this area, camel safaris are a feature.
Tsavo-East is recommended for photographers with its fabulous light and unbelievable views, in particular the Mudanda Rock and the Yatta Plateau, the world’s largest lava flow. Lugard Fall on the Galana River are remarkable for the shaped water-worn rocks.
Game includes: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk and zebra and Hunter’s Hartebeest can be seen with its lyre-shaped horns. Home to some of the largest herds in Kenya, the elephants glow red after dust baths, blowing the vivid red dust through their trunks over their bodies.
Some 500 bird species have been recorded in the area, including ostrich and some migratory kestrels, while buzzards stop at Tsavo-East during their long flight south.
Tsavo West National Park
National Park - 9,065 sq km - Managed by Kenya Wildlife Service
“Full of wild beasts, such as rhinoceros, buffaloes and elephants” from a missionary’s diary written in 1849.
Later in 1900 the notorious “Man Eaters of Tsavo” man-eating lions preyed on the railway linesman building the great Uganda Railway in 1900. The carriage from which they pulled a traveller is on display in Nairobi Railway Museum. Tsavo-West has important historic connections as a major battleground in World War I where British and Germany troops battled for supremacy
The park is easy to reach, located off the main Nairobi-Mombasa road. It offers tremendous views with diverse habitats ranging from mountains, river forest, plains, lakes and wooded grassland. Its plains border with Tanzania. Game includes: leopard, cheetah, buffalo, black rhino, elephant, giraffe, lesser kudu, waterbuck, eland, gerenuk, impala, zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile and small mammals including mongoose, hyrax, dik dik and the nocturnal porcupine.
Birdlife is legion and the visitor is constantly meeting with new species. One of the most conspicuous is the white-headed buffalo weaver, brownish-black and white with a vivid red rump when it flies. Starlings are numerous including the rare but duller Fischer's starling, hornbills are also prevalent. Birds of prey include, bustards, sunbirds and weaver-birds are well represented. Hole nesting birds include parrots, barbets and rollers.
It is an excellent park for visitors who enjoy walking, offering a number of nature trails and the opportunity to explore the Chaimu volcanic crater and guides are available. 
Mzima Springs is a star attraction, a pool of natural spring water with underwater viewing hides for observing hippos.
Mount Kenya National Park
National Park - 715 sq km - Managed by Kenya Wildlife Service
AT 5,199m high, Mt. Kenya is East Africa’s second highest mountain. It offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty.
To the Kikuyu tribespeople it is the home of the Supreme being: Ngai, a name also used by the Maasai and Kamba tribes. In traditional prayers and sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga: Possessor of Brightness. The names comes from Kere Nyaga the Kikuyu name for Mt. Kenya, meaning Mountain of Brightness – Ngai’s official home.
Part of the mountain’s fascination is the variation in flora, including Giant Groundsel and Lobelia, and fauna as the altitude changes. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true montaine (mountain) forest begins at 2,000m is mainly cedar and podo. At 2,500m begins a dense belt of bamboo forest which merges into the upperforest of smaller trees, interspersed with glades. In this area the trees are festooned with high altitude lichen.
These forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least 11 unique species. Game to view includes: Black and White Colobus and Sykes Monkeys, bushbuck, Rock and rock Hyrax, Greater galago, white tailed, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboon, waterbuck, Black Rhino, black fronted duikers, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena. More elusive is the bongo, a rare type of forest antelope.
A number of other rarer species can be found here: Suni Antelope, Mt. Kenya Mole Rat, skinks (lizard), Montane Viper and a variety of owls. Occasional sightings have been recorded of albino zebra.
Birds are not abundant in the forest. But you can find Crowned hawk eagel and the Jackson's francolin. Rarely you can find the Abyssinian long-eared owl.
Birds seen form the lodge include; Green ibis, African black duck, Ayres' hawk eagle, Rufous-breasted and great sparrow hawks, Scaly francolin, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Hartlaubs turaco, red headed parrot, bronze-naped pigeon, Mackinder's eagle owl, Rupells robin chat.
There are two species of giant Lobelias; the narrow, featherly-leafed lobelia telekii and the broad-leafed lobelia keniensis which are a favourite of sunbirds for their half hidden blossoms or the thin shelled snails that make their home there.
Plants also include crocus-like flower; Romuela keniensis, two terrestrial orchids - a Disa and a Habenaria, and an orange flowered gladiolus,Gladiolus Watsonioides.
The high altitude heath at the top (3,000 – 3,5000m) is generally open, dotted with shrubs: African Sage, protea and helichrysum. The peak (above 3,500m) is moorland, with little game other than high altitude zebra and eland, common in the northern moorland.
Masai Mara National Reserve 
National Park - 1.510 sq km - Managed by Local Authorities
The Masai Mara National Reserve is administered by the local county council. It is probably the most famous and most visited reserve in Kenya. It offers breathtaking views (seen in the film ‘Out of Africa’, much of which was filmed here)an extraordinary density of animals including the “Big Five” and many varieties of plains game.
An impressive feature is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains of the Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to reach the Mara’s lush grassland from late June, hunted by the predators: lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and circled by vultures as the journey unfolds. Their dramatic river crossings are a reality for tourists visiting in July – August.
Apart from the seasonal migration, gameviewing is excellent year round. Game includes: elephant, Black Rhino, buffalo, plains zebra, roan antelope in small numbers, white-bearded gnu, Oribi, warthog, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, hartebeest and the big cats; the rivers are home to hippo and crocodiles.
Maasai Mara has the largest population of lion.
Birdlife is as profuse as wildlife.This include red winged schalow's turaco, white-tipped crest, ross turaco, orange buff pel's fishing owl, wary guinea fowl. The open plains birds include Jackson's bustard, black-bellied hartlaubs bustard. 53 species of birds of prey have been recorded. Secretary birds are common.
Amboseli National Park 
National Park - 392 sq km - Managed by Kenya Wildlife Service
Amboseli is famous for its big game - elephants, lions and cheetahs are the main attractions - and for its great scenery beauty.Amboseli embodies five main wildlife habitats, plus a generally dry lake-bed - Lake Amboseli. These are open plains; extensive stands of yellow-barked acacia woodland; rocky, lava strewn thorn-bush country; swamps and marshes; and at the western end of the reserve, above Namanga, the massif of Ol Doinyo Orok rising to over 2,760m (8.300ft) and still for the most part zoologically unexplored.
The landscape is dominated by the glistening majestic snow cap of mount Kilimanjaro immediately to the south.
The park can be reached by two main routes. The first is to Athi river and thence along the main Kajiado - Namanga - Arusha road, turning through the main gate at Namanga to Ol Tukai lodge 75km (47m) on.Distance from Nairobi is 240km (150miles).
The second route is from Nairobi along the Mombasa road past Emali. Branching right and following the main Loitoktok road. Distance from Nairobi is 228km (142miles).
Amboseli is one of the most popular national parks in Kenya.
Main game viewing lies in the eastern half of the park, in the vicinity of Ol Tukai lodge and lakes Engoni Naibor and Loginya. Leading here is a network of roads and tracks. Game includes elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, maasai giraffe and buffalo. Also common game such as zebra, eland, coke's hartebeest, white-bearded Gnu, waterbuck, Thomsons and Grant gazelle and impala. Black rhinos are seen though occasionally as they are rare due to poaching in the mid-1970s.
In the dry bush country towards Namanga you can find two interesting antelopes; the long -necked gerenuk (giraff-necked antelope) and the fringe-eared oryx. In addition are smaller animals such as black faced vervet monkey and yellow baboon, black-backed jackals, spotted hyena and bat-eared foxes which are often seen basking in the sun outside their dens.
Bird life is in abundance especially near the lakes and swamps where you may find water birds. The Madagascar Squacco Heron shows up in intervals and the long toed lapwing is a resident in small numbers. Yellow-throated, chestnut-bellied and black-faced, water in hundreds during the dry season.
Birds of prey include the six species of vultures, the Taita falcon and the Southern branded Harrier eagle.
Birds common around the lodges and camps are the yellow weaver bird, Taveta golden weaver and Superb starling..
Mombasa Marine National Park
National Park - 200 sq km - Managed by Kenya Wildlife Service
Mombasa Marine Reserve was formed first, to protect the previous coralheads and their resident marinelife from damage by over-fishing and trophy collecting (relics, shells, coral etc). Coral species include: branching (acropora), encrusting (turbinaria) and massive (porites). The National Park opened recently with the support of local hoteliers to prevent further stripping of the natural treasures from the reef in order to preserve its ecological and tourist attraction. Beaches with marine park access: Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu.
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