Kenya is situated in East Africa from latitude 4 North to 4 South, longitudes 34 East and 41 East. The country is bisected from North to South by the Great Rift Valley and from East to West by the Equator.

The Kenyan landscape covers a great range of terrain stretching from the sea level to at the coast up to 5199m on the snow capped peak of Mount Kenya. This is one of the most geographically diverse countries on earth, with vast expanses of savannah, highland ranges, equatorial rainforests, extinct volcanoes, a series of fresh water and soda lakes, alpine glaciers, arid deserts and tropical beaches, all within the borders of a single country.

The great diversity of habitat is equaled by a remarkable variety of flora and fauna. These include large grazing herds of wildebeests, zebra and gazelle, large mammals such as elephants, buffalo and rhinoceros, and a range of predators including lion, leopard and cheetah. Kenya’s world famous wildlife is protected in 48 national parks, reserves and marine parks, as well as many private sanctuaries and game ranches.

Kenya’s fascinating cultural history stretches back over 4.5 million years, with some of the earliest know evidence of early man uncovered on the shores of Lake Turkana. Over 42 individual cultures now call Kenya home, including a wide range of nomadic and sedentary tribal groups. The Kenyan coast has long been a centre for trade, and the blend of African and Arab cultures created its own unique culture the Swahili. From the 16th century the island city of Mombasa became the centre of a 400 year battle between Arab and Portuguese forces for control of the coastline. At the end of the 19th century Kenya was settled by the British, who built a railway 1000 kms into the wilderness from the coast to the waters of Lake Victoria. Completed in 1901, the railway was an epic undertaking. It became a lifeline, bringing the new capital Nairobi and lakeside port of Kisumu to life.

Kenya became an independent republic in 1963. Today this is a peaceful, magical destination offering the visitor an unparalleled variety of travel options. No other country on earth can offer the visitor as much as Kenya can.

Nairobi National Park
One of Kenya's original National Parks established in 1948, it features 117 sq kms of pristine savannah and yet is only 8 kms from the city centre. Large populations of Giraffe, Wildebeest, Eland and gazelle dominate the plains. Of the big five only the Elephant has not been spotted. Prides of Lions appear at the entrance to Mbagathi Gorge. This park, so convenient to the Business traveler also offers the spectacle of a Nairobi silhouette on the near horizon. Bounded by the Athi River to the south with its Hippo pools, here there are two animal orphanages including Daphne Sheldrick's Home for Orphaned Elephants and Rhinos. Tsavo National Parks: At 20,807 square kilometres, Tsavo is larger than Wales and Jamaica. The Park lies midway between Nairobi and Mombasa. Its red earth characterises its rivers and Elephants. A safari here will turn your hair red! The Chyulu Hills feed Mzima Springs with 20 million litres of crystal clear water daily. A remarkable oasis supporting Hippo, Crocs, Gazelle, Zebra, Giraffe and thick Acacia forests filled with chattering Birds and Monkeys. Outstanding vantage points include Ngulia Escarpment and Voi out in the east. The Chyulu Hills out west, and the outstanding lava flows/ cones as at Shetani (near Kilaguni Lodge) are a fascination unequalled to many geologists. ACCOMMODATION: Salt Lick/Taita Hills Ngulia Safari Lodge Finch Hatton Camp Voi Safari Lodge Lake Jipe Lodge
Voi Wildlife Lodge
Galdessa Camp
Ol Donyo Wuas
Campi Ya Kanzi
Voyager Safari Camp
Patterson’s Camp
Kilalinda
Satao Camp
Severin Safari Camp
Kilaguni Serena Lodge Tarhi Camp
Ngutuni Lodge
Tsavo Lodge
Ndololo Safari Camp
Lion Rock
Ngulia Safari Camp
Amboseli National Park One of the most popular National Parks right on the Tanzanian border, offering a unique spectacle - the backdrop is snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. Location: 165 kms S.E. of Nairobi and encompassing 392 sq kms, the park is entered from the North via Namanga. You can expect to see a proliferation of Giraffe and Elephant. The 56 species here includes Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Lion, Cheetah, Rhino, Zebra, Wildebeest and Grant's gazelle. With a seasonal lake that attracts Flamingo, birdlife spotted in this region includes the Taveta Golden Weaver and the Malachite Kingfisher. ACCOMMODATION: Amboseli Lodge Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Porini Camp
Ol Kanjau
Kibo Safari Camp
Amboseli Serena Lodge Kilimanjaro Safari Lodge Ol Tukai Lodge Tortilis Tented Camp Masai Mara Game Reserve The Mara's gentle fertile climate bounded by The Rift, offers perhaps the richest stocked reserve set within some 1672 sq kms - an unlimited spectacle of wildlife. Location: 268 kms west of Nairobi, the emphasis here is on game. Herds of immense Elephants, browse among Lion, Buffalo, Thompson's Gazelle, Zebra and Topi. You may occasionally sight a Rhino or Leopard. In the Mara River Hippos play and Crocodiles bask on the banks. The annual migration of a million Wildebeest follows the rains north.
ACCOMMODATION: Governor's Camps (Main, Little, Il Moran) Kichwa Tembo Camp
Bateleur Camp Mara Intrepids Club
Mara Explorer
Sala’s Camp
Saruni Camp
Offbeat Mara Camp
Olonana Camp
Kicheche Mara Camp
Ol Seki Mara Camp
Rekero Camp
Cottar’s 1920
Richards Camp
Elephant Pepper Camp
Ilkeliani
Fig Tree Camp
Mara Siria
Mpata Safari Club
Shompole Mara Camp (Naibor Camp)
Mara Serena Lodge Mara Sarova Camp Mara Simba Lodge Mara Sopa Lodge Mara Safari Club Keekorok Lodge Siana Springs Intrepids
Mara Hippo Tented Camp
Sekenani Camp
Mara Springs Safari Camp

Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba Game Reserves
A getaway delight for the connoisseur who may well chance upon a Leopard. Dramatically hot under the harsh equatorial sun, watered by the Ewaso Nyiro River, rich in huge Nile Crocodile & Hippo, Samburu is some 340 Kms North of Nairobi and set within the lands of the colourful Samburu Pastoralists. The reserve contains rarely found species including Reticulated Giraffe, Blue legged Somali Ostrich, Grevys Zebra and the long-necked Gerenuk (Antelope Giraffe). Within Shaba we have the sharp contrast of riverine forest around the four springs within its rugged wilderness. ACCOMMODATION: Samburu Serena Lodge Shaba Sarova Lodge Samburu Game Lodge Samburu Sopa Lodge
Larsens Camp Samburu Intrepids Club Joys Camp
Mount Kenya National Park Aquafresh mountain air, the glorious views, peace and tranquility. This, the country's highest mountain sits astride the Equator. This National Park skirts the 10,500 feet contour and encompasses three principal zones upwards. First, bamboo jungle and thick mountain forests dress the vast gentle slopes; then the alpine zone with its giant vegetation, including the Giant Groundsel, towering some 18 feet in height. Finally the rock peaks perpetually clad in glaciers and snowfields. Game is best spotted below the park boundary in and around the forest from the Mountain Lodge. ACCOMMODATION: Sweetwaters Tented Camp Ol Pejeta Ranch House
Mount Kenya Safari Club Naro Moru River Lodge Mountain Lodge Mountain Rock Bantu Lodge
Aberdare National Park In this range of mountains everything is on a grand scale. The highest is 13,120 feet. Mutant Alpine plants include the 18 feet high Seneccio - flowering only once in 20 years! Huge trees cover the lower foothills. This fairyland of awesome majesty and beauty - a unique ecosystem is fuelled by the perpetual and sometimes heavy rains. Teeming with fish, crystal clear streams feed icy rivers which plunge in glorious waterfalls, the grandest acquiring its name from Thompson who explored the area in 1883. At its east lies The Ark and Treetops on the Elephant migration trek to Mount Kenya. You may also see Rhino. ACCOMMODATION: The Ark Outspan Hotel Treetops Lodge Aberdare Country Club
Lake Nakuru National Park Nakuru and nearby (about 12km) Elementaita, playing host also to Cormorants, Pelicans, Black Winged Stilts, Avocets and in winter a mass of Ruffs. Just north is the Menengai Crater (85 sq. km). This protected habitat also supports a few Lion and Buffalo. Forest game includes an occasional Leopard or Black Rhino.

Close by is Lake Elementaita.

ACCOMMODATION:
Lake Nakuru Lodge
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Flamingo Hill Camp
Lake Elementaita Lodge

Meru
Best remembered as the setting where Elsa, Joy Adamson’s lioness was returned to the wild, Meru provides a stunning combination of diverse habitats, on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya, that remain an unspoilt wilderness. Dense riverine forests attract Leopard, and a full complement of ‘the big five’ including Black Rhino, in a dramatic setting adorned with doum palms. Over 300 species of birdlife have also been recorded. Wooded thornbush and grasslands in volcanic rock, give way to open red soil grasslands over in the east. Highlights include Mulika Swamp and the noisy Adamson’s Falls where the Rojweru & Tana rivers converge.

ACCOMMODATION:
Leopard Rock Lodge
Elsa’s Kopje
Offbeat Meru Camp

Mwaluganje
Just north-west of Shimba Hills lies Mwaluganje, watered by the Manolo River, a favourite haunt of big tusker male Elephants, and where they take their entertaining mud baths. The area with its surrounding thick forest became a reserve to open up a connecting corridor for the elephant trek south en-route to Shimba Hills. The conservation area is recognised for its role in the development of young independent male Elephants for their demanding life ahead. The terrain is diverse, riverine forest gives way to deciduous woodlands and dry baobab bushland, here the rare Sokoke Scops Owl can be sighted.

ACCOMMODATION:
Mwaluganje Elephant Camp

Shimba Hills
This relatively compact game sanctuary of 192 sq kms is just 30 kms from Mombasa and comprises rainforest, which opens out into gentle hills, rolling savannah and riverine forest. Sea breezes maintain a cool climate. Here Elephants can be seen trailing their young, the graceful Giraffe, numerous species of Antelope and on occasion the proud and magnificent Lion.

ACCOMMODATION:
Shimba Hills Lodge
Mukurumuji Tented Camp

Lake Bogoria
Bogoria really is untamed beauty - a co-ordinated sea of blue and vivid pink, set dramatically at the foot of Laikipia Escarpment - right in the sweltering deserts north of Nakuru, at an altitude above 1,000m. Apart from its superb geographic location, outstanding features include its famous geasers - spectacular displays of super-heated water, bubbling up out of its natural underground rock cauldrons, and its shoreline which plays host to countless thousands of flocks of shocking pink flamingoes. The surrounding national park is also the perfect habitat to an unusual handsome antelope - herds of Greater Kudu.

ACCOMMODATION:
Lake Bogoria Spa Resort

Lake Naivasha
The highest and purest of the Great Rift’s Lakes, this shimmering pearl, is best appreciated whilst en-route, before descending the Rift’s eastern escarpment. It sits in the shadow of volcanic cones, Mounts Longonot and Suswa and is immense - being almost 13 kms in length and covering some 110 sq km. During the 30’s and 40’s the Lake and it’s hotel were an early ‘Nairobi BOAC airbase’ for the flying boats. Today upwards of 500 species can be appreciated in the serenity of this lake with take-offs rather more glorious. Along its shoreline are Waterbuck, Gazelle and Hippo. The deepest part of the lake is framed by Crescent Island, a game sanctuary.

ACCOMMODATION:
Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge
Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Lake Naivasha Country Club
Great Rift Valley Lodge
Loldia House
Crater Lake Camp
Hippo Point
Longonot Ranch House
Olerai House
Chui Lodge
Kiangazi House

Lake Baringo
Of all the lakes in the Great Rift only two are freshwater and Baringo’s climate - being furthest north, is extremely hot and arid. But for the ornithologists, Baringo is a dream come true - with perhaps the highest tally of species sighted in Kenya. Included is Verreaux’s Eagle, the rare Bristle-crowned Starling and Hemprich’s Hornbill, but the list is too numerous to do it justice here. The central island is also home to the largest nesting colony of Goliath Herons in East Africa.

ACCOMMODATION:
Lake Baringo Lodge
Soi Safari Lodge
Island Camp
Samatian Island

Lake Turkana
Known alternatively as the Jade Sea, the blue-green waters of this enormous 185 mile long soda lake support huge numbers of giant Nile Perch, the ferocious Tiger Fish, and the largest community of Nile Crocodiles - around 12,000 on Central Island. Over 350 species of birdlife have been sighted and include numbers of Flamingo and Pelican. From its eastern shores the grassy plains of Sibiloi National Park support Zebra, Gazelle, Topi, Oryx and Hartebeest. Lion and Cheetah are also found here. Higher ground provides sanctuary for Elephant and Greater Kudu. Close by is Leakey’s palaeontological site and a museum displaying the remains of pre-historic Elephants. To the south east lies Mount Kulal (2,164m). Here knife edge lava wastes and petrified forests have preserved fossils discovered by Leakey which show that this barren wind blown wasteland, was once meadow and woodlands. Turkana is home to some of the most venomous reptiles: Cobras, Puff Adders and Saw Scaled Vipers.

ACCOMMODATION:
Lake Turkana Fishing Lodge
Eliye Springs Lodge
Lake Turkana El Molo Lodge
El Molo Camp
Oasis Lodge

Lake Victoria
Olambwe Valley Game Reserve skirts the eastern end of Lake Victoria at Homa Bay. This reserve of just 194 sq km comprising rolling savannah and open woodland was created to preserve the Roan Antelope. Other mammals include Jackson’s Hartebeest and Oribi. Some rare bird species also frequent the area.

TANZANIA

Tanzania is situated in East Africa from latitude 1 South to 11 South of the Equator. Covering over 937,000 sq kms it borders Kenya and Uganda in the north; Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi in the west and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique in the South.

Tanzania is made up of mainland Tanganyika and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia which occupy over 2600 sq kms in the Indian Ocean. The mainland has a coastline of over 800 kms of beaches, most of them palm-fringed. The topography ranges from 5895 m at the peak of Africa’s highest mountain to the depth within the Great Rift Valley of Lake Tanganyika, 772 m deep, the worlds second deepest lake.

The country roles from forested mountains in the north and south through the great central plateau of rich brown savanna grass and bush, down to the tropical coastline.

The history of Tanzania goes back over one and half million years ago. At Ol Duvai gorge the remains of the earliest known mankind were discovered here in 1959 by Dr Louis Leakey. Likewise, relics of long extinct birds and animals have also been uncovered. Excavations have also revealed roman coins and Chinese pottery. Between the 11th and 16th century, there was also a considerable development along the coast, during which time the Kiswahili language evolved, being a derivative of African, Persian and Arab languages.

Zanzibar was once the trading centre for the whole of East Africa as well as the source for the slave trade. In the early 19th century, the sultan of Oman introduced clove plantations for which Zanzibar is still famous today.

In 1890, the coastal region was acquired by Germans after payment of pounds 200,000.00 to the Sultan of Zanzibar. The mainland territory then became a German protectorate and Zanzibar became a British protectorate. The Germans were replaced at the end of the First World War by the British who received a mandate over most of the German East Africa and rename it Tanganyika.

Tanganyika attained independence on 9th December 1961 and a year later the country became a republic within the commonwealth. Zanzibar became independent on 11th December 1963, but only a month later a popular movement deposed the sultan and brought into being republic. On April 26th 1964 the two sovereign states united to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar and on October 29th 1964 it became the United Republic of Tanzania.

Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa’s highest mountain stands a proud 5,895m and is surrounded by a national park of 756 sq km. All routes lead to the summit circuit and twin peaks Kibo and Mawenzi (5,149 m), which are connected by an 11 km saddle. The collapsed peak Shira (3,962m) has become a crater. Many attempt the climb but only 20-50% complete the top.

Arusha
Located 25 km east of the town - included in the National Park are the Momella Lakes (1,524m) and Mount Meru (4,572m) - hence Arusha offers a variety of landscapes and ecosystems including dense forests. The visitor can expect to see Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Hippo and an assortment of ‘Buck’; Water, Reed and Bush Buck. Arusha claims the highest proliferation of Giraffes in the world. The 3 day hike around Mount Meru is popular with overnights at two mountain huts.

ACCOMMODATION:
Hatari Lodge
Momella Wildlife Lodge

Serengeti National Park
The ‘endless plains’, named Siringet by the wandering Masai, is a fitting title for these 114,763 sq km, that support 3 million mammals, upwards of 2 million of whom annually migrate in concentrated herds north across the Mara River. This ‘the last great spectacle of nature’ has a cast that includes around 1.3M Wildebeest, 300,000 Thompson’s Gazelle and 200,000 Zebra. It begins in June with the return leg in October/November. The Serengeti centers on acacia savannah, with dry grasslands to the south, a western corridor of wooded highland that fronts Lake Victoria and north, the wooded grasslands along the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. Around 3,000 Lion and upwards of 500 Cheetah inhabit these enormous sanctuary.

ACCOMMODATION:
Kirawira Tented Camp
Grumeti River Camp
Kleins Camp
Lobo Wildlife Lodge
Seronera Wildlife Lodge
Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Kusini Camp
Migration Camp
Serengeti Tented Camp
Mbalageti Camp

Ngorongoro Crater Area
Ngorongoro lies just 60 kms NW of Lake Manyara, 190 km W of Arusha and 145 km SE of The Serengeti. At the heart of this huge and diverse conservation area (8,288 sq km) lies the incomparable crater, once a young volcano that eventually collapsed leaving a perfect caldera 18 kms across and 1 km deep - the largest in the world. At the craters edge is a fantastic panorama. You enter by descending the thickly wooded rim, a mixture of Strangler Fig, Red Thorn Acacias and Ruby Vines, attracting a variety of birdlife, on to the crater floor with its prominent soda lake, Magadi. The stage is set which includes Seneto Springs, Gorigor Swamps, Lerai Forest and the Gol Mountains. This microcosm supports some 30,000 large mammals, including Plains Game, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo. Clambering in the trees are, Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys and Bushbabies. Ol Duvai is famed for its fossil finds - about 150 species of prehistoric mammals including the Leakey’s discovery of 400 fragments of a skull. Discovery here began by accident back in 1911. A small museum displays a number of copies of the finds. Ol Duvai gains its name from the Masai word for the wild sisal that is prolific here.

ACCOMMODATION:
Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Ngorongoro Farm House
Gibbs Farm
Ndutu Safari Lodge

Lake Manyara National Park
Close to Tarangire, 130 km W of Arusha, Manyara offers 325 sq km of incredible beauty set in diverse terrain, which includes open grasslands, forests and the dominant red western rift escarpment that provides a stunning backdrop to the Lake itself. In Manyara can be found resident Baboons, also Elephants, Hippo and ‘Plains Game’. This wonderland includes something unique; tree climbing Lions. The lake attracts migratory Flamingoes and over 300 different species of birdlife.

ACCOMMODATION:
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Lake Manyara Hotel
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Kirurumu Camp
E Unoto Retreat

Tarangire National Park
Part of a far larger migratory ecosystem (that includes Lake Manyara) and dependant on the Tarangire River that flows through its centre, this National Park covers an area of 2,600 sq km and is about 120 km from Arusha. Larger mammals vacate Tarangire in a mass exodus during the annual October and April rains, so the park is best visited once the grasses dry up, from July to September and the river is again in demand. A truly diverse species of birdlife - numbering in excess of 300 have been observed. With an altitude of 1,110m, terrain consists of woodland, marked by several hills, the grasslands of Kitibong and Gursi littered with Acacia trees and the Larmakau ‘Hippo’ swamp to the South. Giraffe, Elephant, Buffalo, Wildebeest, Zebra, Gazelles and Ostrich are all found here along with the occasional Rhino and Leopard. There are freshwater pools at Mkungunero. Be careful of the Tsetse Fly - endemic to the region.

ACCOMMODATION:
Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Tarangire Treetops
Swala Camp
Tarangire Safari Lodge
Naitolia Camp
Tarangire River Camp
Oliver’s Camp
Tamarind Camp

Selous Game Reserve
At twice the size of Denmark, Selous (55,000 sq km) is the second largest ‘park’ in the world, said to be home to over one million mammals. Of this vast wilderness only the Beho Beho region, north of the Rufiji River is open to tourists. The best time is July-October, though precaution needs to be taken since the area is infected with the Tsetse. However Selous was always renown for its large numbers of Elephant and Rhino, which declined drastically in the 1980’s as a result of poaching, yet now herds of Elephants are again on the increase. Some 400 species of birdlife have been recorded including the elusive Eleonora’s Falcon. The real showpiece of the park has to be the Rufiji which flows through its heart and offers (time and again) the spectacle of large numbers of Hippo’s galavanting about, whilst Crocodiles bask like discarded rough boulders on its banks. The Rufiji and its dependants create the largest river catchment in East Africa. Highlights include Stiegler’s Gorge about 100m high, providing a dramatic river bottleneck and, 20 km downstream the 5 swampy Lakes that this river system feeds before leaving the reserve. Here a variety of ‘Plains Game’ including the rare Sable Antelope, Greater Kudu and Waterbuck refresh themselves. Hot Sulphur Springs bubble up at Maji Moto, near Beho Beho - some just cool enough to swim in! Walking safaris are organized in this reserve, but expect the wildlife to be shy. Hunting Dog, Spotted Hyena, Lion and Leopard have been sighted along with Buffalo and Elephant.

ACCOMMODATION:
Rufiji River Camp
Selous Impala Camp
Sand Rivers

Ruaha National Park
Remote Ruaha, covering some 12,950 sq km, 625 kms from Dar es Salaam, derives its name from the mighty Ruaha river that forms part of its South-eastern boundary. Ruaha can only be visited in the dry season July-December. The park’s altitude (750m - 1,900m) creates four different flora zones: river valleys, savannahs, miombo woodland and undulating bush country. Over 400 species of birdlife have been sighted and its proliferation of large mammals includes Elephant, Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, numerous ‘Plains Game’ Antelope, the occasional Leopard and Cheetah. The river is rich in Hippo and Crocodile. Since the only lodge is unfenced, game roams freely there at night.

ACCOMMODATION:
Ruaha River Camp
Mdonya Old River Camp
Mwagusi Safari Camp
Jongomero Camp