Keekorok Lodge in Masai Mara, Kenya

Keekorok Lodge in Masai Mara, Kenya

Introduction

KEEKOROK LODGE
Keekorok, meaning motley abundance in the local Masai language is situated in the very heart of Kenya' s Masai Mara Game Reserve. The lodge which is the Masai Mara' s first lodge was constructed in 1962 on a choice eighty acre site in an area of permanent springs and lush grassland. There are no fences so it is not uncommon to see elephant and buffalo on the outer perimeter of the lodge.

Lodge Description
Keekorok Lodge is a large lodge comprised of stone built en-suite bungalows with private balconies. There are 89 double rooms, 8 superior rooms and 4 suites. The liberal use of cedar wood, pink and gray sand river stone and other indigenous building materials offset the green lawns and colourful bougainvillea. This lodge is popular for large groups. The dining area opens onto a veranda, allowing guests to dine either inside or out. The Hippo Bar thatched bar overlooks the Masai Mara' s plains and a pool with a resident hippo. The bar is open from 18h00 till 20h00. After nightfall an armed escort must accompany back to the Lounge Bar in the main lounge. The Lounge Bar is open from 06h00 until the last guest retires for the night. The swimming pool is located in an enclosed area. The poolside bar serves drinks and snacks between 10h00 and 17h00. A shop is available for personal toiletries and souvenirs.

Game Viewing
Unfenced, the Mara borders the Ngama Hills in the east and the Siria Escarpment in the west. Gazelle, wildebeest and zebra graze in large numbers and where prey is found so are predators. The famous black-maned Mara lions are possibly the stars of the Mara show. In earlier times the Masai were renowned lion killers and it is said that if lions scent approaching Masai on the breeze they move swiftly in the opposite direction. Cheetah, elephant, kongoni, topi, Thompson' s gazelle, waterbuck, hyena and the primates can also be found roaming the Masai Mara. The southern end of the Masai Mara National Reserve is the ideal area to witness the annual Migration of wildebeest and zebra. There is always activity around the waterhole but during the Migration, Keekorok Lodge is enveloped by the swarming mass of animals. One need hardly venture from the ground to view game.

Wildlife Activities
• Custom built four wheel game drives at the following recommended times: 06h30 – 08h30; 09h30 “ 12h30 and 16h30 “ 18h30.
• Their guides are certified by the Kenya Professional Safari Association.
• Daily hot air balloon flights take off at 06h30, dependant on prevailing weather conditions.
• Wildlife films, Masai dancing and bird walks are additional activities offered by Keekorok.

How To Get There
Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions can arrange scheduled 45-minutes flights to the Masai Mara airstrips. By road, it takes 5hrs to get to Keekorok Lodge in Masai Mara from Nairobi

Child Policy
Children are welcome. Special menus and mealtimes are available. Listening service is available to detect wakeful children.

Electricity
220 and 240 voltage electricity is available 24 hours.

Sarova Mara Camp, Sarova Mara Game Camp, Sarova Mara Tented Lodge, Sarova Mara Lodge: Masai Mara, Kenya

Sarova Mara Camp Introduction
Sarova Mara Game Camp is located within the world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. The camp is situated on an elevation astride two streams, with beautiful gardens. The camp boasts an extensive collection of exotic birds and butterflies that have taken up residence in the lush surroundings.

Camp Description
Sarova Mara is a large camp comprising of 75 tents, 20 Club tents, 2 Family tents and 51 Standard tents. All tents are en-suite with permanent shower and w.c. In addition, Club tents have a private balcony, larger bathroom and indoor lounge seating. The Isokon Restaurant offers a wide range of cuisine with special barbeques help by the swimming pool beneath star filled skies. The Oloip Bar which can accommodate 150 people is located on the ground floor. This is where the Masai performers entertain the guests with their cultural dances and music. The camp is popular with large groups.

Game Viewing
The Masai Mara is the finest game reserve in Kenya. All the big game is here, elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and buffalo. Along with the black rhino other commonly spotted animals include zebra, wildebeest, Thomson' s gazelle, eland and Masai giraffe. This is also the only place in Kenya where topi is common. One of the best places to look for game is in the Mara Triangle in the western part of the Masai Mara. Lions are found throughout the park. Cheetah is most often found in the short grass plains while the black rhino are highly concentrated in the Olmisigiyoi region of the centre of the reserve. The southern end of the Masai Mara National Reserve is the ideal area to witness the annual Migration of wildebeest and zebra. There have been over 420 species of bird recorded in the park. Flamingo, pelican and Egyptian geese flock to Amboseli during the green season when the plains turn emerald green. Observation Hill in the south of the park offers impressive 360 degree panaromic views over the park and surrounding mountains. To capture the elephants grazing in the swamps in front of Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need to wake early (before 7am). The elephants can be found in the Ol Tukai and Olokenya swamps.

Wildlife Activities
• Eye opening game drives to view the Big Five
• Bird watching and bush walks
• Romantic hot air balloon safaris
• Soothing massages indoors or under the open skies
• Visit to the Isokon Masai Cultural Village
• Masai boma dinner

How To Get There
Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions does arrange scheduled 45 minute flights to the Masai Mara airstrips and also road transfers which lasts upto 5 hrs.

Child Policy
Children welcome. Babysitting services are available.

Sarova Mara Camp, Sarova Mara Game Camp, Sarova Mara Tented Lodge, Sarova Mara Lodge

Kenya Luxury Safaris: Kenya Camping Tours: African Safari Holiday

Kenya Luxury Safaris & Kenya Camping Tours

Kenya camping safaris
Camping safaris cater for budget travelers, the young (or young at heart) and those who are prepared to put up with a little discomfort to get the authentic bush experience. At the bottom of the price range, youll have to forgo luxuries such as flash toilets, running water and cold drinks, and youll have to chip in to help with chores such as putting up the tents and helping prepare dinner.

Showers are provided at some but not all campsites, although theres usually a tap where you can scrub down with cold water. The price of your safari will include three meals a day cooked by the camp safari chef(s)

There are more comfortable camping options, where there are extra staffs to do all the work, but they cost more. A number of companies have also set up permanent campsite in the Maasai Mara and Samburu National Reserves where you can just drop into the bed at the end of a dusty days drive.

At the top of end of this market are some cvery plush luxury campsites offering hot showers and big permanent tents fitted with mosquito nets, beds and sheets, about as far from real camping as five-star hotels are from youth hostels.

Whatever you pay, youll end up hot, tired and dusty at the end of the day, but youll sleep well, and if youre lucky your traveling companions should be like-minded independent souls with a sense of adventure. Few things can match the thrill of waking up in the middle of the African bush with nothing between you and the animals except a sheet of canvas and the dying embers of last nights fire.

Its not unusual for the elephants or hippos to trundle through the camp at night, or even the occasional lion, and, so far, no-one has been eaten or trampled on-that we know of.

Kenya Lodge & tented camp safaris
If you cant do without luxuries, theres another side to the safari business, a world of luxurious lodges with swimming pools and bars overlooking secluded waterholes, and wonderfully remote tented camps that re-create the way wealthy hunters used to travel around Kenya a century ago. Some of the lodges are beautifully conceived and the locations are to die for, perched high above huge sweeps of savannah or water. holes teeming with African wildlife. Most are set deep within the national parks, so the safari drives offer maximum wildlife viewing time. A lot of the environmental bad habits of the 1980s, leopard baiting for example, are falling out of favour.

In the lodges you can expect rooms with bathrooms or cottages with air conditioning, international cuisine, terrace bar beneath a huge makuti (palm-thatched) canopy with wonderful views, swimming pool, wildlife videos and other entertainments, and plenty of staff on hand to cater for all your requirements.

Almost all lodges have a waterhole, and some have a hidden viewing tunnel that leads right to the waterside. Some also put out salt to tempt animals to visit, a dubious habit which shouldnt really be encouraged.

The luxury tented camps tend to offer semi permanent tents with fitted bathrooms (hot showers come as standard), beds with mosquito nets, proper furniture, fans and gourmet meals served alfresco in the bush. The really exclusive ones are even more luxurious than the lodges, and tend to be very expensive; many of the guests fly in on charter planes, which should give you some impression of the kind of budget we're talking about.

Kenya Luxury Safaris & Kenya Camping Tours: African Safari Holiday

Zanzibar Hotels North East, Zanzibar Beach Holiday, Tanzania

Hotels North East, Zanzibar Beach Holiday, Tanzania

Matemwe Bungalows
Is well established and still tries to be as eco-friendly as possible, yet providing a high standard of comfort for guests. Built of local materials with thatched roofs, the bungalows are set on a rise above the beach.

Location - The Hotel is adjacent to the fishing village of Matemwe some 1.25 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation - The 14 bungalow rooms are built of local material with thatched roofs and each has a verandah overlooking the ocean. The "Suite" rooms, ideal for honeymooners, are a generous size with king-size beds and expansive verandah. All rooms have ceiling fans.

Facilities - The open sided bar/restaurant is the focus for gathering of residents. Meals are good and many of the ingredients are bought from local producers and fisherman from the local village. Kayaks are available to explore inside the reef at low tide. Scuba diving and snorkelling beyond the reef around Mnamba Atoll is arranged with a nearby dive centre.

Between March - July 2005 there will be major developments at Matemwe Bungalows, all rooms will be of a "suite" standard and all will have uninterrupted ocean views; there will be luxury villas and a swimming pool will be built. It will retain its small, exclusive charm.

Matemwe Beach Village
Is a small mid-range hotel set adjacent to an attractive beach. It is well managed by Gail Arneson who has brought a nice touch to the Hotel by improving the furniture and fittings, with large colourful cushions for seating in the central lounge/dining area.

Location - The hotel is about 1 Km south of Matemwe village and relatively easily accessible to Stone Town by tarmac road, the trip taking only 45 minutes.

Accommodation - There are 17 "standard" en-suite rooms some of which are close to the beach, others are set back a little. There are 2 airconditioned room, all others have ceiling fans. The Asali Suite is a treat for honeymooners with extremely spacious accommodation and its own plunge pool. There are 6 new "suite" rooms which are much larger than the standard rooms and also have a roof terrace.

Facilities - There is a central lounge, bar and relaxation area with board games and a small library. The meals are good. One Ocean Dive Centre has a centre at Matemwe Beach for scuba diving and snorkelling. This is one of the closest locations to the famous Mnemba Atoll, one of the best dive sites in the Indian Ocean.

Zanzibar Retreat Hotel
This small beach-side hotel which opened in 2006 faces on to one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted beach on the island.

Location - On the north east coast just 50 minutes from Stone Town on sealed road which makes it one of the more accessible beach hotels. It is close to the fishing village of Matemwe where there is a fish market each morning.

Accommodation - There are just 7 rooms with a configuration of doubles, twin, triples and there are inter-connecting rooms for families. The specifications of the rooms are high, all have airconditioning as well as ceiling fans and mosquito nets, TV connected to a satellite receiver and rare among hotels on Zanzibar there is wireless & LAN reception in rooms. Some rooms have side-on sea views. All rooms have traditional 4 poster Zanzibari beds.

Facilities - There is a good sized swimming pool and one of the bar/restaurants is located adjacent to the pool. There is also an elevated bar/restaurant on the 1st floor level with magnificent views of the beach and ocean. The hotel can arrange scuba diving and snorkelling trips as well as organising a wide range of excursions. A popular excursion is by traditional sailing boat to some of the islands off Zanzibar and includes a beach barbecue with freshly caught fish.

Mapenzi Beach Club
Mapenzi is the only All Inclusive hotel where we book people on Zanzibar. All Inclusive hotels often appeal to families as the quantities of soft drinks, etc consumed by young people is pre-paid so parents are not faced with a bill at the end of the stay.

Location - On the north east coast of the island a little more than an hours drive from Stone Town and the Airport.

Accommodation - The Hotel has 87 rooms, 30 rooms are designated as Sea Front and adjacent to the beach, 27 are Sea View set a little further back and 30 are Garden View Rooms. Whilst the Sea Front Rooms are the premier rooms, their location next to beach means there are many guests milling around. We prefer the Garden Rooms further back and up the hill which are much more private and quiet.

Facilities - There is a restaurant serving buffet breakfasts, lunch and dinner. The Pool Bar and the Beach Bar serve snacks and drinks. There is a tennis court and the watersports centre provides scuba diving and has a range of equipment including windsurfers, canoes and snorkelling equipment. There is entertainment most evenings and there is a disco.

Ocean Paradise Beach Resort
Even though Ocean Paradise is one of the largest hotels on Zanzibar with 92 rooms, the architecture and buildings are in keeping with Zanzibar and Africa, much of hotel complex being designed to replicate a Masai village. Ocean Paradise, as one would expect from a top of the range resort style hotel, offers extreme comfort, an excellent range of facilities and services, yet all delivered in a welcoming and non-intrusive way.

Location - Ocean Paradise is on the north east coast approximately 1 hours drive from Stone Town and the Airport. At the moment the last part of the drive is along a rough road, though we hope the road will be improved sometime in 2005.

Accommodation - The rooms, some in individual rondavels, some in bungalows with 2 rooms and others in 2 storey buildings set above the main gardens are all circular and furnished to a high standard; they have a minibar (with drinks, surprisingly at the same price as the bar), TV with 19 channels, direct dial telephone, separate dressing area and spacious toilet and shower area. Each room has a private balcony, many with sea views and some with garden views. There are 8 suites, 42 double and 42 twin rooms; 16 of the rooms are inter-connecting suitable for families.

Facilities - The main public area is set above the gardens; the imposing building houses a spacious reception area, a bar which is imaginatively designed to provide private sitting areas, shop, excursion desk and the hotels main restaurant where buffet meals are served. Beside the large swimming pool there is also a bar and a la carte restaurant where on some evenings there are bar-b-ques. Also adjacent to the pool is a well equipped water sports centre providing for a wide range of activities, a fitness centre and beauty/massage centre.

The Shooting Star
We think the Shooting Star is the best located hotel on Zanzibar, set on a rise overlooking one of the finest stretches of palm fringed beaches on the island. It is an "boutique" hotel, owned and managed by Elly M'langa and set in pretty tropical gardens; it is a place for total relaxation. It is very easy to just while away several hours with a drink, savouring the sight of the beach, the ocean and listening to the breeze and the sound of the waves on the reef.

Location - North of the village of Kiwengwa, the Shooting Star is just 1 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation - There are ten large Sea View Cottage Rooms which are en-suite, airconditioned and furnished in traditional Zanzibari style; the verandahs have uninterrupted views over the ocean. Four of the Sea View Cottage Rooms have an upstairs area with 2 single beds making them suitable for families, or for couples wanting some additional space. There are 4 Lodge rooms which look out over the gardens.

Facilities - The open air restaurant serves local African/Zanzibari food and international cuisine and there is a well stocked bar. There is a small semi-circular "infinity" swimming pool, arguable one of the best located pools on Zanzibar. The Beach Bar, with adjacent thatched sun shades, is popular with guests and passers-by. There is an arrangement with a larger hotel some mile down the beach to use their facilities including the dive centre which can arrange scuba diving and snorkelling. Elly can arrange visits to the village of Kiwenga, the nearby inland cave, hire of bicycles, and excursions to other parts of the island.

Honeymoon/Family suites - Two magnificent suites were completed late in 2007. They are ideal for honeymooners looking for luxury and a bit of seclusion and they also provide good accommodation for families. The suites are set on the crest of the hill apart from the main hotel guest rooms.

Each suite is laid out on 3 floors with 2 bedrooms and each has a private swimming pool, set amidst a tropical garden. They are furnished with stunning traditional Zanzibar furniture and batik linen. From the roof of the Villa panoramic views can be enjoyed from the bathtub and there is a fully netted bed so that the fabulous stary night skies can be enjoyed. Both suites have ceiling fans as well as being fully air conditioned.

Bluebay Beach Hotel
Is a large, first grade resort style hotel set in attractive gardens and has a wide range of facilities. The rooms are furnished to a high standard with the Superior Rooms having a sitting area in addition to the bedroom and verandah. Meals are reputed to be of a very high standard; accommodation is on a half board basis.

Location - Next to the village of Kiwengwa just less than 1 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation - 80 Superior and 6 Deluxe Rooms, the Deluxe being larger with a separate sitting area. The rooms, all airconditioned and extremely well furnished, are set on a rise behind the main hotel public areas. There are also 2 "Sultan Rooms" described as being "where the Sultans themselves would have wanted to stay"; each room has a personal butler.

Facilities - The main restaurant and bar are set beside the swimming pool and the beach bar serving seafood specialties is beside the beach. There is a tennis court, spa and fitness centres, dive centre which is part of One Ocean Dive Centre. There is an open-air disco. Adjacent to the Reception Hall is a well stocked gift shop.

Pongwe Beach Hotel
Managed by Val Preston, Pongwe Beach has been totally revamped from a rather run-down hotel, now providing excellent mid-range accommodation.

Location - About a 1 hour drive from Stone Town, the last part on a rough road, the hotel is in a very private position and, in our view, on one of the most attractive beaches on Zanzibar. It combines the wide expansive beaches for which Zanzibar is renown, yet is secluded and with the bonus of being able to retreat in to the shade of the palm trees in front of the Hotel.

Accommodation - The 10 thatched en-suite rooms, with Moroccan style walk-in showers, are a good size and are in four cottages, two cottages have 2 rooms and two cottages have 3 rooms. The rooms have traditional Zanzibari furniture, good mosquito nets, fans (but no air conditioning), private verandahs with beach/ocean views ideal for early risers wanting spectacular views of the sunrise, and to have a leisurely breakfast.

Facilities - There is a spacious bar/restaurant area which has an open front looking out over the beach/ocean. Meals are more than acceptable; the fish curies we have had are memorable. On Friday nights tables are set on the beach for moonlight dinners and special meals can be made to order. The Hotel has its own boat to take guests to the deep waters beyond the reef and scuba diving can be arranged with a dive centre. Snorkelling trips to Mnemba Atoll can also be arranged.

Tamarind Hotel
Is a mid-range hotel with clean and comfortable facilities fronting directly on to the beach.

Location - Tamarind is about 40 minutes drive from Stone Town along a reasonable stretch of road. It is well managed by Trond Furseth, a Norwegian who has been in Zanzibar for some years.

Accommodation - There are 7 thatched bungalows well spread out in the gardens with an abundance of palm and casuarina trees. Each bungalow has 2 en-suite rooms with private verandahs with sea views. Two of the rooms are large triple rooms and the other 12 rooms have double beds, but can accommodate an additional single bed as well. The rooms have ceiling fans and as the hotel is on mains electricity the fans work all night (some hotels powered by generators turn power off at night).

Facilities - The bar and restaurant offer very reasonably priced meals and drinks, the beer and wine prices are among the lowest of any beach hotel. Tamarind can arrange snorkelling either from a local fishing boat or with a nearby dive centre; fishing trips can also be organised as well as sailing in a traditional dhow.

Chwaka Bay Hotel
Is one of the best value beach hotels on Zanzibar, professionally managed by Per Hansen and his wife. They have developed a good relationship with the people of Chwaka village and support a range of projects to improve the life of the villagers.

Location - Located on the east coast at Chwaka Bay it is just 30 - 40 minutes from Stone Town, set in a tranquil location in lush tropical gardens. A real bonus is the swimming pool which compensates for swimming being limited at low tides.

Accommodation - There are 30 rooms in total. 20 deluxe en-suite rooms are in 5 double story chalets, airconditioned, each with private balconies looking out over the gardens and the ocean. The rooms are more than adequate in size and furnished to a high standard. There are also 10 evocative, spacious individual thatched en-suite rondavels rooms with private verandahs overlooking the gardens and ocean. These have fans but in November to March can be quite hot.

Facilities - The tiled swimming pool is surrounded by thatched shade areas with sunloungers. The main building houses the reception area, lobby with TV and internet access, the restaurant which specialises in seafood (usually fresh from the fish market at Chwaka) and there is a bar/lounge area with pool table. There are free trips in a local fishing boat to Michamwi Beach and snorkelling can be arranged as well as diving with a nearby dive centre.

You may sample available Zanzibar beach holiday and safaris with Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions at www.mountkenyaclimbing.com.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, East Africa Safari: Ngorongoro Safari

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, East Africa Safari:
Size: 8292 sq Kms ( 3239 sq miles).
Location: 190Kms West of Arusha it is 4 hours drive or 1 hour Charter flight. From lake Manyara is 60 Kms just a 2 hours drive.bounded by Lake Eyasi in the southwest and the Gol-Mountains in the north.

The famous Ngorongoro Crater is among the world’s natural wonders, the Ngorongoro Crater is located in the Great Rift Valley gigantic fracture of the earth’s Crust.Volcanoes, mountains, plains, lake, forest and Archaeological sites from this magnificent land escape.

At 2,286 Mts above sea level, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. Surrounded by very steep walls rising 610 meters from the crater floor, it cover an area of about 260sq km(100sq miles), and is home to up 30,000 animals in an area naturally enclosed by the slopes of the volcano it is the eighth wonder of the world.

Olduvai Gorge: The earliest signs of mankind in the conservation area are at La-etoli, where hominid footprints have been preserved in volcanic rock for the past 3,600,000 years. The story continues at oldupai (Olduvai) Gorge, a river Canyon cut 100mts deep through the volcanic soil of the Serengeti Plains.(Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, it is 180 km from Arusha.)

Activities:
A trip to the Olduvai Gorge (visit the paleontology museum) where the Australopithecus Boise’s skeleton was discovered. A walking Safari to Maasai Country with donkeys.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania safari, East Africa Safari: Ngorongoro Safari, Ngorongoro Lodge safari, Ngorongoro Camping, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area with Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions.com

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania: Serengeti Safaris

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, East Africa
Size: 14,763 sq km (5,700 sq miles).
Location: 335km (208 miles) from Arusha, stretching north to Kenya and bordering Lake Victoria to the west.

Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle.

Almost uniquely, all three African jackal species occur here, alongside the spotted hyena and a host of more elusive small predators, ranging from the insectivorous aardwolf to the beautiful serval cat.

Activities:
Hot air balloon safaris, Maasai rock paintings and musical rocks.

Visit neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano and Lake Natron's flamingos.

Arusha National Park, Tanzania, East Africa

Arusha National Park, Tanzania, East Africa
Size: 137 sq km (53 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town.

Arusha National Park is a smallest park in Tanzania's 'Northern Safari Circuit', about 45 minutes drive from the safari gateway town of Arusha.

The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog.

The park is made up of three particular features; lush swamps of the Ngurdoto Crater, changing colours of Momela Lakes and rugged alpine peaks of Mt Meru. Habitat ranges from highland montane forest to lowland swamp.

Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into forests aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss, before reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed klipspringers mark the hike's progress. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled.

Activities:
Forest walks, numerous picnic sites;
three- or four-day Mt Meru climb - good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro.

Kenya Safari, African Safari Travel, Africa safari Kenya, African Safari Trip, Africa Travel & Safaris holiday

Kenya tours, Kenya travel and Kenya holiday trips:

Kenya is one of the most popular destinations for safaris in the world! It is famous for its 'Out of Africa' scenic beauty, diverse cultures and abundant wildlife. The coastline and tropical beaches are equally inviting.

The wildlife is the prime attraction of Kenya safaris, which take place in some of Africa's best-known national parks, including the Masai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru.

A Kenya safari contains a mosaic of different cultures and traditions. The people have the natural ability to make every traveller feel at home - Karibu, a Swahili word meaning 'welcome', is often heard.

Naturally, the Great Wildebeest Migration is a huge attraction for many visitors wanting to safari in Kenya. This mass movement of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti in Tanzania, to Kenya's Masai Mara and back, is a phenomenal sight.

Timing your trip to coincide with the migration is tricky - the exact moment when the animals will pass through a specific area depends on highly unpredictable factors such as when the rains fall.

But rest assured, even if you don't have the luxury of time to play with, your game viewing experiences in Kenya will be rich and varied at any time of the year and it is best to go to Kenya during the migration period, July to October although January to March is ideal.

It's also a great destination for a family holiday: our range of Kenya family holidays will keep kids of all ages entertained and there's more than enough for the grown-ups too.

A safari is usually the last word in colonial style and you'll have the choice of staying in a range of accommodation in Kenya - anything from mobile safari tented camps, to fine old lodges steeped in tradition, to modern hotels designed to blend in with their safari surroundings.

Taking a Kenya safari tour is a great way to get a good overview of this large country. Our Kenya tours vary in length and either remain within the Kenya borders or incorporate Kenya as part of a larger itinerary.

Why not take the 4-day Masai Mara migration tour or combine your Kenya safari with Tanzania safari or Gorilla tracking in Uganda or try our Best of Tanzania & Kenya safari and get to see the best reserves Kenya and Tanzania have to offer. Check available options with Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions at www.mountkenyaclimbing.com.

Kenya Safaris: Safaris in Kenya

Kenya Safaris: Safaris in Kenya

The highlight of most Kenya safaris is the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, widely regarded as the best game-viewing park in Kenya. The "Big Five" (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos) may be spotted here, and more than a million wildebeests and zebras migrate annually to Masai Mara from the parched Serengeti plains of neighboring Tanzania. Some Kenya safaris also visit Masai villages, where guests can interact with local cattle-herders.

In Kenya's semi-arid, rugged northern region lies the Samburu Game Reserve, a small oasis that is home to many rare animals, including Grevy zebras, long-necked gerenuk antelopes, Somali ostriches and reticulated giraffes. Kenya's Amboseli National Park is famous for its big game, including lions, cheetahs, baboons and large elephant herds that traverse the savannahs in search of watering holes or feeding grounds. Many Kenya safaris also visit Lake Nakuru National Park, a relatively small preserve that has been designated as a rhino sanctuary, and that is considered to be one of the finest places for bird-watching.

Most Kenya safaris travel through the cosmopolitan capital of Nairobi, which flourished in the early 1900s after the construction of a railroad to the Indian Ocean. While in Nairobi, tour guests might visit the nearby farm of Karen Blixen, author of "Out of Africa."

Kenya safaris are available year-round, although the best game-viewing periods are during the dry winter months of May through August and the warmer spring months of September and October.

Read more details on Kenya Safari and Safaris in Kenya with Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions.

Lamu in Kenya - Kenya beach and Cultural Tour in Lamu:

Kenya beach and Cultural Tour in Lamu

Travelers to Lamu can expect a cultural tour and experience from a town rich in culture and heritage. Lamu consists of seven islands and numerous islets. Pate Island, Manda Island and Lamu Island are the largest of the Islands. Smaller islands include Kiwayu Island and Manda Toto. The largest town in the Lamu archipelago is Lamu town. Lamu town is a historic town with a rich history and feel.

As Kenya’s most archaic living town it has reserved all the charisma, allure and spirit accumulated over centuries of hosting various colonisers from Portuguese to Arabs. The holiday beach on Lamu Island is 12 kilometres of immaculate sands stretching out towards the Indian Ocean. Dense mangrove forests make the perimeter of mainland Lamu and the inland sides of the islands. The seaward sides are fringed by reefs and lined with dunes. Lamu is detached from the mainland at its narrowest part by a channel just a few metres wide. All over Lamu there are various historical sites that bear testament to the centuries of rich and fascinating existence that Lamu has enjoyed.

Most settlements in Lamu started as petite trading centres that gradually expanded. By the 16th Century, Lamu was a flourishing port exporting spices, slaves, lumber and ivory.

Most of present day Lamu was built during the rule of the Omani Arabs but the British began taking interest in the late 19th century. In 1895 the British East Africa Protectorate was established until Kenya gained independent in 1963. However, it is an Afro-Arab culture that emerged out of Lamu’s exposure to different occupiers. That culture known as Swahili culture is conspicuous today and Kiswahili is the Lingua franca of East and Central Africa. Lamu architecture has Arab, Portuguese, British and African influence. Lamu buildings have elaborately carved and brass furnished doors, open verandas and interior courtyards open to the sky which guarantee cover and tranquil against the tropical sun. It’s common to find open rooftops that are used as terraces where the family and guests can lay back and relax. Fort Jesus is located in Lamu town. The Fort was once converted into a prison but it’s currently a national cultural Monument protected by the Kenyan Government. This unique architecture has resulted in Lamu being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Lamu also has a Museum facing the oceanfront. The museum has an assortment of Swahili culture artefacts, furniture, utensils, jewellery and crafts. The prides of the collection are the Siwa, which are ceremonial horns. One belonged to a past Sultan of Pate Island, an island in the Archipelago and it’s made of Ivory. The other is from Lamu itself. Lamu being a maritime society the museum hosts a set of sea going vessels and there is a fantastic model of a rope sewn vessel known as mtepe.

It is often said that the pathways of Lamu are so constricted that one can shake hands with the neighbour of the house opposite the street. Lamu is a blasé town that continues with its activities as it has done for centuries. Njia Kuu is the main street in Lamu and is lined with children waving frantically and playing and all sorts of businesses from herbalists, grocers, fishmongers, restaurants and jewellers making silver laden ornaments. A 40-minute walk from the town (or 15 minutes by motor boat) brings you to the sleepy village of Shela. Shela village is a network of narrow sandy lanes where the only approaching traffic you are likely to meet is a donkey. This is where 12 kilometres of holiday beach begins and the complications of every day life are abandoned.

To sail the archipelago is to discover. The archipelago contains several archaeological/historical sites of great significance, such as Takwa and Manda Town both on Manda Island and Shanga on Pate Island. The Lamu archipelago islands are reputed to be one of the westernmost ports of call of the great Chinese fleet of Zheng He, or even to be the resting place of a wreck of one of his ships. Chinese pottery has been found among the ruins in Shanga to support this story.

For deserted and secluded island enthusiasts there are isolated beach hideaway at Kiwayu Island and Manda Island which are the ultimate ‘get away from it all’. From these paradise islands it is possible to visit the wildlife sanctuary at Dodori or the striking Kiunga Marine National Reserve. If that is still not enough you can visit Lamu for the Lamu cultural festival.

The accommodation available in Lamu includes;
Kijani House Hotel – This hotel is constructed in Swahili architecture style off the waterfront of Shela village. The lovely hotel has a tropical garden feel because of the pathway into the hotel compound that is lined with frangipani and bougainvillea flowers. Once within the compound there are two aquamarine pools blushing under the shade of Kunazi trees and palm trees. The hotel was restored from the ruins of three Swahili homes and it took a decade of careful reconstruction with traditional material to complete the retreat. There are10 spacious en suite rooms decorated with antiques, each with a canopied Swahili bed, and each with a private portico under the canopy of leafy trees. The cuisine offered in Kijani restaurant is traditional Swahili cuisine and Italian cuisine complimented tropical fruits and vintage cellar wines from Chile, South Africa and Italy. Kijani is closed during the off peak season in May and June.

Peponi Hotel - This resort is located on the periphery of Shela Village, 2km from Lamu Town and at the start of the stunning 12 km deserted beach. The hotel has 24 large ensuite rooms’ high Lamu style beds and safes. This hotel has been a landmark in Lamu for as long as the Islands popularity blossomed. The sea view from the rooms can be standard or superior depending on the room a guest may choose to have. There is a fresh-water free-form swimming pool, situated under two Baobab Trees overlooking the ocean. Water skiing, deep sea diving, Dhows trips around Lamu Island, scuba diving, full moon cruise with drinks, wine and lobster dinner and trips to archaic ruined forts to Takwa Ruins of Manda Islands are all activities that can be arranged for a guest by the hotel.

Kipungani Bay Hotel – This is resort is well-situated to all that Lamu Island has to offer. The Hotel has 15 en suite rooms each with a balcony/terrace. Various types of drinks are served in the cocktail lounge after meals in the restaurants that serve finger-licking international cuisine. There’s an outdoor pool where one can relax under the sun while sipping a cocktail or whatever drink. This dainty resort is only 10 km (6 miles) away from Lamu Island International Airport and is ideal for both business and leisure.

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