Top 10 Kenya Travel Highlights
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 5:101. Game Parks: Without doubt it is the game Park which attract people to Kenya- the wildlife viewing here is still probably the best and most easily accessible in Africa. The Masai Mara National Reserve is the number one attraction, but other parks such as Amboseli, Tsavo and Samburu also provide greatviewing. Bird-watchers will also be well satisfied with a visit to Kenya. The Rift-valley lakes of Baringo, Bogoria, Naivasha and Nakuru are excellent for bird watching. For the really adventurous, Kenya offers some exciting prospects.
2. Trekking Mt Kenya: Trekking the snowy heights of Mt Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa, is a superb experience and one- which doesn’t require specialised equipment. Other options include camel safaris (or even donkey) with Samburu tribes people in the semiarid region of the north; hiking safaris; and ballooning. People ,looking for activities requiring slightly lesso energy will find the beaches of the coast the perfect place to chill out for awhile. And it need not be purely hedonistic, as there is a rich history and the strong Swahili coastal culture to delve into.
3. Fort Jesus: Mombasa’s Portugueese fort, built in The 1593 changed hands nine times between 1631 and 1875; it’s now a museum. The Old Town’s biggest attraction is well worth a visit, especially Omani house in the fort’s north-western corner.
4. Gedi: The mysterious. and extensive ruins of this Arab-Swahlll town are among the principal historical monuments on the coast. Excavations indicate that the town was founded in the 13th centUry and was inexplicably abandoned in the 17th or 18th century.
5. Lamu: The island is home to Kenya’s oldest town which has changed little over the centuries. Access is by diesel-powered launch from the mainland. Shela beach is one of the most relaxing places you’ll ever visit.
6. Divlng/Snorkellng: Diving is excellent at the marine national parks of Malindi and Watamu. It’s even better at the Shimoni and Wasini islands, although they areless accessible and developed. You can rent a glass-bottom boat at Malindi to see the amazing variety of coral and fish.
7. Water Rafting: A day trip from Nairobi starts above the Sagana on the Athi River, finishing above the Masinga Dam. An exciting three-day trip takes you from Yatta Gap to Tsavo Safari Camp. Of the two major rivers in Kenya, the Athi/Galana and Tana, only the former has substantial rapids, chutes and watel:falls.
8. Beaches: The beach at Diani is one of the best; Tiwi Beach is more low-key and camping on the beach is available. Lamu boasts some of the finest beaches on the coast. Beaches south of Mombasa are white coral sand and are protected by a coral reef that excludes sharks.
9. Mt Kenya Trekking: Mt Kenya (5199m) is Africa’s second highest mountain and its gleaming and eroded snow-covered peaks act as a magnet for trekkers, par1icularly from mid-January to late February and late August to September. Mt Kenya’s highest peaks, Batian and Nelion; can only be reached by mountaineers, but trekkers can reach the third highest, Point Lenana (4985m). The views are simply stunning.
10. Dhow Trips: The main form of travel around the Lamu archipelago, which boasts more dhows than anywhere else off the East African coast. Dhows began to be use as a form of transport from the 8th century onwards. One of Kenya’s most worthwhile and memorable experiences; make sure you take a hat and sunblock as there is rarely any shade on board.