Kenya: An Authentic African Experience
An increasing number of travellers from the Middle East are choosing Kenya to spend their holiday. Here's why...
By Lilian Mesa in Nairobi
A convenient five hours flight from most countries in the Arabian Gulf, Kenya is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations for travellers in the Middle East. The country has a wide range of tourist attractions to keep visitors from the Middle East enthralled and enjoy the many splendours the country has to offer.
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| An African safari in Kenya: Up and close with nature |
Backed by an excellent tourism infrastructure and world-class hotels and lodges, Kenya's tourism sector has earned an enviable reputation not only in the Middle East but all across the world. The Equator cuts through the country from east to west thus allowing almost equal hours of day and night, while the Great Rift Valley running north to south gives it its varied terrain of mountains, hills, ranges, escarpment and rolling plains, interspersed with rivers, lakes, streams and cascading falls.
Kenya's main tourist attraction is its wildlife housed in forests and open savannahs which now constitute the country's many game parks and reserves. Nairobi, Kenya's capital is a cosmopolitan city where people of different ethnicity live and work together. It lies to the South of the equator and east of the Rift Valley. Swahili is the national language of the country.
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second largest town in Kenya and it's built on an Island connected to the mainland by a causeway. It acts as the official gateway to the country by sea. The history of Mombasa dates more than 2000 years back when it used to be the centre of trade and communication between East Africa, Middle East and Far East countries. A dominating figure as you enter the old Mombasa harbor is the Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese to signify their reign on the East African Coast.
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| Mombasa: The Middle East connection |
Today, it houses a museum which displays ancient artifacts of the coastal life. A modern port, Kilindini Harbor, is now for container and cruise ships. A significant landmark in Mombasa is the "Mombasa tusks" over the busy Moi Avenue, built in 1952 to mark the visit of Queen Elizabeth. Another common sight are the swahili women dressed in bui-bui - a long black robe. It is a cosmopolitan town that boasts of a rich wealth of business and a tourists centre at the coast.
The island of Mombasa is a mix of old and new architecture with the old town characterized with narrow streets and passages. Most buildings have curved Arab doors and others display ornately carved hanging balconies. The main town feature modern architecture and offer excellent shopping facilities and offices which include boutique, salons, shops, supermarkets, curio shops, jewellery shops, travel agencies, and restaurants. The town also offers many entertainment options - night clubs, bars, cinemas and casinos. Transport and communication between Mombasa and other parts of Kenya and even the world is quite modern.
Mount Kenya
A significant figure in the central highlands of the country is Mount Kenya, standing magnificently at 5,200 metres. This is an ancient volcano that has eroded away at its peaks to its present height. Mt. Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and the only spot in the world where snow is found on the Equator. To the west of Mt. Kenya lie the Aberdare Ranges where various well known luxurious forest lodges are found. The forests, waterfalls and water-holes provide a home for the wild animals and beautiful birds.
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| Mount Kenya: Magnificence upheld |
Mt. Longonot and Suswa are extinct volcanoes located on the floor of the Rift Valley; they come precisely to the south of the Aberdare ranges. Both are craters and thus been recently created into the National parks. Mt. Elgon, Kenya's second largest mountain is found on the Kenya - Uganda border towering to a height of 4321 metres.
Mount Kenya is a mountaineers dream as it demands a tough and challenging climb. The popular climbing routes include the following:
The Naro Moru Track: A popular route on the western side where a motor track can go upto altitude of 3050 metres. A self-service lodge, porters and safe car park is available.
Chongoria route- this is a scenarily beautiful route on the eastern slopes and can be approached from Chogoria or the Meru Mount Kenya Lodge.
Timau Track: This motor track enables climber to drive upto 4160 metres on the northern slopes.
Sirimon Motor Track: this is a easy route to reach the moorland and visitors can drive upto 3930 metres. Game like elephant, leopard, rare Bongo, buffalo and other animals dominate this route.
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| Flamingoes at Lake Nakuru |
Lake Nakuru
Well-known for it's beautiful Flamingoes that live and feed at the lake for much of the year. White pelicans are also found here in large flocks. The Rhino Sanctuary is found at the Lake Nakuru National Park , housing the black and white rhino (brought from South Africa). Various animals, including Lion, Waterbuck, Warthog are being introduced together with the rare Rothschild's Giraffe relocated from around Kitale. Accommodation is available at the nearby Lodges and camps.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya's most popularly visited game reserve as it provides exciting encounters with the large numbers and variety of wild game. The Mara Reserve records over ninety-five species of Kenya's resident game excluding the migratory animals. Large numbers of cheetah, gazelle, Spotted hyena, Maasai giraffe, Bat-eared fox and especially the lion and elephant, are spotted during drives and balloon rides. The best attraction of the Masai Mara is the annual migration, around July, of over two million wildebeest and thousands of zebra from the Serengeti of Tanzania. This spectacular event is best viewed from a hot air balloon ride over the Mara plains. This reserve has several Lodges and camps which can be supplemented by other lodges and campsites located outside.
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