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There are some 30 parks and reserves in Kenya. Here are some we think you shouldn’t miss.
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Masai Mara National Reserve |
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They say you haven’t visited Kenya until you’ve been to the Mara, especially during the wildebeest migration. It’s all about game, game and more game in this 320 sq km undulating landscape of open grassland dotted with flat topped acacia trees. You can literally see it all - elephant, buffalo, lion, hyena, jackal, giraffe, zebra, gazelle,
topi, kongoni, eland, ostrich – often without much effort.
The Mara in Kenya is an extension of the Serengeti in Tanzania and it’s between these countries that the annual spectacle of the migration is witnessed. The grass that springs up after the rains in the Mara attracts well over a million wildebeest from the dryer plains of the Serengeti. Seeing so many beasts on the move all at once is an event you’re likely to remember for a long time. It’s certainly ranks as a “To do once in a lifetime” experience. The most dramatic scenes take place as the wildebeest cross the swollen Mara River, where crocodiles lie hungrily in wait each year. Catching the migration means being there between July and October, especially during August or September. Since the wildebeest’s movements are subject to climatic and other changes (still being researched by scientists) the exact dates change slightly each year.
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Amboseli National Park |
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Kilimanjaro from
Amboseli |
Amboseli is a small (392 sq km) but exceptionally popular reserve in the south of Kenya, close to Tanzanian border. The dry and dusty landscape is saved by the astoundingly beautiful backdrop of Kilimanjaro. One of Amboseli’s biggest drawcards is that the game is relatively easy to spot. You have a good chance of ticking off black rhino, large herds of elephant, as well as buffalo, cheetah, gazelle, oryx wildebeest, hyena, jackal, Masai giraffe and zebra. It’s the perfect setting for snapping those great wildlife photographs with awesome background to match.
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However, the number of the tourists passing through this park can turn it into quite a dust bowl. The dry river bed of Lake
Amboseli, in the west, is occasionally flooded in the wet season. Don’t miss a visit to Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary, an important community project owned and run by the
Maasai, situated between Amboseli and Tsavo.
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Samburu National Reserve |
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Given it’s location in the northern lowlands, Samburu is often considered remote and, not necessary correctly so, inaccessible. It’s best tied in with a visit to nearby Mount Kenya. The Ewaso Ngiro River flows through this beautiful reserve, drawing a variety of species to its shady banks. Wildlife is plentiful in the dry season but you won’t find the same quality of game viewing as in the southern parks. The upside is most definitely the peace and tranquility, something you don’t find regularly in the other - more touristy - parks.
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Rare Grevvy's Zebra
found in Samburu |
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Mount Kenya National Park |
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Mount Kenya (5199m) is Kenya’s highest and Africa’s second It’s snow capped peaks can be seen for kilometers, Its so large that the Kikuyu deified it, building their houses with doors facing the peak. Hence, it was never scaled until the European explorers arrived. Trekkers mainly visit mid Jan to late Feb or late Aug to September. The highest peaks, Batian and
Nelion, can only be reached by mountaineers. Trekkers can reach the third highest, Point Lenana (4985 m). Stunning views. Beware of ascending too quickly which can cause altitude
sickness.
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Tsavo National Park |
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Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya (just under 21000 sq km). It lies on either side of
the Mombasa to Nairobi highway, which effectively splits the park into two sections.
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Tsavo West
The western section between the Tsavo River and the highway, consisting of tall grass and woodland, is the most popular. It’s simply more accessible, has good facilities and offers beautiful scenery as well as lots of wildlife. Visitors are usually rewarded with sightings of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, giraffe as well as antelope. Don’t miss a visit to Mzima Springs (where hippo and crocodile lurk), Shetani lava flow and caves (where legends abound), Ngulia Rhino sanctuary (to see the black rhinos), Chaimu Crater (to see the volcanoe’s crater rim) and Kilaguni Lodge (pop in for a drink or meal to watch the antics at the water hole – elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and baboon are regulars here as are mongooses, marabou storks and hyraxes to the terrace in front of the restaurant).
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Shetani Lava |
Tsavo East
This is the larger section but, owing to a history of poaching, not all of it is open to the public. You will, however, be able to see many animals in the open section around the Aruba Dam, south of the Galana River. You’ll also see lots of wildlife at the Kanderi Swamp, near the main gate. Sightings of large elephant herds are common (especially at Mudanda Rocks a scenic spot in its own right). Also visit the ornithological wonder of the Yatta Plateau, one of largest lava flows in the world where you’ll find migrant birds from as far as Iran and Russia.
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Lake Baringo National Park |
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Get your binoculars focused. This freshwater lake north of Nakuru is a birding paradise. Of Kenya’s 1200 bird species, 450 can be spotted in this park. While you’re at it, keep your eyes out for crocodiles and hippos.
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Lake Nakuru National Park |
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White Rhino found in Nakuru |
Lake Nakuru is not only beautiful, it’s also accessible and easy to find your way around. It has good road networks, many leading to bird hides and lookout points. When the water is high in the soda lakes (check before you go), you’re bound to see great numbers of flamingoes and pelicans. If you miss the birds, there are a variety of animals to make a visit worthwhile. These include black rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, leopard and lion but not elephant. It’s also known as a waterbuck haven and you’re likely to see many species of antelope including Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles, impala and eland. Just watch out for the large pythons in the woodlands.
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Lake Naivasha |
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With its mountain scenery and islands of papyrus and water hyacinth, Lake Naivasha is a picturesque fresh-water lake in the Rift Valley. Although the water levels do tend to fluctuate, you can see hippo, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and a variety of
birdlife. |
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Contact:
African Encounters |
Postnet
Suite 45
Private Bag x 12
Roosevelt Park
2129 |
Tel:
(011) 880 3079
Fax: (011) 447 6773
email: info@africanencounters.com |
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