Tuesday, January 19, 2010

A Guide To A Memorable Safari In Kenya

By Andrew Muigai

Kenya is a one of the leading safari destinations in East Africa. The country has numerous national parks and game reserves that offers tourists the opportunity to see the Big 5 - leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as other magnificent wild animals. Regardless of the region you visit, the arid northern or the southern coastal, you will always find something attractive enough to make your Kenya safari a memorable one.

Located close by the Kenya-Ethiopia border, Lake Turkana - the world's largest desert lake, is the foremost attraction in the arid northeastern region of Kenya. The lake is surrounded by lava beds and extinct volcanoes and is recognized as an important site in the history of humankind. The northern shores of the Lake (an area known as Koobi Fora) is often referred to as the cradle of mankind. The site has a large number of fossils including the remains of a three million year old hominid and a three million year old giant turtle.

Besides the northern region of Kenya, the central Kenya is also popular among those on a Kenya safari. The region holds numerous interesting tourist attractions chiefly among them being Mount Kenya. Rising some 5199 meters above sea level, Mount Kenya is the tallest peak in the country and the second highest mountain in Africa after Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro. The perpetually snowcapped mountain is highly is believed to be sacred by the communities living on its foothills. The plant life on Mount Kenya's is diverse depending on the altitude meaning that the species close to the summit is different from the species at the foothills. A total of thirteen species of plants can be spotted on Mount Kenya.

The national parks and game reserves of Kenya have been recognized globally as leading wildlife safari destinations. One such leading national parks is Masai Mara, the most popular wildlife sanctuary in Kenya. The national park is situated adjacent to the Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and offers some of the best wildlife safari destinations in the region. Masai Mara is famed the world over for the Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration - an annual event that sees millions of wildebeest and zebra crossing over from the Serengeti to the Mara in search of greener fodder. The reverse occurs in October and November. The event is recognized as the greatest wildlife spectacle in the world.

Located in southern Kenya, the Amboseli National Reserve and the Tsavo National Park are also popular safari destinations in the country. The Amboseli provides endless views of the African grassland only broken by the white snowcapped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro - the tallest summit in Africa. The national park is renowned for its large herds of elephants. On its part, the Tsavo is popular among tourists on vacation at the Kenyan coast. The national park is the largest in Kenya and it hosts over 60 mammal species and about 100 plant species.

Most international arrivals reach Kenya by air via Jomo Kenyatta and Mombasa international airports. Jomo Kenyatta International airport, situated some 20 km outside the capital Nairobi, is the best for visitors who want to go on safari around the whole of Kenya. Passports valid for 3 months from date of entry are required of all visitors. In addition, all tourists require a visa except for citizens of some commonwealth countries.

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