Showing posts with label Kenya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kenya. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Kenya Safari


TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS – http://routebyroad.com


Ive toured 9 countries in Africa but something always draws me back to Kenya. It is the core soul and heartbeat of the continent. My past clients were profoundly satisfied classifying it best vacation ever. This time with the addition of a visit to Jane Goodalls Chimpanzee Sanctuary it was no different. Africa is best enjoyed within the comradery and comfort of a group. We had a marvelous adventure with our 2 groups of 90 people on the Kenya safaris over 2 two week periods.


It was brilliantly orchestrated and I as I moved my troops from Nairobi to Mt. Kenya, Sweetwaters, Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. Our suitcases swelled enroute with purchases of handicrafts nearly bursting our jeeps, but we moved well.


Our deluxe accommodations of swimming pools pampered us in total comfort throughout. It was a trip worth remembering. The highlight was at the Masai Mara were we stayed in luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms (and resident monkeys) as well as a personal day visit with a Masai tribe and village.

There were game drives each morning and afternoon to photograph an astonishing number of animals including the BIG FIVE: Lions, Elephants, Cape Buffalo, Leopards, and Rhino. Seven guides in Landovers brought us so close its like a virtual Discovery Channel. Well saw Mt. Kenya, The Great Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru colored pink teaming with a quarter million flamingos.


We toured the Rothschild Giraffe Center, home of Karen Blixen, (author of Out of Africa) and a baby elephant sanctuary. Other safari highlights included hot air ballooning, white water rafting, seeing a cheetah bring down a gazelle and witnessing the migration of about 20,000 wildebeest crossing a river of giant crocs. It was a spectacle right out of the Discovery Channel. I kissed a Rothschild giraffe and petted a 2 ton rare black rhino named Ronnie. It ended with a farewell feast at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.

This was a meticulously designed program with an easy air schedule and a leisurely itinerary. Nearly everything is included in this budget price of $2500 including air!. My words cant begin to cover it all. Ive seen natures wild as it was meant to be seen. A part of me was indelibly changed after such an amazing discovery. Karibu sana!



Kenya Safari

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

An Overview of Kenya for Travelers


TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS – http://routebyroad.com


Kenya is stunningly beautiful African country that has seen its share of good and bad times. If you are traveling to Kenya, the following information will give you a head start.


An Overview of Kenya for Travelers


Kenya is a crossroads country in Africa, which means a little bit of various African countries reside there. More than 40 languages are spoken and as many as eleven different ethnic groups can be identified. The religious breakdown is also very diverse. Despite this variety, the country has a fairly harmonious existence. The national slogan is harambee which loosely translates to lets pull together.


Compared to other sub-Saharan countries, Kenya has historically been advanced in infrastructure and general living standards. During the colonial period, England controlled the country and developed the area. Kenyans were not allowed to participate in government, much like South Africa. As you might expect, Kenyans rebelled and eventually became independent on December 12, 1963. The Kenya Peoples Union then became the only political party and ruled until 2002. In October 2002, the National Rainbow Coalition dominated elections.


Following independence, Kenya continued to grow economically and the standard of living was the envy of much of Africa. Unfortunately, corruption threw a wrench in the proceedings the country has suffered from a lurching economy for the last 15 years. In 2003, the country turned things around and things have generally improved since then.


Kenya covers 224,960 square miles and is slightly smaller than Texas. The capital is Nairobi. Kenya rises from a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean in a series of mountain ridges and plateaus which stand above 9,000 feet in the center of the country. The Rift Valley bisects the country above Nairobi, opening up to a broad arid plain in the north. Mountain plains cover the south before descending to the shores of Lake Victoria in the west. The climate varies from the tropical south, west, and central regions to arid and semi-arid in the north and the northeast.


The people of Kenya are known as Kenyans. Total population is 30 million and growing at 1.7 percent a year. Ethnic groups break down as Kikuyu 21 percent Luhya 14 percent, Luo 13 percent, Kalenjin 11 percent, Kamba 11 percent, Kisii 6 percent, Meru 5 percent. Religious break down is Indigenous beliefs 10 percent, Protestant 40 percent, Roman Catholic 30 percent, Muslim 20 percent. Languages include English, Swahili, and more than 40 local ethnic languages. The literacy rate is 65 percent and life expectancy is 49 years of age.


As this brief overview reveals, the country suffers the economic problems of many countries in Africa. That being said, it is beautiful place that will hopefully overcome such hurdles. It is definitely a place you will remember visiting.



An Overview of Kenya for Travelers