subject: Tourists Flight To Central & Eastern Province National Parks & Game Reserves In Kenya [print this page] Tourists Flight To Central & Eastern Province National Parks & Game Reserves In Kenya
Kenya is a major tourist attraction in East Africa and it has several national parks and game reserves situated within its eight provinces namely, Central, Rift Valley, Nairobi, Western, Nyanza, Eastern, North Eastern and Coast. We dwell on the towns, national parks and game reserves found in Central and Eastern province as below,
Central Kenya
It is just north of Nairobi, is the home of Mt Kenya .Its climate is generally cooler than that of the rest of the country due the regions relatively higher altitude. The community in this area predominantly consists of the Bantu speaking, Agikuyu, Aembu, and Ameru. Central Kenya is generally very fertile land with hilly terrain and as a result, the region has stunning views of rolling hills carpeted with all manner of vegetation. The diverse ecosystems within the central region mean that the terrain caters for a large variety of crops such as coffee, tea, maize, mangoes and even rice fields. Livestock farming also forms a mainstay for the people, and much of Kenya's dairy industry is based here.
Some items of interest to buy in Central Kenya are fresh fruits, Samburu crafts and jewellery, and Kikuyu baskets.
There mode of transport is composed of public, private both by road and air. There several airstrips located in each town, national parks and game reserves. There several air charter companies based In Nairobi, Wilson Airport and one air operator in Nanyuki for all private and scheduled flights requirements. We have private charter and scheduled flights out of Nanyuki and Wilson Airport.
There are a wide variety of good hotels, guesthouses and lodges offering good service at very competitive rates. For the more adventurous, some of the hotels arrange for meals in the open, including breakfast at the foot of Mt Kenya. A good number of the tourist hotels are built in strategic sites within the game parks, which gives the visitor an opportunity to get into close proximity with some of the wild animals. For the very discerning visitor, there are several exclusive and very up market lodges tucked in the wild of the game reserves.
All hotels, lodges and guesthouses have restaurants that offer good meals. However, there are other restaurants serving fast foods, local and contemporary dishes. The most popular traditional dish is mokimo, a healthy whole meal mix of maize, potatoes, beans, and green vegetables. Specially formulated recipes are made for various needs, for example for lactating mothers, and boys who have undergone circumcision. Mokimo is delicious and is a nutritious and filling accompaniment for beef and chicken.
For those who want to sample the countryside and have a vehicle available, a day's round trip that takes one to the foot of Mt Kenya is well worth the time. The drive would be either via the Nyeri, Nanyuki, Timboroa, Meru, Embu, Meru, Nanyuki, Timboroa, Nyeri, Thika, or back to Nairobi.
Nyeri Town
Lies at the foot of Mt Kenya, at the base of the Aber dares Mountains, and is the headquarters of Central Province. Historians say the town was named after the little hill at the slope of Mt Kenya, which the Kikuyu called Kia-Nyiri while the Masai called the hill Na-aier.Nyeri developed from being a garrison in the colonial days to the vibrant town that it is today. It was the entertainment and socializing center for white farmer settlers in the area, who frequented the present day Outspan Hotel and Aberdare Country Club. For those with more time, the town can be a base for trips to the various sightseeing excursions to the Aberdare National Park and the world famous Treetops. The town is also renowned as being the resting place of Lord Baden Powell (founder of the scouting movement) and his wife Olave Baden Powell. Baden-Powell's grave is a national monument and their Paxtu cottage, standing on the grounds of the Outspan Hotel, is now a small museum.
The Aberdares is best known for being the home of the famous Treetops Hotel where Princess Elizabeth became Queen of England in 1952. Part of the range is protected as the Aberdare National Park is a world-class tourist destination and a conservation area.
The forests of the Aberdare range are renowned for their botanical riches and torrential waterfalls plunging from cloud-shrouded heights to spray filled ravines. The falls include the Gura Waterfall which is the most prestigious falls in Kenya. The Queens Cave pavilion was the site for the 1959 royal picnic lunch for Queen Elizabeth 11 and her husband Prince Philip. The high moorlands of the mountain range are ideal for wilderness trekking, complete with panoramic views, clear and tumbling streams, and glorious flora. The Aberdares forest is rich in wildlife; it is estimated that 2,000 elephants roam the clouded hills. Other animals found there are rhino, warthog, bush pig, and giant forest hog, waterbuck, duiker, suni, dikdik, reedbuck and the shy and very rare bongo.
Meru is considered the heart of the eastern slope for its evergreen lands, hilly slopes and adorable weather. It is also known as the land of plenty for the variety of fruits, vegetables, and cereals grown there. Meru town was formerly the home of Elsa, the lioness of George and Joy Adamson movie Born Free.
While in Meru, visit the Meru Museum, which was opened in May 1976 having previously been a district commissioners office that was built in 1916.The museum exhibits mainly the culture and rich historical practices of the local people.
The Meru National Park holds the Adamsons Falls, the Leopard Rock, and great wildlife. It was where George and Joy Adamson released several hand-reared animals, including the son of the famous lioness Elsa (in the book Born Free) and their Cheetah Pippa. The key attractions at the park and the former home of Joy and George Adamson and Elsa and lioness, views of Mt. Kenya, and the Tana River.
Mt Kenya National Reserve is for those who are adventurous and strong enough to take the 5,199 metre climb to the top of Mt Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The Reserve straddles the equator and the entire mountain contour forms the Mt Kenya National Park. Mountain climbers must undergo acclimatization before climbing to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. The best months for climbing are January, February, August and September.
There are many good hotels around the foothills of the mountain for relaxation and glorious views of the terrain. Wildlife in the park includes elephant, buffalo, lion, antelope including the rare bongo, and the occasional leopard.
Lake Rutundu is situated in the northern slopes of Mt Kenya .The picturesque alpine countryside is a world away from the neighbouring rugged moorlands and is home to unique bird life and vegetation. Lake Rutundu and Lake Alice are privately stocked with Rainbow Trout and provide excellent opportunities for fishing. Horse riding excursions to these lakes can be arranged from surrounding lodges and campsites.
Nanyuki is the equator town that also serves as a popular base for people climbing Mt. Kenya .The equator splits Kenya into two almost equal parts. To the north it is hot and the area receives little rain; to the south there are three meteorological zones, that is, humid, temperate and tropical. At the equator you will receive a demonstration showing how water drains from a bath in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction North or South of the Equator.
Kiamaina Farm situated on the slopes of Mt Kenya, is a showcase of traditional organic farming. In addition to coffee husbandry there is also bee keeping, poultry, diary and horticulture and examples of mixed crop management. Nearby is Karatina Market, with all types of produce from this rich agricultural area. Excursions to cultural centres and fishing trips to River Likii can be arranged from the hotels in the area.
Thomas Falls, at the foot of the Aberdare range, is named after Joseph Thomson Falls, the first European to see it in 1883.The Ewaso Narok River drops a sheer 243 feet over a ledge of volcanic rock to create these magnificent falls. Most activities in this area focus around the waterfalls. A nature trail at the base of the falls and through the gorge is a safe haven for the endangered Colubus Monkeys, baboons and small animals. This is a popular location for high altitude training for Kenya's renowned athletes.
In 1988, the Sweetwaters Game Reserve was opened as a sanctuary for the endangered black rhino. The existing Sweetwaters Game Reserve now encompasses the entire ranching area to create the Olpejeta Conservancy, which is approximately 90,000 acres in extend and the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. The combination of amazing wildlife and stunning views across the open plains of Olpejeta guarantees an unforgettable safari experience.
The Laikipia Plateau consists of vast open ranches, shadowed by the snow-capped Mt Kenya, and is home to ethically diverse communities including the Mukogodo, Maasai and Samburu. Fed by the Ewaso Nyiro and Ewaso Narok rivers, Laikipias abundant plains offer exceptional diversity, with traditional resources still very much the mainstay of the community.Laikipia offers something for everyone, including wildlife, sporting activity, interacting with local communities, and romantic retreats.
Lewa Downs is located between Mt. Kenya and Samburu National Reserve. The privately owned, scenic 45,000 acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has a variety of wildlife adapted to the semi-arid environment, including a large black and white rhinopopulation,elephant,lion,leopard,cheetah,reticulated giraffe,Grevys Zebra,buffalo,hartebeest,bushbuck, gerenuk, Gunthers dikdik and Somali ostrich.Lewa is one of the few places in Kenya where the rare semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope and African wild dog can be seen. For the sporty traveler, the annual Lewa Downs marathon is one of the most spectacular races and one of the most grueling challenges in the world. Horseback and camel riding,hiking,game drives in open four wheel drive vehicles, and a cultural visit to the nearby N'gwesi community are offered.
Samburu National Reserve is situated north of Nairobi above the Equator. It is home to the Gerenuk species, also known as "giraffe necked antelope" due to its long neck adapted for browsing the high bushes. Also found here is the Grevys Zebra, which differs from the common Zebra in that it has wide stripes that do not go all the way under its belly.
Namunyak is a vast Samburu community wilderness area administered by the Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust in close conjuction with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The conservation area is an unspoilt wilderness with few roads. Walking excursions in the area are a popular activity with local Samburu game scouts as guides. Game drives are also available for adventure to see lions, elephants and crocodiles.
Thika Town is about 45 kilometers from Nairobi, and is surrounded by the Chania rivers with their waterfalls. These rivers originate from the Aberdare National Park. The Blue Post Hotel, established in 1908, was a good stop over for white settlers who farmed and lived in Central Kenya, and is still a popular place to go.
Fourteen Falls is located about 65km away from Nairobi off Thika/Garissa Road turning at Makutano junction. The falls derive the name from their fourteen successive falls of water along the famous Athi River. There is a lot to see and do while in this scenic site including boating, fishing, and bird-watching.
Near the falls lies Kilimambogo, a Swahili word for the mountain of the Buffalo and home to the late great philanthropist Sir Macmillan, his wife and their house help. It is on the foot of this hill that MacMillan entertained Theodre Roosevelt, former President of the United States, and Sir Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Bisanadi and Rahole National Reserve & Kora National Park form protective screens to the east and south of Meru National Park, allowing the latters wildlife more freedom of movement while at the same time restricting human encroachment .Kora was the last home of the celebrated George Adamson, Bwana Game, where he continued his work on the rehabilitation of lions until his death in 1989. Bisanadi and Rahole National Reserves and Kora National Park sanctuaries are still underdeveloped, and roads are virtually non-existent and access is very limited.
