Mombasa
Mombasa is Kenya’s second largest city – an island joined to the mainland by a causeway. It has a fascinating historical heritage. For almost 12 centuries this important trading port has been ruled by various powerful traders. It was completely destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Arabs. The old town now remains much as it was in the 19th century, with old Arab houses lining the streets and several dhows in the harbour.

Mount Kenya National Park
Despite being situated on the equator, the higher slopes of Mt Kenya are covered with snow and ice all year round. Mount Kenya is becoming increasingly popular to climb. Although the central peaks, Batian and Nelion, require ropes, ice axes and experience, its worth attempting the climb to Lenana, for which you only need a good pair of lungs. The walk is a botanist’s dream, taking you through dense forest to bamboo forest higher up and finally up to clearings surrounded by Abyssinian Hagenia trees, hung with Orchids. At the foothills of the mountain lies the Mount Kenya National Park which has a varied wildlife population as well as geological and botanical interest. Elephant, buffalo and rhino are frequently seen and so too is the hyrax – a rock rabbit with hooves which is related to the elephant.

Masai Mara National Park
Masai Mara, six hours west of Nairobi, is possibly the finest wildlife area in Kenya. Sanctuary for the ‘big five’, the open plains of the park make for ideal viewing and the acacia woodlands often hide huge herds of elephant. The reserve is well-known for its black-maned lion and best known for the annual migration of antelope, wildebeest and zebra, with the Masai Mara forming the northern extension of Tanzania’s Serengeti. There are more than 500 species of birds in the park.

Lake Victoria
More and more people are visiting Kisumu, on the shores of a part of the lake called the Winam Gulf, as well as the islands in the lake. The shores of Lake Victoria are occupied by the Luo people, who refer to themselves as the jonam, meaning ‘lake people.’ Using brightly coloured lateen-sailed dhows and nets, they fish for perch and tilapia and go out at night to lure omena to the surface where they are caught. These sardine-like fish are dried in the sun during the day and it is common to see African kites wheeling above the Luo lakeside villages.

Watamu Marine National Park
Watamu, a little beach resort in Turtle Bay, has its own marine national park. The white coral sand beaches and clear, deep blue lagoons of Watamu Marine National Park form a protected area and it is forbidden to fish or collect coral or seashells. However, it is possible to enjoy the area by skin diving or snorkelling. Along the beach are a number of hotels.

At the southern end of Turtle Bay is Mida Creek which can be reached either by driving along one of the tracks that lead off the main Mombasa – Malindi road towards the creek or by dhow or motorboat. At the entrance to Mida Creek are three caves - the most attractive feature of the marine park. Not far from Watamu are the Gedi Ruins – an old Arab town founded in the 14th century.

Lamu Archipelago
The Lamu Archipelago, made up of three islands – Lamu, Pate and Manda – can only be reached by sailboat or dhow. The only vehicle on the carefree island of Lamu belongs to the district governor. The pace of life on the island is very relaxed and the people very friendly. Of particular interest is the Old Fort which, until recently, functioned as a prison. On the island of Manda are the ruins of the original site of the old Swahili city, Takwa, which flourished between the 15th and 17th centuries before being abandoned. The ruins on Pate Island are some of the most impressive in Kenya and include the recently excavated Shanga, a Swahili city state that is at least 1200 years old.

Tsavo National Park
This park, covering approximately 20 000 square kilometres, is the largest in Kenya and divided into east and west Tsavo by the Nairobi – Mombasa highway. Tsavo West, being more scenic and not as flat and dry as Tsavo East, is the more popular section to visit. However, both west and east are renowned for the red dust which coats everything, including the elephants, during the dry season. In the Tsavo West National Park are the Mzima Springs which attract the wildlife to its waters. A glass observation tank in the water allows visitors to view the hippo and fish from their perspective.

Most of Tsavo East is closed to the public, however, it is not as appealing as Tsavo West because of its flat terrain.

Great Rift Valley
The Kenyan section of this great fracture in the earth, which runs from Jordan to Mozambique, encompasses some of the most dramatic and spectacular scenery. There are several volcanoes and alkaline lakes along the rift in Kenya. These, along with jagged escarpments, provide some incredible landscapes.

Lake Turkana, in the extreme north, is probably the most dramatic and one of the largest alkaline lakes in the world. Referred to as the ‘jade sea’ as a result of the blue-green, jade-like colour of the water. Southwards along the valley is Lake Baringo, a fresh water lake and tourist resort. Lake Nakuru is well-known for its flamingos and is both a flamingo and rhino sanctuary. Lake Elmenteita is the smallest of all the Rift lakes and is surrounded by a lunar-type vista of extinct volcanoes and lava flows.

Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Although small, these two reserves are very scenic, situated astride the Uaso Nyiro River, which attracts many animals to its shores. To the north of Samburu is the forested mountain range, the Matthews, where a variety of game, including elephants, can be found. To the south of the river are the springs, giving the park its name.
/graphics/countries/maps/kenya_s.gif