Lamu
Swahili culture has changed little in the past few hundred years on the island of lamu. The only motorized vehicle on the island is owned by a government official, but plenty of donkey carts provide substitutes. Narrow, winding streets and a maze of alleyways add to the timeless atmosphere. Many travelers have compared lamu to a mini-katmandu.
The lamu museum has exhibits of swahili craftwork. Of the more than 30 mosques on lamu, only a few are open to visitors. The best beaches are at shela, a 45-minute walk or short boat ride from the town of lamu to the peponi beach hotel. Matondoni is a fishing village where dhows, fishing nets and traps are made. Numerous attractions also lie on nearby islands.
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Malindi
Malindi
Malindi, located 75 miles (120 km) north of mombasa (two hours by car) has numerous beach hotels, nightclubs and shops. The international bill fishing competition is held here every january.
Accommodation - deluxe: * indian ocean lodge is an exclusive lodge with only four air-conditioned houses with facilities ensuite, and swimming pool.
First class: * silversands villas has 27 air-conditioned rooms and suites with private facilities.
Tourist class: * driftwood beach club has 27 bandas (some air-conditioned) with private facilities and swimming pool.
Camping: * silversands campsite is one mile north of town.
Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserve
Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserve
Malindi-watamu marine national reserve encompasses the area south of malindi to south of watamu, from 100 feet to three nautical miles (30 m - 5 km) offshore, and has very good diving and snorkeling.
Accommodation in watamu - first class: * hemingway’s is a 175 bed hotel with private facilities, swimming pool, and charter boats for deep sea fishing and diving. * turtle bay beach club has 154 air-conditioned rooms with ensuite facilities.
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Reserve
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Reserve
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Reserve is situated near the small fishing village of shimoni ("place of the caves") where slaves were held before shipment, near the tanzanian border tar from the mainstream of tourism. Delightful boat excursions to Wasini Island, an ancient arab settlement across a channel from shimoni, and snorkeling excursions are available.
The pemba channel, just off of shimoni, is one of the world’s finest marlin fishing grounds. Rugged five-day scuba diving expeditions on a live-aboard dhow to pemba island (Tanzania) are another way to enjoy east africa’s underwater treasures.
Accommodation - tourist class: * shimoni reef lodge has 10 basic thatched cottages with private facilities, swimming pool and scuba diving center.
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve
This 74-square-mile (192 km2) reserve of rolling hills and forests is located an hour’s drive south of Mombasa and ten miles inland. At 1500 feet (460 m) above sea level, this is a good place to cool off from the heat of the coast. From the park one has magnificent views of the Indian ocean, and Mt. Kilimanjaro can even be seen on exceptionally clear days.
Wildlife includes elephant, buffalo and leopard. This is the only park in Kenya with sable antelope.
Accommodation - class b: * shimba hills lodge is a three-story “tree hotel” with 64 beds, overlooking a floodlit water hotel.
Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya with a population of over 600,000. This island, 307 miles (495 km) from Nairobi on a paved road, is a blend of the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
The old harbor is haven for dhows carrying goods for trade between Arabia and the Indian Subcontinent and Africa, especially december-april. Kilindini ("place of deep water") is the modern harbor and largest port on the east coast of Africa.
Built by the Portuguese in 1593, fort Jesus now serves as a museum. The old town is Muslim and Indian in flavor with winding, narrow streets and alleys too narrow for cars, tall nineteenth century buildings with hand-carved doors and over-hanging balconies, and small shops. Old town and Fort Jesus are best seen on foot.
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Lake Turkana
Lake Turkana
Called The Jade Sea Because Of Its Deep Green Color, Lake Turkana Is A Huge Inland Sea Surrounded By Semidesert Near The Ethiopian Border, Three Days Of Hard Driving Over Rough Terrain From Nairobi.
Formerly Named Lake Rudolf, This Huge Lake Is Over 175 Miles (280 Km) Long And 10 To 30 Miles (16-48 Km) Wide, Set In A Lunar-Like Landscape Of Lava Rocks, Dried Up River Beds And Scattered Oases.
The Brown Omo River Flows From The Ethiopian Highlands Into The Northern Part Of The Lake Where The Water Is Fairly Fresh, But Becomes Increasingly Saline Further South Due To Intense Evaporation. The Presence Of Puffer Fish Implies That The Lake Was At One Time Connected To The Mediterranean Sea By The River Nile.
One Of The Continent’s Largest Populations Of Crocodiles Is Found Here. Because The Bitter Alkaline Waters Render Their Skins Useless For Commercial Trade, Crocodiles Are Not Hunted And Grow To Abnormally Large Sizes. Although The Water Is Very Tempting In Such A Hot, Dry Climate, Swim Only At Your Own Risk!Fishing Is A Major Attraction. Nile Perch, The World’s Largest Freshwater Fish, Can Exceed 400 Pounds (180 Kg). Tigerfish, However, Put Up A More Exciting Fight. The El Molo Tribe, The Smallest Tribe In Kenya (About 500 Members), Can Be Found Near Loiyangalani.
Central Island National Park, A Two-Square-Mile (5 Km2) Island Containing Three Volcanic Cones, Is The Most Highly Concentrated Breeding Ground Of Crocodiles In Africa. Half-Day Excursions Are Available From Lake Turkana Lodge. Excursions To South Island National Park, Also Volcanic And Full Of Crocodiles, Are Available From The Oasis Lodge.
Easiest Access To The Park Is By Small Aircraft. Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Are Necessary. Loiyangalani Is About 415 Miles (665 Km) And Ferguson’s Gulf About 500 Miles (805 Km) North Of Nairobi.
Accommodation - Class C: * Lake Turkana Lodge, SituŽated On The Western Shore Of The Lake On Ferguson’s Gulf, Has Thatched Roof, Double Bandas With Private Facilities, And SwimŽming Pool. Fishing Boats And Equipment Are Available For Hire. Excursions To Central Island National Park Are Available. * Oasis Lodge, Located On The Southeastern Shore Of The Lake At Loiyangalani, Has 24 Basic Cottages With Facilities Ensuite, Two Swimming Pools, Fishing Boats And Equipment For Hire. ExcurŽsions To South Island National Park Are Available.
Class D: * El Molo Lodge Has Bandas.
Camping: At El Molo Lodge, Sunset Strip Campsite And El Molo Bay.
Mathews Range
Mathews Range
Located Northwest Of Samburu National Park, This ReŽmote Wilderness Area With Lush Green Vegetation Rises, Above E Surrounding Semidesert Lowlands. Nature Walks, Fishing And Game Drives Are Offered. Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Are Necessary In This Region.
Accommodation - Class B/C: * Kitich Camp Has Ten Tents With Ensuite Long Drop Toilets And Bucket Showers.
Maralal National Sanctuary
Maralal National Sanctuary
Maralal National SancŽtuary, Located Northwest Of Samburu And 95 Miles (153 Km) North Of Nyahururu (205 Miles/330 Km From Nairobi) Near The Town Of Maralal, Has Zebra, Buffalo, Eland, Impala And Hyena Which Come To Drink At The Water Hole Adjacent To The Maralal Safari Lodge.
Leopard Are Baited And Can Often Be Seen Just Before Sunset From The Blind Near The Lodge. We Fortunately Saw Two Of These Fascinating Creatures During Our Visit.
Accommodation - Class B: * Maralal Safari Lodge Has 24 Cabins With Fireplaces, PriŽvate Facilities, And Swimming Pool.
Class F & Camping: * Yare Safaris Hostel And Campsite Located Two Miles South Of Maralal, Has Bandas, DormitoŽries And Campsites.
Shaba National Reserve
Shaba National Reserve
The Turnoff To The Entrance To Shaba National Reserve Is °Cated East Of Samburu National Reserve, Two Miles South Of S Post. The Ewaso Ngiro River Forms The Reserve’s Northwestern Border And Flows Through The Western Part Of The Reserve.
This 92-Square-Mile (239 Km2) Park Is Characterized By Rocky Hills And Scattered Thornbush. Volcanic Rock Is Present In Many Areas, Mt. Shaba, A 5320-Foot (1622 M)-High Volcanic Cone After Which The Park Was Named, Lies To The South Of The Park.
A Marsh In The Center Of The Park Is A Good Spot To Look For Game. During My Most Recent Visit To This Rugged, Rocky Park, We Spotted Oryx, Gerenuk, Common Waterbuck, Thomson’s And Grant’s Gazelle, Dikdik, And Ostrich.
Wildlife Is Less Abundant And Cannot Be Approached As Closely As In The Samburu And Buffalo Springs National ReŽserves. However, There Is Much Less Traffic In This Reserve.
Accommodation - Class A: * Shaba Sarova Lodge, SituŽated On The Ewaso Ngiro River, Is A Magnificent Resort-Style Lodge With 85 Rooms With Facilities Ensuite And A Huge SwimŽming Pool.
Camping: Ask At The Gate.