Kenya Park Lodges -Top 9 Lodges and Camps Tsavo West National Park

East Africa Kenya National park lodge, camps, cottages and bandas information. Tsavo West Kenya National park accommodation includes Budget, midrange and top end facilities. This short in kenya lodge and camp guide tells you of the services in most of this park’s accommodation. Whether on a budget or luxury park accommodation in Kenya, you need this info.

Budget and midrange park in Kenya accommodations

Apart from camping in the Kenya park itself, the only vaguely budget options are the basic board and lodgings in the roadside town of Mtito andei Gate, but most are pretty seedy and often serve as brothels for long-haul truck drivers.

Your Tsavo Safari Park Hotel in Kenya

1. Ngulia Safari Lodge

Formerly Ngulia Bandas, new management and a complete renovation have turned this hillside camp into Tsavos best luxury bargain. Unusually, it’s self-catering accommodation that really shines, offering thatched tent-fronted stone cottages on the edge of the escarpment overlooking a stream where leopards are known to hide out.

There are rooms without kitchen and bar-restaurant for the won’t-cooks (dinner750) and some more building in progress. All in all the setting and standards outdo plenty of more ambitious lodges at a fraction of the price, with lots of wildlife (inside and out).

2. Kitani Bandas

Run by the same people as the top end luxury Severin Safari Camp. Accommodation here is obviously much simpler than the flash, tented kind but its great value and there’s a small shop providing supplies at not-too-inflated prices. Bandas No.2 and 3 hog the nicest spots, with possibly the cheapest ‘Kili’ views in the park. Its about 2km past its sister site, near a waterhole.

3. Africa Park- Kenya Public campsites

The public sites are at Komboyo, near the Mtito andei gate, and at Chyulu, just opposite the Chyulu gate.

4. Special Campsites

The locations of these bush sites change from time to time so check with the warden. Down in Lake Jipe are some simple bandas.

Top End Hotels, Lodges and Camps in the Tsavo Safari Park Kenya

All prices listed are for full board accommodation.

5. Severin Safari Camp

At Kitani, this is a fantastic complex of thatched luxury tents with affable staff, Kilimanjaro views from the communal lounge area and nightly hippo visitations. Room facilities are excellent (you even get a bidet), and the only reason it’s not classed as a four or five star establishment is the lack of a pool, which seems unduly harsh. The camp also has a self-catering annex, kitani bandas.

6. Kilaguni Serena Lodge

Kilaguni has recently been renovated and is as attractive a place as ever, with a splendid bar and restaurant overlooking a busy illuminated waterhole-the vista stretches all the way from Mt Kilimanjaro to the Chyulu Hills, and guided walks in the nearby Seven Sisters Hills are possible. The extravagant suites are practically cottages in their own right, boasting chintzy living room, minibar, TV’s and large balconies.

7. Finch Hatton’s Safari Camp

An up market tented camp with bone china and gold shower taps, named after Deny’s Finch Hatton, the play boy hunter and lover of Karen Blixen, who died at Tsavo-Kenya Game Parks. It’s situated among springs and hippo pools in the wet of the park, in grounds so sprawling you have to take an escort at night to keep you safe from the animals.

In keeping with the colonial mood, guests are requested to dress for dinner. The camp has its own airstrip (flights from Nairobi cost US$300)

8. Voyager Ziwani

By the Ziwani gate at the southwest end of the park is another luxury tented place, overlooking the Ziwa dam. As well as wildlife walks, you can visit WWWII battle fields and Grogan castle, a fortress like hilltop residence built in the 19th century by swashbuckling British adventurer Ewart Grogan, who became famous for walking from cape town to Cairo to prove his love for a woman!

9. Ngulia Safari Lodge

A curiously unattractive block in a spectacular location, constructed in bad old days of emerging mass tourism hen hotels made little effort to blend in. The surrounding Ngulia Hills attract loads of birds and the lodge puts out bait for leopards, which guarantees you a sighting, if not exactly a place in ecoawareness heaven.

There’s a waterhole right by the restaurant and sweeping views over the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary on the other side.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. An Kenya East Africa Tour and Travel Company Degreed in Kenya Tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. See the most luxurious African Kenya Safari Park lodges and camps here:
http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

African Kenya water sports- 5 Most Popular Kenya sports in Shimoni

Your East African Kenya coast-water sports information. The most popular Kenya water sports includes Swimming with dolphins Kenya Africa , diving, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, Dhow trips, Relic Coral Garden walks, wind surfin, parachuting, parasailing among others.

Shimoni & Wasini Vacation Island

The village of Shimoni sits at the tip of a peninsula about 76km south of Likoni. Dhow trips to Wasini Island and Kisite Marine National Park have become a big industry here, and every morning in high season a convoy of coaches arrives carrying tourists from the resorts at Diani Beach. The trips are well run, but you can easily organise your own trip directly with the boat men.

It’s worth waiting until the day trippers have gone home to explore Shimoni, as the dusty streets have their own unique atmosphere outside tourist times. Villagers have opened up the old slave caves as a tourist attraction with a custodian who’ll take you around the dark caverns to illustrate this little-discussed part of east African history.

Actual evidence that slaves were kept here is a little thin, but as the pile of empty votive rose water bottles indicates, even today the site definitely has significance for more superstitious locals.

Wasini Island, too, becomes even more appealing in the peace of the evening. There are no roads or running water and the only electricity comes from generators. There are several worthwhile things to see, including some ancient Swahili ruins and the coral gardens, a bizarre landscape of exposed coral reefs with board walk for viewing. Most people come here on organised dhow trips from Diani.

Kisite Marine National Park

Just off the south coast of Wasini Island, this marine park is one of the best in Kenya, also incorporating the Mpunguti Marine national Reserve. The park covers 28 sq km of pristine coral reefs and offers excellent diving and snorkeling. You have a reasonable chance of seeing dolphins in the Shimoni channel, and the humpback whales are sometimes spotted between august and October.

There are various organised trips to the marine park but these tend to be outside ventures and don’t always contribute a great deal to the local community. Its easy to organise your own boat trip with a local captain-the going rate is Kshs 1500 per person or 6,000 per boat including lunch and a walk in the coral gardens on Wasini Island.

Masks and snorkels can be hired for Kshs 200 (fins are discouraged as they may damage the coral reef).

A good place to start looking for a boat-man is at the office of KWS which is about 200m south of the main pier, where you’ll also have to come to pay the entry fee. The best time to dive and snorkel is between October and March. Avoid diving in July and August because of rough seas and poor visibility.


5 Top Kenya Water Safari Sports and Activities

1. Snorkeling and Diving

Masks and snorkels are available for rent on the beach for Kshs 100. You’ll need a boat to get out to the reef. Most trips to the park provide their own snorkeling gear. Certified divers can take dives with local Kenya tour companies, or more expensively at the coral reef Lodge or Pemba channel fishing club. Dive courses and longer scuba safaris are also possible in the Pemba channel.

2. Deep sea fishing

The Pemba channel is famous for deep-sea fishing, and Pemba channel fishing club holds over 50% of Kenya’s marlin- fishing records. Boats cost from USD 500 for nine hours (valid for up to four fishers). This company promotes tag and release which I strongly encourage as an eco-friendly measure.

3. Diving Tours in Shimoni on Kenya coast

Various companies offer organised dhow tours for snorkeling, all leaving Shimoni by 9am. Transfers from North –and south- coast hotels are available. (US$10 TO 20), and longer trips with overnights stays can also be arranged. Children pay half the adult price. Certified divers can take one/two scuba dives for an extra US$30/50 with any of these companies.

4. Swimming with Dolphins in Kenya Coast

The friends of Kenya Dolphins have set up the Dolphin Dhow, a dolphin –spotting and snorkeling trip around Wasini Island. The dhow leaves from Shimoni jetty at 8.45am daily and costs US$75. The price includes snorkeling equipment, drinks, a Swahili seafood lunch and the marine park fees.

5. Kisite Dhow Tours

The Kisite dhow tours runs a popular eco-tourist snorkeling trips to the marine park, including a nature walk on Wasini and a very good seafood lunch at Charlie’s claw’s original Wasini Island restaurant. Trips cost US$ 55 from Shimoni jetty, or US$ 75 with breakfast, drinks and visits to the coral gardens and slave caves.

6. Pilli-Pipa

This is another expat-owned company offering full day trips. The price is US$80 from Shimoni, including lunch, park fees, snorkeling and drinks. Diving trips are available at US$ 130/$145 for one/two dives.

7. Paradise Divers

Based in Diani also offers similar trips for US$ 80.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in Kenya tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. Dig out other bizarre Kenya water sports here:
http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

Kenya Tracts Animal-Top 12 About Kenya Jungle Animals

Kenya animal safari is of epic proportions. This guide to animals of Kenya explains 12 of the most common and interesting on your Kenya photographic safari. Animal hunting in Kenya is by camera only; in elaborate and captivating photographic safaris and tours. Kenya national parks plays host to elephants, hippos, rhinos, gazelles, giraffes and many other Kenyan animals.

Ungulates:

1. African Elephant

Elephants usually live in groups of 10 to 20 females and their young, congregating in larger herds at common water and food resources. A cow may mate with many bulls. Vocalizations include a deep rumble felt as a low vibration, and a high-pitched trumpeting given in threat or when frightened.

Consuming 250kg of vegetation daily, elephants can decimate woodlands, but this may be part of the savanna’s natural cycle. They live for up to 100 years.
Distribution: Widely distributed in Kenya apart from the north.

2. Warthog

Warthogs grow two sets of tusks; their upper tusks grow as long as 60cm and their lower tusks are usually less than 15cm long. Sociality varies, but groups usually consist of one to three sows and their young. Males form bachelor herds or are solitary, only associating with females during oestrus.

Warthogs feed mainly from grass, but also on fruit and bark. In hard times, they grub for roots and bulbs. They den in abandoned burrows or excavate their own burrows.
Distribution:
Through out Kenya except in dense rainforest and mountains above 3000m.

3. Hippopotamus

Hippos are found close to fresh water, sending most of the day submerged and emerging at night to graze on land. The animals can consume about 40kg of vegetation each evening. They live in large herds tolerating close contact in the water but foraging alone when on land.

The scars found on bulls resulting from conflicts are often a convenient indicator of the sex of hippos. Cows with calves are aggressive towards other individuals. Hippos are extremely dangerous when on land and kill many people each year, usually when someone inadvertently blocks the animal’s retreat to the water.
Distribution:
Usually found near large areas of fresh water through out Kenya.

4. African Cape Buffalo

Both animal sexes of the African Buffaloes have distinctive curving horns that broaden at the base to meet over the forehead in a massive ‘boss’-the females are usually smaller. Local populations of buffaloes in habit large home ranges and at times herds of thousands form, but the population’s social organization is fluid; groups of related females and their young coalesce and separate into larger or smaller herds.

Although generally docile, buffaloes can be dangerous-especially lone bulls, and females protecting their young.
Distribution
Widespread, but large populations only occur in parks of Kenya.

5. Common (grey) Duiker

One of the most common types of small antelopes, common duikers are usually solitary, but they are sometimes in pairs. They are grayish light brown animals in color, with a white belly and a dark –brown stripe down the face. Only males have horns, which are straight and pointed and rarely grow longer than 15cm.

Their habit of feeding on agricultural crops leads to them being persecuted outside of protected areas, although they are resilient to hunting. Common duikers are capable of going without water for long periods, but they will drink whenever water is available.
Distribution
Throughout Kenya.

6. Water buck

Waterbucks have a shaggy brown coat and white rump, face and coat markings; only males have horns. Females have overlapping ranges, coming and going to form loose associations of normally up to a dozen animals. Young, non-territorial males behave similarly.

Mature males hold territories, onto which the females wander (non-territorial males are also often allowed access) these essentially independent movements sometimes produce herds of 50 to 70. They always stay near water and are good swimmers, readily entering water to escape predators.
Distribution;
Wet areas through out Kenya.

7. Reedbuck

Brown common reedbucks are found n the woodland areas; yellowish bohor reedbucks are prevalent on flood plains; grey mountain reedbucks inhabit grassy hill country. All have white under parts; males have forward curving horns.

Common reedbucks form pairs, though mates associate only loosely; female mountain reedbucks form small animal groups that range over the territories of several males.
Distribution
Throughout Kenya wherever suitable, well-watered grasslands occur.

8. Roan antelope

Roan antelopes’ coats vary from reddish-fawn to dark reddish-brown with white under parts and a mane of stiff, black-tipped hair. Their faces are black and white, their long, pointed ears tipped with a brown tassel. Both sexes have long backwards-curving horns. They prefer sites with tall grasses, shade and water.

Herds of normally less than 20 females and young range over the territories of several adult males; other males form bachelor groups. Female animal herds of up to 50 are common during the dry season when food and water are more localized.
Distribution
Mostly at Ruma National Park near Lake Victoria.

9. Sable Antelope

Widely considered to be the most magnificent of Africa’s antelopes, sable antelopes are slightly smaller than roan antelopes, but are more thick set. They have longer horns often reaching more than 100cm. Sables have a white belly and face markings; females are reddish brown, while mature males are a deep glossy black.

They favor habitats slightly more wooded than that of roan antelopes. Social organization of the two species is also very similar, but sable female-and-young herds are slightly larger-usually 10 to 30, but up to 70 or so.
Distribution
Mostly at Simba Hills National Reserve on the Kenyan coast.

10. Oryx

Well adapted to aridity, Oryxes can survive without drinking. Oryxes are solid and powerful; both sexes carry long, straight horns. Principally grazers, they also browse on thorny shrubs. In areas with abundant water and food, populations are sometimes resident and spot a social system like that of roan antelopes.

More usually, nomadic herds number around a dozen, but can total up to 60. Herds normally contain males and females, but there are strict hierarchies within the sexes. Herds, especially if small, may also be single sex.
Distribution
Beisa Oryx in Northern Kenya; fringe–eared oryx in southern Kenya.

11. Impala

Male impalas have long, lyre shaped horns averaging 75cm in length. They are gregarious animals, forming resident herds of up to 100 or so. Males defend female herds during the oestrus, but outside the breeding season they congregate in bachelor herds. Impala are known for their speed and ability to leap-they can spring as far as 10m in one bound, or 3m into the air.

They are the common prey of lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and spotted hyenas.
Distribution
Savanna regions from central Kenya extending south. Status: Very common animal and easy to see.

12. Gazelle

One of the most common medium sized antelopes. Thompson’s gazelles are smaller and form large aggregations (often of many thousands) on the open plains. They often occur with impala –sized Grants gazelles, which lack the distinctive black side stripe of the ‘Tommy’.

The social structure is flexible; herds often consist of females and young, with males defending territories around the feeding grounds of females.
Distribution
Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelle common in savannah and woodland. Status: Very common in Kenya.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. To find out what happens to most animals of Kenya, take this bait: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

Kenya Africa Hotels-Kenya Hotels Close to City Centre

African Kenya accommodation hotels, camps and lodges info. The accommodation hotels in Kenya are divided into budget/economy, medium/midrange and Luxury/top-end. The prices of kenya budget is under Kshs 1000 while midrange is from Kshs 1000-3500 while top-end is anything from Kshs 3500 or US$80.

Types of Accommodations Kenya

Kenya has a good range of accommodation options, from basic cubicle hotels overlooking city bus stands to luxury tented camps hidden away in the national parks. There are also all kinds of campsites, kenya budget tented camps, simple bandas (often wooden huts) and cottages scattered around the parks and rural areas.

Getting more info on Kenya accommodation ranges

During the low season, many companies offer excellent deals on accommodation on the coast and in the main wildlife parks, often working with airlines to create packages aimed at the local and expat market. The websites of some operators displays almost all major hotels and lodges in Kenya, giving price ranges and descriptions; others are a good port of call for discounted Kenya hotel bookings at some of the more expensive camps, loges and hotels.

Kenya Budget accommodation price range

Where appropriate, Kenya accommodation options are split into budget, midrange and top end categories for ease of reference. In general, a budget double room is anything under Kshs 1,000. You can pay as little a Kshs 150 for four walls and a bed, with foam mattress and shared squat toilet; for Kshs 400 and up you’d usually get a private bathroom, and at the upper end of the scale shower heaters and breakfast may be on offer.

Surprisingly, bedding, towels and soap are almost always provided however much you pay, though cleanliness varies widely and toilet seats can be rare luxuries.

Mid range/Medium accommodation

In most of the country, midrange accommodation falls between Kshs 1,000 and Kshs 3,500 for a double room-the major exception to this is Nairobi, where you can pay anything up to Kshs 6000 for the same standards. In this bracket you’d usually expect breakfast, private bathroom, telephone and good size double beds with proper mattresses; the more you pay the more facilities you get, from restaurants and bars to TV’s hot showers and the odd swimming pool.

Top-end/Luxury accommodation

Everything over Kshs 3,500 (or US$80 in Nairobi) counts as top end, and what you get for your money varies enormously. Once you hit US$ 100 you should count on breakfast, TV, Phone, air-con (on the coast), room service and toiletries as standard, and in the upper realms of the price range the extras can include anything from complimentary minibar to casinos, Jacuzzis and free activities.

Exclusive/Luxury accommodation in Kenya

The most expensive places are the exclusive getaways tucked away in national parks and other remote areas of Kenya, which can exceed US$600 for a double but don’t necessarily include all the trappings you’d expect elsewhere.

Although most midrange and top-end places quote prices in US dollars, payment can be made in local currency. Note that most places have separate rates for residents, and these are often much less than for nonresident rates.

Kenya Hotel Prices and seasons

Many midrange and (especially) top-end options also change their prices according to season, which can be confusing as very few places use exactly the same dates. In principal there are high, low and shoulder seasons, but some hotels can divide their year into five or more distinct pricing periods.

For lodges in the national parks, the norm is to charge high-season prices from July to march, with low-season prices only applicable from April to June.

On the coast, where things are much more seasonal, peak times tend to be July to August and December to March, and a range of lower rates can apply for the rest of the year.

Note that, however high season is defined, premium rates or supplements always apply over Christmas, New Year and Easter, and can be as much as double the high season tariffs. Conversely, hotels that are near empty in low season may be open to some negotiation on rates.

Exchange rate at time of publishing is US$1 for Kshs 70
Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya Holiday accommodation. See the most luxurious lodges and camps here:
http://www.landmarksafaris.com/hotel

Best Kenya National Animal Park - National Parks of Kenya

Top Kenya National Park vacation site. The Best and only National Park in Kenya, full of bizarre and weird landscapes. The adventure vacation of Tsavo West Park, in the South of Kenya is rich with wildlife and peculiarity. From Kenyan rhino to the infamous man-eater lions of Tsavo, the enchanted forest water springs of Mzima to the volcanic lava flows.

The fine Tsavo West National Park covers a huge variety o landscape, from swamps and natural springs to rocky peaks, extinct volcanic cones to rolling plains and sharp reddish outcrops dusted with greenery.

Attractiveness of Tsavo west national park

It’s easily the more attractive of the two parks, but wildlife can be hard to spot because of the dense scrub. Birds are very common and there are large populations of elephants, zebras, hippos and leopards. Lions are out there, but they tend to stay hidden.

The focus is Mzima springs, which produces an incredible 93 million gallons of fresh water a day. The springs are the source of the bulk of Mombasa fresh water and you can walk down to a large pool that is a favourite haunt for crocodiles and hippos. There’s an underwater viewing chamber. Be a little careful here-both crocs and hippos are potentially dangerous.

Birds eye views on crater hills

Chaimu crater, just south east of Kilaguni Serena lodge and the roaring rocks viewpoint can be climbed in about 15minutes. The views from either spot are stunning with falcons, eagles and buzzards whirling over the plains. While there is little danger when walking these trails, be ware that the wildlife is still out there so keep your eyes open.

Rhinos in the National Park

Another attraction is the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, at the base of Ngulia Hills, part of the Rhino Ark program. It’s close to Ngulia safari Lodge, but a long drive from anywhere else. The 70 sq km area is surrounded by a 1m-high electric fence and provides security for the park’s last 49 black rhinos.

There are driving tracks and waterholes within the enclosed area and there’s a good chance of seeing one of these elusive creatures. Large numbers of elephants, buffaloes and other species have moved into the enclosure.

Unusual animal species

Some of the more unusual species to look out for in the park include the naked mole rat, which can sometimes be seen kicking sand from its burrows, and the enigmatically named white bellied go-away bird, which is often seen perched in dead trees. Red- beaked hornbills and bateleur eagles are common. Look out for dung beetles rolling huge balls of elephant dung along the tracks.

Rock climbing in the park

It’s possible to go rock climbing at Tembo peak and the Ngulia Hills but you’ll need to arrange in advance with the park warden. This area is also fantastic for birdlife and there is a very reliable hippo pool on the Mukui River, near the Ngulia Safari Lodge.

Lake Vacation Spot-Lake Jipe

Lake Jipe at the south west end of the park, reached by a desperately dusty track from near Taveta. You can hire boats at the campsite to take you hippo and crocodile spotting on the lake (US$5). Huge herds of elephants come to the lake to drink and large flocks of migratory birds stop here from February to May.

Vacations to Tsavo West National Park can be arranged by a Kenya tour company based in Nairobi or you can also have a self-drive safari with equipment on hire from a Kenya car rental company and camping Gear Company.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. Find out the best encounters in a Kenya National Parks Tour:
http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

Kenya Africa animal Parks -Wildlife Kenya animal Park

African Kenya animals information. The best Kenya animal safari parks includes sightings of animals like the Kenya lion, Kenya monkeys animal, lynx, Kenya elephant animal, hyena, birds, Kenya giraffe animal and other Kenya wild life. You will follow tracks of all African Kenya animals and hear sounds in Kenya wild. Nature treks in Kenya teach you names and the occasional eating of animal steak.

African Kenya: Animal sights and sounds - Tsavo Park

At nearly 22,000 sq km. Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya. For administrative and practical purposes, it has been split into Tsavo West National Park (9,000sqkm) and Tsavo East National Park (11,747 sq km) divided by the Nairobi-Mombasa road (A109). Both parks feature some excellent scenery but the undergrowth is considerably higher than in Amboseli and Maasai Mara, so it takes a little more effort to spot the wildlife, particularly the big predators.

The compensation for this is that the landscape are some of the most dramatic in Kenya, animals are that bit little wilder ( you really don’t want to mess with a Tsavo elephant) and the parks receive comparatively few visitors compared to the hordes who descend on Amboseli and the Maasai Mara. The northern half of

Tsavo West is the most developed, with a number of excellent lodges and several places you can get out of your vehicle and walk. The landscape here is made of volcanic hills and sweeping expanses of savanna. The southern part of the park, on the far side of the dirt road between voi and Taveta on the Tanzanian border, is rarely visited.

Tsavo East is more remote, but there are a number of lodges, and, refreshingly, a number of independent budget tented camps. Most of the action here is concentrated along the Galana River; north part of the park has been bandit country but security has now improved greatly. The landscape here is drier, with rolling plains hugging the edge of the Yatta escarpment, a vast prehistoric lava flow.

During the dry season, the landscape in both parks is dusty and parched, but it erupts into colour at the end of the wet season, although of course, that means there’s more greenery to hide the wildlife.

Both Parks were once the lands of the Orma, Watta, Maasai and the Kamba people, but all the villagers were displaced when the park was gazetted. Some of these communities have now established wildlife sanctuaries and group ranches on the outskirts of the park.

Tsavo had terrible problems with poachers during the 1980s, when the elephant population dropped from 45,000 to just 5000 and rhinos were almost wiped out entirely. Populations are slowly recovering and there are now about 9000 elephants in the two parks, but less than 100 rhinos, down from about 9000 in 1969. The last few years have once again seen a worrying upsurge in poaching.

Tourist information on Tsavo National Parks

Entry is US 27/10 per adult/child per day, vehicles cost Kshs 200 and camping is US $10 per adult; as the two parks are administered separately you have to pay separate entrance fees for each. Both parks use the smart card system-you’ll need enough credit for your vehicle, entry fee and any camping charges for as long as you are staying. Smart cards can be bought and recharged at the Voi Gate to Tsavo East.

There is a small visitor centre near Mtito andei gate to Tsavo west, with an interesting display on conservation issues and some of the animals and birds in the park.

All the track junctions in Tsavo East and Tsavo West have numbered and sign posted cairns, which in theory makes navigation fairly simple. In practice, some sign posts are missing and the numbering system is often confusing, so a park map is helpful. Survey of Kenya publishes a Tsavo East National Park map (Kshs 500) and a newer Tsavo West National Park MAP (Kshs 700).

Both are available at the main entrance gates and the visitor centre at the Tsavo West. Tourist maps’ Tsavo national park (Kshs 250) covers both parks.

Fuel is available at Kilaguni Serena and Ngulia Safari lodges in Tsavo West, and at Voi Safari Lodge in Tsavo East.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. To find out what happens to you on your African Kenya animal, take the hook, line and sinker: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

Kenya-Africa Itinerary Planner; Kenya Vacatio n Planner - Safari Planning Tour in Kenya Africa

Kenya vacation itinerary planning is now as easy as A-Z. Just fill in a simple Kenya safari questionnaire to tailor your own special itinerary trip or itinerary tour to Kenya. In as few as 1 minute, you will detail all your Kenya travel needs and let a Kenya Travel agent put it together to your liking

You will agree that the most difficult part in planning your africa Kenya itinerary tour or vacation in Kenya or Africa is…well the planning itself. Imagine it’s possibly your first tour in Kenya and besides that little research you have done online, you don’t know Kenya from Kazakhstan. Borat’s alleged country of origin, I guess.

You could easily sink-in your hard earned money into a Kenya itinerary tour and end up missing the best places.

Your Safari Idea

However it’s not all gloom. For all it’s worth you will at least have a rough idea of how your tour adventure should be like. It starts there. All that you need now is a way to put that idea into real attractions in destination Kenya. The last thing you want to do at this point is buy off a ready made Kenya package tour off the shelf. Just doesn’t feel right, does it?

Everybody does want to get involved in putting in place, the bolts and nuts of their possibly, once in a lifetime Kenya holiday.

What Is the Kenya Vacation Itinerary Planner?

The solution seems to have been provided for you already. It’s in such a way that you put in no uncertain terms, what you want your experience to be; the tour operator will do the rest. It’s more like how you give instructions to your lawyer to carry out. Enter the Kenya tour itinerary planner.

Sections of the Planner

There is now available, an easy to fill, interactive and exhaustive Kenya itinerary tour planning tool. The Kenya itinerary trip and itinerary tour planner has several key sections that cover your Kenya vacation holiday including:

a) Your Kenya travel details
b) Your length of stay in Kenya holiday
c) Your preferred Kenya adventure vacation activities.
d) Your level or degree of Kenya itinerary tour involvement
e) Your Choice of Kenya vacation accommodation type and finally
f) Your Choice of Kenya tour vehicle and transport

To give you an idea of how much you will be involved in the Kenya itinerary tour planner, let’s look at what each of the above sections.

Kenya Travel Information

This section of the Kenya safari itinerary will ask you straight questions on your planned dates of travel including:
i. Your name and contact details
ii. Number of People traveling to Kenya
iii. Dates of arrival in Kenya and flight numbers (if any at that point)
iv. Airports of arrival and departure in Kenya

Kenya Holiday Duration

How long you want your Kenya itinerary vacation or tour to last of course depends on your budgeted expenditure. Those combining Kenya and other East African countries tend to spread their vacation days depending on which country interests them most. In this section you will get to tell the operator about:

i.Your planned days of vacation in Kenya
ii.The type of Kenya travel itinerary you would want put together for you.

Kenya Tour Adventure Activities

In this section the Kenya itinerary planner want you to state the kind of activities you wish to engage in. This is of course drawn from those that are available in Kenya. It would be hilarious to expect skiing or whale watching in the tropics for example. In this section you instruct to get arranged activities like:

i.Kenya Bird Watching
ii.Kenya park Walking safaris
iii.Kenya Game trekking
iv.Snow-capped Kenya Mountain climbing
v.Night game viewing in Kenya National parks
vi.Horseback safaris in Kenya National Parks
vii.Bungee Jumping in Kenya
viii.White water rafting in major Kenyan rivers
ix.Kenya lake vacation activities like boating
x.Dhow trips and dinners in Kenya
xi.Kenya lake park visits
xii.Kenya river tour
xiii.Camping in Kenya national parks
xiv.Kenya overland tour
xv.Visits to Kenya river parks and lodge parks among many other activities.

Lastly this section would want to know what level of involvement you would want to engage, in all the activities selected. Hardcore mountaineers for example would say ‘totally full on’ or ‘extreme sporting’.

Tour Adventure Accommodation in Kenya

Since accommodation more or less occupies that largest proportion of your holiday budget, you will find yourself juggling between standard, medium and luxury Vis a Vis the overall length of stay. Here you are able to advice the operator/ground handler on the type and your expectations.

Budget or not, nobody wants to end up in some nondescript, derelict, roof-reeking, claustrophobic- hole in the wall ‘hotel’. The Kenya tour vacation itinerary planner enables you to avoid just that and indicate:

i.Your Kenya Accommodation requirements
ii.Room configuration
iii.Any other special arrangements
iv.Your planned Kenya vacation accommodation budget.

Kenya Vacation Car Rental and Transportation

In this section, the Kenya safari itinerary planner wants you to indicate the type of ground transport desired. In some instances travelers may want a driven tour van, Kenya tour coaches, Kenya bus tours, Kenya train tours or self driven Kenyan car rentals. This section therefore requests you to indicate:

i.The type of Kenya car rental desired
ii.Any other special requirement on transport
iii.Any Kenya air safaris needed.

The last section of the Kenya vacation planner requests you for any other comments and special arrangements not covered in the itinerary planner.

Why Use the Kenya Tour Vacation Planner?

The Usefulness of the itinerary planner is basically the fact that it simplifies the otherwise arduous task of planning your vacation. It assists in several ways including:
a.Provides you with an interactive process that puts planning of your Kenya tour in
your own hands.
b.Provides you with hitherto unknown information about what is at the destination
without going into gory details.
c.Its simplified format saves you a lot of online research effort and time.
d.Assists the Kenyan tour operator know and design a Kenya tour itinerary that is in
your taste.
e.Avoids disappointments and dissatisfaction at the destination since you get what
you explicitly asked for.

Do yourself a favour the next time you are planning your Kenya itinerary tour or itinerary trip….fill in the Kenya safari vacation planner.

Best of Safari Tour to You!


Robert Muhoho is a tour consultant with Landmark safaris. To tailor your own Kenya itinerary tour safari visit them @
http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner

Best anima l pictures in Kenya - Good Wildlife pictures

African Kenya wildlife photographic safari tour information. Blank or distorted prints after a Kenya photo safari tour can be your worst nightmare. Taking pictures in the wild is different. This guide helps you take some necessary equipment and lenses for your digital, film or video camera. Get the best pictures of animals in Kenya-read before you pack up.

Photographing people remains sensitive issue in Kenya. Some tribal groups request money for you to take their photo.

You should never get your camera out at border crossings or near government or army buildings; even bridges can sometimes be classed as sensitive areas.

Availability of Film and Equipment for your camera in Nairobi Kenya

You’ll find Kodak and Fuji 100, 200, and 400 ASA (ISO) print and slide film widely available in Nairobi, but even 100 ISO slide film is hard to find in Mombasa. If you plan to use 64 or 800 ASA film, bring it from home. As an indication of price, 36-exposure slide film in Nairobi is about Kshs 400; 36-exposure colour print film is cheaper at Kshs 250 to Kshs 350 but again, only 100,200 and (less frequently) 400ASA are available. Watch out for out –of-date batches.

Video animal photography

Both VHS and Hi-8 video film is available in Nairobi and Mombasa, but it’s relatively expensive. You may also be able to find memory cards and other accessories for digital and DV cameras, but again prices are high and quality is not guaranteed. If you don’t have the inclination or resources to buy expensive equipment but do know abit about photography, it’s possible to hire SLR cameras and lenses in Nairobi.

Film Processing in Kenya

Shops and booths offering film processing are popping up in small towns and villages all over Kenya. In addition, there are plenty of one-hour film-processing labs in Nairobi and at least one in all other major towns. They can handle any film speeds, but results can vary.

Depending on the print size, processing and printing costs about Kshs 480 to Kshs 650 for a 36-exposure film.E6 slide processing can only be done in Nairobi and costs around Kshs 450 for a 36-exposure film.

Taking Pictures of wildlife

As the natural light in Kenya can be extremely strong, morning and evening are the best times to take photos. A plain UV filter can also be a good idea to take the harshness out of the day light pictures.

For serious wildlife photography an SLR camera that can take long focal length lenses is necessary. Zoom lenses are best for wildlife photography as it is easier to frame your shot for the best composition. This is especially important because the animals are almost constantly on the move.

The 70mm to 210mm zoom lenses are popular, and 200mm is really the absolute minimum power you’ll need to get a good close up shots. The only problem with zoom lenses is that they absorb about 1.5f-stops of light, which is where 200 and 400ASA film starts to become useful.

Best animal camera lenses

Telephoto (fixed focal lengths) lenses give better results than zoom lenses, but you’re limited by having to carry a separate lens for every focal length. A 400mm or 500mm lens brings the action right up close, but again you need fast film to make the most of it. Another option is to carry a 2x teleconverter, a small adapter that doubles the focal length of your lens.

Using zoom Lenses in Wildlife photographic safari

When using long lenses, you’ll find that a tripod can be extremely useful, and with any lens greater than about 300mm it’s a necessity. Within the confined space of the hatch of a safari minibus, you may be better off with a folding miniature tripod, which you can then rest on the roof. Remember to ask your driver to switch off the engine to avoid vibrations affecting your photo. If you’ve got a large lens but no tripod, lying your camera on a small bean bag or cushion can help reduce camera shake.

A decent bag is essential to protect your gear from the elements and the rough roads-safari dust gets everywhere, particularly in parks like Samburu and Tsavo. It’s also vital to make sure that your travel insurance policy covers your camera gear should it get stolen or damaged.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. More on Kenya photo safaris and tours:
http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

Top Nairobi Kenya Hotel accommodation Grand Regency; Kenya Nairobi Hotel

Best Nairobi-Kenya Hotel, the Grand regency is a modern structure standing on concrete pillars making twelve stories. The Nairobi-Kenya Grand Regency hotel is a 5 star deluxe and has 194 double rooms including suites.
Part 1

Nairobi-Kenya Grand regency has a central atrium finely decorated with glass mosaic and covered from the sun by a transparent roof.

The superstructure of accommodation in Kenya-Nairobi hotels of Grand Regency Nairobi

All rooms have an atrium and street view with the best rooms overlooking the lush and well manicured Nairobi central park. Everything in grand regency Nairobi is grand with bronze coloured and polished banisters, tinted, glass paned lifts that run the height of the atrium.

The rooms of accommodation in Kenya-Nairobi hotels of Grand Regency Nairobi

The 194 exquisitely appointed guest rooms include 32 suites and 1 presidential suite. All these rooms offer unmatched comfort, luxury and ambience.

Grand regency Nairobi offers a variety of services and additional facilities including:

1.On the house shoe shine services
2.Bathrooms and showers with bidet, hair drier, Mirrors and bathrobes.
3.Full air-con
4.In room safes
5.laundry and dry cleaning
6.Round the clock room service
7.Telephone and voice mail services in rooms
8.Regency executive club
9.In room internet, email and internet facilities through the TV
and a 28 TV channels and play stations.
10.The Summit: 13th floor restaurant with a
11.panoramic view of the whole city.

The facilities of accommodation in Kenya-Nairobi hotels of Grand Regency Nairobi


1.Harry's Bar: Drinks is a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy the best cigars in a comfortable
and luxurious ambience.

2.Terrace Coffee Shop: Coffee shop at the lobby level open 24hrs offering hot and
cold drinks.

3.Atrium Garden Restaurant: Cuisine in a garden atmosphere.

4.All weather Panorama Pool Deck: Situated at the Atrium level. The only all weather
heated Swimming pool in the city.

5.Roberto's: Located at the 5th Avenue (lobby level) offers authentic Italian
cuisine.

6.Frutteria: Enjoy the finest squeezed juices and Delicious homemade ice creams.

7.Regency Frontier: Located on the Ground floor Next to the Royal terrace coffee
shop. The best tandoor, paneer tikka and murgh kathee kebab Place in town.

8.The Crystal Palace: Chinese Cuisine at the Grand Regency Hotel. Offers Authentic
Chinese Cuisine the preferred Way.

9.Sitar Restaurant: Mezzanine level, is open for lunch and dinner. Provides
traditional Indian Cuisine in authentic Indian atmosphere.

The cuisines of accommodation in Kenya-Nairobi hotels of Grand Regency Nairobi

1.Gym: An exclusive health and recreation club featuring separate facilities for
ladies/gents, fitness machines, steam baths and Jacuzzi.

2.Regency Casino Nairobi5th Avenue Shopping Arcade has a hair and Beauty salon,
curio and gift shops among others.

3.Business Centre with full secretarial and telecommunication facilities.

4.The entertainment of accommodation in Kenya-Nairobi hotels of Grand Regency
Nairobi

5.Crystal Ballroom: Crystal Ballroom, can host up to 400 guests. 900 guests
in theatre style, and up to 1500 guests in a cocktail reception

6.The Regency Centre: on the Mezzanine 3 level of the hotel and comprises of 5
executive board meeting rooms equipped to accommodate up to 300 delegates at a
time.

The meeting places of accommodation in Kenya-Nairobi hotels of Grand Regency Nairobi

Robert Muhoho is a tour consultant with Landmark safaris. To tailor your own Nairobi Kenya accommodation visit them @
http://www.sojournsafaris.com/one-day-nairobi-city-tours

Wildlife Kenya Animal Safari : 12 Mos t Intriguing Kenya Anima l(s)

Kenya animal safari is of epic proportions. This guide to animals of Kenya explains 12 of the most common and interesting on your Kenya photographic safari. Animal hunting in Kenya is by camera only; in elaborate and captivating photographic safaris and tours. Kenya national parks plays host to elephants, hippos, rhinos, gazelles, giraffes and many other Kenyan animals.

Ungulates:

1. African Elephant

Elephants usually live in groups of 10 to 20 females and their young, congregating in larger herds at common water and food resources. A cow may mate with many bulls. Vocalizations include a deep rumble felt as a low vibration, and a high-pitched trumpeting given in threat or when frightened.

Consuming 250kg of vegetation daily, elephants can decimate woodlands, but this may be part of the savanna’s natural cycle. They live for up to 100 years.
Distribution: Widely distributed in Kenya apart from the north.

2. Warthog

Warthogs grow two sets of tusks; their upper tusks grow as long as 60cm and their lower tusks are usually less than 15cm long. Sociality varies, but groups usually consist of one to three sows and their young. Males form bachelor herds or are solitary, only associating with females during oestrus.

Warthogs feed mainly from grass, but also on fruit and bark. In hard times, they grub for roots and bulbs. They den in abandoned burrows or excavate their own burrows.
Distribution:
Through out Kenya except in dense rainforest and mountains above 3000m.

3. Hippopotamus

Hippos are found close to fresh water, sending most of the day submerged and emerging at night to graze on land. The animals can consume about 40kg of vegetation each evening. They live in large herds tolerating close contact in the water but foraging alone when on land.

The scars found on bulls resulting from conflicts are often a convenient indicator of the sex of hippos. Cows with calves are aggressive towards other individuals. Hippos are extremely dangerous when on land and kill many people each year, usually when someone inadvertently blocks the animal’s retreat to the water.
Distribution:
Usually found near large areas of fresh water through out Kenya.

4. African Cape Buffalo

Both animal sexes of the African Buffaloes have distinctive curving horns that broaden at the base to meet over the forehead in a massive ‘boss’-the females are usually smaller. Local populations of buffaloes in habit large home ranges and at times herds of thousands form, but the population’s social organization is fluid; groups of related females and their young coalesce and separate into larger or smaller herds.

Although generally docile, buffaloes can be dangerous-especially lone bulls, and females protecting their young.
Distribution
Widespread, but large populations only occur in parks of Kenya.

5. Common (grey) Duiker

One of the most common types of small antelopes, common duikers are usually solitary, but they are sometimes in pairs. They are grayish light brown animals in color, with a white belly and a dark –brown stripe down the face. Only males have horns, which are straight and pointed and rarely grow longer than 15cm.

Their habit of feeding on agricultural crops leads to them being persecuted outside of protected areas, although they are resilient to hunting. Common duikers are capable of going without water for long periods, but they will drink whenever water is available.
Distribution
Throughout Kenya.

6. Water buck

Waterbucks have a shaggy brown coat and white rump, face and coat markings; only males have horns. Females have overlapping ranges, coming and going to form loose associations of normally up to a dozen animals. Young, non-territorial males behave similarly.

Mature males hold territories, onto which the females wander (non-territorial males are also often allowed access) these essentially independent movements sometimes produce herds of 50 to 70. They always stay near water and are good swimmers, readily entering water to escape predators.
Distribution;
Wet areas through out Kenya.

7. Reedbuck

Brown common reedbucks are found n the woodland areas; yellowish bohor reedbucks are prevalent on flood plains; grey mountain reedbucks inhabit grassy hill country. All have white under parts; males have forward curving horns.

Common reedbucks form pairs, though mates associate only loosely; female mountain reedbucks form small animal groups that range over the territories of several males.
Distribution
Throughout Kenya wherever suitable, well-watered grasslands occur.

8. Roan antelope

Roan antelopes’ coats vary from reddish-fawn to dark reddish-brown with white under parts and a mane of stiff, black-tipped hair. Their faces are black and white, their long, pointed ears tipped with a brown tassel. Both sexes have long backwards-curving horns. They prefer sites with tall grasses, shade and water.

Herds of normally less than 20 females and young range over the territories of several adult males; other males form bachelor groups. Female animal herds of up to 50 are common during the dry season when food and water are more localized.
Distribution
Mostly at Ruma National Park near Lake Victoria.

9. Sable Antelope

Widely considered to be the most magnificent of Africa’s antelopes, sable antelopes are slightly smaller than roan antelopes, but are more thick set. They have longer horns often reaching more than 100cm. Sables have a white belly and face markings; females are reddish brown, while mature males are a deep glossy black.

They favor habitats slightly more wooded than that of roan antelopes. Social organization of the two species is also very similar, but sable female-and-young herds are slightly larger-usually 10 to 30, but up to 70 or so.
Distribution
Mostly at Simba Hills National Reserve on the Kenyan coast.

10. Oryx

Well adapted to aridity, Oryxes can survive without drinking. Oryxes are solid and powerful; both sexes carry long, straight horns. Principally grazers, they also browse on thorny shrubs. In areas with abundant water and food, populations are sometimes resident and spot a social system like that of roan antelopes.

More usually, nomadic herds number around a dozen, but can total up to 60. Herds normally contain males and females, but there are strict hierarchies within the sexes. Herds, especially if small, may also be single sex.
Distribution
Beisa Oryx in Northern Kenya; fringe–eared oryx in southern Kenya.

11. Impala

Male impalas have long, lyre shaped horns averaging 75cm in length. They are gregarious animals, forming resident herds of up to 100 or so. Males defend female herds during the oestrus, but outside the breeding season they congregate in bachelor herds. Impala are known for their speed and ability to leap-they can spring as far as 10m in one bound, or 3m into the air.

They are the common prey of lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and spotted hyenas.
Distribution
Savanna regions from central Kenya extending south. Status: Very common animal and easy to see.

12. Gazelle

One of the most common medium sized antelopes. Thompson’s gazelles are smaller and form large aggregations (often of many thousands) on the open plains. They often occur with impala –sized Grants gazelles, which lack the distinctive black side stripe of the ‘Tommy’.

The social structure is flexible; herds often consist of females and young, with males defending territories around the feeding grounds of females.
Distribution
Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelle common in savannah and woodland. Status: Very common in Kenya.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. To find out what happens to most animals of Kenya, take this bait: http://sojournsafaris.com/4-days-masai-mara-wildlife-safari

Kenya South Africa water sports - Swimming with Dolphins- swim water sports

Your East African Kenya coast-water sports information. The most popular Kenya water sports includes Swimming with dolphins, diving, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, Dhow trips, Relic Coral Garden walks, wind surfin, parachuting, parasailing among others.

Shimoni & Wasini Vacation Island

The village of Shimoni sits at the tip of a peninsula about 76km south of Likoni. Dhow trips to Wasini Island and Kisite Marine National Park have become a big industry here, and every morning in high season a convoy of coaches arrives carrying tourists from the resorts at Diani Beach. The trips are well run, but you can easily organise your own trip directly with the boat men.

It’s worth waiting until the day trippers have gone home to explore Shimoni, as the dusty streets have their own unique atmosphere outside tourist times. Villagers have opened up the old slave caves as a tourist attraction with a custodian who’ll take you around the dark caverns to illustrate this little-discussed part of east African history.

Actual evidence that slaves were kept here is a little thin, but as the pile of empty votive rose water bottles indicates, even today the site definitely has significance for more superstitious locals.

Wasini Island, too, becomes even more appealing in the peace of the evening. There are no roads or running water and the only electricity comes from generators. There are several worthwhile things to see, including some ancient Swahili ruins and the coral gardens, a bizarre landscape of exposed coral reefs with board walk for viewing. Most people come here on organised dhow trips from Diani.

Kisite Marine National Park

Just off the south coast of Wasini Island, this marine park is one of the best in Kenya, also incorporating the Mpunguti Marine national Reserve. The park covers 28 sq km of pristine coral reefs and offers excellent diving and snorkeling. You have a reasonable chance of seeing dolphins in the Shimoni channel, and the humpback whales are sometimes spotted between august and October.

There are various organised trips to the marine park but these tend to be outside ventures and don’t always contribute a great deal to the local community. Its easy to organise your own boat trip with a local captain-the going rate is Kshs 1500 per person or 6,000 per boat including lunch and a walk in the coral gardens on Wasini Island.

Masks and snorkels can be hired for Kshs 200 (fins are discouraged as they may damage the coral reef).

A good place to start looking for a boat-man is at the office of KWS which is about 200m south of the main pier, where you’ll also have to come to pay the entry fee. The best time to dive and snorkel is between October and March. Avoid diving in July and August because of rough seas and poor visibility.

5 Top Kenya Water Safari Sports and Activities

1. Snorkeling and Diving

Masks and snorkels are available for rent on the beach for Kshs 100. You’ll need a boat to get out to the reef. Most trips to the park provide their own snorkeling gear. Certified divers can take dives with local tour companies, or more expensively at the coral reef Lodge or Pemba channel fishing club. Dive courses and longer scuba safaris are also possible in the Pemba channel.

2. Deep sea fishing

The Pemba channel is famous for deep-sea fishing, and Pemba channel fishing club holds over 50% of Kenya’s marlin- fishing records. Boats cost from USD 500 for nine hours (valid for up to four fishers). This company promotes tag and release which I strongly encourage as an eco-friendly measure.

3. Diving Tours in Shimoni on Kenya coast

Various companies offer organised dhow tours for snorkeling, all leaving Shimoni by 9am. Transfers from North –and south- coast hotels are available. (US$10 TO 20), and longer trips with overnights stays can also be arranged. Children pay half the adult price. Certified divers can take one/two scuba dives for an extra US$30/50 with any of these companies.

4. Swimming with Dolphins in Kenya Coast

The friends of Kenya Dolphins have set up the Dolphin Dhow, a dolphin –spotting and snorkeling trip around Wasini Island. The dhow leaves from Shimoni jetty at 8.45am daily and costs US$75. The price includes snorkeling equipment, drinks, a Swahili seafood lunch and the marine park fees.

5. Kisite Dhow Tours

The Kisite dhow tours runs a popular eco-tourist snorkeling trips to the marine park, including a nature walk on Wasini and a very good seafood lunch at Charlie’s claw’s original Wasini Island restaurant. Trips cost US$ 55 from Shimoni jetty, or US$ 75 with breakfast, drinks and visits to the coral gardens and slave caves.

6. Pilli-Pipa

This is another expat-owned company offering full day trips. The price is US$80 from Shimoni, including lunch, park fees, snorkeling and drinks. Diving trips are available at US$ 130/$145 for one/two dives.

7. Paradise Divers

Based in Diani also offers similar trips for US$ 80.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. Dig out other bizarre Kenya water sports here:
http://sojournsafaris.com/7-days-kenya-coast-bush-and-beach-holiday

Kenya Holiday wildlife animal : 10 Great travel wildlife in Kenya

Kenya animal holiday is one in a life time experience. Read about the sounds, animal eating habits and life of Kenyan animals and you live with it forever. Kenya animal parks holiday makes you sample the best three including Maasai Mara national park, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Vacation Park among many others.

1. Hyrax

Hyraxes (or dassies) occur nearly everywhere there are mountains or rocky outcrops. They are sociable, living in colonies of up to 60. Yellow spotted hyraxes are distinguished by the presence of a prominent white spot above the eye. Hyraxes spend much of the day basking on rocks or chasing other hyraxes.

If accustomed to humans they are often approachable, but will dash off if alarmed, uttering shrill screams. Rocks streaked white by hyraxes’ urine are often an indicator of a colony’s presence.

Distribution:
Both species are widely distributed through out Kenya.

2. Burchell’s Zebra

Thousands of Burchell’s zebras (one of the three species in Africa) join blue wildebeests on their famous mass migration. Larger herds are usually temporary aggregations of smaller groups. Stallions may hold a harem for 15 years, but they often lose single mares to younger males, which gradually build up their own harems.

When pursued by predators, zebras close ranks as they run off, making it hard for any individual to be singled out for attack. And yes, it’s true-a zebra’s stripes are as individual as a humans finger prints.

3. Black (Hook-lipped) Rhinoceros

In many countries rhinos have been exterminated and the white rhino is now very rare in East Africa (it remains numerous in southern Africa). The smaller of the two species, black rhinos are more unpredictable and prone to charging when alarmed or uncertain about a possible threat.

They use their pointed, prehensile upper lip to feed selectively on branches and foliage. Black rhinos are solitary and aggressively territorial, usually only socializing during the mating season; however, they may form temporary associations.
Distribution:
Restricted to relict populations in few reserves; black best seen in Nairobi National Park; white best seen in Lake Nakuru National Park.

4. Giraffe

There are several distinctly patterned subspecies of giraffe, including reticulated giraffes and the more common masai giraffe. The ‘horns’ (skin covered bone) of males have bald tips; females’ are covered in hair. Giraffes form ever-changing groups of up to 50; females are rarely seen alone, while males are more solitary.

Giraffes exploit foliage out of reach of most herbivores-males usually feed from a higher level than females. Juveniles are prone to predation and lions even take adults; giraffes are most vulnerable when drinking.
Distribution
Reticulated giraffe occurs in northern Kenya; masai giraffe widespread southwest of Nairobi extending into Tanzania; Rothschild’s giraffe is restricted to western Kenya near lake Baringo.

5. Bush Bucks

Shy and solitary animals, bush bucks inhabit thick bush close to permanent water, where they browse on leaves at night. Bush bucks are chest-nut to dark brown in colour and have a variable number of white vertical stripes on the body between the neck and rump, as well as a number of white spots on the upper thigh and a white splash on the neck.

Normally only males grow horns, which are straight with gentle spirals and average about 30cm in length. When startled, bush buck bolt and crash loudly through the undergrowth.
Distribution:
Through out the region, favoring denser habitats.

6. Kudu

Greater kudus are Africa’s second tallest antelope; males carry massive spiraling horns (the largest of any antelope). They are light grey in colour, with six to 12 white stripes down the sides. Males are blue-grey and females are a bright rust colour. One to three females and their young form groups, and are joined by males during the breeding season. Kudus find their diet in woodland –savannah with fairly dense bush cover.
Distribution
Greater kudus can be found through out Kenya, except in the driest areas; lesser kudus prefer the arid regions of northern Kenya.

7. Eland
Africa’s largest antelope, elands are massive. The horns of both sexes average 65cm, spiraling at the base then sweeping straight back. The male has a distinctive hairy tuft on the head, and stouter horns. Herds consist of adults, or adults and young or sometimes just young-group membership and composition change often.

The most common large groups consist of 10 to 60 females and young. Males are less gregarious, coming together more sporadically and in smaller numbers, but one or more often join female and young herds.
Distribution
Patchy distribution in arid zones; best seen in Nairobi and Tsavo National Parks.

8. Hartebeest

Hartebeests are red to tan in colour medium-sized and easily recognized by their long, narrow face and short horns. In both sexes, the distinctively angular and heavily ridged horns form a heart shape, hence their name, which comes from Afrikaans.

Dominant males defend territories, which herds of females and their young pass through; other males move in bachelor groups. Herds aggregations of hundreds an (in the past) thousands also occur.
Distribution
Wide ranging; coke’s hartebeest, also known as ‘Kongoni’ is common in Kenya; Jackson’s hartebeest is confined to areas near Lake Victoria.

9. Topi

Topis are reddish brown, with glossy violet patches on the legs and face. Their social system is highly variable. In grassy woodlands, males hold territories with harems of up to 10 females. On floodplains with dense populations, nomadic herds of thousands may form, males establishing temporary territories whenever the herd halts.

Elsewhere, males gather on breeding-season display grounds; females visit these ’leks’ to select their mates. Both sexes often stand on high vantage points (commonly termite mounds) to view their surroundings and as territorial advertisement.
Distribution
Widespread throughout medium-length grasslands, common in the Masai Mara national reserve.


10. Blue Wildebeest

Blue wildebeest often form herds in association with zebras and other herbivores. Wildebeest are grazers, and move constantly in search of good pasture and water, preferring to drink daily-this gives rise to the famous mass migration in the Serengeti –MASAI Mara ecosystem.

Elsewhere, especially where food and water are more permanent, groups of up to 30 are more usual, with larger congregations being less frequent and more temporary. In both situations, males are territorial and attempt to herd groups of females into their territory.
Distribution
Through out parks in Southern Kenya.

11. Klipspringer

Small sturdy antelopes, klipspringer are easily recognized by their tip-toe stance-their hooves are adapted for balance and grip on rocky surfaces, enabling them to bound up in impossibly rough and steep rock surfaces. Klipspringers normally inhabit rocky outcrops; they also sometimes venture into adjacent grasslands, but always retreat to the rocks when alarmed.

Klipspringers form long-lasting pair bonds and the pair occupies a territory, nearly always remaining within a couple of metres of each other.
Distribution
Rocky outcrops and mountainous areas throughout the region.

12. Steenboks

Steenboks are pretty and slender antelopes; their back and hind quarters range from light reddish-brown to dark brown with pale under part markings. The nose bears a black, wedge-shaped stripe. Males have small, straight and widely separated horns.

Although usually seen alone, its likely that steenboks share a small territory with a mate, but only occasionally does the pair come together. Steenboks are active in the morning and afternoon and by night; they may become more nocturnal where frequently disturbed.
Distribution
Restricted to central and northern Kenya.

13. Kirks Dik-dik

Dik-diks are identified by their miniature size, the pointed flexible snout and a tuft on the forehead; only the males have horns. Dik-diks are monogamous and pairs are territorial. If one is seen, its mate is usually nearby, ass well as that years young.

Both members of the pair, and their young, use dung piles to mark their territory, placing their deposits as part of an elaborate ceremony. Dik-diks feed by browsing on foliage and, being well adapted to their dry environments, don’t drink. Through out Kenya. Status: Common but wary and easy to miss; active by day and night.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. Find out what happens to you in your animal safari encounter:
http://sojournsafaris.com/8-days-kenya-wildlife-safari

Kenya Park 5 (five) Star Lodges -Top 9 Lodges - Camps Tsavo West National Park

East Africa Kenya National park lodge, camps, cottages and bandas information. Tsavo West National park accommodation includes Budget, midrange and top end facilities. This short lodge and camp guide will tells you of the services in most of this park’s accommodation. Whether on a budget or luxury park accommodation in Kenya, you need this info.

Budget and midrange park accommodations

Apart from camping in the park itself, the only vaguely budget options are the basic board and lodgings in the roadside town of Mtito andei Gate, but most are pretty seedy and often serve as brothels for long-haul truck drivers.

1. Ngulia Safari Lodge

Formerly Ngulia Bandas, new management and a complete renovation have turned this hillside camp into Tsavos best luxury bargain. Unusually, it’s self-catering accommodation that really shines, offering thatched tent-fronted stone cottages on the edge of the escarpment overlooking a stream where leopards are known to hide out.

There are rooms without kitchen and bar-restaurant for the won’t-cooks (dinner750) and some more building in progress. All in all the setting and standards outdo plenty of more ambitious lodges at a fraction of the price, with lots of wildlife (inside and out).

2. Kitani Bandas

Run by the same people as the top end luxury Severin Safari Camp. Accommodation here is obviously much simpler than the flash, tented kind but its great value and there’s a small shop providing supplies at not-too-inflated prices. Bandas No.2 and 3 hog the nicest spots, with possibly the cheapest ‘Kili’ views in the park. Its about 2km past its sister site, near a waterhole.

3. Public campsites

The public sites are at Komboyo, near the Mtito andei gate, and at Chyulu, just opposite the Chyulu gate.

4. Special Campsites

The locations of these bush sites change from time to time so check with the warden. Down in Lake Jipe are some simple bandas.

Top end hotels, lodges and camps in the park

All prices listed are for full board accommodation.

5. Severin Safari Camp

At Kitani, this is a fantastic complex of thatched luxury tents with affable staff, Kilimanjaro views from the communal lounge area and nightly hippo visitations. Room facilities are excellent (you even get a bidet), and the only reason it’s not classed as a four or five star establishment is the lack of a pool, which seems unduly harsh. The camp also has a self-catering annex, kitani bandas.

6. Kilaguni Serena Lodge

Kilaguni has recently been renovated and is as attractive a place as ever, with a splendid bar and restaurant overlooking a busy illuminated waterhole-the vista stretches all the way from Mt Kilimanjaro to the Chyulu Hills, and guided walks in the nearby Seven Sisters Hills are possible. The extravagant suites are practically cottages in their own right, boasting chintzy living room, minibar, TV’s and large balconies.

7. Finch Hatton’s Safari Camp

an up market tented camp with bone china and gold shower taps, named after Deny’s Finch Hatton, the play boy hunter and lover of Karen Blixen, who died at Tsavo. It’s situated among springs and hippo pools in the wet of the park, in grounds so sprawling you have to take an escort at night to keep you safe from the animals.

In keeping with the colonial mood, guests are requested to dress for dinner. The camp has its own airstrip (flights from Nairobi cost US$300)

8. Voyager Ziwani

By the Ziwani gate at the southwest end of the park is another luxury tented place, overlooking the Ziwa dam. As well as wildlife walks, you can visit WWWII battle fields and Grogan castle, a fortress like hilltop residence built in the 19th century by swashbuckling British adventurer Ewart Grogan, who became famous for walking from cape town to Cairo to prove his love for a woman!

9. Ngulia Safari Lodge

A curiously unattractive block in a spectacular location, constructed in bad old days of emerging mass tourism hen hotels made little effort to blend in. The surrounding Ngulia Hills attract loads of birds and the lodge puts out bait for leopards, which guarantees you a sighting, if not exactly a place in ecoawareness heaven.

There’s a waterhole right by the restaurant and sweeping views over the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary on the other side.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. See the most luxurious park lodges and camps here:
http://sojournsafaris.com/8-days-kenya-wildlife-safari

Kenya Budget & 5 (Five) Star Hotel- Price of Kenya hotels, camps & Lodges

African Kenya accommodation hotels, camps and lodges info. The accommodation hotels in Kenya are divided into budget/economy, medium/midrange and Luxury/top-end. The prices of kenya budget is under Kshs 1000 while midrange is from Kshs 1000-3500 while top-end is anything from Kshs 3500 or US$80.

Types of Accommodations Kenya

Kenya has a good range of accommodation options, from basic cubicle hotels overlooking city bus stands to luxury tented camps hidden away in the national parks. There are also all kinds of campsites, budget tented camps, simple bandas (often wooden huts) and cottages scattered around the parks and rural areas.

Getting more info on Kenya accommodation ranges

During the low season, many companies offer excellent deals on accommodation on the coast and in the main wildlife parks, often working with airlines to create packages aimed at the local and expat market. The websites of some operators displays almost all major hotels and lodges in Kenya, giving price ranges and descriptions; others are a good port of call for discounted Kenya hotel bookings at some of the more expensive camps, loges and hotels.

Kenya Budget accommodation price range

Where appropriate, Kenya accommodation options are split into budget, midrange and top end categories for ease of reference. In general, a budget double room is anything under Kshs 1,000. You can pay as little a Kshs 150 for four walls and a bed, with foam mattress and shared squat toilet; for Kshs 400 and up you’d usually get a private bathroom, and at the upper end of the scale shower heaters and breakfast may be on offer.

Surprisingly, bedding, towels and soap are almost always provided however much you pay, though cleanliness varies widely and toilet seats can be rare luxuries.

Mid range/Medium accommodation

In most of the country, midrange accommodation falls between Kshs 1,000 and Kshs 3,500 for a double room-the major exception to this is Nairobi, where you can pay anything up to Kshs 6000 for the same standards. In this bracket you’d usually expect breakfast, private bathroom, telephone and good size double beds with proper mattresses; the more you pay the more facilities you get, from restaurants and bars to TV’s hot showers and the odd swimming pool.

Top-end/Luxury accommodation

Everything over Kshs 3,500 (or US$80 in Nairobi) counts as top end, and what you get for your money varies enormously. Once you hit US$ 100 you should count on breakfast, TV, Phone, air-con (on the coast), room service and toiletries as standard, and in the upper realms of the price range the extras can include anything from complimentary minibar to casinos, Jacuzzis and free activities.

Exclusive/Luxury accommodation in Kenya

The most expensive places are the exclusive getaways tucked away in national parks and other remote areas of Kenya, which can exceed US$600 for a double but don’t necessarily include all the trappings you’d expect elsewhere.

Although most midrange and top-end places quote prices in US dollars, payment can be made in local currency. Note that most places have separate rates for residents, and these are often much less than for nonresident rates.

Kenya Hotel Prices and seasons

Many midrange and (especially) top-end options also change their prices according to season, which can be confusing as very few places use exactly the same dates. In principal there are high, low and shoulder seasons, but some hotels can divide their year into five or more distinct pricing periods.

For lodges in the national parks, the norm is to charge high-season prices from July to march, with low-season prices only applicable from April to June.

On the coast, where things are much more seasonal, peak times tend to be July to August and December to March, and a range of lower rates can apply for the rest of the year.

Note that, however high season is defined, premium rates or supplements always apply over Christmas, New Year and Easter, and can be as much as double the high season tariffs. Conversely, hotels that are near empty in low season may be open to some negotiation on rates.

Exchange rate at time of publishing is US$1 for Kshs 70
Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya Holiday accommodation. See the most luxurious lodges and camps here:
http://sojournsafaris.com/kenya-hotels-

Top 15 Wildlife Kenya: Animals in Kenya -Reserve wildlife

Kenya African animal parks experience is one of the best in the world. You will get a chance of seeing the big five Kenya animals including monkeys, elephants, birds, hyena giraffe, jackals, mongooses, leopard, wild dogs and other Kenya animal. In Kenya you follow animal tracks, listen to sounds and get to eating an animal.

Kenya Carnivores

1. Pangolin
Ground pangolins are covered with large rounded scales over the back and tail, and have a sparse covering of hair on the face and under belly. Pangolins (which are also known as scaly ant eaters) walk on the outer edges of their paws with their claws pointed inwards, leaving a distinctive track.
Distribution: Through out Kenya, apart from North east, in many habitats except dense forest.

2. Jackals

Golden jackals are often the most numerous carnivores in open savannah and are very active by day. Black –backed jackals have a mantle of silver grey hair and black-tipped tails; they are the most common night scavengers. Side stripped jackals are grey with a light stripe along each side and a white-tipped tail.

All have a similar social and feeding behaviour. Pairs are long- lasting and defend small territories.
Distribution: Through out Kenya, preferring open plains and woodlands; side stripped jackal most abundant in well-watered wooded areas.

3. Bat eared fox

The se little foxes eat mainly insects, especially termites, but also wild fruit and small vertebrates. They are monogamous and are often seen in groups comprising a mated pair and offspring. Natural enemies include large birds of prey, spotted hyena s caracals and larger cats.

They will bravely attempt to rescue a family member caught by a predator by using distraction techniques and harassment, which extends to nipping larger enemies on the ankles.
Distribution:
Through out Kenya; absent from mountainous habitat and dense forest.

4. Wild Dogs

Wild dogs’ blotched black, yellow and white coat, and their large round ears, is unmistakable. They live in packs of up to 40 though usually 12 to 20.

They are widely reviled for eating their prey alive, but this is probably as fast as ‘cleaner’ methods used by other carnivores. Mid-sized antelopes are their preferred prey, but wild dogs can take animals as large as buffaloes.

They require enormous areas of habitat and they are amongst the most endangered carnivores in Africa.
Distribution: Much reduced, now restricted to the largest protected areas, including Tsavo National park.

5. Cape clawless Otter

Similar to European otters, but much larger, cape clawless otters are a glossy chocolate brown with a white or cream –coloured lower face, throat and neck. Only the hind feet are webbed, and, unlike the front feet of most otters, the front feet of cape clawless otters end in dexterous human-like fingers with rudimentary nails.

Otters are active during early morning and evening, through they become nocturnal in areas where they are hunted by humans. Their main foods include fish, fresh water crabs and frogs.
Distribution: Large fresh water bodies and along coastlines across Kenya.

6. Honey Badger (Ratel)

Pugnacious and astonishingly powerful for their size, honey badgers have a fascinating relationsihip with honey guide birds. Honey guides lead them to bees’ nests, which honey badgers rip open for honey, and in doing so provide honey guides access to their favoured food-beeswax.

Honey badgers are omni-vorous, feeding on small animals, carrion, berries, roots, eggs, honey and social insects (ants, termites and bees) and their larvae. Honey badgers are best viewed in parks, where they sometimes scavenge from bins.

7. Genet

Relatives of mongooses, genets resemble slender domestic cats, with fox like faces. The two species can be differentiated by the tail tips-white in the small-spotted, black in the large spotted. The former also has a crest along the spine, which it raises when threatened.

All black individuals of both species may occur, particularly in mountainous regions. They hunt on land and in trees, feeding on rodents, birds, reptiles, eggs, insects and fruits. Gents deposit their droppings in latrines, usually in open sites.
Distribution: Throughout Kenya.

8. Mongoose

Many often small animals that dash in front of cars in Africa are mongooses. A few species, such as the dwarf mongoose (helogale parvula) and the banded mongoose (mungos mungos) are intensely social, keeping contact with twittering calls while foraging.

Others, such as the slender mongoose-with a black-tipped tail that it holds aloft when running-and the white-tailed mongoose, are unusually solitary. Family groups are better at spotting danger and raising kittens. Invertebrates are their most important prey
Distribution:
Found through out Kenya. They prefer open areas to closed woodlands and wooded savanna.

9. Aardwolf

The smallest of the hyena family, aardwolves subsist almost entirely on harvester termites (which are generally ignored by other termite eaters because they are so noxious), licking more than 200,000 from the ground each night. Unlike other hyaenids, they don’t form clans; instead, they forage alone and mates form only loose associations with each other.

The male assists the female in raising the cubs, mostly by babysitting at the den while the mother forages. Aardwolves are persecuted in the mistaken belief that they kill stock.
Distribution: Widespread in savannah and woodland habitats from the south of Kenya into the country’s arid north.

10. Spotted Hyena

Widely reviled as scavengers, spotted hyenas are highly efficient predators with a fascinating social system. Females are larger than, and dominant to, males and have male physical characteristics, including an erectile clitoris that renders the sexes virtually indistinguishable. Spotted hyenas are massively built and appear distinctly canine, but they are more closely related to the cats than dogs. They can run at a speed of 60km/h and a pack can easily dispatch adult wildebeest and zebras. Their ‘ooo-oop’ call is one of the most distinctive East African night sounds.
Distribution: Increasingly restricted to conservation areas.

11. Serval

The first impression one gains of servals -tall, slender, long-legged cats-is that they look like small cheetahs. The tawny to russet-yellow coat has large black spots, forming long bars and blotches on the neck and shoulders.

All-black individuals do occasionally occur. Other distinguishing features include large upright ears, a long neck and a relatively short tail. Servals are associated with vegetation near water and are most common in floodplain savannah, wetlands and woodlands near streams.

Birds, small reptiles and occasionally the young of small antelopes are also taken.
Distribution:
Well- watered habitats through out Kenya.

12. Caracal

Sometimes called African lynxes due to their long, tufted ears, caracals are robust, powerful cats that prey on small antelopes, birds and rodents but also take prey much larger than themselves.

Caracals are largely solitary, and although male-female pairs may associate more than most other cats, females raise their one to three kittens alone. The sandy body colour is excellent camouflage, but the ears and face are strikingly patterned in black and white and are highly mobile and expressive-features are used for visual signalling.

13. Leopard

Supreme ambush hunters, leopards stalk close to their prey before attacking in an explosive rush. They eat everything from insects to zebras, but antelopes are their primary prey. Leopards are highly agile and climb well, spending more time in trees than other big cats-

They hoist their kills into trees to avoid losing them to lions and hyenas. They are solitary animals, except when a male and female remain in close association for the female’s week long oestrus.
Distribution:

Widely spread through out Kenya; of all the big cats, the most tolerant of human activity.

14. Lion

Lions spend the night hunting, patrolling territories (of 50 to 400sq km) and playing. They live in prides of up to about 30, comprising four to 12 related females, which remain in the pride for life, and a coalition of unrelated males, which defend females from foreign males. Lions hunt-certainly as a group, perhaps cooperatively-virtually anything, but wildebeests, zebras and buffaloes are their main targets.
Distribution:
Largely confined to protected areas and present in all savannah and woodland parks in Kenya.

15. Cheetah

The worlds fastest land mammal, cheetahs can reach speeds of over 105km/h but become exhausted after a few hundred metres and therefore usually stalk their prey to within 60m before unleashing their tremendous acceleration.

Cheetahs prey on antelopes weighing up to 60kg as well as hares and young wildebeest and zebras. Litters may be as large as nine, but in open savannah habitats most cubs are killed by other predators, particularly lions. Young cheetahs disperse from the mother when aged around 18months. The males form coalitions; females remain solitary for life.
Distribution:
Largely restricted to protected areas and surrounding regions; shuns densely forested areas.

Robert is a travel expert with Landmarksafaris.com. Degreed in tourism management, he has authored more than 1000 articles on Kenya East Africa travel. To find out what happens to you on your Lions of Tsavo safari, take the hook, line and sinker: http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php