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Imagine
all of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Let
your imagination take you through vast wilderness, soaring
mountain peaks, cosmopolitan cities, perfect beaches
and more. Dream of the perfect destination for adventure,
relaxation, culture, and sport. Then imagine all of
these places wrapped into a single country.
Welcome
to Kenya, where you can experience a different safari
every day. The safari was born in Kenya. When the early
European explores arrived on the Kenyan coast, they
would set out on great journeys into the unknown. Their
porters called these journeys Safari which in Swahili
means simply ‘a simple journey’. But this was always
a journey unlike any other. ‘ Safari has become a byword
for romance and adventure. This is the original of the
safari. Whatever you are seeking on your journey, you
will find it in Kenya.
Kenya
has been the ultimate destination for wildlife lovers.
This has long been know as the home of Africa’s Big
Five’ (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and buffalo).
It’s a title we deserve – this is the best place in
the entire continent to see these five magnificent species
in their natural environment. Kenya has more to offer.
Our national parks, Reserves and private sanctuaries
are each a world unto themselves. From industrious dung
beetles and brilliant-coloured butterflies through to
the world’s largest vulture or herds of elephant bathed
in glowing red dust, the sheer diversity is breathtaking.
We have an incredible range of wild habitats, each one
with its own unique range of species. Open savannah,
deep forest, soda and freshwater lakes, alpine meadows
coral reefs, caves, beaches, river deltas and even more.
Each one is a new territory for you to explore. A wildlife
safari in Kenya means more than just seeing animals.
This is a chance for you to immerse yourself in a wild
world where the fascinating natural behaviour and interaction
between species will hold you enthralled. Whether its
an elephant cutting grass with its toenails, a sea turtle
laying her eggs on a deserted moonlight beach or a mother
cheeter teaching her cubs to hunt, there is so much
to discover and learn.
Join
Amazing Tours and experience the world of Kenya.
NAIROBI
NATIONAL PARK
The
117 km2 Nairobi National Park is unique by being the
only protected area in the world with a variety of animals
and birds close to a major city. As expected, the park
is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi. The
park also serves many residents and citizens living
in the city.
The
park has a diversity of environments with characteristic
fauna and flora. Open grass plains with scattered acacia
bush predominant. The western side has a highland dry
forest and a permanent river with a riverine forest.
In addition, there are stretches of broken bush country
and deep, rocky valleys and gorges with scrub and long
grass. Man-made dams have also added a further habitat,
favourable to certain species of birds and other aquatic
biota. The dams also attract water dependent herbivores
during the dry season.
The
park has diverse birdlife with 400 species recorded.
However all species are not always present and much
depends on season. Northern migrants pass through the
park primarily during late March through April.
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Time
Kenya
has only one time zone. Local time is three hours ahead
of GMT.
Customs
Export
You are permitted to leave the country
with a reasonable amount of tobacco and alcoholic products.
Export of gold and diamond is prohibited, as is the
export of game trophies and skins, unless acquired from
personnel of the Government of Kenya.
Currency
Kenyan
currency is based on the decimal system, the unit of
currency being the shilling, which is divided into 100
cents. You are allowed to leave the country with a limited
amount of Kenya shillings. It is recommended that foreign
currency be exchanged at recognized foreign exchange
bureaus and banks.
Clothing
and Accessories
Daytime temperatures rarely exceed
27 degrees centigrade (80 degrees Fahrenheit) with low
humidity, and the nights are cool. Coast temperatures
are slightly and more humid. March, April, May, September
and October are the rainy seasons and July the coolest
season in Kenya. Clothing should be generally informal.
Lightweight cotton slacks, shirts, skirts or culottes
are recommended. A light jacket / sweater is useful.
A hat or scarf for protection against the sun and the
dust is advisable, as are sunglasses.
Electricity
Voltage
in Kenya is 220-240 AC. An adopter is necessary for
appliances which operate on 110-120 AC.
Security
Do
not carry large sums of money around. Keep a close watch
on handbags, luggage wallets especially in crowded areas.
Lock valuables in hotel /Lodge safety deposit boxes
and never leave valuables on show in an unattended car
or tour bus. Avoid walking at night, especially alone.
Avoid dark streets.
Photography
Film
is available at most Lodges, even in remote areas, but
stocks are usually small, Expensive and only common
sizes are available. Spare batteries are also recommended
as these are also only in regular sizes. Binoculars
are invaluable on safari. It is not recommended to take
pictures of people without first obtaining their permission.
Banks
All
major towns in Kenya have banks with a Bureau De Exchange.
Banking hours are between 0900 and 1500hrs, and 0900hrs
and 1100hrs on the first and last Saturday of the month.
Banks at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are
open 24 hours. Forex Bureau are open from 0830hrs to
1730hrs, and are usually do not charge commissions.
Tipping
Most
Hotels, Game Lodges and tented camps include service
charge in their tariff, as do most restaurants, and
in such cases tipping is not necessary unless exceptional
service inspires you to express extra appreciation.
This is usually 10%. Tour drivers expect US$5-10 per
person per day.
Public
holidays in Kenya:
• 1st
January: New Year's day.
• Good
Friday. Easter Monday.
• End
of Ramadan (Idd-ul-Fitr). Which depends on
the
sighting of the moon.
• 1st
May: Labour Day.
• 1st
June: Madaraka Day, celebrating self-government.
• 10th
October: Moi Day, celebrating the assignment of
president
Daniel Arap Moi.
• 20th
October: Kenyatta Day, celebrating the
imprisonment
of Jomo Kenyatta after the Mau-Mau
revolution.
• 12th
December: Uhuru & Jamhuri Day, Independence
and
Republic day.
• 25th
December: Christmas.
• 26th
December: Boxing Day.
Whenever
a designated date falls on a Sunday, then the next day
is normally declared a public holiday
Language
English is widely spoken.
The ‘ Lingua Franca’’
of the country is Swahili.
Charity
It
is recommended that instead of giving money to street
urchins, you donate it to charitable organizations since
giving money to then only aggravates the situation.
It is also recommended that you avoid street salesmen
and beach hawkers since some of them be unreliable.
Water
We
advise you to carry bottles of mineral water with you
as it is very expensive to buy the same from the lodges
and hotels.
Useful
telephones:
Police and ambulances: 999
NB: Should you have queries while on safari, our drivers
are well versed in the traditions and local habits and
can be asked for advice. |
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