A Kenyacamping safari is a very common choice for Kenyasafari holidays partly because it tends to be less expensive than staying at the fine Safari lodges and resorts, although there are also some luxury safari options for camping out in Kenya as well.

In general, travelers who are planning to take in the sights and sounds of Kenyawhile camping have the option of either arranging for a private camping safari or a group camping safari.
Camping safaris that are geared toward private groups are designed around any group of two people or more who are traveling together but who are not especially interested in sharing their experience with those they don’t know, outside of the safari guide. These private groups travel in a vehicle separate from any other tour groups and have separate camping facilities for their private use.

Those who prefer a Kenya private camping safari will also be exclusively sharing any facilities of the campground and all of the meals are also shared amongst themselves. Guests who are on a private safari won’t be joined by any others who are on the same safari tour or who might have a similar itinerary. Throughout the trip, they travel exclusively together.

The Kenya group camping safari is for individuals or small groups who feel that part of the experience of safari holidays is traveling with others and getting to know them during the adventure, so that by the end of the safari travel they no longer consider each other as strangers. On this type of safari travel the whole group travels together in the safari vehicles and they share their meals and the entire camp facility, and in some instances will even share larger, community types of tent accommodations.

A group camping safari is not only a good way to get to know others who share interests in adventuresome safari travels, but it is also a very effective way to reduce the cost of a Kenya safari. This can make such a trip more affordable and feasible for people who might not otherwise be able to bear the expense of a private camping safari.

Some Kenyan camping safaris take place at a permanent campground where the safari tour group will stay at a fixed “under canvas” camp. These are essentially tent “homes” that are primarily found in game reserves or at national parks. These camps have “permanent” tented sanitary facilities and a dining hall that is shared by all campers. These kind of camping facilities are popular and can serve as a base camp for walking safaris.

There are also Kenya mobile camping safaris which entail having the entire group traveling together with their all of their equipment and supplies in the safari travel vehicles. This gives the group an opportunity to cover greater distances and go deeper into the wilderness and gives the flexibility of stopping at sites that attract their interests. No matter what type of Kenyacamping safari you choose, you will be sure to return home with memorable experiences emblazoned in your memory.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/what-you-can-expect-from-the-kenya-camping-safaris-2637971.html

About the Author

Twinomugisha Charles is a writer who enjoys sharing his knowledge on various topics about Uganda Rwanda , Kenya and Tanzania. His websites, Uganda-visit-and-travel-guide.com, and cheap-kenya-vacation-tips.com are filled with information you shouldn’t miss…. More of his articles can be found at All Kenyan Safaris and at Cheap Safari Vacation in Kenya

It’s THAT time of year again. In the lead up to Christmas, even the sanest among us seem to go a little crazy. The crowds, the costs, the canapés and the cocktail parties… isn’t it just a little too over the top sometimes? This year, wouldn’t it be nice to eschew the traditional family fracas and head off to warmer climes where the guests around the dinner table are a little ‘wilder’ than Aunty Madge flinging off her cardie to a rousing rendition of ‘All I want for Christmas’? Taking time out to volunteer for some animal conservation work in an exotic faraway land is a novel way to spend the festive season – and a worthwhile cause to boot.

As well as enjoying some much better weather than at home, during the course of your animal conservation work you will make the acquaintance of some of the most magnificent animals in the world. You will take part in valuable research and monitoring programs; carry out practical duties in the conservation and maintenance of the animals’ habitats; and spend your days working on a wide variety of projects integral to preserving the future of these precious animals.

So, if the thought of setting off on a wildlife adventure and discovering a whole new world appeals a little more than the thought of setting off to your mum’s on Christmas day and discovering another hand-knitted sweater under the tree, then you’ve got nothing to lose! But if you DO choose to take a break and head off for some animal conservation work in the festive season, you can’t arrive empty handed. It’s Christmas after all! Before you set off, here are some ideas you might want to consider for a ‘Conservation Christmas Stocking’ for all your new friends.

Elephant Man

Well, these gentle giants are like your Uncle George – pretty much happy with anything that they can put on their head, or put in their mouth! A nice straw trilby could actually serve both needs here, but a gift basket of fruit, a long cool bucket of water and a pack of digestive biscuits will probably go down a little better! In the course of your animal conservation work you may notice the effect of the relentless African sun on your own skin, so spare a thought for the elephant and consider a couple of industrial sized bottles of shea butter body lotion too.

Monkey Boy

There is some wonderful animal conservation work going on at the Colobus Monkey Trust in Kenya, so why not spend a Christmas getting funky with a monkey? These cheeky fellows will put you in mind of your ten year old cousin who’s perfect gift is something for his room or a hip designer school bag, so this should be easy. Why not splash out on a monkey man-bag to store those bananas in as they’re swinging through the jungles; or perhaps the latest Phillip Starck banana bean-bag to relax in by the river?

Lady Leopard

Never a shrinking violet, the leopard is the designer-double of your fashion-mad sisters. Head to Sri Lanka for your animal conservation work and you will be put to work on field projects designed to gather valuable data and educate the locals in the importance of living in harmony with these unique ladies (and gentlemen!). Don’t try and fob the girls off with a fake at Christmas though, because nothing but the best will do! These ladies who lunch will adore the latest handbag (plain colours only please) to set off their fabulous furry coats, or perhaps some emerald ‘bling’ to match their gorgeous eyes.

Sporty Cheetah

Not one to make friends easily, the speedy cheetah will nonetheless win your heart if you volunteer for some animal conservation work on the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project in South Africa. Dealing with sick, orphaned and breeding cheetahs, working at Hoedspruit is a truly wild and wonderful experience. Just like your competitive older brother, the cheetah’s ideal present would be something sporty and practical. How about an up-to-the-minute stop watch or a handy digital pedometer; or for those days when the going’s been a little too tough, some meaty chews and a big jar of tiger balm?

No matter where you choose to spend your Christmas conservation holiday abroad, you can be assured that as well as making a memory you will never forget, you will be making a valuable contribution to ensuring the endangered wild animals of the world have a better chance of survival – and handing out some great gifts too!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/christmas-for-the-critters-on-a-conservation-holiday-1575246.html

About the Author:

Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks focusing on animal conservation work and various adventurous gap years for adults.

Mombasa is a major sea gateway for the whole of eastern Africa. It is Kenya’s oldest town and the second largest metropolis, after the capital city, Nairobi. It is also the air gateway for those coming to enjoy the beaches along the Kenyan Coast. From Mombasa, you can enjoy Kenya’s magical wildlife safaris.

Mombasa has a long history dating back to 200 AD. There is an old harbor that is still visited by trading dhows bringing frankincense, Myrrh and marvelous Persian and Bokhara carpets for the Mombasa bazaars. A walk around the old town is a fascinating maze of narrow streets, overhanging balconies and mysterious doorways leading to dark interiors. History and culture of Mombasa A melting pot of diverse culture, once conquered by the Portuguese, Mombasa has seen many rulers and conquerors – the Arabs used Mombasa for the slave trade and the British used the town as a naval and trading post.

Fort Jesus, overlooking the entrance of the old port of Mombasa, was built by the Portuguese in 1593 to protect their trade route to India. An Italian architect, Jao Batisto Cairato, designed it; it was the ‘crown jewel’ of his career. Fort Jesus is today hailed as one of the best examples of 16th century military architecture. In 1962, the Fort opened its doors to the public as a museum and has since remained a popular attraction for foreign and local tourists, researchers and students.

Alongside Lamu town, Mombasa is the epitome of Swahili. Many buildings in residential areas, and part of the old town are still built in the original Swahili architectural form, with a blend of modern plans. Swahili houses are large and spacious, with intricate carvings in wood and plaster and lavish doorframes.

Beach Activities in Mombasa Besides swimming and simple sunbathing, you can undertake a wide variety of water sports and water activities while on vacation in Mombasa. These include scuba diving, snorkeling, dhow trips, deep-sea fishing and many others. The waters below teem with abundant marine life. In Mombasa, the sun shines all year round. The diversity of activity is simply unequaled.

Night life in Mombasa Nightlife in Mombasa is limited mainly to eating out while many of the nearby beach hotels feature discos, casinos and nightclubs. North and south of Mombasa Island are the most developed beach resorts with a wide choice of hotels that have nightlife activities.

National parks for wildlife viewing from Mombasa Because of Mombasa’s proximity to wildlife national parks and game reserves, visitors to Mombasa are able to enjoy safaris to so of Kenya’s wildlife areas. Day excursions to the parks and even short overnight safaris can be easily arranged from Mombasa.

Towards the south of Mombasa, there is The Shimba Hills national reserve and the adjoining Mwalugange Elephant sanctuary represent an environment of extraordinary diversity. Both are no more than 250 square kilometers and 36 square km respectively and yet together they form one East Africa’s most diverse plant and animal havens. It takes less than 1 hour to drive from any of the hotels in the north coast of Mombasa to Shimba Hills Lodge.

Apart from Shimba hills, and to the interior of the country, you find the Tsavo National park. This park is split into two sectors of East and West covering a total area of over 20,000 sq km. Tsavo was once famous for herds of over 60,000 elephants. Although these herds have since been depleted through drought and poaching, it is still possible to see large herds on the east side.

Over the west are the Mzima springs where Hippo and Crocodile can be seen from an underwater hide. Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a small, private game sanctuary adjoining Tsavo and has a high concentration of wild animals. Driving from Mombasa to Tsavo East gate will take 2 hours at most.

Further inland from Mombasa, you find a little gem of a park – Amboseli – situated right at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Elephants abound in the lower forest and swamp areas. Cheetahs are found on the salt flats, Giraffe wander through the Doum palms while herds of Zebra and Wildebeest feed on the open plains. The snow-capped dome of the mountain provides the perfect backdrop to the peaceful grazing game, making this park a photographer’s paradise.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-allure-of-mombasa-kenyas-all-round-tourist-resort-830376.html

About the Author:

Solomon Okila is the Editor and Senior Safari Consultant at African Voyages Tours and Travel. This is a tour operator and Safari Outfitter that specializes on African Travel and holidays. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.africanvoyages.com/tours/index.asp

Kenya, an east African country, is popular for its fauna and scenic landscapes. It is the original home of Africa safari holidays (safari means travel in Swahili). It is the most popular African lion safari country for exclusive luxury holidays,

African Wildlife Safari and budget African safari vacations. It is even believed that Man\’s primordial ancestors may well have originated in Turkana, Northern Kenya as long as five million years ago. Needless to say, hence, that one can enjoy some of the most fascinating sights of the wild world while on a Kenya safari.

Why choose Kenya for a safari tour?

A huge wildlife reservoir: The Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya preserves some of the best wildlife. And its attraction lies not only in the wildebeest migration, but also in its abundance of lions and all other members of the Big Five – leopard, cheetah, rhinoceros and hippopotamus, making Masai Mara a must-visit site during your Kenya tour. It is, indeed, on top of the list when a curious traveler wants to see a great Kenya safari. An alternative way to see the wildlife is by a hot air balloon safari.

A bird-watcher\’s paradise: The bird enthusiast can have the best of the winged world while on a Kenya Safari. The Samburu National Reserve in Kenya is home to hundreds of species of the feathered creatures, making it a perfect destination for the bird lover. Some of the animals that are also frequently seen in the reserve include lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, impalas, buffalo, hippos, zebras and giraffes.

Amazing adventure destination: The Mount Kenya is for all those adventure freaks who crave for height and love trekking. And despite its rank as the second highest peak in Africa, Mount Kenya is friendly to the climbers. It doesn\’t take a professional mountaineer to enjoy the beauty of the mountain; however, a physically fit body and a guide are some essential requirements.

The marvelous beaches: Imagine hitting the beach after that dusty and hot safari. And it is not only the Kenya Safaris that are reputable, but the Kenya beaches are a major draw as well. They boast long stretches of soft white sand beaches, charming islands, and reefs, great for diving and snorkeling.

From Mombassa in the south to Lamu in the north – the beach-buffs can get the most of Kenya given its vast reserve of beach resorts.

You will sure make your Kenya safari an experience of a lifetime with the help of our company which also offers travel packages for Tanzania Safaris and many of the other popular tourist hubs in Africa.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/an-adventurous-kenya-safari-773528.html

About the Author:

Mohanjeet is a well known Safari Enthusiast who writes on various safari topics like Zanzibar Beach Resort, Kenya Holidays & African Tours

How would like adventure travel to Kenya, to learn some of Kenya’s best kept secrets? How about checking into Hemingway’s, a luxury hotel on the Indian Ocean, or spending some time in the same area that Elsa was released into the wild by Joy Adamson? You can enjoy these, and more, with luxury adventure travel to Kenya, land of the Luo, Kalenjin, Turkana and the famous Maasai warrior race, as the name is correctly spelled although we shall use the more popular western spelling of Masai.

The capital is Nairobi, and that would be a good place to start. There are many types of hotel in Nairobi, but if you can, try to book into one of the few boutique hotels that accommodate only a few guests, twelve being a good number. For that you will have to book yourself a luxury adventure vacation, with personal service offering vacation planning from just yourself and your partner.

That is a better way to enjoy Kenya’s secrets, rather than traveling in a large group of 40 or more as most people do. If you can find a tour company that offers this level of personal service, then your vacation can be tailored to suit your own timetable and needs, and not those of the majority, or even in some cases the minority!

Nairobi has a lot offer somebody seeking adventure travel to Kenya, and you don’t have to travel to unknown places to discover some of Kenya’s best kept secrets. Take Karen Blixen’s house, for example, the author of ‘Out of Africa’, made into an Oscar winning movie, or the Carnivore restaurant, where you can dine on some exotic game. You should also check out Masai crafts at the Utamanduni Craft center and visit the giraffes at the Giraffe Center.

However, it is the game reserves that most people visit Kenya to see, and that adventure travelers to Kenya are particularly interested in, so take a plane ride over the Meru National Park and land near Elsa’s Kopje – a rocky outcrop on Mughwangi Hill in the Meru Park, where Elsa was released by Joy and George Adamson back in 1958.

Why not spend some time in the park and check out the elephants, leopards and cheetahs, and of course the lions. Unfortunately the big game, the lions in particular, are in grave danger in Nairobi Park due to the action of humans, so take advantage of the opportunity to see them in the wild while you can. Although most people prefer to go on guided safaris, others prefer fishing and nature walks, or even just to lie by the pool. It’s your vacation so indulge yourself.

You must then visit the Masai Mara Nature Reserve, where the big game animals are less under threat from human activity. Try to head for the Cottar 1920 Mari Safari Camp, where the 22,000 acre private concession houses only 12 guests, but it’s well worth it, and no luxury adventure travel to Kenya should miss a visit to Cottars. Calvin Cottar is one of the best guides in the country, and will take you on a game drive in a 4WD or even a more traditional ox cart. It is an advantage that the camp is not part of the reserve, because you can go on night drives and guided walking tours, which would not otherwise be permitted.

Malinda is another part of Kenya you must not miss: situated on the Indian Ocean Malinda offers Hemingway’s a luxury hotel that offers the very best personal service. Use it as a base for a trip to Lamu Island, which used to be a base for the slave trade, and on which the only means of travel other than foot is by donkey. Try a dip in the ocean or simply relax by the pool, contemplating what you have seen

The type of luxury you can experience on these trips is unbelievably high, and adventure travel to Kenya is not all safaris and living rough. You can also do it in style, but make sure that your price is all-inclusive since the extras for the flights and safari trips can be high. A good luxury vacation company will offer you all-inclusive deals that will work out cheaper in the long run than trying to keep your initial costs low and pay your own way. You will either end up paying more, or missing out on a lot, which would be a shame after traveling so far.

Try to get a personal deal, with just the two of you traveling, rather than being part of a large group, and make sure that your travel is commensurate with the luxury you are seeking: a minimum of business class flights, and first class rail and road travel where it is involved. Your accommodation should be the best available, and the small personal hotels are often the best.

Achieve all that, and there are no reasons why your luxury adventure travel to Kenya should not provide you with the vacation of your dreams, the memories of which will last you a lifetime.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/adventure-travel-to-kenya-discover-kenyas-best-kept-secrets-615874.html

About the Author:

If you are interested in a luxury personal vacation service for you and your partner, you can book luxury adventure travel to Kenya at http://www.ultitude.com and do everything above for an all-inclusive price for luxury travel, accommodation and cuisine, including safaris and flights over the reserves.

Apart from the traditional wildlife safari for which Kenya is widely known, the country also offers numerous and different types of other types of tours and excursions that would be interest only to a few people with special, but intense interest. From golfing to filmmaking, to diving, you will find locations and facilities to meet your needs.

There are very many possibilities of enriching a visit to Kenya with tours to areas and establishments of special interest and even meetings with professionals in that particular field. There is a whole range of subjects, which may be included into a customized itinerary – whether you would like to travel as a large group or as a small one.

Some of the areas of interest that you would consider to work around in Kenya are mentioned briefly below.

Agriculture and Horticulture

Kenya has a predominantly agricultural economy, with agriculture, horticulture, livestock, forestry and fishing accounting for a sizeable percentage of the Gross Domestic Product of the country. The most important cash crops are coffee and tea grown in the cool fertile uplands in the central part of the country.

Tropical fruits such as pineapples, paw paws, bananas, mangoes, cashews and macadamias are all grown in Kenya and Tanzania for home consumption and export. In the farming centre of Nakuru, it is possible to visit a pyrethrum factory (Kenya produces almost 80% of the total world production of pyrethrum). In addition, this area is ideally suited to ranching with fine herds of beef cattle as is Naivasha and Nanyuki, with Boran, Sahiwal, Charolais and Hereford breeds.

You can visit flower farms in and around Naivasha town. Kenya produces cut flowers largely for export, supplying almost 98% of its 40 types of flowers to European Countries.

Archaeological Tours

Archaeologically, Kenya is of worldwide interest being the discovery site for some extremely important excavations and findings. Kenya is the cradle of Mankind. Between 1998 and 1999, the remains and fossils of Kenyanthropus platyops, dating back to over 2.6 million years were discovered west of Lake Turkana. These discoveries suggest the protohumans roamed the area more than 20 million years ago. Today, these remains can be found at the National Museums of Kenya.

Historical and Cultural Tours

The coastline of Kenya and Tanzania bears the remains of the many foreign peoples who have passed through its shores in the last 1000 years of history – Chinese, Persians, Arabs, Portuguese to mention just a few. Some were traders and while others were invaders. All the same, all of them have left a fascinating collection of coastal antiquities.

The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrived in Malindi in 1498. He received a very warm welcome from the locals and Malindi became a Portuguese centre of trade.

The diversity of the culture of Kenya’s people can be felt through their languages, food, music, beliefs and practices. For example, among the Luhya community of western Kenya, August and December are the months when they circumcise their young lads. Besides the actual initiation ceremony, traditional songs and dances are performed during this period.

Geological Tours

For lovers of geology and gemology, a safari combined with opportunities of meeting local enthusiasts and visits to areas of mineralogical interest can be an exciting experience. The volcanic eruptions that have taken place have created fascinating structures of earth variations.

Golfing Tours

There are 4 championship golf courses in and around Nairobi and nearly 20 courses throughout Kenya, all in beautiful settings. The Kenya Open (handicap 3 or under) attracts world golfing stars during the months of February and March and the Kenya Amateur Championships (handicap seven of less) in November. You can schedule your travel to coincide with the dates.

Deep sea Fishing

For deep sea fishing fans, between the months of October and March there are opportunities of landing record marlin, mako shark and sailfish as well as a plethora of game fish including kingfish, bonito, felusi and black runner along the coastline. During this period regular competitions are held in which overseas visitors are encouraged to participate.

Other special interest tours that can be enjoyed in Kenya include bird watching and diving expeditions. There are over 1000 species of birds while qualified divers can enjoy the reefs of Mombasa with the season running from April to October.

Many other special events and festivals take place in Kenya every year. The main ones include the Kenya Tourism Week, The Safari Rally, Concours d’elegance Motor Show, The Rhino Charge, International Camel Derby and the Dugong Festival/ Lamu Donkey Race.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/kenya-vacation-special-interest-tours-and-safaris-to-kenya-601041.html

About the Author:

Solomon Okila is the Editor and Safari Consultant at African Voyages Tours and Travel. This is a tour operator and Safari Outfitter that specializes on African Travel and holidays. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.africanvoyages.com

Amboseli National Park was Kenya’s first established game park. Since 1948, millions of international guests, including Hollywood film companies, have been drawn to the park by the magic of Mt. Kilimanjaro-the snowcapped mountain reaching to the sky above, with wildlife grazing under flat-topped thorn trees below.

Despite its proximity to the mountain, many tourists today are disappointed with Amboseli because of its dusty dirt roads and the barren expanses caused in part by the overuse of humans and animals. Years of abuse by tourists vehicles have left off-road vehicle tracks where there had been grasslands. Prolific herds of elephant have broken and destroyed trees-creating stark and stunning weathered sculptures on the landscape.

Much of Amboseli is dry and desert like. In fact, about a third of the park is taken up by Lake Amboseli, a seasonal soda lake which, at certain times, appears to be dead, flat wasteland. Indeed, Amboseli is maa for “salt dust.” In dramatic areas bright green with primordial clumps of vegetation.

In Amboseli, more than in any other park of Kenya, you are guaranteed to see many elephant. Elephant herds are easily visible across rolling grassy savannas, usually grazing their way to and from major feeding grounds or water holes.

Although Amboseli has major problems, it is heartening to consider the regenerative forces of nature. Remains of trees left by elephant are returning nutrients to the soil. According to scientists, the water table of Lake Amboseli is rising. Because there is water in the lake more often, there are also flamingos to be seen. These factors, combined wth needed efforts by Kenyan authorities and conservationists to control “tourist erosion”, may help to give Amboseli the opportunity for recovery. Off –road driving is now forbidden.

Many still enjoy coming to Amboseli. Always, there is the possibility of seeing the mountain. Enjoyment of Amboseli National Park is in the eye and understanding of the beholder.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

The Amboseli Serena safari lodge is the nicest and most interesting lodge IN Amboseli National Park. The rounded terracotta shape of the lodge resembles a Masai dwelling, and wildlife and Masai themes are repeated throughout the hotel.

To enter, you walk across a wooden bridge over running water, a pleasant contrast to the hot dusty roads of the park. Hanging gardens and water lilies contribute to an impression of a return to Eden. Rounded spaces, wall, windows and doorways combine with a certain cool dimness to take you away from the straight sharp edges of modern life. The emphasis is on smooth, natural harmony with the environment and the wildlife in it.

Whimsical wall-sized paintings of wildlife delightfully decorate interior walls. Hanging lights are shaded by the irregular shapes of hollow Masai grounds, adding interest to the ceiling. At check-in you receive your Masai war-club with key attached-“to fend off monkeys,” the receptionists say with a smile.

The passage leading to rooms is open to the sky and traverses thick tropical gardens. The bedrooms are small. However, large wall-sized windows either look towards Mt. Kilimanjaro or towards the water hole visited by herds of Wildebeest, antelope and elephant. Bedroom walls echo the wildlife outside with another animal mural. The bathroom is modern, but the wall is curved, and a Masai spear holds up the shower curtain. The décor uses natural materials in unusual ways to suggest the Masai way of harmonizing with nature; cut sticks frame the beds, a Masai club is the door handle, hollowed gourds are the bed lights.

The pool, main bar and outdoor terraces overlook the surprising green grass and bush of the water hole. There are no fences. Guests have many opportunities for game viewing, even at night, when elephant families graze just a few meters away under floodlight.

To reach the dining area you cross an indoor bridge over more running water, with floating gardens and water lilies. The dining area is broken up into several adjoining rooms of different sizes, making for pleasant and intimate services. Floor –to ceiling windows give the feeling of eating in the gardens, though the main dining room is dark, and monkeys can be uninvited “guests”.

Breakfast (with complimentary champagne) and lunch are served buffet-style, and dinners are served at a table with candle light. For an extra fee, you can choose to participate in the Masai Exotic Dinner, served every other night in the terrace below the swimming pool. Waiters in Masai Shuka serve barbequed meats and traditional foods and there is an open bar.

The lodge invites guests to help preserve and restore the ecology of Amboseli by planting a tree in the 25 hectares of grounds surrounding the lodge. For those interested in Masai Culture, Masai customs are explained informally in afternoon lectures in the conference room, and Masai dancers appear at night campfire.

The clientele often includes tour groups, guests usually stay for only one night, and for many it is their first experience with animals in the wild.

Accommodations at the Amboseli Serena Lodge

Bedrooms are small. There are 86 with twin beds and 10 with double beds. All have modern bathrooms with combination bathtub and shower. Rooms with double beds are smaller and have no large window. Best water hole views #45-51. Best views of Kilimanjaro,#23 &24. Good views of Kilimanjaro # 4-26.

Special offerings

Game drives, bird walks, binoculars, swimming pool, jogging path, play ground, small airplane flights over Mt. Kilimanjaro by arrangement, folk singing guitarists at night, lectures on masai culture, library room, souvenir and sundry shop. Resident nurse, gas station, conference room.

Kenya wildlife is found in the most natural parks you will find in Africa. Wildlife is mostly found within the boundaries of national parks and reserves. These are wilderness areas that have been set aside for the purposes of wildlife conservation. Each of these Kenya national parks has its own characteristic and Kenya travellers are better off sampling each and every park on its own.

The parks range from the snow –capped mountains to the low savannah grasslands; from the scenic knuckle shaped ranges of the aberdares national park to the rough arid national parks of samburu, shaba and buffalo springs;from the undulating picturesque landscape of the rift valley to the central green and lush central Kenya highlands;from the white powdery sandy beaches with turquoise colored water to the inland blue-green crater lakes.

The African wildlife found in these parks is equally diverse as is the vegetation and landscape. The Kenya mountain parks host a unique an array of wildlife including the rare giant forest hog, the extremely rare, shy and endangered bongo, the magnificent and rare black coated mountain leopard, the African lynx, the smaller mountain elephant, the African lion, duikers among many others.

Kenya north parks are famous for their rather different animals some of which are among the most endangered and rare species including the rothschild giraffe, the beisa oryx and the grevy’s zebra. Other animals in the north of Kenya include the African lion animal, the cheetah, leopard, elephants, buffalo, gerenuk, water bucks, common zebra, coke’s hertebeest, birds among others.

Masai Mara Migration Tour of Kenya

This article would not be complete if mention was not made of the most popular Kenya national park. The Masai mara is by far the best national park/reserve in Kenya. Forming only a smaller section of the vast Serengeti plains in Tanzania, the masai mara is by far the most famous national park in Kenya. The Kenya masai mara is located in the southern Kenya tourism circuit right in the midst of the masai warrior country.

The vast savannah landscape with unending vistas of grass velds supports the highest numbers of wildlife. The panoramic and usually breathtaking golden plains are home to Kenya’s most wide variety of plains game, predators, amphibians and reptiles. One of masai mara’s best advantage is the ease with which viewing wildlife comes. It matters little, the gate you access the masai mara national reserve through. The mara wildlife starts right at the entrance all the way to your lodge.

I must say the number of African lions you see will leave you satiated and full of glee. It is only in the masai mara that a herd of elephants will graze 1 foot away from your tour van window, a pride of lion will lie beside your vehicle for that welcome shade and a female cheetah will mount on your car’s bonnet or roof for the vantage view of prey or even better an African lion’s kill of a zebra happening right next to your vehicle. The Masai mara is the perfect Kenya animal tour climax and Kenya photographic tour mecca.

By far, the most spectacular of all masai mara kenya tour attractions remains the mammoth wildebeest migration through plains and rivers. Driven by the sheer will to get to fresher grass fields and the annual difference of rains cycle in the masai mara and the Serengeti plains, the wildebeest cover over 1000km of wilderness in a non-defined circle to reach the fresh grass. The masai mara wildebeest migrate accompanied by an army of zebras and other plains game. The migration safari in masai mara is such a huge phenomenon that satellites in space pick it up as a real time moving mass of black shade on the screen.

The wildebeest migration safari in masai mara involves over 1.5 million gnus accompanied by at least a quarter of a million zebras. Since food is moving, the predators, including famous African lion accompany the blue wildebeest across valleys, velds and rivers as they eat the weak and lost in the Africa’s grandest wildlife march. Nothing is as breathtaking as observing the wildbeest rivercrossings in the masai mara. Accumulating in their thousands on the masai mara river bank, hesitant of taking the first leap, the front line are eventually forced by the pushing rear mass of thousands of wildebeest into the river.

That first leap into the nile crocodile infested river prompts trepidation-filled 5 feet leaps by the gnu into the river. The mad rush is driven by the desperation to overcome the treacherous mara river crossing to the promised land. The sheer numbers of the fearfull, leaping and kicking wildebeest catches the crocodile by surprise forcing them to give way from the stampede and guaranteed death from trampling.

The gnu carnage at the river crossing, even without the help from crocodiles in the mara river result mainly from the stampede drowning and breaking the spines of others already in the river. This keeps the crocs happy for the next month or two. I guess they must be impatiently watching their calendars by now for the next annual wildbeest migration in the masai mara. So intense is the moment of a wildebeest river crossing that the splash into the water sounds like a thousand raging waterfalls. You really don’t want to miss a wildebeest river crossing !

Arranging for your Kenya Africa animal safari is easy with an experienced tour operator in Kenya. Most of the bookings for the migration tour have to be done a year to six months in advance as the masai mara lodges tend to fill up 3 full months to the Kenya migration season. So try and have your Kenya animal tour bookings done in advance.

Doing Your Kenya vacation search on the Internet

Well not everyone who comes to Kenya goes for the wildebeest migration tour. In most cases travelers to Kenya will be driven by a variety of motivations and in need to see a diverse array of attractions. As mentioned earlier, there are a plethora of Kenya Africa attractions to keep you busy for a month or more, pocket size allowing.

The most challenging job is in finding a suitable safari ltd website in Kenya that offers the exact match to what you are looking for in a Kenyan tour. The trick lies in knowing exactly the kind of Kenya tour you are interested in and then searching the same for a variety of results. Below I have included the possible Kenya tour areas of interest that will make your online research easier as can be. Remember that discretion on the information and the type of tour outfitter you choose is the most important step in planning your African animal tour. Kenya tour Packages,Kenya tour lodges,Kenya tour Hotels, Kenya tour hotel deals among others.

Have the best ever Kenya safari tour.

All inclusive Kenya tour information. The most bargain Kenya safari options are the all inclusive safari packages. Best all inclusive African Kenya tour packages will mostly include a package of bargain flights to Africa, national park tour, local transport and accommodation in wilderness lodges and hotels. In Kenya, inclusive packages have a characteristic of putting all the components of a safari in one. The tour operators are able to negotiate discounts from suppliers of beds, flight seats, local transport seats and entertainment spots. The discounts are further passed on to the travelers to Kenya.

This provides a discounted safari package to an otherwise expensive tour. For example, the cost of a return flight from the USA to Kenya would normally go for usd 1700 in the tourist season. If you calculate how much a family of six would have to spend on air fare alone, then the sense of purchasing all inclusive packages becomes evident.

All Inclusive Kenya packages-How You Benefit From them

On the local scene, Kenya tour providers would include lodges in Kenya national parks, safari van transport companies, Kenya car rentals and entertainment spots. When a tour operator negotiates for discounts and commissions from such providers, they are able to pass on the same to you on your Kenya tour. At the least you are able to get the best all inclusive tour packages at the cost price since the operator is able to enjoy commissions as his profit as opposed to marking up on the different components of the Kenya safari.

It’s therefore pennywise to insist on all inclusive Kenya safari packages when negotiating for your safari tour. In most cases you will be able to cut off more than 30% of the cost of the Kenya tour which s unnecessarily added up as mark ups by the selling middle men. More the reason to use Kenya local tour operator when booking your next Kenya all inclusive tour package.

There are a variety of all inclusive tour safaris which can be obtained from your tour operator. You will need to be wary of tour packages that seem overly cheap or low cost. The marketing gimmick mostly employed by overseas tour operators is to only present you with their cost price which includes only part of the Kenya tour components.

The Vacation Marketing Tricks Played On You By Operator

Other tour components like entry charges to game parks, taxes, cover charges are deliberately left out and no mention is made of them. Or if they do, they only give them rough estimate and label them as local charges. This marketing gimmick seems to work well into deceiving you that you are getting a sell off, down right steal all inclusive Kenya tour. However, what you might initially have cost you say, $1200 for a 10 day safari, turns out to be more costly when you arrive and the total cost of your Kenya tour tallies to $3000 for the same 10 days. Worse cases is where you jump into the tour deal without doing proper research into exactly how much more you would have to pay on arrival as local charges.

I once had a very very hard time trying to convince a potential visitor from Europe that a 20 day tour would in no probable way cost a paltry $300. When she gave me the website they had got the offer from (and even had confirmed prices on phone from them), she was shocked when together we tallied all the hidden costs that amounted to a whopping $5000. So much for the $300 Africa Kenya vacation tour. In an instant her dreams of a super cheap Kenya tour evaporated. Lets face it, it cant be that cheap to travel half way round the world to Africa without a sponsorship program!!

All Inclusive Tour Operator Tricks-How To Beat Them

The best way to beat this marketing trick is to compare, compare and compare prices, then bargain as best as you can. Of course your bargaining should also bear in mind that a low end cheap tour might not be what you want. And again, very cheap prices for all inclusive tour might mean that you are being accommodated in equally cheap places. It helps to know the average cost of accommodation, park entry and average transport in a safari.

This way your Kenya tour will not turn into a low end dirt cheap and uncomfortable adventure. In my work I have had visitors who bargained so hard that on arrival they felt they could have spent a little more to enjoy the comforts of the truly magical safari park lodges in Kenya. Believe me it helps to do your research well and know when you are being ripped off.

All Inclusive Best Kenya Tour Safaris

Some of the common Kenya all inclusive tour packages highlight one or more of the many Kenya tour attractions, parks and landmarks. Below is a list of some of the all inclusive Africa Kenya tour packages on offer either as a single attraction safari or a combination of more than two. these include: Africa Kenya all inclusive animal tour, Africa Kenya all inclusive water safari tour, Africa Kenya all inclusive family tour.

Do the math-Yourself!

The best way to get a favorably priced all inclusive Kenya tour is to firstly research on the actual prices of the separate components of your itinerary. When you are done you can now compare prices of the different all inclusive Africa Kenya tour packages. This will be easy to compare which is the most favorable price with your original non discounted gross price. That is you establish the ceiling amount of the sum of all components of your safari. I know its hard work, but well worth it. You will be surprised at how much you know of the destination even before you set foot there.

You may need to bear in mind that cheap is also expensive at times. Otherwise; buy your self a very adventurous Kenya tour vacation in East Africa.