KENYA  >  AFRICA  >  INDEX


Kenya vacations.

Regions in Kenya : Aberdares, Amboseli, Arabuko Sokoke, Bogoria, Kakamega, Laikipia, Lamu, Longonot, Maasai Mara, Marsabit & Beyond, Meru 

Cities in Keya : Amboseli, Malindi, Mombasa, Nairobi, Samburu, Shanzu, Watamu, Ziwani

Bordering Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and the Indian Ocean.

Capital City of Kenya: Nairobi


car hire, hotels, travel agencies, travel guides, transportation / traveling to kenya

links


Car Rental Kenya

 Europcar  -  Mombassa and Nairobi
Only new rental cars [ average age only 6 months ], All inclusive prices, 24 hours roadside assistance, 24/7 service most airports.

 Avis
World's second largest general-use car rental business, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services.
 Hertz

Rental Homes / Apartments

 To Escape to
Search their unique selection of holiday villas, boutique apartments, luxury guest houses, hip hotels and safari camps. They offer stylish accommodation as well as your choice of holiday lifestyle.

Hostels / Guesthouses

 Hostelbookers.com  -  Great Hostels, Free booking, Fast & Easy to use
Hostelbookers.com is one of the worlds largest online booking services for hostels. All hostels you see here are offering realtime prices and availability. We do not charge a fee to use this service.

Hotels in Kenya / Lodges

 4hotels.co.uk - Kenia Hotels
Hotel, Bed and Breakfast, Guest House, Lodging and Self Catering Accommodation Directory

National Parks

 Meru National Park  -  see Kilimanjaro.com
Meru National Park is wild and beautiful. Straddling the equator and bisected by 13 rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams, it is an especially beautiful area of Kenya. It has diverse scenery from woodlands at 3 ,400ft (1,036m) on the slopes of Nyambeni Mountain Range, north east of Mt. Kenya, to wide open plains with meandering riverbanks dotted with doum palms.
The Park is most famous as the setting for Joy Adamson's book "Born Free", the story of the Adamson's life and research amongst lion and cheetah. "Elsa" the lioness was the most well-known and her grave is marked here.
Game to view includes: lion, elephant, cheetah, leopard black rhino, zebra, gazelle, oryx and some of the rarer antelope, Lesser Kudu and duiker, also the more common Dik Dik, one of Africa's smallest antelope. Large prides of lion can be seen and some of Kenya's largest herds of buffalo. The rivers abound with hippo and crocodile, fishing for barbus and catfish is permitted at camp sites and along the Tana River. In the mid 1980's, the Park suffered from poaching, however KWS armed wildlife security patrols have driven out the poachers and the elephant population has stabilised with breeding herds settling down.

Travel Agents / Tour Operators / Kenya Specialist



 Mad Adventurer  -  development projects in Kenya

Inbound

 Natural Track.com  -  exclusive Kenya Wildlife Safaris
Pre-arranged and tailor-made Kenya safaris for families, trekkers and photographers. Specialised birding tours and short excursions.
 Abercrombie & Kent  -  Air Safaris; Camping Safaris; Customized safaris, Luxury safaris
 Across Africa Safaris  -  Adventure, Balloon safaris, Camping, Customized safaris
Beach Holidays, Deep sea diving and fishing, Mountain climbing
 Africa Expeditions Ltd  -  Adventure, Camping, Family safaris, Luxury safaris
Bird watching, Mountain climbing, Scuba diving and snorkelling, Trekking, Special interest
 African Horizons Travel & Safaris 
 African Latitude (Kenya) Ltd 
The Great Rift Valley cuts a deep scar across Kenya and Tanzania creating a variety of  landscapes and ecosystems unlike anywhere else in Africa. Already well known as important wildlife destinations, they want to introduce you to the beauty of the varied cultures and the dramatic landscapes found outside of the national parks and classical tourist routes.
 African Quest Safaris Ltd  -  based in Mombasa - 
Sailing and boating; Scuba diving and snorkelling, Beach holidays, Budget holdays, Cultural tours, Incentive and groups
 Albatros Travel & Safaris [ Nairobi ]
Albatros Travel is a member of various nature conservation groups like WWF and is an accepted pioneer of ecological tourism. Albatros Travel works closely with local groups to conserve local nature and culture and indeed has been awarded many prizes in recognition of its activities in conservation as well as ecological, responsible and alternative tourism.

Travel Guides Kenya / Related books

Books about Kenya 

 Kenya / Bradt Travel Guide  -  by Claire Foottit
The Bradt guide to Kenya explores not just the safari circuit and the renowned Indian Ocean beaches, but takes visitors beyond these to enjoy almost unknown areas such as the Laikipia plateau, the northern deserts and the west. Species identification, habitats, the best wildlife viewing places and conservation are featured in depth, plus unique ways to explore the country and off-beat activities.
Paperback 482 pages (February 2004); Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides
 Kenya Insight Guide 
This 340-page guidebook to Kenya presents the country's highlights in a comprehensive format, illustrated with hundreds of full-colour photographs and 16 maps. Key features: Places: region-by-region gazetteer section, with top attractions highlighted and cross-referenced with detailed local maps. Essay Features: incisive essays on Kenya?s history, people and culture, from ancient ?cradle of mankind? to its modern republic. Photo Features: magazine-style full-colour features on some of the country's most exotic sights, including the native Big Birds, Trees and the Maasai people. Travel Tips: practical listings section, including Accommodation, Entertainment, Transport and essential contact addresses and numbers.
Paperback (November 26, 2004); Publisher: Insight Guides
 Kilimanjaro  -  A Trekking Guide to Africa's Highest Mountain; Includes City Guides to Arusha, Moshi, Marangu, Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam - By Henry Stedman
... Its summit, at 5892.55m—5896m, (depending on which estimate you're using), is not only the highest point in Africa; it's also one of the highest places regular trekkers (by which I mean those who have no mountaineering/climbing skills) can reach just by walking. And having gained the summit, the sense of achievement is awesome.
But like all good treks, reaching your goal is only part of the fun: it's the getting there that counts. They say that to climb it is to pass through four seasons in four days – and they're right. From the sweaty jungle of the first day via cloud forest, heath and moorland and on to the alpine desert and icy wastes of the summit, the scenery on Kilimanjaro is forever changing – and forever fascinating. The growing sense of camaraderie between yourself and your fellow trekkers and crew members, the feeling of leaving the rat-race behind, the glorious isolation, the enjoyment of feeling fit and healthy and, cliché though it may be, of feeling at one with nature, are all certain to become memories that will stay with you forever...
Paperback 224 pages (February 2003); Publisher: Trailblazer Publications
 Swahili / Lonely Planet Phrasebook 
Including a two-way dictionary, with grammar and pronunciation sections, this guide features a key language section for various situations, from buying food in markets to trekking in the countryside, conversation topics such as sport, current issues, and romance. ASIN 0864425090.
  Lonely Planet East Africa
By Mary Fitzpatrick (Author), Tom Parkinson (Author)
Paperback: 672 pages; Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 7 edition (June 2006); Language: English; ISBN -10: 1741042860; ISBN-13: 978-1741042863.

Transport / How do I travel to Kenya

 Jomo Kenyatta International = Nairobi Airport
 Mombassa Airport
 Wilson airport - located 11 kms outside of the city centre of Nairobi
Domestic hub for both scheduled and chartered domestic air traffic

 Emirates US  -  Flight tickets Nairobi

 Airline Tickets / Bargain Flights  -  price comparison possible

 Air Kenya

 Nairobi Railway station
Tthe centre for railway traffic with daily arrivals/departures from Mombasa and Kisumu.

 Bus
Nairobi is the centre of Kenya's extensive bus network, with many bus companies operating to and from destinations throughout the country

 Ferries

 Map of Kenya [ Uni Texas - Perry-Castañeda Library - Map Collection ]


Links 

 Travel Insurance

 MagicalKenya.com  -  The official Kenya destination website / Kenya Tourist Board

 Government of Kenya  -  Kenya Government Online

 Nairobi - Capital City of Kenya
When railway construction workers reached this area in 1899, they set up a basic camp and supply depot, simply called 'Mile 327'. The local Maasai called this highland swamp Ewaso Nai'beri – the place of cold water.
The camp became a rustic village, and then a shanty town, which by 1907 was the capital of all of British East Africa. It was soon an important centre for the colony and a mecca for adventurers, hunters and travellers from all over the world

 Aberdares
 Amboseli  -  Region of Amboseli
Amboseli is famous for its big game - elephants, lions and cheetahs are the main attractions - and for its great scenery beauty. Amboseli embodies five main wildlife habitats, plus a generally dry lake-bed - Lake Amboseli. These are open plains; extensive stands of yellow-barked acacia woodland; rocky, lava strewn thorn-bush country; swamps and marshes; and at the western end of the reserve, above Namanga, the massif of Ol Doinyo Orok rising to over 2,760m (8.300ft) and still for the most part zoologically unexplored.
The landscape is dominated by the glistening majestic snow cap of mount Kilimanjaro immediately to the south making the park a breathtaking destination.
 Amboseli - City of Amboseli
 Arabuko Sokoke 
 Bogoria 
 Kakamega 
 Kiwayu
Located about 15 minutes flight North of Lamu, Kiwayu truly is a tropical paradise hideaway. Perched on the edge of the border with Somalia Kiwayu is isolation at its best with deserted beaches and the warm blue Indian Ocean all to yourself. During the days you have a host of choices from creek fishing to deep sea fishing, to diving or sailing. Alternatively you can take a walk down the empty beach or just sit back in your hammock and enjoy the peace and beauty of this magical destination.
 Laikipia 
This spectacular region is considered the gateway to Kenya's wild Northern frontier country. Wild and sparsely populated, much of Laikipia is covered by large privately owned ranches. These ranches cover a wide range of landscapes, with high plains and low forested valleys. On most ranches cattle share the land with free ranging wildlife. In recent years this wildlife has become a valuable asset, with many ranches now establishing guest houses, home stays and private camps within their boundaries. This has proven a great success, and many ranches now rely on a thriving tourist trade.
 Lamu
The island, just of Kenya's far North coast, is a place of great natural beauty, with long deserted beaches framed by rolling sand dunes and the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Lamu is the perfect place for a beach safari with a difference, a truly unique destination that lingers long in the hearts of all who visit. The real attraction here is the islands' fascinating history, a long and exotic tale that draws the visitor back into the world of the 14th century. Lamu has developed a culture drawn form many sources, and in the streets and markets of the old town, life continues unhurried and unchanged by outside influences.
 Longonot 
 Maasai Mara
The Masai Mara National Reserve is probably the most famous and most visited reserve in Kenya. It offers breathtaking views (seen in the film 'Out of Africa', much of which was filmed here) an extraordinary density of animals including the "Big Five" and many varieties of plains game. 
 Marsabit & Beyond
 Malindi
 Mombasa
Mombasa is an island connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. The town over looks a wide harbor, where commercial shipping mingles with traditional sailing dhows.
The true heart of Mombasa is found in the exotic old town, among the narrow winding streets and Arab architecture. The air here is always heavy with the scent of spices. Women wearing the traditional bui bui fill the narrow streets and busy markets. At the dhow docks fresh fish and goods from all along the coast arrive daily. The streets are alive with the bright colours of the traditional coastal khanga and kikoy, the all purpose wrap around cloth worn by both men and women
 Rift Valley
Running from north, around Lake Turkana, it goes down through Kenya. The great Rift Valley escarpment is a tourist attraction.
Apart from the Rift Valley itself, the area has other important geographic features such as: the extinct volcanoes Mount Longonot and Mount Suswa and Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Magadi, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Lake Turkana.
Most of Kenya's top runners hail from the Kalenjin community [ Rift Valley ].
 Samburu
In the arid North of Kenya, water means life. The waters of the great Ewaso Nyiro river draw wildlife in great numbers to its banks, creating an oasis of green.
This river flows through three great northern reserves, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. This is spectacular country, set against a backdrop of the mighty Mountain Ol Olokwe.
 Shanzu
 Watamu
 Ziwani

 Jumba la Mtwana  -  site represents the remains of a 13th century Swahili settlement.
 Koobi Fora  -  on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana
Koobi Fora is one of the world's leading prehistoric sites for the study of human evolution.
 Mnarani
The ruins of the Swahili settlement of Mnarani are located on the south bank of the Kilifi Creek on Keny's north coast....
 Olorgesailie
 Siyu Fort
One of the Swahili settlements in the Lamu archipelago. The town dates back to at least the 15th century.
 Takwa  -  ruins of Takwa
Located on Manda Island, a 30 minute boat ride from Lamu town. ..
 Thimlich Ohinga
Declared as a national monument in 1983, Thimlich Ohinga serves as an example of the dry stone enclosures widespread in the South Nyanza area of Western Kenya. Similar in construction to the well known ruins of Great Zimbabwe in Southern Africa, the Thimlich Ohinga structures represent some of the finest examples in East Africa...

 Nairobi Railway Museum 
The railway museum is situated at the north-west end of Nairobi station and can be seen from the Uhuru Highway where it crosses the main line. The museum was established in 1971 by the then East African Railways and Harbours Corporation to preserve and display relics and records of the railways of East Africa from their inception to the present day. In addition to the collection of steam locomotives and rolling stock, there is a large display of smaller exhibits and models.
 University Kenya  -  University of Naurobi 

Cuisine - Kenyan Cooking Recipes

The Best of African Cooking 
By Manjase Banda (Author), Esanjam (Producer)
Paperback: 144 pages; Publisher: Esanjam; 2 Revised edition (March 14, 2007); Language: English; ISBN-10: 0954682130; ISBN-13: 978-0954682132 
 African Recipes
 African Studies - The African Cookbook - Menus & Recipes from Africa 

History of Kenya

Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK)

The colonial history of Kenya dates from the establishment of a German protectorate over the Sultan of Zanzibar's coastal possessions in 1885, followed by the arrival of the Imperial British East Africa Company in 1888. Incipient imperial rivalry was forestalled when Germany handed its coastal holdings to Britain in 1890.

 Kenya's History - Wikipedia

Music, Culture & Entertainment

 Swahili
Swahili is the mother tongue of the Swahili people who inhabit a 1500 km stretch of the East African coast from southern Somalia to northern Mozambique. There are approximately five million first-language speakers and fifty million second-language speakers. Swahili has become a lingua franca for East Africa and surrounding areas.
 The Swahili (The Peoples of Africa) - Mark Horton, John Middleton
The Swahili are one of the best known of the peoples of Africa. Living along the East African coast, they acted as commercial middlemen, exchanging the commodities of continental Africa, such as gold, copper, slaves, ivory, skins and timber with the luxury items of the classical, oriental and Islamic worlds. They were central participants in a global economy, long before the era of European expansion. This book is one of the first to draw on recent archaeological findings and a re-assessment of the historical and anthropological evidence to provide an account of this remarkable African civilization covering some two thousand years. This book is essential reading not only for Africanists, but also for those dealing with the history of Islam, Mediterranean history, and Indian Ocean studies, and for those who wish to understand how trading societies organize their landscape, society, governance and belief systems.
Hardcover 288 pages (January 6, 2001); Publisher: Blackwell Publishers; Language: English; ISBN: 063118919X
 Maasai  -  Kenya's international cultural symbol  -  see Wikipedia - Masai
The Maasai or Masai are an indigenous African tribe of semi-nomadic people located primarily in Kenya and northern Tanzania. With their bright red traditional dress and a reputation (possibly exaggerated) for being fierce warriors, the Maasai are probably one of the most familiar tribes of Eastern Africa...

Webportals / Search Engine / kenya Directory

 Africanet
 Africaguide
 Allafrica.com [ English and French ]
Posting over 700 stories daily in English and French and offering a diversity of multi-lingual streaming programming as well as a 400,000-article searchable archive [which includes the archive of Africa News Service dating from 1997].
 Mandarin Productions  -  small company specializing in bird song CD's
Bird Song of Kenya and Tanzania by John Hammick. 99 species.
 Resources on Africa
News and Current Affairs, Arts and Culture, African History, Travel Guides and Hotels in Africa.
 Visions of Africa - photography, prints, etc. - animals, birds & sceneries
Site is dedicated to promoting the beauty of the African continent through a photographic celebration of the peoples, wildlife and scenery of this diverse ecosystem.


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