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Explore the Other Areas of Kenya
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We have already demonstrated that Kenya is a magical place of great diversity and variety, with lots of potential for visitors to enjoy a ‘different safari everyday’. Kenya is a place where anything is possible. Beyond the areas that we have already covered there is still a landscape of breathtaking richness and diversity to explore. This module will give you the chance to do so. Please be aware that as we are nearing the end of our journey of discovery, the questions that follow will test not only your understanding of this module, but also of the course so far. Good luck – you are nearly there! __________ Desert The North of Kenya is a vast, trackless expanse of desert and semi-desert wilderness. Hot and sparsely populated, it is a place of harsh, stunning beauty. Among the cliffs and ranges and thorn scrub of the North live some of Kenya’s last nomadic tribes. The desert wilderness is an integral part of these people’s lives. They cross the land in camel trains, following traditional routes older than living memory. For many people this is the real Kenya, where great empty spaces hold the promise of real adventure. __________ | ||||||||
Maralal and beyond Maralal is a frontier town, the beginning of the Great Northern wilderness and a staging post for many great adventures. This simple town is a thriving centre for the local Samburu people, and the streets are always busy with camels, passing warriors and traders. Beyond Maralal lies some of Kenya’s most beautiful country. Here the broad and arid plains give way to the spectacular Loroghi Hills and the high, wild Matthews ranges. Dry river beds score the land, and have become the tracks and routes of nomadic camel trains. The wild country between Maralal and Turkana is ideal for the adventure seeker. Here in these vast empty spaces, there is plenty of freedom to explore the wild. __________ Marsabit and Beyond North of Isiolo is Archer’s Post, long considered the official eastern gateway to the wilds of the Northern Frontier District. Beyond this point you enter a world of harsh beauty, endless arid plains and the great monolithic mesa of Ol Olokwe on the horizon. At the heart of this great desert wilderness is the lush highland oasis of Marsabit. Set above the scorching plains, Marsabit is a small town surrounded by thick verdant forests, and watered each morning by cool mists. Marsabit is the commercial centre of the area, and its streets are a fascinating showcase of the many Northern tribes and cultures. Nearby Marasabit National Park is a beautiful place, where thick forests and rivers attract plenty of game and great herds of elephant. This is real elephant country, once home to the mighty Ahmed, a famous tusker whose impressive ivory is now displayed in the Nairobi Museum. __________ | ||||||||
Kenya is a land of contrasts, and nowhere is this more apparent than in its range of altitudes. The hills and mountains of Kenya are a world apart from the lowland valleys and plains. High-altitude Kenya offers something for everyone. There are refreshing hill walks through bird-rich areas or more active hikes into mountain forests. Above all there is mighty Mount Kenya, whose slopes are the perfect trekking destination. The mountain’s alpine peak is a technically challenging summit for the experienced mountaineer. Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest peak, is regarded as the realm of Ngai, god of the local Kikuyu people. Traditionally, all Kikuyu homes were built to face this sacred peak. They call it Kirinyaga, or place of light. The mountain is an awe-inspiring sight. Its ragged series of peaks are crowned with snow, and its slopes are thick with forest. The mountain is best seen at dawn, when the early light silhouettes the impressive summit high over the surrounding plains. While the 5199 metre summit is a difficult technical climb, the lesser peak of Point Lenana (4985m) can be easily reached by any fit trekker. This trek takes between 3 and 5 days, through a fascinating world of forests, wildlife, unique mountain vegetation including podocarpus and grounsel, and finally to one of the world’s rarest sights: equatorial snow. For those who don’t want to climb the Mountain the cool highlands that surround its base are well worth a visit. The forests are ideal for game viewing, and there are crystal clear mountain streams that abound with trout. __________ | ||||||||
At Kenya’s Western frontier is the great expanse of Lake Victoria. This massive (67,493 sq kms) lake, commonly known as Nyanza, is twice the size of Wales, and forms a natural boundary between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The lake is the heart of the African continent, the source of its mightiest river, the Nile. In the 19th century the riddle of the Nile was one of the great enigmas of African exploration. After many expeditions failed, John Hanning Speke finally reached the Lake Victoria shores in 1858. The Nile flows northwards, carrying the waters of Nyanza to Egypt and beyond into the Mediterranean. This mighty body of water is rich in fish life, with shimmering shoals of colourful Cichlids and large Nile Perch. Nyanza province is the heartland of the Luo, a tribe renowned as formidable fisherman. Fishing brings many visitors to this lake, mainly in search of the Nile Perch, considered a world class game fish. There are three separate fishing lodges on islands within Victoria. Kisumu is a quiet port town on the shores of the lake, with wide streets and fine colonial architecture. To the south fishing villages line the lake, leading towards the broad waters of Homa Bay. This area is home to Ruma National Park, a small but attractive park with many unique species. The best way to appreciate the beauty of this region is on the lake itself. The sun shines brightly, and gentle breezes rise from the water. In trees along the shore, Fish Eagles call to each other with long haunting cries. Sunsets turn the water to gold, as the local fisherman pull in their nets and slowly turn their canoes homeward. To request a brochure, please email: kenya@hillsbalfour.com
With a capacity of 300 rooms, a range of room types consisting of a Royal suite, Executive rooms, Deluxe rooms and Standard rooms are available.. Relaxation tops the agenda, from the large pool where you can take a dip in crystal clear water to the differently themed bars where you can take a long, cool swig of your favourite tipple. The varied restaurants serve sumptuous meals and leisurely buffets, and once the sun sets there is much to entertain guests: cabaret shows, live bands, guitarists and traditional African dancers. And then there’s the beach, which seems to go on forever. The North Coast, where the resort is located, is a place of fascinating history and untamed beauty. Sports-mad guests will find much at Sun n’ Sand to keep them busy: water sports like kayaking, windsurfing and sport fishing as well as table tennis, board games and crazy golf (there is a nine-hole pitch and putt golf green). Kids who need a break from their parents are also catered for at the Sunshine Kids Club, which provides non-stop adventure and activities. And for those guests, who can’t bear to be parted from their laptops, well, relax. No one will take it away from you! In fact, you’ll be encouraged to mix business with pleasure as ample business services have been laid on. What’s more, there are conference facilities for up to 300 people. The relaxed ambience, exotic climate and the azure waters may inspire you to propose to someone you love. If the answer’s yes, you’re lucky because Sun n’ Sand also caters for weddings. And what better place to get your wedding portrait taken than in these lush landscaped tropical gardens with the Indian Ocean as an endless backdrop? To quote the Sun n’ Sand folk: “All you need is your suntan lotion everything else is provided.” Proudly Kenyan www.sunnsand.co.ke
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Introduction
Mountains
Lake Victoria
