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Discription of the flag: Three equal horizontal bands of black - The people, Red - The struggle for indipendence, Green - vegetation and White - peace
Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 582,650 sq km water: 13,400 sq km land: 569,250 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Geography - note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value
Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
Capital: Nairobi
Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES)
National Parks and Game Reserves in Kenya
On the outskirts of Nairobi, this area is named after Karen Blixen, author of 'Out of Africa'. Visits typically encompass the Karen Blixen Museum furnished mostly with her original items; a stop at the Utamaduni craft shopping place, a ceramic jewelry workshop and finally a stop a the Giraffe Manor. At this research center, visitors are permitted to feed the giraffes and enjoy an informal chat with the caretakers.
Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria National Reserve
Both lakes are situated within close proximity in the Rift Valley and offer an extraordinary variety of birdlife. Lake Bogoria's shoreline is dotted with steam jets, boiling geysers and fumaroles- a clear reminder of the earth's underground activities. Lesser pink flamingoes inhabit the lake fringes along with the rare Greater Kudu. Lake Baringo also nestles close to the Rift Valley's eastern wall and is home to crocodiles and hippopotami.
Aberdare National Park
This fairy park comprises of cascading waterfalls, bamboo forests and sub-alpine plants. The thick forest area is rich in wildlife: bongo, impala, waterbuck, elephant and the spectacular colobus monkeys all have their home here. Typically, visitors to this park will have lunch at a nearby base hotel before proceeding for an overnight stay at one of the treehotels. Built on high elevation overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, the Tree Hotel provides an undisputed 'royal box' above this pageant of African wildlife.
Amboseli National Park
The Amboseli National Park is one of the regions most photogenic parks. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at over 19,300 feet, dominates the park. By comparison, the mountain's second tallest peak, Mawenzi at just under 16,900 feet, is higher than most peaks in the lower United States. Amboseli is also home to large herds of elephant which is intriguing since the vegetation in most of the park is delicate and sparse. Human and wildlife here is sustained by the melted snows of Kilimanjaro feeding the marshlands and swamp grounds through subterranean springs. Due to the daytime heat, reflection off the light soil, and evaporation across the plains, game-viewing drives can be quite tricky and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between real wildlife and mirages.
Central Island National Park
Now designated as a 'World Heritage Site', this island is reached by approx. 20-40 minute boat ride from the western shores of Lake Turkana. The island was formed as a result of volcanic activity and encompasses three crater lakes which over the years have been home to different forms of life as their names suggest: Crocodile Lake, Flamingo Lake and Tilapia Lake.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Popularly known as the 'Home of a million Flamingoes', the Kenya Wildlife rangers keep close vigil over its rhino population, most of whom were translocated from other game parks. The lake drains water by evaporation alone, which maintains its alkalinity and accounts for a delicately balanced ecosystem supporting one of the greatest ornithological spectacles on earth. The bird population varies according to water levels.
Lake Naivasha
Situated in the shadow of Mount Longonot, this 'sunshine' lake is a favorite stopover enroute to the Masai Mara. The lake has been described as a 'bewilderment of birds' with a population of up to 400 different species. At nearby Hell's Gate, the rare Lammergeyer, Nyanza swift and Verreaux's eagle may be spotted.
Lamu
Lamu Island represents the cradle of Swahili culture in Kenya: this tiny enclave boasts the purest Swahili spoken along the coastline. The Muslim tradition demands the discreet dress code for visitors and it is likely that the muezzin call to prayers will awaken you briefly in the early morning hours. Explore the town's historic past where Lamu's carved doors rival those of Zanzibar, and transport is by donkey cart or dhow.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara is the Jewel in Kenya's wildlife scenario, and offers the possibility of seeing "the big five" and many other species of game. The Reserve is most famous for it Animal Migration where annually herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle become part of a massive movement of wildlife from one part of the Mara/Serengeti eco system, to another. This northern extension of the Serengeti is bisected by the Mara river, bordered by luxurious riverine forest. The region's choice of accommodation includes lodges as well as renowned luxury tented camps.
Mombasa
Kenya's second largest town of Mombasa is situated on an island, and has a recorded history stretching back nearly 2000 years and was mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a pilot's guide to the Indian Ocean written by one Diogenes, a Greek living in Egypt in the end of the first century AD. Fringing the dhow harbor is Old Town, a maze of narrow streets and pedestrian lanes with quaint shuttered houses and open fronted shops. The smell of spices is always present. Dominating the entrance to the harbor is Fort Jesus, open to visitors, which houses an interesting museum displaying antiquities from the length of the Kenya coast. There are two major beaches North and South of Mombasa Island which feature vast uninterrupted stretches of powder white sand, lapped by the azure Indian Ocean and protected by a coral reef.
Mount Kenya National Park
The Kikuyu, Kenya's largest tribal group, believe Mount Kenya's snowy peaks to be the home of their traditional God, Ngai. Climbing Mount Kenya's 17058 feet from a base hotel is an accomplishment for both world class mountain climbers and novice rock scramblers. Alternatively, a leading hotel of the world the Mount Kenya Safari Club, offers every imaginable luxury within close proximity of the magnificent mountain. A heated swimming pool, horseback riding trails, a par-3 nine hole golf course and 300 acres visited by numerous bird species, are just some of the entertainment possibilities offered.
Mount Elgon and Saiwa Swamp National Parks
The upper slopes of Mount Elgon, whose peaks reach into Uganda, are covered with afro-alpine vegetation which typifies equatorial mountains. The Kitum caves situated on its slopes, have gradually been 'burrowed' by processions of forest elephants who follow a narrow trail at nights in search of mineral deposits. Saiwa Swamp, Kenya's smallest park, was established primarily for the protection of the shy Sitatunga (an equatic antelope with splayed feet), as well as the for blue and colobus monkey.
Nairobi City
The cosmopolitan nature of Nairobi may come as a surprise when you first arrive in Africa. The city sports unique shopping opportunities, restaurants and hotel accommodations. Visitors are advised to exercise caution when exploring the city, and to make use of taxi services at night. A city tour typically includes a drive along the city center's interesting buildings and historical sites as well as the fashionable Muthaiga suburb. You may also have an opportunity to explore the Nairobi National Museum and its snake park.
Nairobi National Park
Only a few minutes drive from Nairobi, this park is as wild and eventful as any of the other game sanctuaries in Kenya. Though elephant are absent, the predatorial lion and cheetah live in search of zebra, wildebeest and plains game. The park covers an area of 44 sq. miles and a visit to the Animal Orphanage is sometimes included in the half day tour.
Ol Pejeta Private Game Sanctuary
Formerly a billionaire's holiday home, this private reserve offers game viewing on the Laikipia plains within view of Mount Kenya. Game includes rhino, elephant, an astounding variety of plains game, and a chimpanzee sanctuary.
Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba Reserves
Along this triple sanctuary, wildlife concentrates conveniently on the gallery forest of the Uaso Nyiro River. The rare gerenuk and Grevy zebra inhabit this park along with oryx who bear an uncanny resemblance to the legendary unicorn. The reticulated giraffe displays its magnificent cost of distinct patterns which set it apart from the Masai giraffe. The abundance and variety of game make this park the northern rival to the Masai Mara.
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Minutes from Kenya's Indian Ocean, Shimba is the only place in Kenya where the sable antelope can be found. Elephant, buffalo, genet, civet and serval cat can also be spotted.
Sibiloi National Park and Koobi Fora
Situated on Turkana's windblown eastern shores, Sibiloi's wide variety of game include northern species such as the Somali ostrich, gerenuk and oryx. The park's borders extend one kilometer into the lake, embracing some of the Turkana's resident population of Nile crocodile and hippo.
Koobi Fora is known as the 'Cradle of Mankind'- it is here that the Homo Erectus (judged to be approx. 1.6 million years old) was discovered by a team headed by Dr. Richard Leakey. The skull of Homo Habilis, coded as KNM-Er 1470 found in 1972, is close to 2.2 million years old whilst the skull of Australopithecus Bosei, KNM-Er 406 is judged to be about 2.6 million years old. There is a field museum to display these findings, and a tour of the excavation sites is led by a local guide.
Expeditions are organized for these destinations from the Lake Turkana Lodge on the western shores.
Tsavo National Park
The combined area of Tsavo East and West form one of the world's largest game reserves- 13,000 sq. km. Practically all of Kenya's wildlife is represented in the two Tsavos, with generous portions of elephant herds which not so long ago, were threatened with extinction.
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