F A C T S H E E T

T H E K E N Y A A F R I C A H U B

O V E R V I E W Many a traveller’s heart has been lost to . A popular first-time safari destination, Kenya evokes the power and romance of travel with unpretentious ease, and really enters the soul. It offers magnificent landscapes - from the vast captivating beauty of the Masai Mara, to the undulating, scenic country of the central highlands, to the white beaches of the Indian Ocean. Known for its plentiful game (including the world-famous wildebeest migration), proud cultural traditions, and exceptional hospitality well-tailored for young and old alike – it’s easy to see why Kenya manifests such timeless sway. No one conveyed the lasting, evocative hold of Kenya better than Isak Dinesen: “If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back, of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers, does Africa know a song of me?”. K E Y F A C T S A C C E S S I B I L I T Y

CAPITAL CITY TOURIST HUB(S) There is good accessibility by air. International Nairobi, Mombasa flights mainly go into the capital city of Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International airport, code NBO) and RELIGION LANGUAGE the coastal city of Mombasa (Moi International Christian English, Swahili airport, code MBA). Wilson airport (code WIL) is used TIME ZONE CURRENCY for light aircraft (safari) connections around the GMT +3hrs Kenyan Shilling country and is more centrally located than the international airport. Regular flights from London, FLIGHT TIME (to Lusaka) Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dubai and Doha, plus London 8h35m | New York 13h45m | Dubai 5h connections throughout the African continent. Top airlines which fly into the country include Kenya Airways, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates, K N O W N F O R Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines. Roads within Kenya can be unreliable, and it is rare to do a self- The Great Migration in the Masai Mara drive here. When booked with a guide, transfers can between August and October be long but scenically beautiful. The second highest mountain in Africa, The equator which bisects the country W H O F O R through Kenya’s Meru National Park Tsavo National Park’s large elephant Wildlife Enthusiasts population with their huge tusks First timers and safari aficionados alike The Great Rift Valley Lakes which attract large Honeymooners flocks of flamingos Families "Home of safari" Photographers Fly & Flop Conservationists W H E N T O G O P A C K I N G

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Light layers of clothing in neutral colours. Bright Amboseli coloured clothing is not suitable for walking safaris. Lamu Packing checklist: Layers – long and short sleeve Archipelago shirts and trousers | Warm fleece or jumper for Masai Mara cooler evenings | Waterproof jacket | Comfortable,

Nairobi sturdy shoes | Flip- flops / sandals |Swimming attire | hat/ baseball cap | Sunglasses and Sun-cream | Samburu Personal items – toiletries, small medical kit etc | Watamu Torch, plug adapters and charging equipment | Binoculars and camera | Books etc for siesta time Good Better Best W W W . T H E A F R I C A H U B . C O . U K T H E A F R I C A H U B K E Y R E G I O N S

M A S A I M A R A

The Masai Mara National Reserve is the most popular destination in Kenya. Sometimes spelled ‘’, it is correctly spelt ‘Masai Mara’ as Maasai refers to the people and not the place. An extension of one ecosystem shared with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, many visitors often combine the two using the Migori/Tarime border. The reserve is 1,510 km² and is best known for the Great Migration where 1.5 million zebra and wildebeest pass through into Kenya from Tanzania between August and October each year. Home to the big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) the park has some 95 mammal specials and over 400 birds. The Mara can be very busy, with many buses coming in through Nairobi for day trips. Some lodges are in more remote areas and are accessible by light aircraft flights. Guests cannot embark on walking safaris or night drives within the National Reserve boundary.

M A R A C O N S E R V A N C I E S

There are 15 wildlife Conservancies bordering the National Park. These are large areas that have been mapped out in an effort to increase community-based models of conservation, safeguarding wildlife and habitats all the while providing an income for the Maasai people who live here. There are many camps in the various conservancies, all directly contributing to the local Maasai who own the land. These areas are as rich in wildlife as the main reserve however activities such as night drives and game walks are allowed. The number of beds per conservancy is limited, as is public access, therefore they are a more private and exclusive option than camps within the Masai Mara.

S A M B U R U

The is less well-known than other parks but offers a unique ecosystem with an area that is much drier than southern regions with animals that are more able to cope with a desert-lifestyle. Famous for the Samburu Special Five (Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the beisa oryx) the area is also home to over 450 bird species and 75 mammal species including elephants and cheetahs. This is also where the Samburu tribes live. They are a semi-nomadic people who have a unique way of life that people can learn about during village visits. Other activities include walking safaris, day and night game drives, camel rides and quad biking.

N A I R O B I

Kenya’s capital city is the main tourism arrival hub. It is best known as the historical home of Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa. The city has a 113 km² National Park within the boundaries with a variety of ecosystems including forest, plains and cliffs. Accommodation includes large hotel chains as well as smaller boutique guest houses including the famous Giraffe Manor. Some visitors may be fearful of being in the city due to various acts of terrorism over the past few years, however security is high which ensures a safe visiting environment. Highlights of the city include the Karen Blixen museum, the AFEW Giraffe Centre (where guests can feed reticulated giraffes) as well the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and their elephant Orphanage

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L A I K I P I A

Centrally located, the Laikipia Plateau stretches from Mount Kenya to the rim of the Great Rift Valley. The region is home to almost half of the country’s rhino population, which are protected in various private conservancies. Large numbers of elephants can be seen in this area as they use Laikipia as a pathway between Mount Kenya and Samburu. The region is often included on a wider Kenyan itinerary as many of the conservancies are rich with wildlife and many have the big five. It is also used as a base to explore the north and great lakes of Kenya. Access is mainly though light aircraft flights, although it’s a 5-hour bumpy road from Nairobi if budget is an issue.

M O M B A S A & D I A N I

Mombasa is another key tourism arrival hub. The largest city on the Kenyan coast, it is often included as a beach option post-safari. The city itself is an exotic old town with beautiful Arab architecture. Fort Jesus is a popular attraction as a National Monument and Museum. Diani is a beach just south of Mombasa which features at the end of many safari itineraries. Activities in this area are very water-based, and include kite surfing, snorkelling, windsurfing, big game fishing and of course diving. You can also set out on a tradition dhow on a dolphin safari or a sunset cruise.

A M B O S E L I & C H Y U L U H I L L S

Amboseli National Park is the second most popular National Park after the Masai Mara. Located south east of Nairobi, it is best known for its large elephant herds and views out over Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The National Park is 392 km² in size, although it is part of a much larger 8,000 km² ecosystem which spreads into Tanzania. The park has around 400 species of birds and over 50 mammal species including lions and cheetahs. The National Park is a short distance north east of Amboseli and is much greener than the often-dry plains of Amboseli. Chyulu Hills is ideal for active individuals. Activities include horse riding, mountain climbing and mountain biking in addition to the usual safari activities. Guests can also explore the area’s caves, including Leviathan Cave which is a staggering 11.5km long and is the longest and deepest lava tube in Africa.

T S A V O

The two Tsavo National Parks, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, are named after the Tsavo River. Split by the main highway which connects Nairobi and Mombasa, they are rvery different in terms of their geography. Tsavo West is very mountainous and greener than its counterpart due to more rainfall, whereas Tsavo East is predominantly dry with vast open flat plains. Combined they cover an area of 22,000 km². Tsavo East is the majority of this size (13,747 km²) and covers an area nine times larger than the Masai Mara. The parks are best known for their large herds of elephants, many of which are ‘big tuskers’, with tusks which can each weight over 50kg. Tsavo West is dotted with volcanic hills and has hilly wooded landscapes, and there is a black rhino sanctuary here guests can visit.

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R I F T V A L L E Y L A K E S

The Great Rift Valley that runs through Eastern Africa spans from Ethiopia in the north to Malawi in the south. Some of the world’s oldest, largest and deepest lakes can be found here and Kenya has eight of them. The main lakes in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley include Lake Mgadi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Naivasha. The latter lakes are both within National Parks which means they are home to a variety of wildlife – Lake Nakuru being home to a large population of endangered black rhino. It is also here you will find huge flocks of flamingos due to the alkalinity of the water. Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest lake with a surface area of just under 70,000 km² but just 6% of the lake is found in Kenya.

L A M U

Lamu has a history as a popular coastal add-on for visitors to Kenya. Located within the Lamu Archipelago just south of the equator, the island of Lamu is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is Kenya’s oldest living settlement. Located 340km northeast of Mombasa, it is primarily Muslim, and has a rich. Activities include visiting the Lamu Museum and Fort, and sunset cruises on a traditional dhow. Unfortunately not everyone considers Lamu safe following two significant terrorist attacks in 2011 and 2014. That said, Lamu Island has been declared safe as has neighbouring Manda Island. Given these attacks, the island is relatively quiet as a tourist destination which makes it more attractive to visit for some.

W A T A M U & M A L I N D I

Watamu and Malindi are located halfway between Mombasa and Lamu. These two spots are often included in bush and beach itineraries as the area has beautiful coral reefs, white sands and fantastic marine line. There are many different accommodation options to pick from, many of which are boutique in nature. Activities here are diverse and are mainly water-based. The Watamu Marine National Park is a key highlight, with coral gardens just 300 metres from the shore and roughly 600 species of fish. The Malindi Marine National Park is also a popular attraction for water lovers and the region in general is rich in history and local culture. Other activities include dhow trips and canoeing, as well as wind and kite surfing.

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