Into Africa: From mountains to Lake Victoria and all the wildlife in between, get lured into the beauty of Kenya

If it’s adventure you’re looking for, look no further than Kenya. It’s a single country where you can do it all. Bask in tropical sunshine, or conquer snow-capped mountains. Be rejuvenated by the bubbling hot springs or peer down extinct volcanoes. Wild beasts of the Serengeti jump off the television and into your life.

Escape from society down trails in lush forests or, revel in the cultural melting pot of over 40 ethnic groups. In Kenya you are bound to find heavy influences of the British colonial customs. But a generous sprinkling of Indian and Arab inspiration can also be perceived in the local culture — whether it is the anytime drink Chai (a spiced tea with milk and sugar) or Taraab music. Kenya has something to stir each of our senses. Slipstream’s uniquely crafted Exotic Kenya itinerary will immerse you in every facet of this stunning country and its diversity.

Nairobi

The local Maasai clan called Nairobi Ewaso Nai’beri, or “the place of cold water”, and it has been an oasis for travelers, as the safari capital of Africa, for over a century. Today, this thriving town has heaps more to offer the modern adventurer than just quick passage into the frontier. This remarkable metropolis entices you with urban luxuries like a thriving café culture and pounding nightlife because you jump into Nairobi National Park just outside the city limits.

On its 113 square kilometers of cliffs, plains and forests, large animal populations make their home. And you’ll find it hard to break away after excursions ranging from white water rafting on the beautiful Tana river, to a picnic by Fourteen Falls waterfalls featuring the local culinary sparkle, or a cultural adventure into colourful shops and museums.

Mt. Kenya

Behold a rare and awesome sight when you get to Mt. Kenya – equatorial snow. The second highest peak in Africa, Mt. Kenya is said in local lore to the realm of Ngai, god of the Kikuyu people who also call it Kirinyaga or, “the place of light”. UNESCO inscribed it a World Heritage Site for its rugged glacier-clad pinnacles which roll into cool highlands with trickling mountain streams.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, the world’s second largest freshwater lake, is about the size of Ireland. But the water’s edge doesn’t just offer ample hideaways, it also buzzes with trading towns and villages. Nyanza, as the locals call it, is the heartland of the Luo tribe of expert fisherman and fishing reels in many visitors too, all searching for the Nile Perch.

Aberdares Forest

To the east, are the Aberdares, a peaceful volcanic range. While the crowds have yet to find the area, the wildlife certainly has. With over 250 species of birds to multiple species of monkeys and the largest population of Black Rhinos all calling the Aberdares Forest home, this is an animal lover’s idea of heaven. One breath of the fresh, grassy air and one glance at the misty waterfalls of the terrain, and you’ll know why so many other animals also call it home. Go hiking, fishing, mountain climbing, cave-discovering or game watching and be blown away by the magic of nature at its best but don’t be surprised if you spot a leopard, lion, or even the rare Bongo antelope just lazing away a peaceful day. It is also amidst this surreal beauty that Queen Elizabeth II is said to have learned of her accession to the British throne. Not a bad place for good news, indeed.

Maasai Mara

The Maasai Mara, or the “Kingdom of Lions”, is one of Africa’s supreme wildlife reserves. Adjacent to the Serengeti, you’ll see the Mara and Talek Rivers that abound with hippos and crocodiles, and living close by, big predators like cheetahs and lions. And don’t be surprised to see an elephant or buffalo wading around Musiara Swamp. Each year from July to October, more than a million wildebeest (and tens of thousands of gazelle and zebras too) trek nearly 3,000 kilometers from Tanzania into Kenya as part of the Great Wildebeest Migration. And be inspired by the Maasai people, as they live in harmony with this diverse wildlife around them.

Kenya gives everyone a reason to visit at least once, whether it is reclining on the beach or adrenaline-pumping adventure sports, and the animal spotting is second-to-none.

To find out more about Kenya or other adventurous excursions, visit Slipstream Travel.

Key Facts           

• Hottest months of the year are February and March
• Cooler season falls between July and August
• Mt. Kenya is Africa’s second highest peak with Elevation at 17,057 feet (5,199 meters) and Kenya’s highest mountain
• Kenya produces and exports some of the world’s best tea and coffee among other agricultural products

Why Kenya

• Exotic wildlife and landscapes
• Home to the “Big Five” animals (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino)
• Africa’s finest national parks, mountains and its beaches and lakes filled with flamingos and pelicans
• Diverse cultures to explore with some tribes still living a traditional lifestyle such as the Samburu Massai and Turkana

Be Aware of

• Stick to hotels and banks when using credit cards and use cash for smaller purchases
• Exchanging currencies in Nairobi is recommended as it can be more difficult and more expensive in smaller cities and towns
• Barclays Bank has one of the most reliable ATM machines for international withdrawals, covering most major Kenyan towns
• There’s no harm in rounding up the bill if you’re pleased with the service, otherwise tipping is not common practice among Kenyans

To find out more about Slipstream’s unique travel services, you can check out our website www.slipstream.travel.

Images credits: Kenya by Impact Kenya , Nairobi by Golf-Kenya, Mt. Kenya by Josski at nl.wikicpedia, Lake Victoria by Lake Victoria Experiment, Aberdares Forest by columbusmmug, Masai Mara Cheetah from www.maasaimara.com, Zebras by hdwallpapers 

• Aberdares
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• Kenya
• Lake Victoria
• Lions
• Maasai Mara
• Mount Kenya
• Nairobi
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