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Countries in Africa have realized the importance of preserving their natural
wildlife and their habitats. There are large portions of the country designated
as national parks, national reserves and conservation areas. These areas
are set up for the preservation of wildlife and their habitat. They provide
a huge source of revenue to the government, through park fees, which in
turn helps in the conservation and preservation of these natural resources.
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NAIROBI NATIOANL PARK
Where else in the world can you view game roaming freely and a city skyline
as backdrop other then at the Nairobi National Park? This pristine park
is only 15 minutes drive from the city center and is home to most wild
animals with the exception of elephants. The park has white rhinos. If
you are lucky you might be able to catch a glimpse of this magnificent
animal that is on the verge of extinction. This park is highly recommended
for a visit if you have a few hours to spend in the afternoon to relaxing
away from the hassle and bustle of city life.
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MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
This is Kenya's best wildlife sanctuary...absolutely enchanting. If you
haven't seen wildlife in abundance then get ready to feast your eyes. The
Maasai Mara is about 270 km from Nairobi and is a one hour flight or five-hour
drive from Nairobi. It is on the same stretch of ecosystem as Tanzania's
famous Serengeti National Park. The reserve covers an area of 1840 sq.
kms.Every year, in July to September the park witnesses one of the greatest
spectacle of nature: the great wildebeest migration from Serengeti plains.
The wildlife is plentiful; climate is moderate, ensuring a comfortable
stay. It is a definite must for all the visitors to Kenya.
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AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
This park is located at the foot of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's
highest mountain at 5895 m above the sea level. The park is located 240
km south east of Nairobi, a 40-minute flight. The beauty of this area enchanted
the likes of Ernest Hemingway who wrote his safari and big game hunting
memoirs ('The Snow of Mt. Kilimanjaro') while travelling through this area.
Mt. Kilimanjaro's melting snows forms the underground river that feeds
the swamps and springs in the park. There is also a dried up lake that
produces spectacular mirages on a shimmering hot day. This park has one
of the largest populations of elephants in Kenya. The park is only 392
square km and besides the elephants, it supports a wide range of wildlife.
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LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Situated 150 km north of Nairobi, this shallow alkaline lake is world famous as the home of the greatest bird spectacle - millions of flamingos feed on the abundant algae in the lake and turn the whole lake into ravishing pink colour. It is also one of the best places to see the endangered rhino protected inside the sanctuary. Apart form the rhino, giraffe, gazelle, waterbuck, and other water birds are not to be missed in this park |
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
The park is located in the Aberdare mountain range and covers all of the
land. Situated 160 km north of Nairobi, it is a forested area that is rich
with wildlife and lush vegetation. The Ark and Treetops are the only lodges
in the park and are built near a floodlit waterhole. This gives you the
perfect chance to watch animals at anytime of the day. And to increase
the excitement level, the lodges will actually buzz you in your rooms to
alert you if there is a rare visitor to the watering hole! The animals
commonly seen in this deep-forested paradise include elephants, rhinos,
warthogs, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, bongos, sunis, reedbuck (which
are not commonly seen in the drier parts of Kenya). Hovering in the tree
canopies, black and white colobus, syke's, black-faced vervet monkeys performing
their aerial acrobatics
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LAKE BARINGO AND LAKE BOGORIA NATIONAL RESERVE
Until recently, Lake Baringo was considered to be in a remote area way
off the track. Lake Baringo is a freshwater lake located on the floor of
the Rift Valley. The area surrounding it is a semi-desert that makes it
a very rugged but scenic place. Hippos and crocodiles are plentiful and
the birdlife is abundant with roughly over 400 species having been identified
here.
Lake Bogoria gives you the chance of seeing tens of thousands of flamingoes.
Hot water geysers and ferocious funnels are found here and the mid day
heat can be very unforgiving. Nevertheless, the game is plentiful and it
is one of the areas where the rare Greater Kudu can be viewed.
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TSAVO NATIONAL PARK
This could be arguably one of the largest parks in the world. Larger than Wales
in Great Britain, it covers an area of 20,812 sq. km (Tsavo West &
East combined). Located halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa, it is about
2 1/2 hours drive from either city. Not only is it diverse in plant and
animal life, it also has a wide range of geographical features including
an extensive savannah, volcanic hills, a plateau (Yatta Plateau), mountain
range (Ngulia Range) and the famous Mzima Springs. This spring has a daily
discharge of 220,000 litres of crystal clear water from underground streams
originating in the Chyulu Hills. Mzima is teeming with wildlife and you
are guaranteed to seeing some hippos and crocodiles. The spring has underwater
observatory and if you are lucky, you might be able to see hippos and crocodiles
underwater!
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SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE/ BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL RESERVE
Although located in the arid and remote northern region, the reserve is home to some rare wildlife species found nowhere else in Kenya. These include the endangered Grevy's zebra, the reticulated giraffe and the Beisa oryx. It is easily reached by road and is 325 km north of Nairobi. The neighbouring Buffalo Springs National Reserve is separated from the Samburu National Reserve by the Uaso Nyiro River with an abundance in game. The reserve is home to the rare Somali ostrich, which is larger than its cousin the Maasai ostrich |
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MT. KENYA NATIONAL PARK
For an alpine adventure this is the place to be, Mount Kenya straddles the equator and rises to the height of 5,199 m (17,058 ft). The area above 3,200 meters above the sea level forms the National Park and the environment changes as one goes higher. From snow capped peaks and glaciers, to the giant alpine vegetation area, to the gentle lower slopes covered with mountain forest and bamboo jungle teeming with wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, lion, antelopes including the rare bongo. This area is a true wonder and it is considered to be the house of God by the locals
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SWEETWATERS RHINO RESERVE
This is privately owned sanctuary located 200 km north of Nairobi. Sweetwaters Rhino Reserve is dedicated to African wildlife and their habitat conservation. The most prominent feature of this park is the orphanage for the endangered rhino as well as a rare chimpanzee sanctuary. Apart from the sanctuaries, the lodge in the reserve offers special activities for the guest such as night drives. Night drives offer you a chance to view animals in the dark of the African night as well as being witnesses to the activities of the nocturnal animals that come out.
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LAKE NAIVASHA AND KONGONI GAME RESERVE
Located only 100 km from Nairobi, this lake is the highest of all the Rift
Valley Lakes at 1880 m above sea level. This area is a birdwatchers paradise
with over 450 species of recorded birds in the area. A small islet on the
lake is home to a number of game. One can enjoy a boat safari, view wildlife
and birds from the tranquil lake. A private ranch (Kongoni Game Sanctuary)
located in the area which is a home to lions, leopards, cheetah and some
translocated Grevy's zebras.
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LAKE ELEMENTATITA
This soda lake is situated 130 km north of Nairobi and is famous for the flamingo migration. At different months of the year, tens of thousands of flamingo flock to this lake and turns the colour of the lake to pink |
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TAITA HILLS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
This small privately owned ranch is a model conservation area and elephants, buffalos and lions are easily found. Hilton hotel own two game lodges in
the ranch and that makes for a world class pampering safari.
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PHONE: (+254) 020 - 4450014 / 4450015 / 4450113 / 4444853
FAX: (+254) 020 -4446102 / 4446198
EMAIL: hippohouse1@dodoworld.com
ADDRESS: 1st Floor Viking House
P.O.Box 837-00606, Nairobi, Kenya
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