Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park, at the foot of Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro lies some 240 km's south-east of Nairobi. The snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro rising above a saucer of clouds, dominates every aspect of Amboseli, and forms a backdrop to an impressive display of wildlife with its population of lion, elephant, leopard, cheetah, buffalo and other savannah game.

Access

• Roads
The main road into the park is from Nairobi via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi - Arusha Road, through Meshanani Gate. The other road is from Nairobi via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi - Mombasa Road. Access from Mombasa is mainly through Tsavo West National Park via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.

•Air
The park has a single airstrip for light aircrafts at Empusel gate. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town

Amboseli Ecosystem
The Amboseli ecosystem is unique. No other place in Africa combines the special hydrology, topography, geological and cultural history of Amboseli. Despite modest rainfall, a system of swamps fed by the Kilimanjaro mountain forest catchment supports a spectacular array of birds and mammals, dominated in terms of biomass and visibility by a population of some 1,400 African elephants.

Vegetation
The National Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a pleistocene lake basin, now dry.

Major Attractions
•    Mt. Kilimanjaro
•    Herds of Elephants
•    Mt. Meru
•    Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,
•    Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle
•    Swamp below observation hill hosts many elephants, buffaloes, hippos and a variety of water fowl like pelican; Egyptian goose

Wildlife Amboseli has over 80 different mammals to be found ranging from the tiny (and rarely seen) spectacled elephant shrew to the huge bulk of the African elephant. Few visitors will go home without superb elephant pictures with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. There are over 400 bird species.

Climate
The climate is mainly hot and dry. Amboseli is in the rain shadow of Mt.Kilimanjaro. The maximum average temperature of the warmest month is 33°C during the day, while that of the coldest is 27-28°C.

Best time to visit
All year round

Aberdares National Park

Encircled by beautiful moorlands of the third highest mountain ranges  Aberdares are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the rift valley, running roughly 100km north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that give way to gentler valleys separated by steep hills and rocky outcrops.

The Aberdare National Park covers the higher areas of the Aberdare Mountain Range of central Kenya. The Aberdares are an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern drainage basins. The National Park lies mainly above the tree line running along the 10,000 ft (3,048 metres) contour with some forest and scrub at lower altitude in the ‘salient’ area near Nyeri with the boundary running down to the 7,000 ft (2,296 metres) contour.

Access
Roads: The park is readily accessible on tarmac from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the eastern side (160 kms from Nairobi). A road crosses the park to connect with another from Naivasha and North Kinangop on the west. The main towns from which the park can be approached are Nyeri (154 km from Nairobi) Nyahururu (188 km from Nairobi) and Naivasha (87 km from Nairobi).

Airstrips: Mweiga Airstrip, next to the park headquarters or Nyeri Airstrip which is 12 km from Mweiga headquarters.

Major Attractions
Lesatima Peak, Kinangop Peak, waterfalls, walks in the moorlands, Twin Hills, Elephant Hills and Table Mountains. Second largest population of black rhinos in Salient and northern Aberdare. Queen Elizabeth II learned of her accession to the British throne at Treetops lodge. The Kimathi Hideout/Mau Mau caves.

Wildlife
Animal life is most abundant in the forest zone. Large mammals are represented by elephants, buffalo, bongo and black rhino among others. Carnivores include lion and leopard, whereas primates are represented by baboon, black and white colobus and sykes monkeys. The park is rich in bird life with over 250 species recorded. The Jackson's Francolin is endemic

Climate
Mist and rain occur throughout much of the year, with precipitation varying from around 1000mm yearly on the north western slopes to as much as 3000mm in the south east. Heavy rainfall occurs through most of the year.

Best time to visit
All year round

Accommodation
The Ark
The Aberdare Country Club
Treetops

Activities

• Mountain Climbing
• Camping
• Hiking
• Walking
• Night viewing of wildlife at the Ark and Treetops
• Trout fishing

NAIROBI EXCURSIONS

DAPHNE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
Pick up / drop off from your hotel or the city center
Approximate Departure time: 10:00 – 10:30 (Town Hotel)
                  : 0900 – 09:30 (S/Park and outskirts hotel)

Depart to Dephane Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage situated on the outskirts of Nairobi
(approximately 45 minutes drive).

The Sanctuary is run by Daphne Sheldrick and is set in the grounds of her house. Here you will see the orphaned animals and meet the people who handle and care for these animals. It’s an interesting excursion and the team who run the orphanage are always willing to spend time answering any questions guests have to ask. Upon completion, return to hotel or city center by approx. 1245hrs (lunch is not included).

Visiting times are limited to approximately one hour and are between 11:00hrs and 12:00 hrs daily.

HALF DAY KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM AND THE GIRAFFE MANOR
Pick up / drop off from your hotel or the city center
Approximate Departure time: 08:30 – 09:00

Follow in the footsteps of Karen Blixen as you travel towards the Ngong Hills, you feel swept immediately onto the films set of Out of Africa the moment you arrive. The old colonial farmhouse is simple, housing a few items that Karen Blixen chose and once enjoyed herself. There is also the colorful gardens to explore, where several old coffee machines have laid untouched for decades.

From here visit the AFEW Nature (Giraffe) Center near Giraffe Manor where you may hand-feed the Rothschild giraffe that live here. The giraffe were brought here by Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, who founded AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) and built the Nature Center to help educate young African children about wildlife conservation. The Rothschild giraffe are the tallest species and may reach eighteen feet in height, but you can see eye to eye with them on the elevated walkway at the center.

HALF DAY NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
Pick up / drop off from your Nairobi hotel or the city center
Approximate Departure time: 08:30 – 09:00 or 14:00 – 1430

Just 10 km from the city center and only 117 sq km in size, this is Kenya’s oldest park. Established around 1946, it’s a real contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. With over 500 varieties of birds recorded and more than 100 mammals species, a visit to the park is always a memorable experience. Common sightings include zebra, giraffe, buffalo, ostrich, gazelle, eland, hippo, vulture and lion. It is also a great place to see the black rhino.


THE CARNIVORE EXPERIENCE
Pick up / drop off from your Nairobi hotel or the city center
Approximate Departure time: 12:00 – 12:30 or 18:30 – 19:00  

The Carnivore Restaurant is one of Africa’s greatest eating experiences, made famous for its succulent steaks, barbecue dishes, game meat and great African hospitality. A visit here is an excellent complement to a holiday and makes a perfect spot for welcome or farewell meals. Delicious barbequed and skewered vegetarian meals are also available.

HALF DAY NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK

Pick up / drop off from your Nairobi hotel or the city center
Approximate Departure time: 13: 00 – 13:30

A Boma means a village, thus Bomas of Kenya means literally villages of Kenya. Kenya is a tribal society with over 42 tribes. The Government thought it wise to set up a place with traditional set up homesteads representing the different tribal regions. This homestead depicts different cultures with Guides to tell the history. Next to it, visit to the auditorium where you will be entertained by different tribal cultural troops until 1700 hrs.

NAIROBI CITY TOUR
Pick up / drop off from your Nairobi hotel or the city center
Approximate Departure time: 08:30 – 09:00  

Situated 160 km south of the equator, Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and boasts one of the finest climates in the world. This modern, cosmopolitan city is the regional headquarters for many African and Indian Ocean businesses. With delegates attracted here from around the world, they come for the friendliness of the people, the modern hotel facilities and the vast array of fascinating options available throughout the city. Although the ‘City in the sun’ is relatively young by global standards, it has fascinating history capturing explorers, missionaries, wars, cultural diversity and politics etc, each leaving their mark on the city center in some way.

On the tour, you will pass by modern day Nairobi landmarks including the law courts, parliament buildings and the uniquely shaped Kenyatta International Conference Center and perhaps pick a few bargains at the colourful city market. The city has excellent museums: The Railway Museum and the National Museum offer an insight into the fauna, culture and history of Kenya.

Nairobi National Museum is located at the Museum Hill, approximately 10 minutes drive from the Nairobi city centre. It is the flagship museum of NMK, housing some of the most celebrated collections of history, culture and art from Kenya and East Africa. The museum aims to interpret heritage of Kenya to stimulate appreciation and learning. Visit also the Snake which has a wide variety of reptiles to see.

NAIROBI HOTEL BED SERIES

Nairobi City hosts a wide range of accommodation options to suite every budget and pocket. The city has seen the progressive development of a world-class hospitality industry that boasts of star-rated, award-winning hotels, pubs and restaurants within and around the Nairobi Metro Region. These facilities offer unmatched product and service offerings in the region tailor-made to suit individual needs ranging from the Presidential entourage to the budget tourist.

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