THINGS TO DO:
NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES TO VISIT:
- LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK - surrounds Lake Nakuru, a soda lake in the Rift Valley region of Kenya.
- MASAI MARA NATIONAL PARK
LOCATION: is in the south east of Kenya. The Masai Mara is actually not a National Park, but rather a National Reserve belonging to the Masai people and administered by the local county council. It is one of the best known and most popular reserves in Africa.
UNDERSTAND:The Masai Mara National Reserve is each year visited by thousands of tourists, who come here to watch the many different wildlife and birdlife species in the reserve. The reserve is especially famous for the 1.5 million wildebeest migrating through here twice a year.
LANDSCAPE:The Masai Mara is characterized by four different kinds of topography: sandy soil and small bushes to the east, the Oloololo Escarpment forming a spectacular plateau as the western boundary of the reserve, lush grasslands and woodlands around the Mara River and open plains with scattered bushes making up the largest part of the reserve. The landscape is very varied and has a romantic feeling to it, as can be witnessed in the film 'Out of Africa', which was filmed here in 1985.
FLORA AND FAUNA: When visiting the Masai Mara you are likely to see the famous Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Especially lions are common here, and have grown relatively accustomed to their two-legged visitors, which makes them easier to spot. The Mara Plains are teeming with wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, impala and Thomson's gazelle. Also cheetahs, hyenas and jackals are seen regularly in the reserve. In the Mara River large amounts of hippos and crocodiles are enjoying their lives - the crocodiles are especially happy in July and November when thousands of wildebeest migrate across the river causing a sumptuous feast for the hungry crocodiles. Birdlife in Masai Mara are abundant and diverse. Species such as eagles, ostriches, storks and vultures are among the more than 50 different birds of prey.
- MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK - Mount Kenya is the highest Mountain in Kenya and is its own national park. It has 3 peaks of differing difficulty in regards to mountineering. Porters are available on some routes.
- NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK - is the closest National Park to Nairobi in Kenya. It is located a mere half hour drive from the city, making it a good destination for a day trip.
GETTING AROUND: Nairobi National Park boasts to be one of the only Natural game reserves in the world,literally inside a city.Located just 10 mins from the city centre off Langata Road,its ideal to get your first feel of what Kenya has to Offer,or for those quick visits without the time to see the Mara,Serengeti,Amboseli etc,its the ideal park to visit. You will be most comfortable in a Four wheel drive,Van ,jeep or truck,as the terrain remains natural and rough.You can use a saloon,though it will most definitely be a rough drive. There are many car hire firms that offer pick ups and drops in vans,coasting anything between Kshs 6000 to 15,000 per day.
- TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK - Tsavo National Park was established on 1st April, 1948 with an area of 21,812 Km2 It is the largest Park in Kenya. In May 1948 Tsavo National Park was divided into East and West for administrative purposes. The two Parks are divided by Nairobi–Mombasa railway /road. The Waliangulu and Kamba tribes used it as a hunting ground prior to gazettement. Dr. Krapf journeyed on foot through this area in 1848 crossing the Tsavo river on his way to Kitui – first European to see Mt. Kenya. Construction of the railway reached Tsavo river in 1898. During the construction of the bridge Lions (Man eaters of Tsavo) terrorized the workers, killing over 130 people before being killed by Col. Patterson. During the World War I (1914-1918) British forces built fortresses along Tsavo river to counter threats from invading German forces from Tanganyika (present Tanzania) – whose intention was to blow up the Tsavo river bridge that was vital to British Communication. Captain Lugards a European explorer passed through the area on his way to Uganda and had a drop over at the Lugards falls area.
- TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK - Tsavo National Park was established on 1st April, 1948 with an area of 21,812 Km2 It is the largest Park in Kenya. In May 1948 Tsavo National Park was divided into East and West for administrative purposes. The two Parks are divided by Nairobi–Mombasa railway /road. The Waliangulu and Kamba tribes used it as a hunting ground prior to gazettement. Dr. Krapf journeyed on foot through this area in 1848 crossing the Tsavo river on his way to Kitui – first European to see Mt. Kenya. Construction of the railway reached Tsavo river in 1898. During the construction of the bridge Lions (Man eaters of Tsavo) terrorized the workers, killing over 130 people before being killed by Col. Patterson. During the World War I (1914-1918) British forces built fortresses along Tsavo river to counter threats from invading German forces from Tanganyika (present Tanzania) – whose intention was to blow up the Tsavo river bridge that was vital to British Communication. Captain Lugards a European explorer passed through the area on his way to Uganda and had a drop over at the Lugards falls area.
- ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
- AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
- MERU NATIONAL PARK
- MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
- SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK
- SIBILOI NATIONAL PARK
THINGS TO BUY:
Maasai jewelry, Mkonde wood carvings, Lamu chairs and batiks. The largest selection of handicrafts can probably be found at the Maasai Market in downtown Nairobi on Tuesdays, although expect plenty of hassling and hard bargaining.If one does not wish to go to the downtown Maasai market there is always the Village Market in Gigiri (Close to Unep Headquarters) where a small number of the vendors go once a week to sell their ware. This is usually at a higher price because Gigiri is a plush suburb so they price their goods accordingly. There is also a fine selection of stores selling craft goods in Mombasa, where the atmosphere is somewhat more relaxed. However the best prices can be found by buying direct from the artisans at their villages out in the countryside.
Apart from the typical souvenirs like wood carvings it may be a good idea to buy one of the large books with photos of wildlife, nature, or culture. Do listen & buy some local Kenyan music. One of the most popular songs is "Jambo Bwana" by Teddy Kalanda Harrison (lyrics), which almost all tourist will be exposed to at some point during their stay. Reggae is also quite a frequent feature of matatu journeys.
THINGS TO EAT:
Nairobi has some of the finest eating establishments in Africa. Many different cuisines and types of restaurants are available, from fast food to fancy. Many five star hotels have attached fine restaurants, which are expensive but worth it. Many restaurants can be found downtown, and in the areas of Westlands and Hurlingham. Amongst the many cuisines available are Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants. Fast Food restaurants, mostly by South African Chains (Steers, Nandos) are common in the larger urban areas.
- The Carnivore A meal here is a must.
- Mandhari (Nairobi Serena in Uhuru Park) is a 5-star restaurant
- Haandi (The Mall in Westlands) - Indian
- Trattoria (CBD)- Italian
- Medittarraneo(at the Junction Mall on Ngong Road)-Italian
- Pampas Churrascaria(In Panari Center on Mombasa Road)-Brazilian
- Alan Bobbe's Bistro(On Riverside Road)-French
- Slims(Lenana Rd)- American Bar/Grill/Steakhouse(excellent steaks)
- Furusato (Westlands) -- Perhaps the best sushi in Africa
- Tamambo (The Mall in Westalnds) -- very good international cuisine
- Siam Thai (Unga House Westlands) -- top notch Thai cuisine
- Kudeta (Bogani Road, Langata) -- The best ribs in Nairobi and some of the best seafood too -- nb may be closed and road can be dangerous due to carjacking
- Porini (Mombasa) - Seychellois
- K'osewe's (Nairobi Central Business District) - Serves many traditional Kenyan meals
THINGS TO DRINK:
Kenyan beer is among the best you will ever taste. There is one major brewer whose flagship brand is Tusker Lager. Also try the Tusker Malt Lager. Another good lager beer is White Cap Lager. Imported Beers are available in supermarkets and High end hotels, but the prices are usually high. But imported Tanzanian beer like Kilimanjaro and Safari tend to be cheaper than even Tusker. In locals bars do not expect to pay more than around 75 Ksh (~$1) for a double beer, anything more is a tourist rip-off. Many locals still cannot afford Tusker so it is not as popular in Kenya as people think. Locals tend to drink even cheaper beers like Senator, which is in a small red bottle and has an abnormally high alcohol content. It certainly tastes interesting. In some smaller towns Allsopps beer is available - It is cheaper than Tusker and is arguably nicer. Also, do NOT buy in local gas stations or bars small plastic pouches of alcohol that were popular among the poorest citizens till their mass production ceased. They are sometimes not even filled with alcohol but with lacquer thinner or gasoline. The Kenyan government also passed a law criminalising their sale and production, so they should be avoided at all costs.
Imported and local wines and spirits are widely available, and it is advisable to avoid local brews such as "changaa" and "busaa", which are illegal, unhygenically brewed and whose consumption has led to deaths on different occasions of drinkers. There is an excellent selection of soft drinks especially from the Coca Cola stable but try the "Tangawizi" brand of ginger ale. If you are in Nairobi, visit the "Diamond Plaza" in Highridge where you will get a range of freshly squeezed juices including Tangerine, Sugarcane & Mango. In addition, most large malls in Nairobi and Mombasa have Juice Bars with a wide array of juices on offer.
- Simba Saloon (within the Carnivore in Langata)
- Gypsy (Westalnds) -- popular, if slightly seedy, bar that has become something of an institution in the past 15 years
- Casablanca (Lenana Road) -- Upmarket Morrocan bar in Hurlingham, next to Osteria del Chianti restaurant, where you can relax by the fire outside or lie on huge raised sofas inside and smoke a hookah,
- Mercury (ABC place, Westlands) -- Swish cocktail bar that's a good place to start the evening
- The Moonflower (At Palacina hotel, Dennis Pritt Road) -- Good place, popular with locals, for a quiet drink in a tasteful but cosy setting
- Outside Inn (Karen Road) -- Good Steak and Kidney Pie and good for watching rugby matches
- The Rusty Nail (Dagoretti Road, Karen) -- This place is a must for an afternoon drink. It has the loveliest gardens of any bar/restaurant in Nairobi. Come for a Pimms, but beware the food can sometimes be a little hit and miss. Excellent sticky toffee pudding, though.
- Karen Blixen Coffee Garden (Karen Road) -- Good bar (and restaurant) popular with white Kenyans but can be a little empty these days.
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