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Friday, 22 April 2011

Aberdare National Park

A unique, forested park

Aberdare National Park is situated to the south west of Mt. Kenya within the well-watered and fertile Central Highlands region.
It is the highest park in Africa and its predominant habitats are the Kinangop Plateau in the west, a 40 mile stretch of moorland, peaks and forests and the Salient in the east, an area of thick rainforest.

Pretty rivers & waterfalls

Aberdare National Park has a fantastic range of flora and fauna as well as the most beautiful scenery, its only peer in this respect is Mt. Kenya itself.
Its terrain is criss-crossed by mountain streams with pretty waterfalls and babbling water teeming with trout.
Elephant and buffalo are wide spread, there are also a number of more rare species such as black rhino, the beautiful and elusive bongo antelope and the extremely rare black leopard. Bush pigs and giant forest hogs are spotted here too. Birdlife is varied and prolific.
Game-viewing is not completely straightforward in the Aberdare National Park, the tall trees and obscuring undergrowth of the Salient can make it tricky.




Malindi

Along the North Coast is Malindi one of the Kenya's oldest coastal towns. This is where Vasaco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, landed in April 1498 before he sailed eastwards to "discover" India. A pillar in his memory still stands on the eastern side of the town overlooking the Malindi Marine National Park. Malindi is a popular tourists attraction and it offers a range of recreational facilities such as casinos, night clubs and bars, golf courses and hotels. It has a long curving beach ideal for surfing during the monsoon in July and August. The coastal area of Malindi is popular for deep-sea fishing where sportsfishermen are said to have caught some of the largest fish in Africa.



Masai Mara

MASAI MARA
Rich in game and birds, the Masai Mara is the scene of the spectacular annual migration of wildebeest and zebra, when millions of animals follow the unbroken cycle of survival as they move between Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh grasses. The sight of more than a million of these creatures moving as a great mass across the savannah is one of the most breathtaking sights in nature. Visitors to the Masai Mara from August through September are certain to see the great herds of wildebeest and zebra. From the Rift Valley escarpment, to the rolling plains and the groves of woodlands, the Masai Mara is a vast and varied landscape.



Mombasa

Mombasa is Kenya's main tourist destination. It is located on the Eastern coastline of Kenya bordering the Indian Ocean; which has made it a popular destination for its beaches. Mombasa offers a diverse marine life, world-class hotels and friendly atmosphere. There is tropical climate all year and is a great destination filled with activities for all ages.
Mombasa was ruled by the Portuguese, Arabs and British and originated back in the 16th century. Mombasa's culture today still exhibits that of its pasts. Historical Ruins like Fort Jesus and the Old Town are attractions that display the history in Mombasa.
  The following places are worth visiting
  • Fort Jesus. Fort Jesus is the most popular destination in Mombasa. Fort Jesus holds artifacts from when Mombasa was a transit port for the slave trade. There are torture rooms, cells, and many other displays from the 16th century. The attraction is from the morning until dusk.  
  • Bombolulu Workshops. Bombolulu Workshops was founded in 1969 and is a Project of the Association for the Physically Disables in Kenya (APDK). This center is a popular attraction for tourist and has 150 disabled employees who create jewelry, textiles, wood and leather crafts. This Centre is the largest rehabilitation center in Kenya.  
  • Hindu Temples. Attributes to Mombasa cultural diversity. Tourist/visitors are able to go inside the Temple accompanied by a guide from the Temple. Inside you will be able to see artifacts, idols and cultural pictures/paintings.  
  • Mombasa Tusks. The tusks were built in 1952 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's visit to Mombasa town. They are located at the entrance to the city, they are not made of Ivory as is sometimes thought, but in steel. An interesting thing to note is that the tusks also immulate a M for Mombasa!